Divya Ratan

During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline workers such as healthcare professionals, food service workers, truck drivers and countless more involved in the supply chain for essential goods and services do not have the luxury of working from home. In this series, we asked Toronto Metropolitan University alumni who are working on the frontlines of this pandemic to share their experience with us.

Divya Ratan is a Registered Nurse at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. She works with the Clinical Resource Team and is currently working in the hospital’s COVID-19 Assessment Centre.

Can you tell us about your job in the COVID-19 Assessment Centre?

COVID-19 Assessment Centre is an effort by Trillium Health Partners to respond to the pandemic, allowing the healthcare providers to assess patients coming in for the virus. My job involves screening all the patients coming in, conducting health assessments specific to COVID-19, performing interventions necessary and providing health education consistent with Public Health guidelines to help prevent the spread of this infection.

What does your day-to-day look like?

My day-to-day looks a little different every day. The nursing staff has different roles which we alternate every few hours, so that we can help as many patients as possible at the center. It includes screening patients, conducting health assessments with physicians, performing the COVID-19 test, and discharging and educating patients on self-isolation/monitoring. As a screener, I ask general questions to determine if the patients meet the criteria required for the COVID-19 test. This depends on several different factors, including symptoms. If the criteria is met, patients get registered for further detailed health assessments. In cases where they do not meet the criteria, I provide health education such as how to self-monitor for symptoms, instruct them to self-isolate, and provide resources for more information.

What has it been like working during the COVID-19 pandemic?

It can feel a little overwhelming to work the frontlines as a healthcare provider. Some days are more challenging than others due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, since policies are constantly changing. Although Credit Valley Hospital has been keeping all staff members informed about the changes that are upcoming, at times, going into work, there is this uncertainty about what is going to come up next. However, with constant support and positivity from my colleagues, it becomes easier to navigate those challenging days. 

What is the biggest challenge you are facing?

Personally, one of the biggest challenges for me while working during this pandemic is having the constant fear of spreading the virus to my family members at home. Although I wear proper PPE (personal protective equipment), the fear of infecting members of my household is always in the back of my mind.

What gives you comfort and happiness during this time?

Exercise and physical activity. With a lot of public spaces closed, at first it felt like it was hindering my daily routine on my days off. However, exercising at home in the form of yoga, running, jogging, or going out for a walk allows me to de-stress and re-charge for another day at work. 

What do you want people to know about your experience during this time?  

Although working during this time can be a little overwhelming and stressful due to a number of factors, I find my career to be quite rewarding. At the end of the day, I feel content knowing I was able to help a number of people in a difficult time like this. I also want to emphasize and spread awareness about the importance of social distancing so we can avoid the outcomes that other countries are experiencing. We all want this to be over as soon as possible, so please help contribute towards that goal.