Health Care Hero: Caring for COVID patients hardest — and most rewarding — experience

Hometown: Dayton

Job title: Registered Nurse

Where do I work: Dayton Children's Emergency Room

COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Describe what my day is like/what I do: Every day is different in the ER, but overall my job involves assessing and providing safe, quality care to pediatric patients. Because we are a level one trauma center, we can see a variety of patient conditions at any one time, and because of that, we always have to be prepared to know what to do when a patient's condition deteriorates. I give medications, start IVs, and communicate and collaborate with the physicians and other health care personnel to ensure optimal care is given. I also educate families and direct them to the resources they need for the care of their child.

What inspired you to get into health care? I served as a volunteer in the Kettering Medical Center ER when I was in college and that was my inspiration for wanting to pursue nursing.

Health Care Hero: ‘I became a nurse to make a difference’

What's a memorable experience you've had in health care? One of my most memorable experiences in health care was in April of this year. I served as a nurse in a field hospital in Central Park in New York City with Samaritan's Purse for 3.5 weeks treating COVID patients. This was truly one of the hardest experiences of my life — wearing full PPE for 12 hours every day was also very hard. But despite how hard it was, it was also the most rewarding because we got to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who were so sick and filled with immense fear. Along with that, we also got to celebrate and cheer and ring a cow bell any time a patient was discharged because we all knew that the Lord had given them a second chance at life.

Health Care Hero: ‘I really love my job’

What do you want readers to know about your job right now? Even though my job in the ER can be very stressful at times, it's a blessing to know that we get to come alongside people during their moments of fear and pain, and not only provide quality care, but also provide some hope and encouragement along the way.