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'We would have nightmares before we came to work' | Nurse talks about anxiety during pandemic

Katie stayed in the Mizzou dorms while working the COVID floor at Boone hospital. She shared with how scary this pandemic is for her and her colleagues.

FENTON, Mo. — Our nurses are under pressure and stress all the time, but during this pandemic those pressures are magnified.

Today in St. Louis’ Allie Corey spoke with a travel nurse Katie Farotto from Fenton over FaceTime. Since graduating from Mizzou, Farotto has worked at Barnes, in Newport Beach, California and most recently at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. 

Farotto stayed in the Mizzou dorms while working the COVID floor at Boone hospital. She shared with how scary this pandemic is for her and her colleagues.

Credit: Katie Farotto

“We would all talk and kind of confide in each other about how we all would have nightmares before we came to work and many of us had panic attacks after work just because we’re so scared of us obviously getting the virus but of bringing the virus home to our families," she explained.

Farotto said there is a palpable tension in the air on the COVID-19 floor as nurses are understandably worried. Still, she says they don’t vocalize those fears at work. Instead, they try to stay strong and tough.

Credit: Katie Farotto

Farotto is in between contracts right now with her travel agency. She was laid off when elective surgeries were halted and has since filed for unemployment. She says she’s grateful to be home with family during this time but is eager to get back to work.

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