Healthcare workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic
A collection of podcasts with ICU nurses and Respiratory Therapists, sharing their stories on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic shattered every part of our lives. But behind the doors of most ICU halls, frontline healthcare workers were fighting to help their patients breathe again. Then the story changed. It wasn’t just the virus shaking their lives. It was the narratives passing through communities. At first, hospitals and healthcare workers were hailed as heroes. Then they soon became the villains as conspiracies swirled around the virus and how to treat the disease. As the second and third wave of the pandemic passed, they were even starting to take the blame for Covid deaths.
Not only were they watching people die on a daily and weekly basis, they had to cope with hurtful narratives on social media and with friends and family. What they experienced has led to burn-out and even PTSD for most workers.
At the end of the day, you hope your words were kind enough, you hope your actions were big enough and you hope your touch was gentle enough. Because more times than not, these will be their last experiences on earth.
-Callie Lister, ICU Nurse
To care for the body of another is to care for their soul. No matter what, I will care for my patients soul, in health, in sickness, in death and dying. I will hold their whole soul in my hands.
-Kayla Shipman, ICU Nurse
I’m trained to be the peace in the middle of panic. To enter a room and leave the patient breathing better than when I found them. I use to thrive off of my wins. Covid has changed everything for me. It is killing my soul knowing everything I’m doing will be in vain. Knowing my patients fate while comforting them is a different kind of torture for me. I’m tired of the FaceTime goodbyes. I’m tired.
-Feda Rashid, Respiratory Therapist
Most days I’m exhausted, drained of all my energy. I go to work, fight for life, go home, shower, repeat. This has been my pattern for 9 months. Some months are a blur really. But I know it’s worth it, people are worth it, we are worth it.
-Kristin Farrell, Respiratory Therapist
One of my nursing instructors taught me rule number one is to show up. He told me one day I would wake up and showing up would be the hardest part but it would be the most important thing to do. As a nurse I will show up for my patients, their families, and my team. Covid has made me reflect on rule number one and has taught me the importance of showing up.
-Kaylie Corder, ICU Nurse