Your Health Unlocked Episodes

EP 004: The Life of a Newly Minted Nurse in the Time of COVID with Joselyn Lantigua

Publication Date: November 14, 2022

By: NWHN Staff

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According to a survey conducted by Hospital IQ in November 2021, 91% of nurses considered leaving or were actively looking to leave the nursing profession during the COVID pandemic. From learning how to take blood pressure on a mannequin in school to providing compassion and comfort to the dying in the ICU, Joselyn shared her path into nursing during a pandemic, the heartbreaking challenges she faced in her first year as a nurse at the height of COVID, and how she managed to find hope amid struggle.

In today’s episode of the Your Health Unlocked Podcast, we spoke with Joselyn Lantigua, a Postpartum Nurse and former COVID ICU Nurse working on the front lines in Houston, Texas.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Joselyn’s journey to becoming a nurse through COVID
  • Her biggest challenges as a new COVID ICU nurse
  • Her tips for fostering resilience and finding joy
  • The importance of protecting mental health to maintain work-life balance
  • The heartbreaking reality and emotional impact of COVID on nurses and healthcare workers
  • What the public can do to support new nurses

More about Joselyn:

Joselyn Lantigua is a Postpartum Nurse currently living in Houston, Texas. She graduated from an Accelerated Nursing program in May 2021, earning her second bachelor’s degree and certification. Joselyn was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. After five years as an educator administrator, she switched careers to become a nurse during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

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Resources for Episode 004:

Terms Mentioned:

  • ICU- Intensive Care Unit
  • BI-PAP- Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure device
  • PPE- Personal Protective Equipment
  • N-95 Mask- is a particulate-filtering facepiece respirator
  • Ventilator- is a machine that acts as a bellow to move air in and out of your lungs
  • Comorbidities- distinct health conditions that are present at the same time
  • Preceptor- a nurse who helps train newly graduated nurses during their first months in the profession
The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and entertain. All views expressed by the persons featured on the Your Health Unlocked podcast are their own and do not reflect the opinions of the NWHN or its affiliates. Information provided in this podcast does not constitute medical advice. Consult your own provider for any medical issues that you may be experiencing.

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