There are two things that keep me going: First is my faith and second is knowing that I can be here to support our members, management, our nurses and our hospitalists. I have learned individually and collectively the true meaning of what is involved when working together as a team. Some of us have to be willing to step up to the plate and others need to be willing to let someone else lead – and that is what has transpired. I’m seeing the true value in my supportive role within the Continuing Care Department, and that is very fulfilling.

All of the fears my team has are the same fears I have. I try to connect with them and provide them with feedback and information just as I would like to hear it. What would make me understand the situation better or bring some understanding to me? I try to address their fears. Outstanding communication has been key to my employees feeling safe.

She was by herself. In my heart I knew that no one should die alone. So, I opened the isolation cart and began to pull out PPE. Once inside, I pulled up the chair and took hold of the patient’s hand. I began speaking to her, telling her who I was and that, although she didn’t know me, I cared about her and she was not alone. I continued speaking with her as I rubbed her arm and brushed the hair from her face. For some reason, I felt that she was listening to me, that she could hear me, for at times her breathing and body seemed to become more relaxed and calmer, as if she was being reassured by my words. At least, that was my hope. I sat with her for an hour or so, leaving only for a quick meeting. Over the next couple of hours, I returned to the unit to watch her through the window or check on her by calling the charge nurse. Prior to returning to the unit for the last time, I called the charge nurse to let her know I was on my way back and was told that the patient had passed away. I went back to my office, closed the door and cried.

I go to work every day in fear of getting sick and in fear of seeing patients decline. But I care so much to be present for the patients and my co-workers. Seeing patients get better and go home is fulfilling. In times like these, the teamwork I have with every member of the health care team keeps me going. We show up to work to support one another. Not only nurses, but Environmental Services and lift technicians are vital to our unit. The staff and I always find ways to laugh through the stress. We’re all in this together and we will get through it.

It's not really just one moment, but various moments that highlight the successes and difficulties during this time. I've spent much of my time in the ICU, and the special moments for me are when I've had the privilege of helping patients get better and, ultimately, be transferred off the unit. Conversely, it is always trying when patients we work so hard to save don't get better.

‘If you’re going, I’m going.’ That’s how that started. We had just heard that the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center was short-staffed, and they needed help. My personality is, I need detail. I need more information. At this point, I knew nothing, but I couldn’t let my buddy go alone. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know what we were going into. We needed each other and we had each other. We were all scared but to know that I wasn’t in it alone, he wasn’t in it alone, that made it better.

We got an urgent message about the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. They were short-staffed and needed nurses. I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’ It’s a little thank you in return. I was an LVN there while my kids were little. I was scared at first and didn’t know what to expect. But once we saw all those elderly, vulnerable people needing help, all those fears went out the window. Some of them hadn’t eaten or dressed. We worked as fast as we could and got them comfortable and gave them a keepsake — a teddy bear or photo of their loved one. We knew that this was their home. It brought back memories of my dad. Before he passed away, he told me, ‘You’re going to be a nurse. You have the love and personality to be a nurse.’ That stayed in my mind for a long time. Yesterday, I was like, ‘Dad, I did this.’ It reinforced my love of what I do for a living. It’s not going to work, but going to what I love to do.

My supervisor asked me if I would do this surge planning assignment to help coordinate the regional labor pool. I said, ‘Of course, I’ll do anything I can to help.’ It’s a state of emergency. I feel it should be all hands on deck. I’m only one piece of this. It has been very time-consuming, but it’s very important. For example, we’re helping our pharmacies have enough curbside runners so members can get their medications in a timely manner. These are extraordinary circumstances. I’m happy to do what it takes.

Four of us grievance representatives are working at the curbside pharmacy and COVID-19 testing pilot site outside the Corona Medical Offices in Riverside. This service is by appointment only, for high-risk patients who need to pick up a prescription or be tested for COVID-19, or both. Many of them are visibly sick — and they don’t have masks or gloves or anything — and they start coughing. Some are angry. But they’re all anxious, and they’re scared. If you can stay calm and controlled, they respond to that. It’s a good feeling when you see them ease up. At that point you just get them the help they need.