ON THE FRONTLINES Former swimmer Brooke Morton helping fight COVID-19 at NC hospital
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By Brad Muller | SC Athletics • Photo by SC Athletics thletes are often looked upon as heroes. Former South Carolina swimmer Brooke Morton (2013-2016) certainly fits the description, but it’s not just because she was good at her sport.
Morton works on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Raleigh, N.C. “I definitely don’t have any regrets doing what I do,” Morton
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said. “The best and most chalbay stays consistently busy, but lenging parts of working in the the rest of the E.D. has had a Emergency Department is that fairly light volume. People are lisit keeps you on your toes. You tening and staying home, which never know what you’re going to is great. Initially we did have a see. I would have never guessed a lot of people coming in wanting year ago I would be dealing with to be tested with no symptoms, a pandemic, but you just have to but we are saving the tests for take it one day at a time and be symptomatic patients.” adaptable. In light of the spread of “I don’t think there’s anyone COVID-19, Morton and her that was prepared for this panco-workers have to take extra demic, but I love what I do. You precautions. have to have passion in a field “Masks are supposed to be like this. It’s the same passion worn from the time we walk you have to have to be involved into the hospital until the time in college athletics. Not every we walk out,” she said. “For day is going to be the best, but patients that are being tested it’s all worth it in the end.” for COVID-19, we wear a gown, Morton graduated from gloves, mask and eye goggles. We South Carolina in 2016 with a also have ‘CAPR’; systems which degree in exercise science and are saved for patients receiving went on to do an accelerated aerosolized treatments. A ‘CAPR’ Bachelor of Nursing program at basically looks like a giant space Northeastern University. helmet that blows HEPA filtered “There are too many great air into a chamber to breathe. memories to count from my time “Getting sick is definitely a at South Carolina,” she said. “I scary thought, but that being met some of my said, I’m a best friends durhealthy young ing my four years person and in Columbia.” taking all the Morton has You have to have precautions is worked as a all we can do.” passion in a field registered nurse Putting for the last year yourself in like this. It’s the harm’s way and a half. She same passion you for the sake moved to North Carolina and of others is initially worked have to have to be hard for some in Charlotte at involved in college to fathom. Atrium Health in Morton takes athletics. the Emergency the highs and Department belows associated fore moving on to with her job in – BROOKE MORTON work at Wakemed stride. Raleigh. “The thing “Wakemed I like most Raleigh’s E.D. is about worksectioned into five different bays ing as a nurse in the E.D. is that for a total of 80-plus beds,” Moryou never know what’s coming ton said. “As soon as COVID-19 or what the night is going to be became prevalent, one of the bays like,” she said. “We see everywas designated specifically for thing from gunshots and major potential COVID-19 patients. car accidents to blisters and Tents are also set up in the front coughs. You just have to roll of the E.D. for quick testing. Not with it so it’s always exciting.” all patients that test positive are As she prepares for another admitted. It’s dependent on the day in the Emergency Departseverity of the symptoms. Our ment, Morton, like everyone else, policies are changing every day looks forward to the days when just as they are in the rest of the things return to normal. country. “My best advice for people is “In regard to how busy the to stay home and stay positive,” Emergency Department has she said. “Staying home keeps been, it really depends on the you and those around you safe. day. Our designated COVID-19 We will all get through this!”
MAY 2020
