Men In Nursing 2020

Claude Stang, Executive Director Emergency Department, Cedars-Sinai

By Working NurseNovember 9, 2020

1 min read

Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice?

The past year has been one of the most challenging in my 26-year career, although I led a team through the SARS epidemic years ago, which gave me some preparation. Aside from the obvious practice changes, the nurse’s role as patient advocate and educator has become more important than ever. Course-correcting with limited information and trusting our sources have become big challenges; with political messaging interspersed with medical science, some of the public hasn’t known where to turn.

Tell us about the most inspirational thing you’ve experienced as a nurse during this pandemic.

Early during the pandemic, we erected a mobile tent in front of the ED to accommodate potential COVID-19 patients. We introduced protocols and operational changes that could have been viewed as unconventional, but our nursing and medical teams donned their PPE and dove into the challenge. The positive energy from the staff who worked with our suspect COVID-19 patients early on was amazing and inspiring.

What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated?

Early in the pandemic, I got choked up hearing the clanging pots and pans and beeping horns in support of healthcare workers. The community really did its part “filling the cups” of the many caregivers. The gifts of food, supplies and even homemade masks were sometimes more than we could handle. We will not forget this generosity.

Nursing Education

Certificate ProgramCSUN Certificate in Perioperative Nursing

Campus ProgramsAzusa Pacific University School of Nursing

All Colleges

How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession?

There are few aspects of my life that have not been influenced by being a nurse. I have grown to understand that I can be a blessing in someone’s life every day, no matter how small an act of kindness may seem.

Read the full Men in Nursing 2020 article here.

In this Article: Men in Nursing, Men in Nursing 2020