This is Cori. Cori is 21 years old and a nursing student. Her striking red hair and dramatic brown eyes are barely seen under the cover of her protective equipment.
Cori started working at the local hospital near her home in Nevada last year and was assigned to the Neurosurgery unit. Her recent certification as a CNA in hand, she was helping patients and assisting where she was needed in post op.
Earlier this year she became a student nurse. Determined and excited to start her studies in a most dedicated and important field, Cori began her classes and continued at the hospital part time.
When she arrived to work last Friday, things were different. Cori’s unit had transitioned to a COVID unit.
“ At first, I wasn’t super worried about it- but as I learned more about the virus and saw more and more patients come in, I realized this is a serious thing. I started feeling the impact. Each time I go back I see how much my unit has changed. People are dying. Some go home. I’m getting regular updates from my work.”
Cori’s days are 12 hours long. She helps 10-15 patients in the unit each day; changes her gown and gloves and disinfects her equipment each time she leaves the room. The N95 mask, then a surgical mask over it, finally the last layer, the shield, are her protection. She’s asked to hold on to her N95 and her shield for 3 months.
“It’s hard to get fresh air so when I am not in a patient’s room, I’ll take off the N95 and just wear the surgical mask while I do my paperwork.”
Her nursing classes are online now and although she misses the interaction with the other students and the teachers, she knows this is the way it needs to be. This is the new path to her future.
This is Cori’s story. There are many more like hers now all over the world.
We’re thankful for our health care workers and not the least of these is our young caregivers who will take their experiences of today into the futures of our humanity. Bless you all.