PARKER, Colo. — Parker Adventist ER Nurse Allison Boerner has seen a lot in her ten years, but nothing could prepare her for the horrors she's seen from this pandemic.
"When you have someone who is getting a diagnosis that is life-changing or you have someone that is dying, actually dying, and you have to set up a FaceTime to hopefully get people involved in the dying process, there are nurses every day... they cry because of it," Boerner explained.
It's that feeling that haunts Boerner before she goes to sleep.
"I close my eyes and see patients and what they’re going through. It’s something that is horrible," Boerner told Denver7.
As a mother of two, bringing the virus home is always in the back of her mind.
"I have a family of my own, I have a 3 year old and a 2 year old, it terrifies me to think I can bring something home like that to my family," said Boerner.
Despite her fears, Boerner and her co-workers remain dedicated.
"We are ready to fight this virus head on but we need help. We cannot do this alone," said Boerner.
That includes wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding gatherings.
"I want people to understand that this is real. We need to wear a mask, we need to wash our hands and we need to support each other and have each other‘s back," Boerner explained.
Boerner calls it disheartening when these simple requests aren't followed.
"It almost feels like we’re being backstabbed as healthcare workers. It’s exhausting what we’re doing every day and what we’re doing to help your loved ones," she said.
