LORAIN, Ohio — Nursing is already a very stressful profession. Now imagine doing it for 40 years, throw in a pandemic for the past 10 months, and it can all be overwhelming.
Two Lorain nurses are being celebrated for their hard work as they get ready to hang up their scrubs.
When they started their nursing careers four decades ago, Pat Radca, RN, and Jolan Toth, LPN, never thought they'd be faced with a global pandemic
“It's been surreal I think, just everything that's happened since March," explains Radca.
Their work and others at Mercy New Life Hospice in Lorain is arguably more difficult, often helping patients and families through end of life care.
Both of them say it's a spiritual journey.
“I really had no idea but I learned as soon as I came here just the difference of saving lives to the end of life and what that means," explains Radca.
Toth made the move to hospice after losing both of her parents.
“I definitely gained so much more than what I ever imagined I could contribute so it really has been a blessing," she says.
This week they are retiring and now, they're taking what they've learned and entrusting it with the next generation of caregivers.
“We feel real good about the people that will continue to work here and care for the patients," says Toth.
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Editor's Note: The below story aired on November 24, 2020: