By Carol Newman
Nurses have always held a key role in the country’s healthcare system, and the ongoing pandemic has put them on the frontlines of a battle. While COVID-19 continues to wage a war on America’s health, they are still playing a vital role fighting to save lives.
Each day, nurses and other healthcare professionals show up for work to comfort and care for patients, uncertain of what their shifts will bring. We’ve all heard stories of these dedicated caregivers who work long hours away from their families and loved ones, risking their own health to help patients who have the virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), without nurses, there would be very limited response to the coronavirus. While it’s important to salute nurses every day, this season we want to take this opportunity to say thank you to not only the nurses, but all the healthcare professionals who are working to keep us healthy.
Fortis graduate Leticia Hernandez, RHIT, RN, BSN and Practice Manager at Miami Hematology and Oncology Associates, shares her sentiments from the frontlines:
“We have always been on the front lines of disease and epidemics. We see and do so much more than what the public ever observes. As nurses, we step in head-first to confront viruses, cancers, diseases and trauma.”
At Fortis College Cutler Bay, we are especially proud of our students who have graduated and are working as essential members of our healthcare community. Since January 2020, more than 80 students have graduated from our Associate Degree in Nursing program on their way to becoming registered nurses. While most of these graduates had no idea how the world would be changing in response to the pandemic, they still felt the calling to become a nurse and give back to their communities in the greater Miami area.
In their own words, Fortis students have shared this sentiment.
“I love taking care of people and it’s rewarding for us to know that we’re there for the patient. For some patients we’re the only family they have and the only one they see every day.”
“I have an affection for people. I love being around people. I love taking care of them, helping them in many forms and capacities. Nursing seems to encompass this the most for me.”
“I wanted to be a nurse because I want to save the world. It’s a big dream—a very big dream.”
In addition to our Associate Degree in Nursing program, Fortis College Cutler Bay has graduated the first class of its practical nursing program, which was launched in July 2020. Since the early days of the Covid-19 crisis, our Medical Assisting and Medical Assisting with Basic X-Ray programs have also graduated dozens of students who eagerly trained to enter the healthcare industry.
To these graduates, our students, our faculty and all the other healthcare professionals working every day to save lives, we thank you for continuing to go above and beyond. In this season of thanksgiving, we are giving thanks for you.
Fortis College Cutler Bay offers both Associate Degree in Nursing and Practical Nursing programs as well as Medical Assisting. Learn more about how to get started on your career education at Fortis by calling (786) 345-5300.
