First and foremost, I have been given this wonderful opportunity to speak on a public platform, so I want to urge you all to do your part and stay at home if you are able.
 
Having said that, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nicole Cislo and I am a sophomore who is proud to call Southern Connecticut State University my home. I am also a member of the Southern Connecticut Women's Swimming & Diving Team and am excited to be going into my junior year in the nursing program. Like many of my fellow teammates and classmates, I find myself ending the year in a way I could have never predicted: completing my sophomore year at home. A few months ago, I would have never imagined longing to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for my 6 a.m. practice. Like many, I miss my friends, but most of all my teammates who have become my huge, crazy family.
 
However, as I write this message to my Southern family, I am not spending my days self-isolating and dedicating myself to my school work. I am also a nurse's aide for a local assistive living facility in my hometown. I love my job and I find so much gratification in being able to care for other people's loved ones. My life has been so much different and I have found the transition very challenging as I am sure many of my classmates and teammates have.
 
A typical day for me has changed drastically since the outbreak of COVID-19. I once found myself training intensely with my best friends for four hours a day, doing school work in between, then hitting my bed at night to pass out and do it all over again. Now I wake up and do an at-home workout (that is when I find I have the motivation to).

Although we are now at home, I continue to feel great support from my teammates and coaching staff. Not only mentally but also in creative ways to stay active. I then get to my school work, attempting to organize all that I have to get done for the day, including watching lectures. When 3 p.m. arrives, my school day ends and my eight-hour shift begins. Although I am not on the front lines (and if you know someone who is, be sure to send them your love and gratitude), my work life has also changed. I am not in direct contact with patients who have COVID-19, however, it is in my facility and the daily life of myself and all my residents has taken a turn because of it. I was very aware of how COVID-19 was going to affect myself and my family and had to sit and have a conversation with my parent. We had to have a very serious and, quite frankly, scary talk about their concerns with me working and what would have to happen if cases were diagnosed in my facility. I would have to quarantine myself and we wouldn't be able to have family dinners any longer. It really sunk in how serious this was and how my life will be affected even if I do not personally contract COVID-19. I came to the decision that this was my job and the reason I am in school is to be able to help people and if I turn away when I am needed then what premise does that set for my nursing career. 
 
There are many precautions in order to prevent COVID-19 from spreading at work. For everyone's safety, our residents are not permitted visitors and are basically quarantined to their rooms, which is very hard on the elderly community. Many of them live on their own and depend on spending time with their loved ones. In addition to my scrubs, we are now required to wear masks, gowns and gloves. And in addition to providing basic care to residents, we have become their family at a time when they are not permitted to see their loved ones.
 
I am grateful every day for my health, my family, and my ability to help others during this unprecedented time. I am hoping everyone reading this is in good health and practicing social distancing when at all possible. Stay safe. Go Owls!