‘One minute at a time’ – Mediclinic Sandton nurse

Frightened, chaotic, teamwork and humbleness were among the words used by Sister Miemie Norris from Mediclinic Sandton to describe this rollercoaster time in her life.

Norris is currently the Adult Critical Care Unit manager at the Bryanston-based hospital and among the millions of healthcare workers currently working on the frontline to combat the novel Covid-19 virus.

According to Norris, her life took a complete and fearful turn when Covid-19 first hit the country and the community. “I think [there was] a certain amount of fear initially because we in the health profession are here to make you better; we felt like failures because we were dealing with something so very different and it seemed at the time fighting a losing battle.”

In her personal life, she was without a doubt feeling overwhelmed but also started to experience first-hand the good in humanity. “I think we started to communicate more even on a personal level, talked more, exchanged ideas and just leaned on each other more looking for support. We also learnt to listen more and realised ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.”

She continues to take each day as it comes, going through the day by ‘just dealing with one minute at a time’.

“We try to help, a nurse always knows what has to be done [but] the problem is that in these trying times that list just grows. Do whatever you can in the time available but remember these people don’t have family visiting so do your job as if it was your family,” Norris added, describing her daily role.

For Norris, one of the most challenging things about working on the frontline is the constant worrying for not only herself but the people around her. “We worry about everyone getting sick, bringing infections home to our family, exhaustion, giving all of our patients everything that we have.

“[The] pain of losing that special patient that we love and have watched fight this virus with everything they have and still lost the battle.”

There have, however, been some rewarding moments along this strenuous journey, said Norris. One aspect in particular that that has made her so happy is experiencing the support, strength and lifeline of her fellow health workers. “There is no way any of us could have got through this time without each other. We know what each is going through, we know the strain and emotional heaviness that the person right next to you is going through and it has been truly beautiful to be part of that amazing team.

“You often wonder ‘Did I make the right career choice?’ – that’s human nature. Well now I know I did!”

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/279469/local-coffee-shop-keeps-health-workers-fueled/