Being a first responders during the beginning and the height of the pandemic was quite interesting to say, the least. Covid 19 and everything that encompassed the pandemic created a spot light on a myriad of issues

in our healthcare system. This pivotal period

of time could be defined as a a season of awakening and a season of awareness like

none other in our many many years of nursing.

The pandemic could also be defined as period of enlightening, growth and gratitude.

Nurses were truly on the front line during the pandemic era. Initially we were hailed as heroes!

Heroes of all things!

We will never forget, In New York and several other states between 6pm- 7pm this was the enchanting hour.

Individuals would take time out of their day to recognize and observe nurses. It was simply heartwarming to see multitudes of people hanging out their windows standing on their porches, balconies, decks, or in their front yards, ringing bells, banging pots and pans, applauding and paying homage to the hard working nurses in the thick of things.

Nurses were truly putting their lives on the line in every sense of the word Everyday.

We were the gate keepers. Yes, we as nurses were the first line of defense, we were advocates for our patients and that’s

where we wanted to be. And we were doing what we had been highly trained to do.

But just like everyone else we were uninformed, unprepared, exhausted and overwhelmed. It’s difficult to predict and to make preparations for the unexpected, unexplained and uncharted waters. The pandemic absolutely was an unprecedented chain of events…

Those of us that were more seasoned, well…

we were also found to be more vulnerable

when faced with the coronavirus.

Early on the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) caused our nerves to be unsettled. At one time PPE was so scarce in the that we had to ration our supplies.

In order to do this we as nurses took on additional duties such as sanitizing rooms, emptying trash and passing meal trays.

There were days when a fifteen minute break, was literally unheard of. This was due to the influx of patients that we were caring for at the bedside. The patients just kept on coming.

As soon as one bed would empty, we would sanitize that room, in preparation to receive a new admission.

As the pandemic continued many nurses lost their own lives. And we continue to

grieve our patient’s lives that were lost.

But through it all we prevailed.

The coronavirus crisis taught us as nurses many life lessons, that will forever remain an integral part of our lives.

We learned to stand in the midst of raging storms.

We were educated on how to work together more efficiently.

We were taught to adapt to fluctuating

and rapidly changing situations.

And last, but not least, we embraced our profession and mastered the true

meaning of Teamwork.