Recently my father was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. That drew my attention to the nurses who care for those who must spend time in the hospital. It was inspiring to meet people who dedicate their lives to caring for others at their most vulnerable time. It is not easy or pleasant work. The nurses I saw were on their feet all the time, responsible for many patients, and dealing with life and death situations. We had a WellTab tablet for my father, so I could see the nurses coming in and out of the room even when I wasn’t able to be with my father.
Another thing I
noticed through the WellTab was that you could tell immediately which of the
nurses were part of our community. The way they dress – in skirts, covering
their hair, and with long sleeves – is different and unique and makes them
stand out from the other staff.
I was curious
about girls from our community who choose this demanding job, where the main
requirement is hands-on chesed. I had
the privilege of interviewing Sara (Prero) Stern, who took care of my father,
to learn what brought her to this career.
WWW: What made you decide to be a nurse?
Sarah: I have always been a goal-oriented person.
I had already decided that I wanted to be in the medical field when I was in
middle school. At first, I wanted to be a doctor, but then I decided that being
a doctor and raising a family would be too difficult. So I chose to go into
nursing.
WWW: Did you follow the regular path of a Bais
Yaakov student?
Sarah: Yes, I took advantage of all the college-level
classes that were available in Bais Yaakov. Then I went to Machon Raya in
Israel. When I came back, I went to Maalot for one year and finished my bachelor’s
degree. Then I went on to get my master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Leader at
the University of Maryland.
WWW: Is it hard for you as a former Bais
Yaakov girl to work in the secular environment of the hospital?
Sarah: Well, actually, I don’t have a problem in
my job. Everybody is very tolerant, understanding, and kind. There was only one
time when I had an issue; I was assigned to work on a Friday night but was able
to work it out. My fellow nurses accept me as I am. I used to wear a sheitel to work all the time, but now,
during Covid, I switched to a different head covering because it is easier to
keep clean. I first got used to the secular environment when I was in the master’s
program, and there it was helpful that I went with a friend. My friend and I
were the youngest by far in our program and one of the only ones who were
married.
WWW: Do you have children?
Sarah: Yes, I have twin boys who are two-and-a-half
and a baby. I couldn’t do this work without my very supportive family: my
husband and my mother, who take care of the children when I am working. I work
three 12-hour shifts a week, which is full time for a nurse. When I was
pregnant with my twins, I had to take off one semester from college because I
was on bed rest.
WWW: Are the patients you take care of
pleasant or difficult?
Sarah: Most of them are pleasant. Especially now,
during Covid, many people are alone in the hospital and they appreciate a
friendly face and a conversation. Sometimes the patients are scared, and I can
provide reassurance. If the patient is confused, it can be more challenging.
Each nurse on our floor is assigned four patients.
WWW: It looks to me like the care that you give
sometimes requires more than one person. Do the nurses help each other?
Sarah: Yes, the nurses are very helpful to each
other. The teamwork is fantastic. I can always ask for help and I have never
gotten a no from another nurse. Also, each nurse has a tech helping him or her.
WWW: It must be very hard to work 36 hours a
week, and to be on your feet most of the time.
Sarah: Sometimes the work is more challenging
than other times. It depends on the patients you have been assigned. It is
important to work in a hospital for your first job because it gives you a
chance to learn a lot. Now I am finishing up my first two years, and I will
have more choices for a future job. I could also work part time (which is two
shifts a week) now that I already have the experience.
WWW: Would you recommend this field to other
Bais Yaakov girls?
Sarah: I would recommend this particular job of being a hospital nurse to
someone who has a good support system and for whom the long hours would not
affect their family. Some nurses with larger families work night shift, and
that works for them. There are many opportunities outside of the hospital as
well that may have easier hours.
WWW: What do you like the most about this job?
And what is the hardest part?
Sarah: The most rewarding thing is seeing that something you did
helped a person have a better result/outcome. The hardest part is not always seeing my kids before I
leave and when I get home. I always like to tell them the night before I work
that I won’t be there in the morning.
WWW: Does the opportunity to do so much chesed play a role in your job
satisfaction?
Sarah: Chesed definitely plays a part. When you know you did the right
thing for a patient or intervened at the right time to prevent something bad
from happening to that patient, you get a feeling of satisfaction.
WWW: Thank you, Sarah, for taking the time on a day you
weren’t working to speak to me. I wish you continued strength and hatzlacha in your chosen career.
