Karla Quiroz

I work day shift in the labor and delivery unit at Kaiser Panorama City. I have been a nurse for 23 years and even in my worst stressful situation on my unit nothing has compared to what I have felt during these past few months since the COVID 19 virus has come upon us. The anxiety of unknown was overwhelming for everyone including our doctors.  Everyday I would come on shift there was new information, new policies everyday changing as we learn about this virus.

Since March during the rise of the COVID virus our unit has changed tremendously where we once would have families in rooms for delivery of a baby we now have only our patient and there significant other. For 12 hours I along with my patients have to wear masks, I can hardly breathe in them let alone push with our patients when it's time to deliver. Patients don’t get to see what I look like as they place their care into my hands nor I do not get to see what they look like under their masks. If a person is diagnosed with the COVID virus they are by themselves in a labor room with no one except for their nurse taking care of them. When usually their significant other is helping them get into their hospital gown I am there with them. I gown up in full head to toe gear thinking to myself I look so scary what must my patient be thinking, but  this is what I signed up for as a nurse to help others selflessly, but also feeling the anxiety that I am human too if I get sick how will I take care of my family, or am I going to bring something home and infect my kids or husband. But I am here for my patients all throughout her experience to bring her positivity , strength and calmness so that we are able to get through this together safely. Even if she’s only known me for a few hours, she is entrusting me in her care and I am here for her no matter what.

Ive learned a lot about myself during these past months, the anxiety is no longer there as it was in the beginning and I continue to go to work along with my colleagues and we support each other everyday and  I am so thankful for everyone who has recognized what nurses have to go through and I truly love my profession. I thank you for this opportunity and I wanted to include a picture of my handsome godson Joshua who is a baby born during this quarantine baby that I helped deliver.