Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1307977
24 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com November 9–December 14, 2020 Devon Denholm, RN, BSN EDUCATION COORDINATOR Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? My career started only two years ago, so the most signifi- cant change has been the transition from being a stu- dent nurse to being a compe- tent nurse, learning how to take initiative and proactively advocate for my patients. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. A local physician who was a frontline worker combating COVID-19 became severely ill with the virus earlier this year. He experienced multi- organ failure and cardiac arrest that resulted in brain injury. To make matters even worse, he had countless com- plicated infections requiring intensive antibiotic therapy. Against the odds, he was able to come off the ventilator and was transferred to Casa Colina for rehabilitation. When he first came in, he was struggling with speech and memory issues and had diffi- culty with self-care. By the time he was discharged, he was able to hold conversations and required only minimal assistance with routine activi- ties. The emotion expressed by this patient, his family and those involved in his care as he was wheeled out of the hos- pital to go home will always be among the most memorable moments of my career. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? I have not been able to see my family or friends as much, but I have come to more fully appreciate the time we have together. We support each other through phone calls, FaceTime and texts. Many old friends have reached out to check in. My relationships with my coworkers have also been strengthened as we navi- gate the uncertainties together. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? Progressing in my career has also fostered growth in my personal life, strengthening my communication skills and giving me the confidence to treat people I do not know with the same compassion I do my family. Martin Espina, RN, BSN MANAGER, AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? In previous years, my practice was mostly limited to individ- ual patient care. As I've taken on the role of nurse manager, I have shifted my focus to making my nurses' practice more efficient while maintaining a high quality of care. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. What I find most inspirational during this pandemic is the number of people who have volunteered to take care of COVID-19 patients in the cohorted units. These frontline workers do not have to be exposed, but they do so because when they chose a healthcare career, they pledged to care for those who are ill. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? As a nurse, I didn't sign up wanting special recognition for caring for people. I did it simply to care for people, period. However, it's always nice to know that people out there appreciate what healthcare providers do on a daily basis. The general public has seemed very supportive, down to small gestures such as expedited lines in stores for frontline workers. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? As I have aged and progressed in my nursing career, I have broadened my view from individual patient care to how I can affect care on a larger scale by making nursing prac- tices simpler, more efficient and of the highest standards. ,