CCHC Nurses Discuss Life with Local Columnist

Lawrence Brown, a local columnist for the Cape Cod Times for 36 years, recently moderated a discussion via Zoom with Cape Cod Healthcare nurses Pam Morrison, Kasey Harding and Denise McDowell about how the pandemic has changed their lives and the nursing profession. The nearly one-hour discussion, which at times turned emotional, revolved around how COVID changed the workflow on their floors, the difficulties of taking care of unvaccinated patients, dealing with patient loss and the challenges and rewards of working on the front lines.

Below are a few short excerpts from Brown’s upcoming column:

“With masks,” said a nurse, you miss the human contact, facial recognition, family interaction. You miss the humanness.”

“I’ve been a nurse for 20 years,” one chimed in. “I leave work every day knowing I’ve made a difference.”

These are heroes. “It’s rewarding even on the toughest days,” said one. Nurses will keep looking for wins, caring every day, doing our best. We all became nurses for a reason – and we’re not giving up.”

Brown’s column will appear in the Cape Cod Times on Friday, March 11.