“Never Be in a Hurry”—Dr. Nichole L. Hartman
Nichole L. Hartman, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, is an assistant professor of clinical nursing in advanced clinical simulation.
I have been told over and over, “I don’t know how you do it.” This refers to my day-to-day life. I am a wife, a mother, a family nurse practitioner, and a faculty member in the nursing division. My days pre-COVID-19 were go-go-go, from dawn to dusk. I was nonstop. I didn’t think my life was unusual, as this is what I did, day in and day out.
Then one day in March a worldwide pandemic is declared, and I was stopped in my tracks. This was not because I stopped myself but because COVID-19 stopped me, or at least tried to at the time. I was advised to work from home, to stay safe. I set up an office at home, and I proceeded to carry on a typical day from the safety and comfort of my home developing innovative ways to conduct simulation for the nursing students. Life at home was business as usual, as I was still taking my kids to practices, going to watch their games, and working at the hospital when able. Then, once again, I was stopped in my tracks: My kids were sent home from school, and sports were shut down. Shelter-in-place recommendations were put into effect. At this point, I truly had no choice but to stay home and stay safe.
I took DeSales University’s Salesian Solidarity Pledge and prepared myself to be ready for anything. This pledge not only meant I was looking out for my DSU family but my own family and friends. I started to look forward to all the Zoom sessions, to make sure all were well and staying safe. I took solace in these moments from a world I could not control. I started to slow down and see the extraordinary in the ordinary. I reconnected with old friends over email, checked in on family more often, and spent time with my kids, connecting with them on a whole new level. I was filled with awe at what I witnessed in others that, during this pandemic, through such hardship, the positive aspects of human nature, kindness, and resilience were shining through. By being stopped in my tracks, I started to find the beauty in life, the peace in just being, and the joy in being content with what is.
In the words of St. Francis de Sales, “Never be in a hurry, do everything quietly and in calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
Nichole L. Hartman, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, is an assistant professor of clinical nursing in advanced clinical simulation.