Melissa Voss | Editor
In a world of uncertainty, healthcare workers have taken the forefront of the battle against COVID-19. Sheryl Mielke, a local nurse with over 40 years of experience, highlights the trials and tribulations that she had experienced with the arrival of COVID-19 in March.
“The year 2020 will be an unforgettable year. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, uncertainty and concerns about employment, finances, education, and physical and mental health fueled fear and anxiety. I have worked at Sanford for 40. Years, and have worked in Employee Health Services for the past 20 years. I have experienced many challenging times during my nursing career such as the threat of SARS in 2020, H1N1 pandemic in 2009, and the threat of Ebola in 2014-2016, but I feel nothing compares to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020,” Sheryl Mielke states.
Sheryl Mielke is a registered nurse who has worked at Sanford for the past 40 years, recently working in the Employee Health Department where she is the nurse for Sanford employees for 20 years. When she was in kindergarten, she decided that she wanted to become a nurse. She graduated from West Central High School, before attending Sioux Valley School of Nursing, and graduated from Augustana University with her bachelor’s in nursing. Mielke recently received the Sanford Florence Nightingale Award. This award, for both registered nurses and practical nurses, recognizes nurses who demonstrates character, commitment, and competence, as well as participates in community, departmental, and organizational activities and supports Sanford goals, demonstrates Sanford Values (Calling, Courage, Family, Community, Service, Resolve, Advancement). Even though she is grateful to receive the award, Mielke wants to use her award to showcase the hard work that her peers and other members of the medical field have done throughout the pandemic.
As a nurse in Employee Health Services (EHS), Sheryl has been directly involved in problem-solving for this pandemic. The EHS team at Sanford Health is responsible for screening employees for referrals for COVID-19 testing, if indicated, in addition to working in collaboration with other departments to assist employees with other COVID-19 related issues and concerns.
The coronavirus has presented new challenges. Even as research and medical teams have learned so much in a short period of time, many unknowns remain. The list of symptoms caused by the coronavirus continues to grow alongside the litany of patients presenting with unique complications and conditions. The severity of the symptoms ranges from asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 to critical illness, to death. Additionally, the symptoms of COVID-19 are not unique to the coronavirus, but are symptoms seen in other illnesses such as influenza, and even allergies.
The Center of Disease Control (CDC) frequently releases new information as organiztions learn more about the virus, and heath care systems work to adapt their work processes accordingly. Health care workers need to remain flexible and adapt to new changes. Through all of these changes, an important message EHS wants to relay to employees who call is that they truly care and that they are there to listen to answers questions and addresses concerns.
“I am so grateful to the EHS family and all of the team members in the various departments who work with EHS. It is great to have people from so many different departments working together,” Mielke states.
Working in Health Care is very rewarding, but it can be stressful. “The act of caring and compassion does not stop once your shift has ended. During times of stress and uncertainty, it is important to remember to take care of your whole self – your body, mind, and spirit. We all have our own way of doing that.
“Body – Get outside, run, walk, hike, ride your bike, practice yoga, engage in sports activities – the list is endless.
“Mind – Relax, meditate, read, talk and listen to others, journal, rest, and learn something new.
“Spirit – Decide what works best for you. Read scripture, pray. Talk to your pastor or counselor. Do not be afraid to ask for help,” Mielke states.
During this pandemic, Mielke shares that she has done a lot more praying, soul searching, and relying on her faith. She has been lifetime member of Christ Lutheran Church in Hartford and have been involved in the ministry of the church all my life.
“I am especially passionate about music ministry. The pandemic has changed the way in which we worship, but worship is a big part of my spiritual life as well. Remember to take time for humor and laughter – THIS IS ESSENTIAL!” Mielke says.
Mielke is grateful for all the support that she has gotten from her husband, Ken, her family, her work and church families and friends during these challenging times. “remember that the WORLD is in this pandemic together. We will get through this. As we move forward please be patient, understanding, compassionate, and willing to lend a helping hand. Stories about people stepping up to make a difference in the lives of others are being shared every day. Lets us continue to do the acts of kindness each and every day in order that we can continue to share more stories,” Mielke says.
Mielke feels that every worker in every industry is essential, important, needed and deserves support.
“We are all essential. The best way that we can show support toward done another is to follow the recommendations of science and the CDC. Please adhere to the things that we hear every day – wash your hands, social distance, be kind and respect everyone. Please follow these guidelines in order to help protect one another. It is ESSENTAIL!” Mielke states.