This June we celebrated National Nursing Assistant Week. We remember that 2020 and COVID-19, still feels like it is tapping us on the shoulder.
We spoke to two staff members who have two roles at NEHD- as nursing assistants and “responsible persons.” They both attended our residents from the beginning of COVID through this day.
Josseline Escobar began working at NEHD in April of 2020. She had always wanted to work in the medical field and be a doctor. On her first day at work, she heard about one of her family members passing away from COVID. She said she felt shocked. Her parents did not want her to continue to work during COVID. The previous year she was hospitalized for pneumonia, and she has asthma. Although she was scared, she said,” I was excited to help the residents and be a part of it.”
She made her decision to stay at NEHD and has persevered. She took the “National Ready Caregiver Certification,” and today is majoring in Biology.
When asked how she coped during COVID, she responded that it was very hard. PPE was hard to handle; N95 goggles, face masks, and long hours. “The hardest thing was not touching my face and eyes,” she said.
It was the first time she had interacted with deaf people. “I watched my co-workers and asked them for help. They taught me the basics and I practiced the ASL alphabet at home.” Josseline explains that staff were supportive and worked as a team. “We were all trying to cope with COVID. We experienced the loss of residents. We got emotional but tried not to show our emotions to the residents. We tried to make them laugh.”
“I am very grateful to have the opportunity at NEHD. It got me through the door to start my journey to become a doctor. Just helping the residents made me know this is what I want to do.”
Ashaley Delacruz talked about mental and physical exhaustion. “What helped me cope was knowing that we weren’t alone. The whole world was going through it, too. We gave each other tips to get through it all. I was able to share my education with others about precautions, and infection control.”
“Coming into work each day we had to get dressed in the shower rooms and on special head-to-toe suits and full personal protective equipment.”
“We had to try to explain to residents who had dementia, something we did not understand.” “Why they no longer saw our faces, or why we could not be as affectionate and hold their hands. It was a difficult barrier.”
Staff had to isolate themselves from other staff, as well, as they could not move from one unit to another.
“These days after the pandemic I feel more anxious, always questioning things. I am still happy to help people and be here (at NEHD). I knew it was my responsibility to be here and support the residents. Family is so important to me, and I knew the residents couldn’t have family here during the thick of COVID.”
