Bianca Cortez

I am a registered nurse in a sub acute rehab unit that was transformed into a COVID-19 unit due to the surge of COVID positive patients. I am 24 years old and have been working as a nurse for 2 years. I would have never imagined that in my short nursing career, I would have to battle through a pandemic. With fear and so many unknowns, I have managed to get through many 12 hour shifts. In the beginning of April I began to feel flu-like symptoms combined with loss of smell and taste. Due to my symptoms plus my constant exposure to the virus, I got tested for COVID-19 and was positive.

Sadly, it was not just me. My parents and my two brothers were positive as well. We all had to quarantine within our home and push one another to get through this. Some were affected more than others, but we all made it and we are very grateful that we were able to overcome this obstacle as a family. We had a lot of love and support from our relatives who did not fail to give us a call or drop off food in our front yard. Thankfully, I was able to return to work in the beginning of May and I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to follow my calling and help those in need. Everyday I am afraid to bring the virus back home, but all I can do is pray that we are kept safe. I love the person I have become and couldn’t be more proud to be a nurse in a time like this. I have faith that together we will get through this and soon return to our normal lives.