Britten Reilly ’15 BSN, RN, SCRN

Christie Long '15 BSN (left) and Britten Reilly '15 BSN (right) are nurses at NYU Langone.

Senior Nurse Clinician, Neuro ICU
NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City

April 9, 2020

The Neuro ICU unit that I have been working on for nearly 5 years has been completely transformed into a 34-bed COVID ICU.  Our hospital has been systematically cleared out, only to be filled immediately with COVID positive patients. Elective surgeries have been cancelled.  Nurses, NPs, PAs, Residents, and Attendings from all units have been reassigned in response to the high influx of COVID patients. 

In a time of crisis, we can easily be overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, and stress.  Despite these feelings, I have never witnessed a stronger sense of community, support, and selflessness amongst a group of strangers.  I have seen nurses of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds come together as one unit.  One team. 

This strong sense of community has also extended beyond the hospital workplace.  The overflowing support and generosity from the Villanova Community as a whole has been so heartwarming.  I am honored, humbled, and proud to be a Villanova Nurse.