PRINCETON, W.Va. – Wednesday is Christmas and while many people will be at home celebrating the holiday with family, others like essential workers will be helping others in a variety of roles.
Donna Bowling is just one of many who will find themselves working on Christmas Day. Bowling is a registered nurse in WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital’s ICU.
Over her 43 year career she says she’s worked at least 20 Christmases.
“We’re glad to do that and we miss our families but we plan around what our families need. Maybe celebrating the weekend before or the weekend after. People get sick throughout all of the year and it’s very hard on our families and our patients when they’re here in the hospital during that time,” said Bowling.
Bowling says people are most vulnerable when they’re at the hospital and being there on Christmas only adds to that. That’s why she says she and other staff try to make it as homely as possible, especially during the holidays.
“If people are really ill then sometimes it’s really difficult for them during those periods of time but we’re here with them. Just like we are throughout the year. Other patients we try to bring festivities to them. Families will bring in their gifts and visit with them and we’re a little more lenient with visitations,” said Bowling.
Bowling says they also allow for patients to have Christmas decorations in their rooms. Plus Christmas carolers were at the hospital on Monday to help spread some holiday cheer.
All of us at WVVA want to thank essential workers in the Two Virginias for all the hard work they do throughout the year.
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