Our team of physicians, nurses, and amazing staff members have all come together in one big support team like no other time before. The current situation has helped break down barriers. We are all equal, and we have learned to jump in and help each other without hesitation. Knowing I am not alone in this crisis makes all the difference to me. Our patients are experiencing anxiety, and so are we. By always being kind to one another, we can meet this moment and the ones that follow.

As a nurse of 44 years, I can say this is something that we all trained for — to be on the frontlines and to make a difference for people who are sick. This is our chance to rise to the very best of who we are and what we can do. I don’t think any of us thought in our lifetime that we would be part of a pandemic. Now we’re living it, and we’re seeing some of the most incredible work, care, and selflessness coming from our nurses at the medical centers.

I spent the morning with an elderly patient who was grateful to be seen as the clinics are closed. He questioned if he should even be out in public but needed follow-up after a recent eye surgery. After the exam, he asked if he could chat for a few minutes because he wanted to talk about his deceased son who was a scientist. I realized I’ve taken these precious interactions for granted. Usually my schedule is packed with back-to-back exams. But today, I listened and acknowledged this proud father and what his son had accomplished. This 84-year-old man was seen and heard. His vision and eyesight were secondary. I love my job.

Sometimes it can get extremely emotional and physically draining, seeing our sick patients and our tired staff. Our patients have become our family, especially if their family cannot be here in the hospital with them. The toll of the situation can sometimes be hard to manage. I wasn’t taking care of myself. A fast, pounding heart rate and blurry vision were some of the symptoms that hit me while I was driving to work. I was able to get help and see a doctor, who diagnosed my anxiety attack and prescribed rest and fluids. I was also dehydrated. Now I’m taking care of myself first — because if we get sick who will take care of our patients?

Pharmacy employees are the unsung heroes you won't hear about on the news. We are filling twice as many prescriptions as we usually do. We’re running back and forth filling as fast as we can, and we go home completely exhausted. We wake up wondering: Is this the day we will be exposed to COVID-19? Will I expose my family? But we get up, come back in with a positive outlook knowing we need to do our part — that our patients are counting on us — counting on me — to be there for them. It keeps me going when patients say, ‘Thank you for being here. I appreciate you.’

I walk into work these days at Urgent Care with my fingers crossed that I don’t get sick. We are working hard to protect our patients and our staff. What keeps me going in times like these? My co-workers. I love and trust my fellow nurses, providers and support staff. Lately at the end of shift, we find a dance video and we just dance for 15 minutes. There’s laughter, jokes and camaraderie. It’s just a stress reliever before we head home, and it’s fun!

I’m afraid that I may take the virus home to my family. I have two kids with asthma and my mom has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It’s scary. There are nights I don’t sleep well. I’m afraid,  but I know I need to step up to the plate and do what needs to be done.