In 2019, the World Health Organization announced 2020 would be the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. At the time, they had no way of knowing how important nurses, as well as other healthcare professionals, would become in 2020. With the prominence of medical professionals, some Bluffton students took the time to reflect on their future in the healthcare field.
Meghan Ream
Sophomore Meghan Ream is a triple major in dietetics, pre-medicine and biology. Photo courtesy of Meghan Ream.
Sophomore Meghan Ream is a triple major in dietetics, pre-medicine and biology. Inspired to enter the medical field by her mom and family, as well as working in a nursing home and hospital, Ream plans to attend medical school after graduating from Bluffton. The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed her to get valuable experience working at a hospital in Findlay, Ohio.
“At the hospital, we have been preparing for the surge that is expected to come, while maintaining our normal daily activities,” Ream said. “We have daily talking-point updates and have been receiving a plethora of emails educating on how to care for COVID patients.”
Ream has also worked on the hospital’s specified COVID unit.
“I felt prepared, but there are always wonders as to if you’re doing all that you can to protect yourself and others,” Ream said. “I have placed my trust in the hands of the higher-ups at the hospital, and make sure I stay updated on their education for the staff.”
While Ream doesn’t think the situation has changed her opinion on the role of a healthcare professional, she said it’s helped her learn how to adapt to new situations quickly.
“Learning everything needed to care for these patients and keeping up with the updates is something that has not come incredibly easy,” Ream said. “I do think that it has shown me how important it is to be able to learn on the fly, and to be able to support those around you; being a medical professional is not only medical knowledge.”
Ream said if anything, the pandemic has made her more excited for her future career.
“I have always had a little bit of extra liking for infectious disease, so I have been able to nerd out a little bit in this situation,” Ream said.
Caleb Nesibt
Caleb Nesbit, a junior nursing major. Photo courtesy of Caleb Nesbit.
Caleb Nesbit, a junior nursing major, was drawn to be a nurse because he wants to be able to help people in their times of need and when they’re most vulnerable.
“In terms of starting my career, I’m most excited about getting to do a job that I enjoy and can feel accomplished doing knowing that I can positively affect people’s lives,” Nesbit said.
Nesbit said the pandemic has changed his view on the nursing role a little bit.
“I just have more respect for the nurses that are active in the field right now doing the most that they can to provide for people, even if they’re at risk,” Nesbit said.
Nesbit knows it’s been stressful for those currently working in the medical field, saying that “to be a nurse right now would be rigorous and demanding.” However, this demanding time hasn’t affected his desire to go into the nursing field.
“You never know what to expect in the world and this is one of those things,” Nesbit said. “People adapt the best they can and continue to push forward.”
Although his nursing clinicals have been canceled, Nesbit said he believes he would still be going into work and helping as best he could if this were to happen a few years in the future.
“I’m sure that while working it would be taxing both physically and mentally after it’s resolved, that feeling of knowing I contributed would be amazing,” Nesbit said.
