Two local nurses making a difference

As the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also recognized nurses that have been on the front lines in helping those with various illnesses and conditions each day.

Last week was National Nurses Week, and the World Health Organization has also named 2020 the Year of the Nurse.

Shady Reyes and Donna Marasigan are two nurses from Cranston who currently work at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. They have cared for patients fighting COVID-19 on a daily basis.

“I knew that I wanted to get into nursing since I was about 6,” said Reyes, who has been at Hasbro for two years. “My mom actually has a letter from when I was little from school saying what I wanted to be when I grew up, and on it I wrote that I wanted to be a nurse. The biggest reason I wanted to be a nurse was because I spent a lot of time in the hospital with a family member when I was young and I was able to see first hand the nurses and doctors help [save lives]. To help someone and change lives, that’s what attracted me to nursing.”

Reyes has been helping children suffering from various illnesses for many years. Last summer, she was a nurse at Heart Camp, a summer camp for children with heart conditions who are able to interact with other kids with similar problems and feel comfortable in a safe environment.

“That was a very heart-touching event,” Reyes said. “It was very enlightening because their condition is something that you cannot physically see, it’s a hidden illness. They have to face it every day. This camp allowed them to be themselves. It’s a place where they feel safe, they can talk about emotional issues. I was there as a nurse and was able to provide that safe care.”

Reyes is also a member of Professional Governance, and was a co-editor of a 50-page document that was recently submitted by the PICU Professional Governance to be reviewed for eligibility for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ prestigious Beacon Award.

The Beacon Award lauds hospital units that employ evidence-based practice to improve patient and family outcomes. The award provides gold, silver and bronze levels of excellence, and her unit has claimed two silvers.

Although the COVID-19 crisis has forced her to change her approach in treating patients, Reyes is delighted to be able to continue to treat those in need each day.

“It’s definitely scary, but you have to put your bias aside with how you feel about things. Other families are scared too, so you have to play this role where you make them feel as comfortable as you possibly can during this scary time. You have to put your feelings aside and make their feelings the first thing,” Reyes said. “I would not change my job for a second. I absolutely love what I do. As sad as it can be sometimes, seeing those kids that were sick eventually leave the ICU, that is beyond gratifying for me. I wouldn’t change that at all.”

Marasigan, who is originally from the Philippines, has worked all throughout the world for over two decades. She has worked in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, California and Rhode Island.

Like Reyes, Marasigan knew from a young age that she wanted to become a nurse.

“My aunt was a nurse, so I always told myself, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a nurse like her.’ That’s why I took nursing. Then I followed her path and worked in the heart center. I like being a nurse because I get to be with people and I can help them feel better … I am able to communicate with families and children,” Marasigan said.

Despite the initial fear that the coronavirus caused, Marasigan and her fellow nurses have adapted and she is proud of the help she provides.

“When it first started, we were afraid for both the older patients and the children,” she said. “We saw on social media. I also have a friend in Italy that told me about it, and we were all kind of hoping that we would not be in the COVID unit. But as time went by and we began using our PPE, the hospital provided us with masks, shields – although it is tough to have to take it all on and take it all off and be in designated areas and whatnot, it got better and it is self-fulfilling to help. It definitely helps your self-esteem.”

Marasigan urges people to abide by the guidelines set by the CDC and to remain safe during this trying time.

“I hope people follow the rules set by the government in terms of social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face, wearing a mask,” she said. “The summer is coming so people will want to go to the beach, or go to the shopping mall when it opens, but we all need to stay inside.”