Angelina McCall talks about volunteering as a nurse at a clinic on the U.S.-Mexico border after struggling to work within the ER on the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Time for StoryCorps. At the moment, a narrative about rediscovering which means in your work. Angelina McCall started her nursing profession at an emergency room in Tucson, Ariz. It was 2020 on the peak of COVID. She left that job a few 12 months later and doubted whether or not she was reduce out for nursing.
ANGELINA MCCALL: I used to be very embarrassed and ashamed. And I assumed, OK, effectively, I am unable to work within the ER, however I’m bilingual. I’ve a automobile. And I reside proper on the border. My mother is from Mexico. She’s an immigrant. So I assumed I can possibly assist these migrants which can be caught on the border proper now.
I utilized for the volunteer place at a clinic, and after I received there, individuals had been coming in for first support. They’ve an harm of their foot, wound care, blister care, and so they open up, and so they inform me tales which can be very tough. There was one household that got here in and the little lady was in all probability round 10, and the dad of the little lady begins to cry. And he is telling me that the rationale why they left their residence nation was as a result of there was somebody who was attempting to harm his daughter, and he could not shield her down there. And I inform myself, OK, I will let him know that he’s in a secure place, that he’s worthy of security, love, compassion, after which be a nurse and assist the younger lady.
That little lady drew these footage for me, and so they categorical their love for me, a stranger. And at that time, I noticed the one 12 months that I struggled within the ER – as a lot as I really feel like I failed, I’m really utilizing the talents that I realized. Nursing is a ravishing factor. It may be superb to be with somebody throughout their worst state of affairs. And I ask myself, why did I change into a nurse? And it is to do this type of work.
MARTÍNEZ: Angelina McCall along with her husband, Matt, in Tucson, Ariz. Angelina determined to not go away nursing, and he or she nonetheless volunteers on the clinic on the border. Her interview is archived on the Library of Congress.
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