Diary of a COVID-19 crisis nurse in NYC: A Georgia Southern student’s first job

May 14, 2020

4 min

Barry Joyner


On May 1, Tucker Westbrook could finally sleep in. He’d been on duty as a COVID-19 crisis nurse at Harlem Hospital Center in New York City for 11 consecutive days, with a routine that began before the sun came up and ended long after the city had gone dark. 


Most mornings, he’d wake at 5:45 am., center himself with prayer and meditation, eat breakfast, and hop on a bus in time to clock in for his shift at the largest public hospital in Central Harlem by 7 a.m. 


Each day as he entered the halls of the facility’s surgical floor, which was transformed into a COVID-19 holding unit for the larger part of his three-week work rotation, he was unsure of what he’d encounter.


Just weeks earlier, Westbrook, a May 2019 Georgia Southern University nursing graduate from Butler, Georgia, accepted a short-term contract to assist with the Coronavirus pandemic in the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.


This was Westbrook’s first professional job, following what was supposed to be a yearlong mission trip in Southeast Asia, but was cut short due to the pandemic, and nothing could fully prepare him for the impact of his initial experience. 


“The first day, I thought, ‘I’m not prepared for this,’” he admitted. “Those first few days I was on pins and needles and thought, ‘how am I going to mess up?’”


The stakes were high. By the time he arrived in New York City, thousands had already been hospitalized, and many had died. Seasoned nurses and doctors were depleted and morale was low across the city, he explained on the phone as he looked out over a desolate Times Square from his hotel window.


“They asked me, ‘why did you come here?’” Westbrook recalled. “And I said that I wanted to be, hopefully, a light in this dark place right now. The patients, the doctors, the nurses, the nursing assistants, the janitorial assistants — my goal is to learn everyone’s names and greet them with a smile behind my mask.”


A friend encouraged Westbrook to look for a temporary nursing job upon his return from abroad. When he applied for highly competitive positions with a crisis staffing agency, he requested placement in an area hard hit by the pandemic.

“Just like Southeast Asia, I wanted to go where there was the biggest need, and I had enough gifts to meet that need,” Westbrook said. 


This was Westbrook’s first trip to New York, and he stepped into a scene where images of makeshift morgues and ventilator shortages splashed across the media came to life in front of him. 


“It has been surreal to see,” he said.


Assigned to provide cluster care to potential COVID-19-positive patients for minimal exposure, Westbrook also focused on simple acts of kindness to help ease increased anxiety among the patients. 


“That might be things as small as giving a wet rag to wipe their face,” Westbrook said. “It may be filling their jars with ice cold water in the morning. Whatever might help them feel more comfortable.”


Westbrook’s patients were diverse: a teenage gunshot victim who sobbed at the prospect of being infected with the virus; an adult male who discussed intimate thoughts about death with his family over the phone; and a woman who was depressed until Westbrook sat with her so she didn’t feel alone.  


Experiencing humanity in its most delicate form was life-defining. 


“I was learning more about nursing care but also continuing to serve (my patients) beyond simply giving them medicine,” Westbrook said. “I was able to advocate for them with the doctor, especially without their families there. I’m learning how to go above and beyond, and what our job responsibilities are. I want to keep growing and learning to continue to give care to my patients.”


The hospital staff also offered enormous support and guidance to Westbrook, who almost two weeks into the job felt exponentially more confident in his abilities.

“If you had told me about any of this I wouldn’t believe it,” he said. “It has been incredible. I did not think I could do that at all, and here I am on the other side. This was such a lofty and high goal to complete this and do well. I’m thankful to even be here and have this opportunity.” 


Westbrook credits his father for encouraging him to study nursing, and Georgia Southern faculty for their expert instruction, which he put to use in New York, as well as their sage advice.


“I wasn’t sure I was going to get my license,” he said. “My desire to become a doctor or a missionary became more and more compelling, but my professors assured me that it would be worthwhile to pursue my license, and they were right.”


Following a quarantine in his family’s home, Westbrook will begin pre-medicine classes at Georgia Southern this summer. 



If you are a journalist looking to know more about Tucker’s story or the nursing program at Georgia Southern University – let us help with your coverage. Barry Joyner is the dean of Georgia Southern University’s Waters College of Health Professions - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today. 



Connect with:
Barry Joyner

Barry Joyner

Dean and Professor of Exercise Science

Barry Joyner is an expert in physical activity, exercise science, teaching/learning, and outcome assessment.

Outcome AssessmentExercise SciencePhysical Activity

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Georgia Southern University

1 min

Covering the race for the White House? Georgia Southern's presidency expert can help

It has been far from a quiet summer on the American political scene. Each day seems to bring a different twist of turn for both parties seeking to claim power in the upcoming November elections. And if you're covering - Georgia Southern University political science professor Joshua Kennedy, Ph.D., is here to help with any question you may have, angle you're looking to explore or simply be a reliable, informed and objective source for your stories. Kennedy's principal area of study and teaching is in American politics, with a more particular focus on the presidency and the federal bureaucracy. His research has appeared in such outlets as American Politics Research, Research and Politics and Presidential Studies Quarterly, and he is a renowned expert for local, regional and national media when it comes to the American presidency. So if you have a story to file between now and November 05 - simply click on Joshua Kennedy's icon now to arrange an interview today.

2 min

Naronda Wright elected President of NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management

Naronda Wright, Ed.D., associate dean of Graduate Student Services in Georgia Southern University’s Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, was recently elected president of NAGAP, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management. She is the first African American to hold the role of president in the association. Wright, a seasoned professional in the field of graduate enrollment management, brings more than 15 years of experience to her new role. In her position at Georgia Southern, Wright has been instrumental in implementing innovative recruitment strategies and enhancing student services, contributing significantly to the growth and diversity of the graduate programs. Under her leadership for NAGAP, Wright plans to focus on expanding the association’s reach, enhancing member engagement and advancing the association’s strategic initiatives aimed at supporting its members’ professional development. “I am deeply honored to serve as the president of NAGAP and look forward to working closely with our members across the globe to foster an environment of knowledge sharing and professional growth,” said Wright. Wright’s election comes at a pivotal time as the association seeks to navigate the challenges of the ever-evolving educational landscape and harness opportunities to drive positive change in graduate enrollment practices worldwide. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Wright as the new president of NAGAP,” said Haley Brust, executive director of NAGAP. “Her extensive experience and dedicated leadership are vital as we continue to support our members and advocate for the importance of graduate enrollment management.” Wright holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern. She has previously served NAGAP as vice president, secretary and conference committee chair. NAGAP is dedicated to the professional advancement and support of individuals in graduate enrollment management. NAGAP offers its members professional development opportunities, cutting-edge research and a community network to foster best practices in graduate education. For additional information about NAGAP and its services, please visit www.nagap.org. If you're interested in learning more or a reporter looking to speak with Naronda Wright - simply Contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

2 min

Together We Soar Campaign surpasses $100 million milestone

The Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. and the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation, Inc. are pleased to announce a significant milestone in its ambitious fundraising campaign, “Together We Soar.” The generous support of the community has enabled the campaign to soar past the $100 million mark, a remarkable achievement in the University’s path toward its $125 million goal. Launched October 2023, the “Together We Soar” public phase of the campaign set out with a bold vision to elevate Georgia Southern’s mission and impact: “People. Purpose. Action. Growing ourselves to grow others.” Through this initiative, the University aimed to strengthen its commitment to prioritize student success and support its communities. The overwhelming response and unwavering support from our donors and alumni have propelled us toward this momentous achievement. “This milestone is a testament to the incredible generosity and belief in our mission,” said Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero. “We are deeply humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support that has brought us to this point. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.” Throughout the campaign so far, 106 new endowments have been created covering all areas of academic study. The Goel Scholars was established and provides a full ride scholarship opportunity for the Honors College, and the first class has begun their studies. The School of Music was named the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music. Buildings such as the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center, the Anthony P. Tippins Family Training Center, renovations made to the J.I. Clements Baseball stadium, and the renamed Evans Family Field at Allen E. Paulson Stadium contributes significantly to the landscape of the Statesboro Campus. Significant gifts made by the Crider family will propel the Manufacturing Engineering program, while a commitment by Centene Corporation will put healthcare at the forefront for years to come. The success of the “Together We Soar” campaign underscores the power of collective action and the impact that philanthropy can have on communities. Every contribution, no matter the size, has played a vital role in reaching this milestone and advancing the shared vision. “As we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize that our work is far from over, said Trip Addison, vice president for University Advancement. “With $25 million left to reach our goal, we remain committed to forging ahead, united in our dedication to Georgia Southern’s mission and the individuals and communities we serve. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the “Together We Soar” campaign. Your support is not only transforming lives but also inspiring hope and creating lasting change.” For more information on how to join the mission or contribute to the campaign, please visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/TogetherWeSoar. For more information, contact Georgia Southern's Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.

View all posts