“The main challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic have been related to the disease’s unknown - its effects and transmission. It was scary for me knowing that I could be bringing COVID-19 germs back to the neonatal ICU, where the patients’ immune systems are extremely vulnerable. As hard as everything has been during the pandemic, staying positive has been easy. As a nurse, each shift’s primary goal is to save patient’s lives and positively influence them.”
Katherine Koss, ‘16 BSN, MSN Student
Children's Hospital of Georgia, Neonatal-ICU
“Right now, my job involves collecting information from multiple sources and providing that information to the public. Daily, I’m talking to patients and community members about COVID-19 updates.”
Chelsea Headden, ‘18 BSN
Public Health Nurse, DHEC
“Once elective procedures resumed, we had to test all of our patients for COVID-19
before procedures were performed. If patients are an unknown status, the entire team
has to dress out completely. We are adapting as much as we can as a unit.”
Hannah Kerrigan, ‘16 BSN
Surgery Center of Aiken
“COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of my job as a nurse practitioner. Even the simplest
cases are now more complex and time demanding. I think the biggest impact is learning
how to advocate for a patient with COVID-19. I have developed a new level of resilience
that I hope translates into more holistic patient care. The challenges have been more
emotional and mental than physical. It has also been hard telling family members or
explaining to patients that visitors are not allowed. It is heartbreaking to see how
isolated our patients have become due to COVID-19.”
April Hutto, ‘01 BSN, ‘20 CGS
Lake Psychological Services, LLC, Columbia, SC
“I work in the Progressive Care Unit, which became a COVID-19 unit. It’s a scary feeling going in every day, but our patients need us.”
Adeline Fotso, RN-BSN Student
Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, SC
“Testing and treating patients for COVID-19 has made me so much more appreciative
of my health. While these times may be stressful at work, I am grateful for the strong
workforce I am with each time I step into the ED. COVID-19 patients represent only
a fraction of the patients we are treating. Even more now, we must continue to provide
the same care for those patients coming to us for many other reasons. These patients
provide perspective for our staff, as they are more of our ‘regular’ population. I
am doing my best to show compassion and empathy to anxious patients and overwhelmed
coworkers, which is more prevalent now.
Robert Blackwelder, ‘20 MSN
Augusta University Medical Center, ED
“What’s happening right now is overwhelming. As an ER nurse, the pressure to protect our community while caring for those affected is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. We’re scared, but we will get through this.
Jess Belden, ‘12 BSN
Prisma Health ER
“During COVID-19, I have been floated to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac
Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatric Oncology floors. I’m so grateful for the opportunity
to broaden my knowledge base and skill set, connecting all the dots at such a critical
yet eventful time.”
Shir' Mel McCullough, ‘18 BSN, DNP Student
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital
“My primary role includes assessing home-bound patients following acute illnesses
who require hospitalization or rehab. I coordinate with primary providers to develop
and facilitate safe care plans to continue their journey to health.
I educate patients and their caregivers on medications, disease processes, and safety
in their homes. COVID-19 has been an interesting spin on my daily activities because
I not only come in contact with high-risk patients but also educate caregivers
and family on their safety and precautions to keep all persons
safe and healthy in the community.”
Meredith Altenburg , MSN Student
Bayada Homehealth, Charlotte, NC