Voices from the front lines
“I am most proud to be a healthcare worker”
Ashley Risdon, APRN
Northeast Medical Group/MICU Verdi 3
“I have worked at Yale New Haven Hospital for the past 10 years in Oncology, Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant (NP11). I started as a PCA and then transitioned to the RN role. I graduated with my MSN-FNP degree. I have accepted an APRN per-diem position with NEMG for the walk-in clinics and I am currently awaiting credentialing.
I reached out to my friend Ana Mota and her former manager on the MICU, Verdi 3 North and West, to see if I could help in the MICU setting. I had heard of the need and use of med-surg nurses to assist the MICU nurses. Ana and I both have recently transitioned into the APRN role since graduating from SCSU last August. We both were eager to help during this time and were happy to be able to offer our assistance to the MICU staff at the Saint Raphael Campus.
At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I felt normal reservations due to limited knowledge and information on the virus. As time has gone on, I feel comforted to know that I am working alongside amazing staff and doing my part to fight this pandemic. The teamwork on the unit has been amazing!
On my off days from the hospital, I make sure to do a home workout and get outside if the weather is nice for my own personal health. I am trying to take advantage of the down time I have to be productive with projects around the house and continued education in preparation for starting my new role as an APRN with NEMG.
Overall, I am most proud to be a healthcare worker and contribute to patient care and be a part of the amazing team at Yale New Haven during this time. I have never experienced anything like this during my career. It has been a great learning experience. I am hopeful that there will be many positive things to come out of this pandemic, both in the medical field and with personal development and relationships.”
“We are behind you all the way”
Gina D’Agostino, RN
Clinical value analysis nurse, Corporate Supply Chain
Years at YNHHS: 37
“Part of our role at Yale New Haven Health Corporate Supply Chain Value Analysis has been obtaining samples of PPE and vetting clinically acceptable products for our clinical staff. Below is the poem I wrote about the experience. It keeps me awake at night, and I am frequently here on the weekend thinking about how to make sure the front-line staff has the arsenal they need.”
Ode to the COVID-19 Armamentarium:
Thoughts from a Clinical Value Analysis Nurse
We are behind you all the way;
Even though we too wish this virus would just go away.
Please know that we are here;
We know that nothing can be accomplished in the spirit of fear.
So we fight by vetting and sourcing supplies day and night;
To keep you safe and ready to fight.
We know all the PPE does not look the same;
We aim for consistency but reduced is our usual Supply Chain.
We source for specifications that will keep you safe;
The most clinically effective decisions we strive to make.
Protective gowns, gloves, respirators, and masks;
We know you need barriers to perform patient care tasks.
Remember to take care when doffing isolation gowns;
Be safe, be well. We are all in this together, so try not to get down.
We are behind you all the way;
Even though we too wish this virus would just go away.
Blessings to the Yale New Haven Health Community one and all;
Each in our own way, we answer the service call.
