A team of nurses in a COVID-19 unit at a Kentucky hospital came together for a ceremony to honor patients who died from complications of COVID-19. “There was one week where we lost a person every day," said Brittany Dawson, a CNA at UofL Health-Jewish Hospital in Louisville.Nurses gathered on a roof patio for a “rock cleansing ceremony,” writing the initials of patients they lost on a rock, saying a few words and placing the rocks inside a vase with water. At the end, a nurse poured the water over plants at the hospital. “I didn't even know that I needed to cry so much until that happened,” Dawson said.During the emotional ceremony, nurses held hands and comforted each other, much like they’ve done with patients suffering from COVID-19 since March.“We’re holding their hand as they take their last breath,” CNA Amber Stull said. “They don't have anybody. They're alone and you can see that they're alone and scared.”The nurses honored the patients for putting up a tough fight with the deadly virus and in many instances having to do so alone.Now, the nurses must continue their own daily fight as the pandemic continues and the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 climb.“It’s emotionally draining. We’re doing everything we can here,” said Shona Neal Smith, RN. “Usually you go home physically drained. This is that times five, sometimes 10.”Watch the video above to learn more.
A team of nurses in a COVID-19 unit at a Kentucky hospital came together for a ceremony to honor patients who died from complications of COVID-19.
“There was one week where we lost a person every day," said Brittany Dawson, a CNA at UofL Health-Jewish Hospital in Louisville.
Nurses gathered on a roof patio for a “rock cleansing ceremony,” writing the initials of patients they lost on a rock, saying a few words and placing the rocks inside a vase with water. At the end, a nurse poured the water over plants at the hospital.
“I didn't even know that I needed to cry so much until that happened,” Dawson said.
During the emotional ceremony, nurses held hands and comforted each other, much like they’ve done with patients suffering from COVID-19 since March.
“We’re holding their hand as they take their last breath,” CNA Amber Stull said. “They don't have anybody. They're alone and you can see that they're alone and scared.”
The nurses honored the patients for putting up a tough fight with the deadly virus and in many instances having to do so alone.
Now, the nurses must continue their own daily fight as the pandemic continues and the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 climb.
“It’s emotionally draining. We’re doing everything we can here,” said Shona Neal Smith, RN. “Usually you go home physically drained. This is that times five, sometimes 10.”
Watch the video above to learn more.
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