Interviewee | Himali Patel

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

What got you into the field of nursing?

I initially thought about nursing when I started to volunteer at the hospital, and I was around a lot of nurses who I got to see firsthand provide direct care to the patients. I thought back to my experiences when I was younger and remember how the nurses I had made me feel very safe and like I was in good hands. I wanted to be that to somebody else, and it just pushed me to pursue the career further. I also love that I have the ability to switch between specialties. I currently work as a Neurology & Cardiac RN, and if I wanted, I could switch completely to working in Labor & Delivery or ER. If I wanted, I could also go into research, education, law, and so much more. There are so many options-I love the vertical movement the field has to offer.

Did your initial expectations about nursing change during the pandemic?

My expectations of the field of nursing didn’t change much when the pandemic hit. I knew that being on the floor, I was on the team providing care to those who need it. That was it. I was a new graduate that barely finished my orientation and was a few months out on my own around the time that we started taking care of COVID patients on our unit. In that sense, it was really scary thinking that I was just a few months off orientation, and we’re faced with something that we don’t know much about in terms of how to provide the best care. It was definitely a process. The greatest thing I love in the field is the support that we give each other. I am appreciative to work on a unit where most of the nurses are extremely supportive and there to help each other. We are there to make a positive difference in our patients’ lives and help them, to the best of our ability, to be on the path of recovery. I am very lucky to be able to be of help.

What are your thoughts and emotions about being a nurse during COVID-19?

COVID-19 hit us hard. We had to adapt in a manner that I did not see coming. The community around us and our family and friends were such a great support system to rely on because it was, to be blunt, really mentally tolling. We confided in our coworkers as well because we were there helping each other to the best of our ability to fight as hard as we could. With the pandemic, I started to self-reflect more and took the time to process, understand what helps me the best with stress relief, and take my mind off work. I was very cognizant that I had to make more of an effort on self-care to help keep myself healthy mentally. One thing that I am appreciative of with the pandemic is that a lot more people have been speaking out about mental health. It’s extremely important to listen to your brain and body. Unfortunately, a bit taboo for some people to speak about. I’m glad there has been more mention because there is nothing wrong with seeking out help in terms of therapy or even confiding in a friend to check-in. Therapy and or checking in with yourself regardless of if you are in a good place or not is so important.

How are you doing?

I’m doing well with everything that has been going on. I’ve learned a lot about being patient with myself since this last year, and it has been carrying over into the way that I see life. I’m happy to be doing what I love and am appreciative of my health.