We’ve received some compelling and imaginative submissions for our COVID-19 Anthology and are eager to showcase examples that will inspire more contributions from our employees and volunteers.
Rebecca Brook embarked on her career at Monash Health 15 years ago, serving as an Associate Nurse Manager in the rehabilitation ward at Casey Hospital until April 2023. She is currently a member of the Nursing Informatics team in Digital Health.
During the Christmas period of 2021, amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebecca volunteered at Casey Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Seconded for six weeks, she assumed the role of a clinical nurse in the bustling environment, even opting to work a night shift on Christmas day. She said, “My children are now adults, so I thought it would be better if someone else could have the day off to spend with their families and young children.”
In a challenging situation involving relocating a COVID-19-positive patient, Rebecca highlighted the incredible teamwork, stating, “The team effort was amazing, and everyone just pitched in. There were no questions asked, and everyone did whatever they could. It was great to be a part of.”
Despite the subdued atmosphere in the ED due to the pandemic, Rebecca and her colleagues infused a sense of the holiday spirit into their work environment. Recalling those times, she shared, “It wasn’t very festive in the ED at the time, but we tried to make it fun by wearing Christmas scrubs even though they were covered in our PPE yellow gowns.”
Reflecting on a memorable moment, Rebecca described the challenges of working in the Australian summer, repeatedly removing PPE and refreshing with new PPE during each shift. “My scrubs were wet from sweat, and I had drips of sweat running down my back,” she recalled. Despite the difficulties, Rebecca remained positive, stating, “Going home at the end of the day feeling exhausted, but knowing I had helped in some way was what kept me going back.”
Summarising her experience, Rebecca underscored the nature of the pandemic’s impact, stating, “COVID showed us all that we can achieve amazing things with teamwork, but we also need to be mindful of the stress it caused and the bonds we created.” In her words, “Respect the past, honour the now, and engage in the future.”
Don’t miss your chance to submit your experiences of the pandemic in the Monash Health COVID-19 Anthology. Submissions are being accepted here until Friday, 22 December 2023!
Approved by: David Bloxham, General Manager, Communication and Engagement