by Ryan Hahn
Caroline is a 24-year-old nurse from Durham Region in Ontario. She is working on the frontline directly with COVID-19 patients – just two years out of school.
I spoke with her about what it’s been like working in this field at such a young age during these stressful times. (Note: We have refrained from using Caroline’s last name to allow her to speak freely about her current work experience.)
Why did you go to school for nursing?
I picked nursing because I was really into health science and I wanted to choose something that was hands-on, and I knew I could get a job after I finished school.
What was it like trying to find a job when you were done school?
Finding a job wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Although there are lots of positions available, I had a connection to get into my field. So, I was able to meet a manager through a friend of mine, but I do know that everyone I graduated with now has a job since being in school. So, there are jobs available for nurses.
Was it what you imagined it was going to be like when you first started working in the field? How has it changed because of COVID-19?
For the most part, yes. I found that my clinical placements prepared me for my job. So, there weren't really many surprises when I started working on my own. Now, due to COVID, everything has changed in my role. I find that pretty much every admission now has been a COVID-19 patient either trying to find out if they have COVID-19, or it is confirmed that they have COVID-19. And just every single patient I'm working with now is related to that diagnosis, which is pretty crazy. There are a lot of infection control concerns, you know, everybody's contagious, everyone's wearing masks, there’re no visitors allowed, and everything has changed in the hospital.
Does it worry you that your job puts you at risk of getting COVID-19?
Yeah, I think everybody that I work with is scared and worried. We go through screening before we even come into the hospital…So, it's weird to go from single-use masks, like we've been taught our whole lives, to just wear a mask for the entire shift because we got a limit the use of equipment to make sure we have enough to last us through it. So, everyone's a little scared, but everyone's keeping positive and working through it. And I work with a wonderful team that makes all my worries go away.
What is a ‘normal’ day of work like?
I wake up, I'll go to work, I'll go to the screening at work. We want to limit as much contact as possible so I'm not staying in my patients’ room as much. I'm not hanging out with other people, we're always wearing a mask, we're always staying away. When I get home from work, I go upstairs, I change, I shower right away. My hair is falling out because I'm washing my hair so much and then at home I'm locked in my room or I'm outside alone and I'm not in contact with anybody outside of the house.
What does your family think of the situation?
My family's been very supportive. They're cooking me wonderful meals. They're FaceTiming me, we're playing games through Zoom and FaceTime, and they're really supportive. They're still present even though we can't be present face-to-face.
What’s something you will always remember from this pandemic?
Probably my patients coming back from ICU. So, I'm getting people, my parents’ age, 55 to 60, you know, lots of life left. People are getting COVID and spending two weeks on ventilators, and by the time they get back out of ICU and onto the floor, they are sicker than ever. So, people go from walking and talking and living an independent life, to tube feeds and learning how to walk again and they're very weak and it’s just things I haven't seen before, you know? Healthy people are falling really, really sick. So, spending time during that recovery with them is invaluable.
Has this experience made you feel like you chose the right career?
I think I've really stepped up to the plate. You know, I am keeping a level-headed mind and my team is amazing, and we're still smiling at work. I think I was kind of made for this scenario, this work right now. I'm really committed to my job.
Did you ever expect to be working during a pandemic?
I knew there would be a pandemic when I would be a nurse. I think the world has always talked about it. There's always going to be the next thing, you know? We've gone through SARS, we've gone through AIDS. It's been in history, and it'll continue happening. Did I think it would happen so early in my career? Absolutely not. It is crazy but, you know, after this, I'm sure I'll see another one too.
コメント