“I don’t know what ‘normal’ is anymore, but whatever it is, I want it back”

For Minhoon “MK” Kim, intensive care unit nurse at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh, Wis., being able to take care of the community’s sickest patients is what he is meant to do.

“Every moment of frustrations, heartbreaks, despairs and pain makes being a nurse a huge challenge,” he says. “But being a nurse strengthens us with remarkable, humbling and rewarding experiences of laughter, inspirations and hopes.”

Even in the face of a trying pandemic, his dedication does not waver. On the contrary.

“We see the fear in our COVID-19 patients and we try to be their biggest supporters,” expresses Kim. “Sometimes that means we are tough on them to encourage the fight, but other times we are just holding their hands talking about what we’ll do after all this is over and behind us. We continue the conversations with our patients even if they are sedated, paralyzed, and intubated. I would like to believe that my unconscious patients still can hear me letting them know that I spoke to their loved ones that morning.”

In addition to delivering diligent patient care and keeping families updated on their ill beloveds, MK is a devoted husband and father of two young children.

“I risk my family each and every time I walk into a COVID patient’s room,” he says. “I do everything I can in the ICU and when I get home to minimize the risks, and I believe in our vaccines and the hard work that went into developing them. I believe that things will get better.”

When the vaccine became available to front-line workers, MK didn’t hesitate to do his part.

“I am a cautious person by nature,” he admits. “I have been taught to ask questions and verify results. That being said, I believe the risks my family and the society face not getting the vaccinations are far greater than the possible side effects.”

He encourages people to do their own credible research to determine if it is right for them, but to consider it as our best option for getting past this pandemic.

“Each and every one of you in the community is on the front-lines. You will determine how soon we can all be back to where we want to be,” Kim says. “I don’t know what ‘normal’ is anymore, but whatever it is, I want it back.”

Click here for more stories about doctors, nurses and others working on the front lines.