December 7, 2020

By Cory Phare

Victor Hernandez was working as a student nurse at Porter Adventist Hospital in Littleton this year when COVID-19 broke out at a nearby senior-care facility.

Infected seniors filled the hospitals intensive-care unit. Many of those patients were also dealing with various stages of Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease.

So many people were intubated; they had to get hourly meds and constant head-to-toe assessments, Hernandez recalled. But the nurses there are absolutely top-notch. Even though theyre unbelievably fatigued, theyre brave and taking care of their patients every single day.

Theyre super badasses, you know?

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For Hernandez, anursing senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver, that experience was one of many that deepened his commitment to a field he described as applied biology in a humane context.

In addition to working in the ICU, hes spent time in general medicine, psychiatric, post-trauma, post-surgery and orthopedics.

And though hes grateful for the experience, theres one area in particular that has resonated with him.

I love the adrenaline that comes with critical care, Hernandez said. In those moments where you might want to freeze up, when someone is coding or bleeding out, being in the ICU as part of an integrated team has definitely brought out confidence in me I didnt know I had.

I find myself saying, Wow, I cant believe Im here right now. This is what I wanted; now Im going to step up to the plate.

A COVID-19 surge is straining Colorados medical workers. Reinforcements are on the way. from MSU Denver on Vimeo.

Paying it forward

A team approach to health care is an integral part of Hernandezs success, whether surrounded by trauma doctors and E.R. nurses or a supportive academic network. He credited Mallory Brunel, an assistant professor of nursing, and Professor Steve Rissman in integrative health care for supplying an encyclopedic depth of knowledge and the inspiration to keep him going.

Hernandez said he appreciates MSU Denvers diverse student body.

I love how Ive always felt included since I stepped foot on campus here, Hernandez said. Its a melting pot of cultures. Especially in nursing, we need more diversity and people who are bilingual. If you can understand your patients culture firsthand, thats invaluable.

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The Universitys Health Institute, a collaboration of 10 MSU Denver departments, is working to address equity gaps and increase cultural competency. Research shows that patientsreceive better care from practitioners with a shared racialor ethnic background. Yet a shortage of health care workers from underrepresented populations has led toa disproportionately low number of medical practitioners available to serve these communities.

And the job opportunities are bountiful. Traveling COVID-19 nurses are fetching upward of $8,000 a week.

Last spring, the Health Institute partnered with Centura Health to create its Centura Scholars program, which provides scholarships, mentoring and career-networking opportunities.

For Hernandez, who is already working in the Centura system, its a mission-driven fit that extends to his role as a mentor with MSU Denvers Brother 2 Brother support initiative for male-identified students of color. Hes working with a first-year student who is interested in nursing, helping to guide him through exams and difficult course material.

Hernandez sees the connection as a way to pay it forward.

From the beginning of this path, you find yourself saying, I dont know if I can do this, he said. But Im here as a reminder that folks arent alone in seeing this as a huge goal. Perseverance pays off, and youve got someone with you at every step of the way.

That camaraderie builds trust and, in turn, the confidence of being part of a team you can count on. And its what Hernandez relies on every time he puts on his scrubs to head into his calling to care.

At this point, youre putting everything youve learned throughout your whole career into practice, he said. I cant wait to be on the front lines already. I know theres risk involved, but I cant not help these people.

So lets go tackle this and save some lives.

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A COVID-19 surge is straining Colorado's medical workers. Reinforcements are on the way. - RED. Relevant. Essential. Denver