Throughout my time on the unit, Thurmann has always had a positive impact on staff and patient care through role modeling extraordinary behavior, and consistently creating an environment of trust and compassion. While Thurmann continuously exudes what it means to be an extraordinary nurse leader, all of this culminated in one experience. In August 2020, the East 4 unit manager, had made the announcement that they were going to come to make an announcement on our unit. And the rumor mill began to churn, what could it be, was it good, was it not so great? We were all huddled in the nurse’s station when they came and notified us that the unit was going to become a COVID unit. And we were terrified.

Now looking back it seems silly, but at that time there were so many unknowns. We had heard of this virus but didn’t know how exactly it was spread, we didn't know exactly how it attacked the body, there was no consistent form of prevention and the medical field didn’t have a treatment pathway established. We didn’t even know if we were going to have enough protective equipment to keep us safe through it. And all the while we were sitting there, growing numb from this information, we all began thinking of what this meant to us and our families at home. So many of us had little ones. My reaction was visceral; so many thoughts and emotions, fear taking stewardship of my rational thinking. We had heard so many horror stories from around the world. Nurses and doctors being secluded away, or even passing, because of all the variables that just didn’t have answers. Even at the previous hospital I had worked in, two nursing assistants had lost the fight for their lives when they contracted COVID at work. We had heard of all the families torn apart by this virus that seemed to have no rhyme or reason. We sat there fearful for the future.

Thurmann was our charge nurse that day. And I remember after all was said and decisions made, looking at him with tears welling up in so many of us, he had a concerned look too, but he managed to stay so calm, so rational, and so compassionate to this group in which he led. I often say that the charge nurse is the “fearless leader” of the day. And while he may not have been fearless, we would have never known. He took the time to listen to each and every one of us, he acknowledged each concern we shared. He took the time to do that for us. He offered solutions (if appropriate) and reassurance, reminding us that we will get through this and we will take things one thing at a time. He took all of our concerns and escalated them as appropriate, advocating for the nurses under his leadership.

As new information came through, Thurmann remained incredibly transparent and communicated with his team. I felt some solace in knowing that even though I was scared and none of us knew the future, we could rely on Thurmann to help us navigate through it. And we have come so far as a unit together, we have maneuvered through a pandemic together, the future seems a little less threatening. And I am confident that tense situations will arise in our unit again, but I know that having Thurmann there to help lead through it will be a little less daunting. He continuously has a positive impact as a nurse leader on our unit by how he role models extraordinary behavior and creates an environment of trust and compassion among colleagues which helps us pour that calmness back into our patients.