Working in the emergency department during this pandemic is an experience I will never forget. We are used to dealing with chaos, but this is currently unknown territory. I'm happy to be on the frontline helping these patients. We have had multiple cases of COVID-19 in the emergency room (ER) requiring admission to the floor or the intensive care unit (ICU). However, some of the patients we are able to discharge from the ER. We also have a drive through testing center outside of the hospital where we can swab patients in their car and send them home to self-quarantine until their results come back. This has helped reduce the number of patients coming into the ER as well.

One challenge we are facing is floating to different units of the hospital. Many ER nurses are being sent to help in the ICUs. While this is a huge learning experience, we are happy to help! Another challenge that many nurses all over are facing is lack of personal protection equipment (PPE). We are currently being provided with adequate PPE, but the thought of running out is always on our minds.

The Egan School of Nursing has prepared me for this pandemic by always placing high importance on patient-centered care and compassionate healing. Now more than ever, patients are afraid and alone and therefore need us to be their support system.