Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1307977
32 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com November 9–December 14, 2020 Erik Rodarte, RN, BSN, CCRN, PHN CRITICAL CARE Huntington Hospital, Pasadena Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? Being on the front lines has made me hypervigilant about infection control, both inside and outside of the hospital. Social interaction with patients and their families has always been an important part of my patient care, but it has become chal- lenging, since families are unable to visit. I set aside time during my shift for Zoom calls to make sure patients have a chance to see their loved ones. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. Seeing our unit leadership team front and center was inspiring, providing a human, personal touch in the midst of a very isolating experience. Our leader- ship has been completely transparent about our PPE supplies and current plans for managing COVID-19 patient surge while making us feel valued and heard. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? During the lockdowns, my family and I remained in contact with FaceTime calls. I particularly enjoy calls from my nieces and nephew as well as the occasional happy hour call with friends. I have received so much appreciation from family members, friends and neighbors in forms of thank-you cards, care packages and meals. It makes all I do well worth it. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? Since becoming a critical care nurse, I have grown more passionate about the impact I can have in someone's life. I am humbled to be able to share tears of joy with a fami- ly member when their loved one is doing better; bring comfort with a phone call to an anxious daughter who cannot visit her hospitalized mother; or hold the hand of a dying patient. Renato P. Regalado, RN, BSN, CCRN CRITICAL CARE Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Arcadia Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? My experience has included challenges and rewarding opportunities. For example, our nursing division has been work- ing with local government and health officials to develop proto- cols to protect our community from COVID-19. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. We had a COVID-19 patient whose family lived in Asia. She had been ventilated in critical care and failed multiple weaning trials. On one of her coherent days, she wrote on her white board, "Let me go." However, her children wanted to continue aggressive measures to prolong her life. I explained her wishes to her children, who ultimately chose to shift the focus of her care to alleviating her suffering. We facilitated an online video con- ference to enable the family to reconnect with their mother. This experience reminds me that we are trying to heal patients emotionally and spiri- tually, as well as physically. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? The support from my wife is what I have appreciated most. After work, she screens me to ask whether or not I cared for COVID-19 patients during my shift. If the answer is yes, she puts my scrubs in a bucket of boiling soapy water. She is rig- orous in ensuring that our fami- ly stays safe and healthy. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? I feel that I have grown as a nurse because I push beyond the fears and continue to believe in the impact I am hav- ing. I have also gained a greater respect for the power of team- work. We cannot fight this alone; supporting each other is the only way to make it through. been an important part of my patient care, but it has become chal- lenging, since families are unable to visit. I set aside time during my shift for Zoom calls to make sure patients have a chance to see Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this Seeing our unit leadership team front and center was inspiring, providing a human, personal touch in the midst of a very isolating experience. Our leader- ship has been completely transparent about our PPE supplies and current friends and neighbors in forms of thank-you cards, care packages and meals. It makes all I do well worth it. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? Since becoming a critical care nurse, I have grown more passionate about the impact I can have in someone's life. I am humbled to be able to share tears of joy with a fami ly member when their loved one is doing better; bring comfort with a phone call to an anxious daughter who cannot visit her hospitalized mother; or hold the hand of a dying patient.