Frontline workers have played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is National Nursing Week.
Jennifer Girard has been a nurse for 23 years, spending most of her career as a registered nurse in the emergency department at The Moncton Hospital.
“I do what I do, because I love caring for people. You are able to basically walk with someone. In my case, as an emergency nurse, patients come in, in crisis. You’re able to come alongside them, walk along with them and help them,” Girard says.
Girard says the pandemic has certainly changed the world of healthcare.
“It certainly has changed the way we do our day to day work presently, and it happened so quickly. There are updates everyday to keep everyone informed,” she says.
One of the biggest things is from the infectious control point of view, Girard says.
“We are now wearing masks every day because we aren’t able to distance ourselves from patients and other healthcare workers. Staff are more accustomed to the change, it has almost become our way of life,” she says.
Girard says one thing the pandemic hasn’t changed is her love for being a registered nurse.
“I appreciate all of the recognition and it is very humbling to see all of the positive comments, since the pandemic began. But for me, it’s really a privilege to be a nurse, to be able to help and care for people,” Girard says.
