Humans of Healthcare: Alex Kelley

Alex Kelley is a full-time flight nurse with REACH Air Medical and usually part-time at the hospital. Lately, she’s been working closer to full-time at both Mercy and REACH. “Physically, I am good. I do my best to exercise and eat semi healthy. I have a supportive family. My husband is amazing and is keeping our house running and making sure I have what I need. He is a true partner. I enjoy the down time moments I have. I call my mom (also a nurse) like almost every day. “Mentally, I am driven. To help (so much so that I am picking up 3 extra shifts a week). I am stressed about my family, my friends, my coworkers. We work in an ever changing environment. Who the hell knows what tomorrow has in store for us? All I can do is my best, each moment of each day. I worry for family and my friends. I miss them. I don't like the restrictions that we live by. I am studying for tests at one job and trying to stay up to date with current practices at both. “Emotionally I am drained. Exhausted. I have lost family to this virus. I have lost friends due to opposing views. I have lost patients regardless of how hard I fight for them. We all have. We are managing more patients, in numerous settings, outside of our skillset. We are angry. I am angry. People aren't listening no matter how loud we scream. My coworkers, my friends and fellow healthcare workers are feeling defeated and helpless. I have made it a regular thing to check in with at least one person a day. Just so they know someone thought about them. “Lastly, I am overwhelmed. Even with all this turmoil I am amazed at the outpouring of love and support from our community. From strangers. From staff in other departments. This has brought us together in way I never thought possible. I am truly grateful. It's encouraging to see the signs at work. To work alongside the National Guard. To sweat with fellow nurses. I am honored to get to do this. Even if these are the hardest shifts of my career. I have seen recovery. I have eased death. I have comforted and cried with loved ones. I show up. Always ready.” *** Humans of Healthcare is a series of stories introducing people who work in the healthcare profession to the community at large, to see past "healthcare" as an institution and to see the humans at work inside.