Sad to be leaving my former colleagues. Happy to be participating in professional work in a new environment. Worried about whether I will be able to successfully complete the tasks assigned by the organization.

Then the unthinkable happened. The Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe. Not only in Vietnam, but worldwide, scientists had yet to develop a treatment protocol for this new disease, and the development of an effective vaccine was still in the testing phase... The whole world was straining to fight the pandemic. We—the nurses on the front lines of the fight against the pandemic—were no different. Undeterred by hardship, difficulties, and the need to be away from our families and young children, we worked day and night in a harsh environment where risks and dangers were ever-present.

How could I forget my first day in the inner circle, directly caring for COVID-19 patients in Ward A4? It was the first time I wore a full personal protective equipment suit from head to toe and worked for six consecutive hours. Then there was life in the accommodation, where we had to sleep in bunk beds, sharing everything, even a biscuit or a glass of milk. And then there were the night shifts (starting at midnight each day), where everyone gathered on time to wait for the vehicle to pick us up and go inside to perform our duties. Whether it was raining or freezing cold, everyone was united and determined not to be late for a single minute because behind us, our teammates and patients were waiting.

Illustration photo: People's Army Newspaper

Upon arriving at the work area, we hastily put on our protective suits and quickly took over the shift from the previous team to rest. Alongside the relentless cycle of patient care, we couldn't help but feel anxious and nervous as every 3-5 days, all staff members had to collect samples from each other for Covid-19 testing.

During the waiting period for test results, everyone was anxious and worried. Worried about colleagues, worried about themselves! They wondered if everyone would be safe enough to continue fighting the pandemic and successfully complete their assigned tasks. And after stressful working hours, we had moments of rest and relaxation, practicing sports together like table tennis, badminton, and aerobics... When we missed home, we could only go outside to the porch and gaze towards our families, filled with thoughts and hopes that the pandemic would soon be pushed back so we could return to normal life, to our beloved families.

Now that the pandemic is over, we have the experience and capacity to respond to its effects. For the health of our soldiers and the people, we remain dedicated to our work day and night. When a patient is admitted to the department, we feel the same anxiety and worry as if they were our own family member. And when a patient safely leaves their hospital bed and returns to their normal life, we feel renewed motivation to work. Even though there are still unforeseen difficulties and hardships ahead, one thing is certain: none of us will abandon our post or our patients. Having gone through those difficult and dangerous days, especially the unforgettable professional experiences during the fight against Covid-19, these will be lifelong lessons, giving us the strength to fulfill our duties as military medical personnel on the front lines.

THU HANG

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