“Nursing Is What I’ve Always Wanted to Do”: Class of 2019 Alum Shares Her Pandemic Experience
By Kylie Beers
For 18 year-old Emma Beers, Littleton High School class of 2019 graduate, this quarantine isn’t all that much of a time to relax. She has been working on the front-line at Emerson Hospital dealing with Covid-19 for three weeks now. Emma spends anytime between 8-12 hours a day there. I had the chance to sit down with her, my sister, yesterday and ask her a few questions about what it is like for her working at the hospital during this time.
Emma, do you have any advice for those of us not on the frontline?
People need to stay home and protect themselves, so that way the virus doesn’t reach you and doesn’t spread to others easily.
How can people support those who are on the frontline?
If people could continue to donate masks, caps, and shields. Also just to offer support to the people they know going through this as it is difficult emotionally, physically, and mentally. I appreciate the support I am getting, and I am grateful for all the restaurants who are providing us with food.
Were you nervous or scared the first time you went in after the virus reached us?
I was not nervous but rather, very excited to help and eager to learn how to help and how to help as much as possible. Nursing is what I’ve always wanted to do, and working through this pandemic is giving me lots of experience and unique opportunities.
How did people react when they found out you were working at the hospital?
Most people were shocked and all of them were very thankful and proud that I was working on the front-line. It took my friends a little longer to fully understand because I’m so young, but they are all now very supportive and offer me a shoulder to cry on when I need to vent.
How do you interact with the patients?
The care is very impersonal because we have a mask, face shield, hair cover, and a gown on. It is hard for patients to remember who we are. It is important to make small connections with the patients to make their day. I try to stay in the room a little bit longer than necessary to make connections and talk, so the patient feels less lonely as no visitors are allowed. It is really cool when a patient remembers you or your name; it’s a reminder that you have impacted their life and you really are making a difference, especially when they are discharged and you are able to bring them out to their loved ones.
You said it was emotionally draining, can you explain that?
It is very hard to watch patients decline so rapidly from one day to the next. The first patient I ever took care of ended up passing away. It is important to focus on the positives and remember the difference you're making.
This is what it is like for a person working on the front line, and how the Corona virus impacts her daily life. For those of us patiently (or impatiently) waiting at home for this pandemic to pass, it's important to remember that some people are fighting this virus to protect us every single day. And I am proud to call one of these brave workers my sister.
