Ep Local Players: From Bedside Experience To The Truth About Covid-19 With Crystal Vasquez RN & Natalie Saavedra RN

Instagram: @crystal_nicoleee
instagram: @_nataleeenicole

In this week's episode, we dive deep into what the journey of becoming a nurse looks like. I have the pleasure of having RN’s Crystal and Natalie join me in talking about their experience in their career and what it has been like dealing with the current Pandemic. As you listen to this conversation, I wanted to highlight the day to theses ladies go through and how they can keep it together, so they make sure they show up to work every day!!

Transcript

spk_0:   0:01
10 episodes in guys. Thank you for coming along the journey. We appreciate it. We're excited to see how the openly wall project is happening. We have some great guests coming up in the future as well. This week you're gonna listen to a Nurse's Week episode now. I was a little difficult to get this episode recorded just due to the hectic schedule that we were dealing with and trying to make sure that we got everybody on the same page. So we did have some technical difficulties on the sound. Try to clean it up as much as possible. But we wanted to make sure that we put the content because we really enjoyed what these ladies said. So we hope you enjoy it and let us know what you think. We all know what's going on right now in the world, guys. So I wanted to do something and put an episode together where we gave you a deeper look into what's really happening in with the people in the front line are experiencing to give a little bit of background on why I wanted to do this episode was when I lost my grandmother last year at towards the end of the year, I really got to see a up close and personal what this industry does, what this profession really does and how I got so much respect, to say the least. I saw what a nurse does and how they had to deal with the family. You know, I think the day they're the ones that are right there when the family stress they're the ones that are seeing what the family is going through emotionally and just having that having that type of pressure on you and being able to perform and, you know, knowing that your job is to be the best you can be and doing it to the best of their abilities, it's just it's an incredible thing to see. So I wanted to bring on here, especially with everything happening with Cove ID, I thought, bringing to a passel local nurses on here to explain their personal experience, and what they go through would be great for everybody to really here. So I have to local or ends. When I was going to go by the name of Crystal and the other one's gonna go by the name of Natalie. I'm going to go ahead and give them a chance to introduce themselves. You wanna go ahead and start of soft? Natalie.

spk_2:   1:56
Hello, everyone. My name is

spk_1:   1:58
Natalie. Uh, I've been unearthed Snow going on six years. I'll be a nurse, actually, for six years in August. Sounds like a long time. Uh, my background basically is just telemetry, which is a cardiac ward. I've done that. Did that for about a year. And then five years later, I was doing I see you for a total of five years. I'm not going and pass it off to Crystal at this time.

spk_2:   2:23
Hello, everyone. My name is Crystal. I don't have a much experience of Natalie, but I've been a nurse for two years. I've specialized in orthopedic trauma. I worked at University Medical Sentence. Though I pretty much handle all the incoming traumas that come in like rollovers, any at on collisions. Anything that you pretty much see on the news is what I've been specializing in. I do plan on going toe. I see you sometime this year. Just like, not always had the pleasure of experiencing. But as far as my background, that's pretty much it

spk_0:   2:55
all right. Perfect. Sounds like between both of you, we should be able to get quite a bit of insight. So now to get a little bit more of the back story to get an idea of how everything started, I I understand that the nursing program is probably one of the toughest things you can do. I know that while you're going through that program, you probably can't have a job. Your time management has to be on point, you know, I know. It's just it must be a completely difficult experience or, you know, an overwhelming experience. So can you guys tell us a little bit of how that was? What did it teach you? What was going through that program? Like, we'll go ahead and start off with you, Crystal.

spk_2:   3:30
So fortunately, growing up like my mom's, always taught me to, uh, her serve errands and just always accomplish whatever it is that you set your mind to. So growing up with that motivation, I I didn't grow up like uh huh say, well off I did grow up, like in the poor. And so I did have to work primarily throw like high school and through college. I had to have two jobs when I was sorry to the Texas State University initially. And I dont transferring to Texas. Check for the school of your thing. So just like many other people who I'm sure share the same story in Socorro, Um, I did have to work during your C school, and that was probably the most challenging part for me is because I wasn't able to. I don't have the help of my mom, my family or anything like that, Unfortunately, cause they weren't able to help me, Um, given certain circumstances at the moment. So I did have to to work during her since when? I was very, very stressful. Like I do remember going into, um, work. Sometimes when I wasn't supposed to be scheduled and I had an exam like that night or the next day, it was just so, so, so stressful. So I don't know, Not only can, really but nursing's go overall is just stressful. They tried to scare you, and they tell you that like you have to make sure you really want to do it, that you're very passionate about it because you have to go in my full blown dedication, motivation, and you have to have the passion to do it, cause if not, it kind of be really easy just to slip off towards, like, a different past.

spk_0:   4:57
Okay? Really quick. Before we jump to Natalie. Just curious, because when you put it like that, a lot of people complain about not having enough time. You hear a lot of people say that, you know, they don't have the balance, But you were able to handle nursing school and still work your jobs, you know? So what was your secret? Or like, What did you put into play to get all that done?

spk_2:   5:17
I was just Honestly, I thank God because I was super lucky that I'm on injuries. Warburg sample. There was not instance that I gave earlier. I did show up to work one day when one of the monitors accidentally scheduled me When I had previously said I wouldn't be available that specific day being that I had an exam that day or think, or how I like to do some calculations, something I had to turn in some assignment. There is always the time to. So then, um, I went into work. And I was super hot like it. Pretty much like a panic attack. Like I started crying and hyperventilating because, like, I had so much to do that day and they had scheduled me to work all night. No, my managers were very understanding, thankfully, and they let me go home. They're like, No, what's our fall? You to tell us? Like they were really, really, um, cooperative. And they worked with me very well. So that's the look I had. Thankfully, I was able to maintain the job and go to nursing school because of them.

spk_0:   6:13
Hey, we all need a little luck, so I'm glad that you got that opportunity. So, what about yourself, Natalie? How was your experience

spk_2:   6:19
going to nursing school? I

spk_1:   6:20
guess in the same sense, going back to crystals I had I guess I did have a good support system. My family was my rock. I did also work dinner since about early and one job. Thankfully, only one job started Crystal that you had two jobs. Oh,

spk_2:   6:35
no, no, I I have one. I have to. I have to In my, um

spk_1:   6:40
undergrad. Okay. Oh, yes. So I guess the same story is just working through it. The way you kind of time manages Very difficult, cause I went to school at you. Tip. I think any nursing curriculum to exist by whatever school you go just gonna be very difficult and intense. It's just making time for it. Um, I used to sleep in the library. I would stay over friend's houses. Um, it's just physically even your port of your nursing class. I feel like I made it through because a lot, because of my family, for one and the second is just getting through with people who understand what you're going to and they're able to be your second support system outside of your family or even your main line and support system. Um, that's why would the I guess. I guess I talked about through because sometimes you look back and it's it's crazy to think like it was so stressful at the time, and then it's over now. But I think it's just a little bit of a balance that you just kind of force yourself to do, staying up late, waking up early, and then it's funny now in life that you're just like I have all this free time now, but they're still. Somehow it feels like they're still just never enough time to do everything you wanted to. But I guess that's how I say I got through. It was just using your friends, your family and trying to balance out working between to put yourself to school and it's just a long process. But think, I think I give more crops and kudos to I've seen moms do it, so I would see them and I was like, I have no excuse. I don't kids. I should be able to do this and they have, like three kids at home. So we've been seeing people who have more on their plate versus what I would have. It was basically saying like, You don't have an excuse not to succeed.

spk_0:   8:19
Definitely a great practice. I think a lot of the times we tend to make excuses for ourselves, so understanding that there's people out there doing it that have tougher situations that have, you know, more difficult circumstances at hand and they're getting it done, then it really makes it makes you understand that you need to show up and really make it happen.

spk_2:   8:38
you

spk_1:   8:38
have. Exactly.

spk_0:   8:40
So I've known both of you for some time now. And I would say, since I could remember, you know, you both always been pretty talented. You both have been high achieving in school. You guys have been pretty successful. Most of the things that I've seen, you guys dues. Now it sounds like a nursing school was a little bit different. Can you guys tell us a little bit of what you guys learned? Or maybe some challenges that you didn't expect from the whole experience? We'll start off with you. Crystal

spk_2:   9:05
in their seen school in general is just stuff. No matter where you go, no matter what university was going for a tender, it's literally the the everything that you learn everything that you go through, Everybody's pretty much gonna go to the same thing. So I don't think there's anything that was unexpected. Granted the work with very difficult, very intense, tedious there was very time consuming. Um, I think maybe that's what Comey more off um, coming off. Surprise is the fact that it was just so consuming. Like you literally clinic ALS guys work about four in the park from your clinical their case in the morning, but they don't have to study the night before for an inside. I was interviewed again that afternoon, so this is like constant like it was just you're just getting put on like assignments and exams up to face. And we just had to study manage your time. That's I guess, just it was just, like, very overwhelmed. But there was nothing that I out that people were not already Chris here. I know it was the same for unitedly, but when we started nursing school, everyone was like, Oh, it's gonna be so hard. You got yourself into your like, don't do it. You should be really scary because it's gonna be super hard and everybody, like a lot of people, won't help us. A lot of people kill. I guess it was just getting basically over that bridge. Like homes like that in transferred to everybody should just constantly put this fearing you and kind of make it seem like you're just not prepared for what's to come. And then you just slowly see yourself getting through it. Like Natalie said, you have a report of your your friends, your nurse in this whole process, which will become lifelong friends because they unlike anybody else. 100% understand what it is that you're going to

spk_0:   10:43
think. That was a great response. What about yourself, Natalie? What was your challenge Will catch you off guard.

spk_2:   10:48
Yeah. No, I grew crystal to like. It is like scary, scary in the sand. So hot everyone scares you into trying not to understand school. They're just like you're never gonna be home. You're

spk_1:   11:00
never going to this. So once you get over and I think that's the hardest Lee fridge to jump for me, I think it was actually having to study a little more. I feel like in high school, I was able to get by like, OK, I'm gonna read a little bit before the test, and I'll be fine. You know, when I actually did do decently well and it was just more fighting to change. My I study have it actually putting a little bit more effort and time, obviously into study. And the reason for that is all I see. You have to know exactly what you don't need to know. Something for unexamined a lot. It's more like you need to know, because this is what you're moving in for the rest of your life in this is how you're saving people's lives. You don't just learn it and wash it out. So I think I had to just trained myself to learn and study a little more knowing this is like my career. So I guess that was my personal challenges. Learning totals have better study habits.

spk_0:   11:54
I want to touch on something you just said. But first, I think great advice from both of you. I mean, for everybody. We all go through some stressful times, right? And you gotta adjust. And you got to make sure that you continue to push forward. So no matter how difficult to get some other people telling you not to do, just continue to try to put your best foot forward and continue to try to push and keep that end goal in mind. Now you said we save lives. And to me, there's a lot of people that take work home with them. You know, if you're a teacher, you take that work home with you. Um, most industries, when you get out of work, you're still thinking about things I have to get done. And this isn't that right. I know for myself, sometimes I'm thinking about hitting sales quotas or like, how are we gonna have finished the end of the month? Strong. But in your situation, I don't think you're in an industry where you can really take work home with you. You know, you're in a life and death situation. You're in a very high emotional, stressful environment that I don't think it's healthy for you guys to take work home with you. So can you give some secrets on how you guys deal with everything? Like what? What are your best practices on trying to make sure that you make time for yourself and not take work home with you? Let's start off with you, Natalie.

spk_2:   12:54
Um, for that one, I guess I would say, like, that's something you learn Not right off the

spk_1:   12:59
back. Because when I was first interest, more so when I became a nice you nurse, learning with death and everything and how to leave it at work and differentiate between work and home. I used to run a lot. I don't read as much anymore, but in the beginning I would try to, like, run and forget about what was going on. It work because it's very emotional, very stressful. And I think if you have, like, maybe a person is an outlet, that's the best thing you could have. Mine is my mom. Um, if I had a really hard day at work, I usually with call her right after I got out and I would talk, vent, even, sometimes crying about certain situations. It would help me just to let it go and then come home And just, you know, I am not gonna lie, that there's times that it kind of just lingers with you. If it's a really bad case, it's a really bad situation, or you feel like you even made a mistake. You know, no one is perfect. Sometimes you will feel like you made a mistake, especially when your friend or something goes wrong. People tell you there was nothing you could have done, um, to make it better. But all you could do is just No, you did your best know you're doing your job with your whole heart and know that you're making the best decision that you're capable of doing in that moment. And then when you go home, know that your family is what's important with these it helps me. This might be literally just on the topic to just, like, maybe say, a little prayer for someone if you're worried about it and then just letting it go is what I usually dio in the personal sampling.

spk_0:   14:29
Alright, Appreciate the answer. What about yourself? Crystal?

spk_2:   14:32
Um, I usually let out. My emotions are pretty much the same thing I do and every day, and I go to the gym also from first. Now what's going on? But I have my own little stuff here that that I utilized to do some type of exercise. That's basically how I've been able to let go like all the articles. One thing I did teach myself is, I don't like to hold things in. So if I I have a built after example. When I lost my prescription the first time, it was kind of hard was like nobody said you wanted to blame yourself. You can't adjust, do you come home and you're just like, what could I have done differently? What could I have? A administer that could have changed the outcome. Er, how could I personally have changed the outcome when in reality it's not our faults and not taking The hardest part about our job is that you want to do everything we want to take it everybody and want to take every single situation. That's what we do is a living. We fixed people as dumb is a might sound. That's what we do. And that's what we're so passionate and obsessed about. So what? We were put into situations where we can pick somebody and the outcome is unfortunate. And it's not something that week desired. To see you do goes up a lot of emotions. So I just learned Teoh same thing on my way home, usually in the morning. I do call my mom, I'll call me best friend, and I pretty much just, um, talk to my mom about my more emotional sampling. But in regards to like, the situation itself will come at best friend himself, Sooners. I should be a little bit more understanding and kind of stumbling. Well, you did this and that so should give me her input to kind of just even on my debit just didn't tell me like no, you did everything you could. There was nothing else could have done. So after that, I just from home. Like I said, I just do my exercise. Um, I do go to church so I usually try fruit to keep my mind super saying and lunch. I just tried to keep a very positive mindset. I try not to think too negative not to let my, um, mind look at my thoughts, eat my consume my mind. So that's pretty much how I've been telling. Thus far, it's been two years for me, so I'm not really an expert yet. Um, but that's been working from you club are

spk_0:   16:45
too big to piggyback off of what you just said. And what I think a lot of people can take from that is that you can only control what you can control. You know, there's gonna be some things that you stress about, but you really can't do anything about it, or there's nothing in your possible control to change the outcome of what's gonna happen. Things are just going to play out there, and I think that's a prime example. Sometimes you guys are gonna do everything to the best of your abilities. And you know what? The outcome might not be what everybody wants and from personal experience when I saw my family, you know, and it's an emotional time and the family wants you to do certain procedures or the war family want things that you can do more. But there's only so much at your disposal you can possibly do or someone shut your power. And it really changed the light when I saw that you the front line in the sense also that you're the first person that are going to see that, and you're the first people that are gonna get blamed for that, even though it's not your fault. Eso once again just the respect that of that, and the difficulty that I know must come with that. But you guys are able to master that. I make sure that you guys are doing your job to the best of your abilities Now for that, that transitions me, too. How did you decide to become a nurse? Is something that you have wanted to do since you were young or what sparked Interesting. Wanting to pursue a career in nursing.

spk_2:   17:59
Um, yeah. So I've always wanted to be in the medical field when I was younger. It's when my brother was hospitalized. Actually, I told him I'll try to make a long story short. He was hospitalized at the moment. Obviously, I didn't know what was going on with him. Physiologically, I didn't know. And finally what I do help. Um, so his dependence I ruptured and he became his Everything that rubbish from his attendance was very toxic to his body. So basically, he was on his death, but on they had told my family already. He was four years old at the time, so I was six. They had someone found me that he wasn't gonna make it. Um, on that we should already prepare. Basically preparing wreaking because we had to drag our final goodbyes. So there was a nurse, and I don't know her name. I don't know. I think this was Ah. See, I don't even remember the hospital, so I'm not gonna line and in the hospital. But there was a nerds who, actually, based on her knowledge, gave him medication that was shouldn't go. She were kind of one against doctor's orders. whether she had the order or not or that she had a bit of a shot here. And I know now because obviously I was exactly time. She ended up giving him medication that nobody had given her permission to. But in her mind, she thought this would save my brothers like which in turn it it. She ended up saving my brother's life. And she was my brother's biggest advocate. She fought for him till the end that doctors were kind of already giving up on and saying that it was already like time. It was the only time we were not knowing you're gonna have him here with us. I'm because of her. I have my brother. That was Tuesday, so she kind of motivated me. I initially wanted to be a doctor, but seeing what I saw with my brother because he was hospitalized for a long time after that, um, she they were the ones that would advocate for him. They were the ones I would fight for him. They were the ones would see on a daily basis that we would see on a daily basis. So she was no longer she was not only there for my brother, but she was there for her. Us as a family, entirely. So they're not just there for the patient. They're there for the whole everything that comes with Megyn, whether it be the mom, dad, aunts and all those other people who are super worried of education from things the attack nurses. But the nurses are just so understanding from what I've seen, um, from that being upon the patient. So I think that they're just so understanding they don't take anything like out of context under just really, really, really hard to be there for everybody, not just the patient. So that was my motivation. That was the reason why I decided to per person ever seen because it was felt that I have the biggest impact and I would be able to fight for my patients personally. A lot more at the bedside.

spk_0:   20:31
Definitely sounds like one of those experiences that impacts you at a young age. What about yourself? Mentally

spk_1:   20:37
I didn't have any experiences. I guess I would say that way. I did, um, start doing medical care. Since I went to secure high school, I was really supposed to go to America's. But I went for the host of my program. So that's the reason I went to sick or Oh, and I guess from there I just I didn't know what I wanted to do when I want to be older. So I just thought like, Well, I might as well try something ahead of time. So I went ahead and did that, and I did nt while I was at Socorro, and I did also like her. So I wanted to go to med school, and I got to be honest. I got to chemistry. Some of the events forces. I was like, I don't think this is for me. It's not doing so well in those classes, but also, I wanted to still be able to do a job and then kind of be able to come home and have a family. I give a lot of credit to, Doctor says. I know we're on their phones and calling them nonstop 24 hour state, and I just don't think I could have handled that type of lifestyle so sick. Well, I still want to go somewhere. I can care for people, you with them and then I kind of wanted to have more of like Crystal, said obits. I interaction with people. I do enjoy making people happy and getting them better and trying to be a little bit of a motivator. So that's more of the nurse nurses will. The doctors are obviously are. We have rain stoop, but they have a little bit more of the prince. I'm going to help us figure out what we're doing sometimes, but it was more of I wanted. I love being a bedside love, taking care of our patients and how crystals that I love watching the progress and sometimes you do get to see them get better. You do get to see them walk out of the hospital. You're just like I never thought they would walk out of this hospital, and it's amazing some things that happened on, just like the changes you get to experience alongside with the patient. So I guess that's what motivated me more to go towards nursing in general.

spk_0:   22:28
This is why I really enjoyed doing these conversations because you get to see that everybody's journey is different and I think a lot of the times were so caught up in checking on what the person is doing or not being worried that you're not on the same path or timeline that someone now such you're looking at is and it really puts you down. Sometimes it makes you lose sight of what you're trying to accomplish in your own life. But I think when you put those blinders on know that your own story is gonna be your own story. Then things really start happening for you. So it's pretty dope to hear that you both had completely different paths. But you guys still ended up in the same career, don't you think?

spk_1:   23:02
Yeah,

spk_0:   23:04
that's going to transition us to the big topic. So what we came here to talk about and that's gonna be the cove in 19 and everything that's happening with every with us all being from a paso. You know, I'm curious to know. Well, let's start off with this. How you guys all feel about everybody that's complaining about being an essential worker, you know? So I think since everything happened, I've seen so many people complain and be upset that they have to go to work, and I have actually had to work through this pandemic myself, you know? And I think it's just be grateful that you currently employed and your current in a situation that you can continue to provide for your family or for yourself, but for you guys. I mean, you guys have been in the front lines, and I mean, since this all started when we really didn't know what's happening. You know, when everything's kind of developing and the details are changing, you guys are out in the front line dealing with all this. So how does that make you feel? What? Your perspective when it comes to that People overall thinking on the essential employees,

spk_2:   23:59
Um, for me,

spk_1:   24:01
e think like I mean, I appreciate all the essential worker things that they've been telling us. And obviously I love that everybody is being super kind and everything. I am happy people were getting to stay home from work, but I can only imagine how stir crazy they are going, being stuck in their homes being and everything's up. I'm actually very happy to be an essential worker, very happy to get out of the house. Um, this is a new thing. So every day is different every week. It's something different. The protocols of change. You get to wear this mask or you have to wear this one, and it changes every week. Okay, now it's OK that you wear this one and that one in this kind. I mean, it's been scary, but I mean, the world never expected a pandemic. And I mean, I just want I would wish people would be a little more understanding because there are times, like, obviously is health care workers were scared to go home because we're scared to bring that home to our families. Um, we're obviously in the front line, so you can't. And

spk_2:   24:58
it would never be a

spk_1:   24:59
situation where I would just say, I'm not going to work that scared. You know, all these people who are a sick are also scared. They're terrified. If they have this disease and opening knows much about, and as a job as a health care worker, people say, like we signed up for this, it's I mean, we did, and we did it all in the same kind of sense because nobody signed up to be part of pandemic. But now that we're here, we have the knowledge to be helpful. We have the knowledge to teach people what to do. So I guess I'm It's part of the original question. You said. I mean, it doesn't bother me that people like where they don't like being essential workers. I mean, they should be happy that we still have employment. There's a lot of families who suffer because they're not getting their money, not getting enough to feed their kids or not. And then all these people have all their kids at home. We're expecting to get school, and that's another income that they didnt. Or I guess I'm expense that they didn't plan on having all the kids home and feeding £5 for three meals a day, you know? So I guess when people complain about being quote unquote essential, you should be happy that there's still jobs for you and you're not stuff not necessarily not suffering. But there's still a source of income coming your way, you know, And I know there's the who was it called the checks. I forgot what it was called A you know, but that when the stimulus drink, I'm sorry, the stimulus check. But

spk_2:   26:21
I mean for a family of fire. That's kind of hard

spk_1:   26:23
to live off of sometimes. Um, but I think overall is far as all passive community. We have a very supportive of one another. Everyone's just pushing each other up. Everyone's looking how to help. Even today, I went to the dollar tree just to get some food that I needed. And they ask. So do you want to donate a dollar to our health care workers? And it's a chocolate bar and they're going taking chocolates to the health care workers, you know, and it's very It's very nice to see. And at this time I kind of like I think it's I love it all the motivations coming for the nurses. But you also have to think of all the other essential workers that I feel like aren't really getting a lot of credit. I think you have people who are working stores. You have obviously, are seeing Nasar, respiratory therapists. Oh, sorry, houses connected by a call. There we go. You have a lot of other central workers that I do want to give them. Credit is well because at least in the hospital were always protected, sometimes even grocery store people are not able to, um, they're not able to, I guess protecting tests and they don't know who has what. And all they have is a mask, and they're just trying to provide service to us.

spk_0:   27:32
What about yourself, Crystal?

spk_2:   27:35
First of all, I think everyone's jobs essential matter what they do when they work in a grocery store and work at a gas station. You know, we're gonna hospital whatever it is anybody does. Their job is essential primarily because it is the resource of income they have either, unlike myself on me to support. But others, people who do have family, like not only said who have kids and are going through a lot of stress right now because of what's going on. Um, I don't know who, why, but I do know labels people are essential and non essential. But really, I just I think everybody's dogs essential. The virus has just been very It's very crazy. Like Natalie said, nobody is prepared for a pendant. Make hospitals just like mine. I don't remember anally. Which hospital did you see worked up and we're get also okay? Yeah. So I just I've also, um c two were always constantly protocols were constantly changing. Tpe, like today we're gonna get this every day you're gonna wear this everything you're gonna wear. So I think last week they just instill a policy that we have to wear Protective. I Alexis, like some goggles every time, will perform your patient care. So things are constantly changing because in reality, no hospital here, especially I'll pass. It was prepared for a global pandemic like this. So things are constantly changing where I was constantly learning something new about this virus on a daily basis. Um, there's always meetings are being held total being held for our ships, just informing us about what's going on in ways we can either contribute, um, or ways we can he change policies and protocols or aspirin? Well, you think about on the new protocols are being instilled, but that's pretty much in regards to the cove. It and the second part of your question, How do I feel being an essential worker? I feel grateful, just like not only said, and I'm not just trying to copy what she's saying is just what she says is very true. Um, we have a job to protect our people. And, well, that's what we're doing. This we can just go to the hospital out of fear. Just say we're not gonna take care of people, cause just like every other big prison in the hospital, these people need a special attention. They need special care. So where we just say that we're not gonna were gonna refuse treatment to people who are very ill? Because that's what that's what you took an oath to do. We didn't take an oath to prepare for a gold pandemic, so no, he didn't sign up for this cause there's a lot of people. There's a lot of controversy. People are talking nurses saying that Oh, you would think you're the only ones that are doing this and that, Bob. But everybody else is behind it to your grandkids. Everybody in the hospital is looking towards this fires. Um, I don't know how it was, how it is not there, So free. Um, see, for a while, with our global patients, donors was doing everything. So with Michael would patients, I would go in there and I was vital signs I would draw the blood. I would do every single. Nobody else was entering that room but myself. So, um, I do understand everybody else's contributing microbiology. The lab is doing their part in isolating whatever it is finding the microorganism like they're doing whatever they come. But we are also directly in contact with these patients for not just a minute, two minutes for a good amount of time, you know? So I feel very proud and very, um, 100. It is very frightening because you just don't know what to expect. None of us know what to expect. None of us expected this in the first place, but it's just like a constant learning process.

spk_0:   30:57
Okay, I think one thing I can see from both of you is that you both have a lot of gratitude. It's nice to hear you both think the janitors, the cafeteria work or some of the other people that have supporting roles and making sure that you guys are able to do your job properly, you know, like making sure the hospital sterilize, making sure that you guys are well fed. And so just a lot that goes into making sure that everybody is taking care of and that you guys are able to offer the care that's needed for the patients that are going into your hospitals Now one of the big arguments that I've heard is that why are we stopping for this disease? And we haven't thought for others. You know, there's a lot of rumors that this might be a hoax. There's a lot of rumors that this, you know, there's just a lot of controversy and conspiracies on what might be happening currently, and I think a big argument that I hear is the flu. The traditional flu kills a lot more people, then what the cove in 19 is, Yeah, we never stopped for the flu, but the way I see it is were dealing with something that we really don't know a lot about. We're dealing with something that still we don't have a vaccine for that. There's still a lot of unknown. So I think we are handling it the proper way and I don't think we can be precautious, super cautious. But I'm cares to hear what you guys think. We'll start off with Crystal.

spk_2:   32:09
Um, so I I want to go to one of its own to this, because it does start up like a lot of feud, an argument like he said. But I just think you need to educate themselves on the Yeah, this limited killed more. This is still a deadly virus. It's still noble virus that still affecting people The way it is. It's still, um, it's a respiratory district. It's a respiratory issue. I personally, myself, in the beginning was kind of if the about it, I was also along the wagon like Oh, you know, I just like anybody just like the flu, it kills it. It affects people. People who are, you know, surprise. It's it has its certain effect on people, and everyone's gonna be differently. But it's still in the end. It's it's still killing people. So I was just like, you know what? Maybe it's just something like that. But when I personally got to see first time, somebody who was called a positive and just quickly declined in the front of my fate, like in front, right in front of my eyes. Within three hours, I was just like, Wow, this is so serious And it was a person, so you hear that you're at risk at high risk. You have multiple core abilities, calm abilities, meaning that you have other health issues. Chronic diseases selection such as hypertension, diabetes. You've had history of Councillor May Leeds. It's fresh because you'd be immunised immune. A surprise, meaning that your immune system in 30 weekend I'm zero high risk group for getting the virus on it can potentially harm you worse than it would. Ah, younger person like myself because I don't have any clue. Morbidity is, for the most part, I'm pretty healthy. I don't have anything that would let me have that risk. So I just think there's auto controversy, as I said before, also with the issue that young people saying that they need to they don't need to stay home, that it's okay for them to be going out just because I'm young, I'm healthy. I work out, I'm fine, and there's no way that that virus is gonna talk. My long gloves were. That's where people lot of people were really wrong. I've had a good amount of creations that are positive. They're in their twenties who have no camera abilities. So whether it's you're young performer but don't have come abilities air, you're young and you do. Either way, it's gonna depending on your immune system. It's it's gonna hit you the way it does. And nobody knows that. Not even I know how it would affect myself. So I just think people need to really, really pay attention to what's going on. Try their hardest to take care of themselves, especially the younger population. Like I said, they they think it's trying to go out, have gatherings on, be with other people and it's OK, they get it. But they go home. They live with their parents, live with their grandparents who are older, who threw hot commodities and who are at high risk. And they're the ones that are suffering from this. So I think that's what people kind of need to realize that maybe it won't affect you The way would affect your grandmother. But you want to protect around with so it be smart for you. Just take all precautions whether it be staying home work. You can't stay home. Take a walk around your neighborhood where I'm asked me to go to stories. Um, yeah. It doesn't mean that you're gonna be protected if you wear a mask. What? You're protecting other people. If you sneeze, if you're positive, you have no idea you're seizing in confinement. It's in your mask. It's preventing it from spring to anybody else from spreading elsewhere from spreading to whatever it is. There's whatever is in front of you, so people just need to really get educated on ppd. First of all, on the background of the virus and how it could affect anyone in general.

spk_0:   35:35
Okay, what about yourself? Natalie? What's your opinion?

spk_2:   35:38
I guess I would say they just I don't I was also going to be

spk_1:   35:43
getting, like, what? Have picked that serious. Just like crystals. It's a flu is a virus. I haven't told my family like it's not a big deal like it's gonna blow over. But then, like we started seeing the influx of patients coming in. And then since I worked in the critical care unit cystic, obviously the sickest of the sick ones, I show up and are the ones that deteriorate drastic me and the problem with this disease. It's like country side effects that does affect people with a lot of vulnerabilities, But it's not married. It's not selective. It's so randomized right now, and they're still trying to figure it out. Like you can have a patient who has won co morbidity like better patient or just have diabetes. And they ended up dying from the disease. You get that the patient has it. We also have diabetes with them behind their asymptomatic. They have the most. Maybe some look great fevers there finally, diesel cannula, which is a very minimal amount of oxygen. But it's weird that, like, if you are I where I want to get it and then I get affected 3 60 of how you get affected. Correct. The thing is, there's no grill. You can't really say, like okay, if this person gets it at this age, are gonna die, or that they're gonna have this symptoms every cent everyone symptomology is very different, and the picture of how it looks is very different from 1,000,000,000 from person to person. And I guess that's why now I see, like huh, I guess dangerous. It is the disease, and I do not think it's the holes. There's in many videos and issues describing how the disease effects, um, inside alone and how it's working on the Broncos and everything very detailed information about different videos. The thing is, it's new people. I know starting to that time is starting to pass and people are trying to get more relax and calm. And oh, it's on a big deal, you know? But being a health care worker, you got to see it every day I go and then someone else passes away or someone else dies or someone else gets better. But it's just they leave and more on the worst end. It's not as much death as their husband. Obviously in China were not in the situation that New York is in. Um, and I think that's just, um, not hoax. It's just proving the fact that this is a very deadly disease in this only in the sense that we do not have a vaccine like you said, we do not have enough information. This is Brian knew when the flu came out, I'm sure it was like a pandemic. So in or went even like smallpox came out obviously weren't around when that happened, but it was. It might have been the same situation. People were dying and people related and have a nice scene, didn't know how to treat it. So just because it's not, it's not like the flu. It isn't it. It's like the flu in the sense of it is a virus. But back in the day when it was easiest, Herbert, that's how it is now it's brand new. We're discovering we learn to control it. In the beginning, we didn't even know how. It's Brenner, which is very dangerous for the whole population. No one knows how this is spreading and growing around. So I would think, just like Crystal said, Everyone needs to take the precautions. Everyone needs to just do the same thing to keep each other safe. I know most people like I don't like wearing a mask. I don't like not being able to three. I mean, neither do nurses, but we wear a mask 24 the whole 12. Our ship, we were regular mask and then to go into specials were an N 95 mask, and we're breathing our own CEO to eventually making us a little bit delirious. But it's a precaution and a lot of us take it to protect our patients because we go from room to room to person to person, even to our co workers. We don't want to get anyone sick. We don't want to be the reason we gave our patient of disease, you know, and that's the same. I think that process people should have, like I do it to protect others to also protect yourself. But if you care about other people, just do it to protect them until we can get this under control. At least in El Paso, it's not. It's not like I said as New York, but for now, so we can keep our exposure minimal. Just follow the rules.

spk_0:   39:31
You just said the O pass away. And I'm curious to ask because I'm currently living in Midland and I traveled between Midland and Odessa, and I think between both cities we have a little bit more than like, 200 cases of the time that we're talking about this yet. I look at a paso and you guys are in the 1001 100 counting, you know, So it's it's a big difference on what's happening over there, and I know I heard for Easter you guys had a lot of calls for people reporting gatherings, you know, and Now you have Mother's Day coming up. So do you think it's our Hispanic culture that's causing everybody to still want to gather? You know, not kind of obeying the laws, and the restrictions at that airport are getting put into place. And what are your feelings? You think it's too early for them to be lifting the rules that they have in place and the precautions that they have in place? Do you think that said he should have left those on? Or do you think it was time to start lifting some of those restrictions?

spk_1:   40:22
Um, I don't necessarily think it's too early. May be, I think, if they continue with the restrictions in the Spacey, because the thing is our opening for our economy. So we don't saw. But I do is notice, like a soon as they opened up there was like lines at the malls, the stores that weren't even open. And I can't really think of something that I need at the mall that is worth this long line and exposure with a bunch of people. You know, Um, I think there was a new increasing cases after Easter. There probably is gonna be one after Mother's Day, and the hospitals are already preparing for an influx of patients coming in since they did open more restaurants, Open breaker stores. Um, so we're just preparing ourselves for that little spike again and hopefully, But again, I think if you were going to be around each other, there's also already rules. No more than six people should gather together. Um, obviously, it is a difference with the Mexican culture. I do agree that I am execute myself, and I know it's always about the big party, Big Viesturs. But I mean, as we all have phones now, we'll have electronics that we can see each other. I mean the most that I probably would have seat would see of mate My mother, for my grand parents will have a plan to just like Skype them or facetime them, especially because they're elderly. But I think as long as everyone again, it all comes down to just like following the rules, being even. Wear a mask with your family members because you don't know where your aunt or uncle has been with stores a onto and not that you don't love them, but you have to just learn to keep your distance until we get this controlling. Know exactly how the disease is spread. How to test when we have more tests that even when you're asymptomatic, you can go and get which is hard right now because they're not giving test to anyone unless they're symptomatic. But you this disease has a lick. Oh, I think it was a two week or one week you can read, uh, phase where you're asymptomatic completely, and you can be a carrier passing until bunch of people.

spk_0:   42:26
Alright, what about yourself, Crystal? What do you think?

spk_2:   42:29
So ever since they opened up actually worry seeing our young soup already seen an increase in and positive, I think it was like from a couple days, um, difference. We saw from with things like 13 patients to me like 26 patients. And it was just a very quick a big jump from what we've been having lately s Oh, yeah, I think it might have been a little too early. Um, I honestly haven't really looked into well, like the gyms are opening. Russians are opening, but they're only lying. What 25% of capacity will not mistaken stunning. 5%. Yeah, something like that. So what? But I I just think it is that what they're gonna open because they're gonna do whatever they're gonna do anyway. Some like another. Lee says they're trying to keep the economy up, so I just think that they should have been a lot. Maybe a little bit stricter. I do like that. A lot of places are enforcing the where a past. Like, if you don't put them in it on about to go into the store, which is they're gonna open things up. At least there there, making very strict rules stores. Like I said already going without a mask. Um, but I just think that it was too soon. I like I said, Person, First time I've seen the increase in patients already on Mother's Day. Hasn't even came by other celebrations. Yeah, so I'm just I just think it would if they could have waited a little bit longer, like at least let us get something. Or lettuce. Figure of plan now figures something else to get this under control or see what we're excess because I feel like they're just like shutting one thing down. Opening up another seat. Oh, no. But we're gonna look master requirement. But we're not gonna make mascot department that they're just like playing with people. They're playing with the rules that just like they don't know what you're doing. So I feel like if they would just make one set of rules permanently for a good while, maybe that would help get doesn't more under control so that we can essentially just open up everything and go back to normal.

spk_0:   44:20
I think uncertainty causes a lot of stress. And I think at the beginning there was a lot of things that we could have done to maybe prevent prevent things, you know, like there was basic instructions put into place, like wash your hands frequently sanitized, make sure that you're communicating at a distance, you know, basic things that people could follow to try to slow this thing of the spread. And I don't think people really bought in. And now what? I think that's causes that people have seen how easy it is for you to potentially get sick or, you know what some of the basic things that you would do or that you're accustomed to doing, can put you at risk. So do you see people changing the way they interact? Like you see all this change in the way people interact with one another and communicate and the way that we go about like even saying hi.

spk_1:   45:06
Um, I do think that it's it's gonna It's funny to bring to light how much how often and nervous lecture hands, I think cause I mean the hand sanitizer. I don't know, I think what? The toilet paper, but even soaps and cleaning things that full off on the shelves. And I was like, I feel like

spk_2:   45:26
Americans and people in general legis Americans people in general, like day. Maybe Then I must wash your hands

spk_1:   45:32
like that's how I felt. That's honestly I felt when this first came up. But, um, but other than that, I do think it's gonna change the way we extract. I couldn't see like I know it's still kind of fresh. Never consider going on. Even when I go to a grocery store and Mary like cautious, I can sense myself, like when I feel someone so close to me before, it wouldn't really bother me, but on Ligurian, my personal you need to step back. But I do know, like most people, I feel like a very tense, Um, even like the typical normal handshake when you're meeting somebody, I even hesitate to do that now. And I'm like, It's everything I've been happy, like to the elbow High five or whatever. Okay, isn't like the elbow bump. And I'm like, OK, but that's a whole new thing with people, cause you could even feel like when you're asking, I want to ask someone today where the rice was. So I went to go ask Nicole. I need this and they kind of set back from you and you get in there bubble. So I don't think it's gonna affect the way we are now in my get better once we actually have become a complete treatment for the covert disease and sorry for over 90 for the disease on and something we know that is working and getting people better. But I think right now it's a lot of Charl and error of things that they're giving patients at this moment, um, for the treatments. It's the same treatment, and it works on some people, doesn't work on others, but like the flu has a vaccine. They have the time will slow. They have everything. So people aren't a scare. Like my mom had a slew before this came out, and I wasn't scared to be around her. That it's okay. Like if I get it, there's a treatment. I'll be fine, you know. But with this, until they have something secure in that sense, I think the way we interact with people is favoring a change.

spk_0:   47:13
All right, Crystal, what about you? Can you give us your opinion?

spk_2:   47:16
I hope things change. I mean, like nothing. So I think it starts. A lot of people are having to be reminded how to perform proper hygiene. I'm so I deal for past. Is it? People pay attention to their hygiene a lot more because I think that's a really, really important on a big contributor to this fires. Um, like family said, Yeah, I just need some work cautious of your personal spacing thing when I go grocery shopping, you know, like we have a habit of touching or avocados switching our Leona's to see what's ready, what's not. And now I just see myself like, Oh, like I'd rather get the one that's in the book with all the bags ready already, because I don't want to be touching what other people are touching. So you do. You're a lot more cautious on what you're doing. And I feel like maybe that's how it should be generally like after this. Also this Because, like you said, it's just so easy to contract anything, whether it be this virus or whether it be the bullet, Natalie said. It's it's just so easy to contract something from somebody else, and you just never know what it is that somebody else has around you. So yes, I do hope that people kind of realized writing her a little bit more clean and hygienic after this. Um, but in regards to just being more cautious, I do think people are gonna be a little bit scared. Maybe even next year. And a lot of people who had, like, trips, punch coming, one coming January. I'm sorry of next year and they already council Memphis. They're just still so they feel like they'd still be nervous by that time. So I feel like it's just gonna be very well. We were gonna be very frightening. That's going to be like, if you're I don't know how else to compare it to feel like you're kind of coming out of in a cop of puggle. It's like you just coming out into the world and you haven't been out in the world's for what has it been like, what, two months now

spk_1:   48:53
going on three. You're getting pretty close to three. So

spk_2:   48:56
young, bring on three months so we don't were not allowed to go out and enjoy brown socialize. Have a good time. Like we're just gonna come on, we're gonna feel like we've been trapped, um, under the light, like under the moon that we finally gonna see the song for the first time. So I mean, yes, you know, it's gonna be it's everyone's gonna have a big impact on everyone. I feel

spk_0:   49:16
I appreciate you guys sharing what you really experience, and I think the way you guys put it and really for everybody, that's the singing. It's making sure that we were doing our part in making sure that we're not putting a higher burden on you guys, cause what I think a lot of people don't see is that if we don't continue to try to follow some of the rules or do our part to stop this from spreading the hospitals might get to fool, you know. And then that's gonna put a high burden on you guys to make sure that you can provide proper care and really handle things the way they should be done. And that's gonna make it difficult for the city. And then that things just gonna go downhill from there, you know? So I think people should be grateful and not be upset that they can't go here and there. But just understand that right now it's about making sure that you're doing your part in protecting those around you. It's not just about you, but making sure that you're looking out for everybody around. You're not putting anybody in a situation that you're gonna regret at a later date. Now I know we're getting pretty closer to the end. So what do you guys have his advice or someone stressing about this? They don't know what to expect. What would you give them as advice or what? Would you like the city for them to help you make sure that they got your back.

spk_2:   50:20
Honestly, I will just, really, highly encourage. Everybody performed proper hygiene like not only they said, staying your your personal space. Don't be. Don't be going into other people's Christmas space, where your mask when you're out in public is just even if it bothers you. Yes, it is gonna knowing. Trust me. I know I wear for 13 hours a ship a day, like it's it does get annoying and it bothers you on. It's suffocating. I understand. 100%. I think we would understand how on earth they are being the fact that we were them for so long on, um, it's just temporary. You're just gonna go walking to the store, get whatever you need just for your mask. Protect yourself. Protect your family if you don't care about yourself. Care of what? Your family, your by your grand parents. If you hold your ground friends, care about your kids. Have you haven't because I know there's a lot of new moms that are. I have had friends all Call me like Do you think it's a if I go to salon and they just gave me I'm just like, Oh, I wouldn't encourage it? No, Like there, their immune system is currently developing, so I just feel everybody should just proper percussion. Um, where masked Don't work. Gloves, cross contamination issue give constantly wearing their gloves. I see them out and about their work gardening gloves. And I'm just like you just touched your face. You touch the door handle, you're grabbing your coffee or touching your your car door. You're just reading every hell around, so they're closer, pointless and use. Lift him The situation. Granted, nurses, we, um we did touch body fluids, so we were them for everything. But we just switch during we switch our gloves like crazy for every single encounter, you will see us that we get a special water. We're changing gloves for every little so I it's It's good for those situations. But if you're out in public at Bill close, just wear your mask. Stay home. Stay appeared like your proper distancing from people. If you need a have a gathering, I see a lot on Facebook, and stuff have been like these parades and stuff like for your celebrations continue to do that if they have to have to have been six people, I think, is what it is. No. Six or 10. I'm not too sure. Just don't exceed the limit. Basically, follow the rules with the limit. No, no, just take care of herself, A Warrior PP.

spk_0:   52:23
It's gonna be good for people to know, not to worry the gloves. And it makes a lot of sense on the cross contamination. So what about yourself mentally

spk_1:   52:30
again? Say in the Globe's I'll start up by accepting the clothes? No, no. So I think overall, like Crystal said, you gotta be having Israel still just make them up out of thin air. Sometimes we feel like the government again, just against us. But they have, like scientific. These are people that figure out these rules and spread distance and where the mask and it's like, she said, is to protect yourself and, more importantly, to protect those around us. Whether your family, whether they're strangers, it's just you don't know what people have. You don't know if they're beautiful, compromised. I mean, I saw like an elderly lady at the store today, and I'm like, afraid to get near her, but it's just even. Just protect yourself, protect others. Another thing that's coming up a lot is, um, basically depression. Suicide rate rates have increased, unfortunately, with the quarantine, because everyone's locked up in a home and not doing what they're usually used to doing. Um, but for that from that standpoint, just we shot to your family members. And if you're feeling sad, there's always a number to call. There's a hotline. Um, there's other things. You could do it. Call your family, and if you're not feeling this way, make sure you check on other people around you. Some people go through different levels of anxiety, and this has definitely been a stressful time for the U. S. For the world's for everyone, because it's such a crazy pandemic thing going on. Um, so be my problem that be mindful of others. And I think overall, if you to think about people's health, mental health, physical health, everything health and not being selfish, we should be wasn't get through this together as a community.

spk_0:   54:05
Okay, I think after everything after this whole talk, that thing I've taken away is that make sure that you think of others, make sure you think of your loved ones. Think about the people that you might be interacting with. Think about the people that you may be putting at risk and just make sure that you're doing your part to help our health care workers and not trying to put so much of a burden on them, and not just them, but our law enforcement and everybody out there that's trying to protect you during these times that we really don't know and there's a lot of insurgency going around. Another thing is that I hope after everybody listens to it, they really get an understanding and respect that you guys deserve that. I know I have gotten from seeing you up close and personal and seeing how you guys work and that everything you guys have to do and everything that you have had to deal with, but how great of a job you all do. So do you guys want to finish this off with anything?

spk_1:   54:47
The last thing I would like to say is just thank you to everyone in our community, Um, all of our workers, whoever is working on and in the hospital, thank you to all our ancillary staff. Thank you. Do our housekeeper's to Archie's, our Ste. Anne's are texts. Everyone in anyone housekeeping, exonerated e of dietary central supply. They keep the hospital running, and we also want to say a big thank you. We can do our job without you guys, and we very appreciate all your help and everything you've done for us.

spk_2:   55:21
Uh, pretty. My same eyes not only said thank you to everybody, everyone's on the front line in the hospital. Not only them, but just like yourself. Shouldn't be the ones that are working and cells the ones that are still tomorrow. Right now, we don't want to go and work out the long that who might be thinking that it's opening. He's doing anybody who's record right now. Anybody who is not working right now, anybody who's contributing to taking care on controlling this virus, I just want to say thank you. And I appreciate everything that you do, because what you do, in turn, helps Those is health care workers.

spk_0:   55:48
That's a wrap. Guys appreciate your staying with me for another episode of Open to Evolve. I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did share it, leave a review, guys, let me know what you think and we'll see you in the next one