Excited to Start My Nursing Career

I graduated from nursing school in December of 2019 and was excited to start my nursing career. I started my love of patient care 20 years ago as an EMT and have held my paramedic certification for 18 of those. I wanted to pursue my nursing degree to further my knowledge and skill to care for patients. After school, I had attempted to get a nursing job PRN. I am currently the Chief of Police for a small town and I still enjoy this as my full-time role, but I wanted to get into an ED as a nurse. I had difficulty finding anyone that would take me on as a new grad in a PRN role. So, for a year I sat on my nursing license. During this year, I witnessed the COVID pandemic take hold and my fellow classmates keep in touch. They expressed their fatigue, sadness, frustrations, etc. But, most often while talking to them; they spoke of their willingness and their determination. They told me stories of being with patients that could not have their loved ones there. They told me stories of true bedside nursing that were back to the basics of helping their patients fight for recovery. I couldn’t help but be inspired by my friends who once sat through nursing school with me. I also watched my mother, who is a nurse, fight with all she had to help those affected during this time. I have seen a lot in my EMS career, but I had never seen anything like this. I knew I had to get in the fight.

In January 2021, I got a call from a nurse manager of an ED. She and I worked together as Emergency Department Techs back in the early 2000s. She advised that she had some PRN openings and wanted to know if I would like the opportunity. I was thrilled and jumped at the opportunity. Now was my opportunity to make a difference in this pandemic. I started my ED nursing job in late January. It seemed that we had some patients coming in who tested positive for COVID, but it seemed that the virus had slowed. I worked several months and had taken care of few COVID-positive patients. But, more recently, I started to see the numbers climb.

One night in August 2021, I had picked up a twelve-hour shift. This particular night, I was assigned, four patients. All of my patients were COVID positive and all of my patients were critical. I had one particular patient that was in their 20s and was on a Vapotherm. I had no experience using this equipment and looked for another nurse to assist me with it when my patient started to run into trouble. I quickly realized that every other nurse in our unit was tied up with their critical patients. I was able to find our NP who quickly swooped in and showed me how to use the equipment. She aided me in understanding exactly how I needed to use it. That night I also had a patient on BiPap due to complications from COVID, I learned that the doctor wanted to intubate this patient but our hospital was out of ventilators. I did not sit down the whole night shift, as I was going room to room to check on my patients and follow up on their ever-changing orders. It was a night I will never forget.

After finishing my shift, I was complimented by one of my co-workers for the job I had done. I thanked her but felt as though I had not done enough. I went home and reflected on the shift. I thought about the intensity of it and how I had not stopped because I was determined to give my patients the best care. I thought about the NP that helped me and how she told me that she knew how to use the equipment from her ICU days. I thought about the seasoned nurses I work with and how invaluable their experience and knowledge are to us. I thought about how these nurses are tired and leaving their ED positions because of the strain put on our system. And, how a new nurse like me longs for their guide ance and know-how. I thought about the years they have dedicated and the grit they have had to possess. They teach you in school the basics of what you need to know, but I feel the most valuable learning is done working with our seasoned nurses. I called my mom the next day, she has been a critical care nurse for 38 years. I told her of my shift and how it was hard to learn right now because we are so taxed. She explained that she understood and encouraged me to stay focused. She encouraged me to believe in myself and my abilities. She explained that nursing is not for the faint of heart and it’s not easy, but with true grit we can get through this pandemic. I am thankful for this pep talk and for all the nurses who have taught me and helped me along the way. COVID is strong, but we are stronger!

Mandy Riwitis, RN, NREMT-P