It seems there will never be enough thank-you’s for the incredible doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff working around the clock to help patients who have COVID-19, the dangerous coronavirus disease. Their dedication, determination and spirit enable Johns Hopkins to deliver the promise of medicine.

Maddy Decelles, a clinical nurse extern in the pediatric preoperative and postanesthesia care unit at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center shares her firsthand account of training at Johns Hopkins as a nurse during COVID-19.

My name is Maddy Decelles, a clinical nurse extern in the pediatric preoperative and postanesthesia care unit (pre-op/PACU). I want to take some time to reflect on my experience as a nursing student working at The Johns Hopkins Hospital during this COVID-19 journey.

Over the course of the past three months, my life has drastically changed. I have been exposed to various new environments and formed relationships with patients and Johns Hopkins employees from all areas of the hospital. As challenging and demanding as this time has been for everyone, I am extremely grateful. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities I’ve had, the staff that has graciously accepted me onto their units, and the patients’ lives I’ve touched along the way.

Throughout this journey, I have been moved from my home unit in the preop/PACU and redeployed to various areas of the hospital. I have worked as a safety officer, a patient’s bedside companion, and a clinical technician on both COVID and non-COVID units. I have screened patients entering pediatric ambulatory clinics, and I have swabbed patients in the COVID testing tent. I now have a greater appreciation for all areas of the hospital as I have been exposed to more than I could have ever imagined as a nursing student.

This journey has taught me a lot about not only myself, but about the profession that I am stepping into. First, I have learned the importance of teamwork and how significant its role is in patient care. The teamwork and camaraderie between all professions throughout this time has been, and continues to be, incredible.

Secondly, I have learned to be flexible. There have been days full of uncertainty when I anxiously walk into work not knowing what unit I’ll be walking on, what role I will be performing or how long I will be there. There are days when I am scared, nervous and uncomfortable, and days when I am excited and eager to learn. Through all these emotions, I have grown to appreciate the importance of being flexible and allowing myself to embrace new opportunities that arise. I continue to remind myself how fortunate I am to be positively impacting patients’ lives each and every day.

I want to thank everyone I have crossed paths with during this time. Thank you for teaching me new skills and tricks, and introducing me to new concepts. Thank you for generously giving your time to explain disease processes or conditions that were foreign to me. Thank you to those who were there to simply share stories with. You have made my time here at Johns Hopkins as a nursing student an unforgettable one. Although we aren’t quite finished yet, it has been an honor being part of the Johns Hopkins family as we continue to conquer COVID-19.

Decelles is available to talk about her personal journey in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.