It's more than a job for nurse in pandemic

Editor's note: This news column showcases stories from around the world that bring a touch of positivity to the fight against the deadly coronavirus.

Even with the immense strains caused by the coronavirus, healthcare systems around the world have mostly held up. In the UK, as elsewhere, that's in large part thanks to the key workers who kept to their posts on the frontlines of the battle.

In Britain, Suki, a nurse working for the country's National Health Service, or NHS, is one such worker who has been withstanding the physical and emotional demands that come with helping patients during the pandemic.

Among the things that stand out from this experience is the change she has witnessed in people's attitudes to healthcare professionals. They now realize their importance.

Suki works in the operating theater of a hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, where her duties involve helping out with a range of operations and procedures for patients.

"Our department actually was very quiet at the beginning and during the pandemic," said Suki, who came to the UK from China. "Most of the people in my department didn't have enough work to do at that time. So some of us volunteered to help out in other departments."

With the virus coming under control in the UK, her department has been getting busier. Aside from the surgery cases, she and her colleagues are also seeing patients with non-urgent conditions, for operations that had been put off because of the crisis.

Now that the team at the Aberdeen hospital are seeing more patients, they remain at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. Suki has to assist when patients are examined, bringing her into close contact with them.

Support hub

She said that the people around her dealt with the conditions in different ways: Some suffered severe anxiety and stress and some colleagues had to stay in accommodation away from their families. Others have adapted better to the new circumstances.

"But generally, we are all doing fine. Working in the healthcare field, we need to have good resilience," she said, adding that her clinic also has a psychological support hub, where anyone in need can seek help.

"Nursing has never been just a job for me, right from when I started in this field," she said. "I know each day will be different. And I know I am doing a very important job. In future, more and more jobs will possibly disappear. But nursing will always be there as a profession to serve the people."

Suki, who has two children, has had to live with worries that she could potentially spread the virus to her family. And she has also been concerned about her children's education, given that she has had to spend less time with them.

She said she gets by with the support of friends and her family, though her parents in China are very worried about her.

"COVID-19 was an unknown disease and many people were worried. They viewed the disease as a big health threat. It will change people's lives dramatically," she said.

"Even when this is over, life won't be the same like before. We have no idea about the potential long-term complications for the survivors. More research needs to be done."

In her view, Chinese did a great job in its battle against the pandemic. "All Chinese people pulled together to fight this disease," she said. "I am proud to be Chinese. Although I have British nationality, it doesn't change my feelings for China."