Professional Title: Registered Nurse

Class Year: 1998

Major: Nursing

Location: High Point, N.C.

Medical Experience: 22 years

Please share your experience working with patients diagnosed with COVID-19

I am fortunate to say that none of my patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19. I am currently working full-time as a Nursing Services Consultant with Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, also I work as a PRN staff nurse with Encompass Health: Inpatient Rehabilitation, Home Health & Hospice in Winston-Salem, N.C. The health department offers many resources to our community that promotes and enhance the health and well-being of all the people and the environment in our county. Each of these facilitates place me on the front lines in different ways. I provide direct patient care at Encompass Health-and indirect care to my patients at the health department. My patients at Encompass Health are recovering from strokes, car accidents, and/or falls. These patients are vulnerable to outside illnesses that may delay their recovery. Both facilities are practicing social distancing, limiting appointments that are not essential to patient care, and using masks where appropriate. Also, both facilities have been restricting visitation and taking temperatures of everyone who enter the building.

What advice would you give to people during this pandemic?

Although we are experiencing a stressing event with COVID-19, it is important to take time out for yourself, try not to get overwhelmed with all the daily news posts regarding death and illness as it relates to COVID-19. Keep in touch with friends and family.