The first portrait I captured of Emily was during the Stay at Home order. She was working as an RN at an Emergency Department and was 8 months pregnant with her second child.
The first portrait I captured of Emily was during the Stay at Home order. She was working as an RN and was 8 months pregnant with her second child. One month after that portrait, I photographed her at home with her husband, Zack, their son, Leo, and their newborn daughter, Charlie. Emily gave birth to their third child, Ellie, in January of 2022. At that time she was working in an emergency department but changed jobs upon returning from maternity leave.
“Each pregnancy has been very different,” Emily said. “With Charlie, I was so scared coming to work–for my safety and her safety. There were too many unknowns and being in the ER was extremely stressful. But, since people were afraid to come to the hospital, we weren’t very busy, which made things a little more manageable.
The third time around I felt more comfortable for my safety. We had learned a lot about COVID, and I was vaccinated and had a booster. However, the ER and hospitals in general were at maximum capacity. A new level of stress was rising because even our ICUs were full. I’ve never seen that happen before. It was exhausting.”
Emily shared that the pandemic was the most difficult and overwhelming chapter of her nursing career to date. She pressed on and was able to make a job change after maternity leave.
“Leaving the ER was something I felt was very necessary. Between the chaos of COVID and work, I was bringing stress home with me daily. It was a cycle I couldn’t continue. I was unsure at first but it was necessary,” she said. “Now I work part time in an outpatient OBGYN office. I still get to be with patients but it's a lot less stressful. My work schedule allows me to be at home more often, which is where I want to be.
I feel like my family needs me, my mental health is much better and I can be more present at home. Leo is six, Charlie is five and Ellie is three. Zack’s work has been steady and he has always been so supportive of whatever I need and whatever is best for the family. We are still in the same house and are enjoying our life here. We have ducks, chickens, goats, sheep, and ponds. We love being outside and we love being at home.
When I think back, I don’t regret anything. I love the experience I got to live. If COVID never happened, would I still be working in the Emergency Room? Maybe. It made me think that everything is for a greater purpose. Where I’m at now is the most stable I’ve ever been in my life. I did the best I could and now I’m where I’m supposed to be.
It makes me feel like this wasn’t all for nothing.”
March, 2020
May, 2020