My day as a nurse on the COVID-19 front lines
Each work day starts the same — with a cup of coffee to get me going.
I put on my scrubs and drive to work, ready to make a difference in the lives of my patients in the medical intensive care unit.
When I arrive, I put on a new mask and the other personal protective equipment I need to care for my patients such as gowns, gloves and face shields.
During my 12-hour shift, I care for one or two patients. I enter their rooms as needed to manage their care, being smart to do as much as possible during my time in the room. To limit caregiver exposure, some pumps have been moved outside patient rooms, but I feel good going into the room when needed.
I view the precautions when caring for patients with COVID-19 as I would for patients with any other infectious disease that requires airborne precautions, such as tuberculosis. I take the highest safety measures and I wear the same gear. It’s no different.
My patients are what makes it all worthwhile. When I’m able to manage their care and see them get better, I hold on to it because that doesn’t always happen.
At the end of my shift, I head home to rest and spend time with my husband and our dog. After I pull into the garage, I remove my clothes and shoes, throw them in the washing machine and head upstairs to take a shower. I’m careful to protect my husband so there’s no physical contact until this is all done.
I’ve been a nurse for almost five years. I started as a psychiatric nurse but missed medical care, so I made the transition to critical care nursing two years ago and I’m glad I did.
I love my job. Every day is something new. My nursing unit works as a team and I know they have my back. I’m proud to be an Ohio State nurse.
Megan Courter is a nurse in the medical intensive care unit at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
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