Many of the Covid+ patients do not realize how sick they are, and when they feel better, it is because of the work the nursing staff is doing to keep them alive. There are many stories but this particular one shows the compassion and grace evident in everything Ellen does.

The patient was in ICU with Covid pneumonia. Ellen took care of this patient for days. During one of her shifts, this patient began pulling his mask off which instantly dropped his oxygen level. She was basically fighting against him to keep him alive, for hours, as he did not understand. During one of his episodes, he threw hot coffee in her face and attempted to hit her. When the situation was under control again and the patient back in bed, Ellen was offered, by several other nurses, to switch assignments. She refused as she wanted to continue to fight, not against him, but for him, so he could go home. During his stay here, she continued to care for him. Every day she worked with the utmost compassion and care. She sits with her patients and listens to them, even when her workload is huge. She jumps in to help staff by pulling meds, cleaning rooms, answering call lights.