Eva Sádlová travels to hospitals in the Czech Republic almost every day for B. Braun to demonstrate devices and give clients technical support. This means she also experienced the pandemic through the eyes of hospital staff. In October 2020, those eyes were tired, worn out and distressed. So, she decided to do something that went far beyond her work in sales: She helped out as a volunteer nurse at a hospital in Teplice.

Ms. Sádlová, why did you decide to take on this responsibility and help?

My job at B. Braun is to know how hospitals and hospital staff are doing. I’ve been with my clients for many years and I’m close to them. When I saw how bad things were going for them, I wanted to do everything I could to help. B. Braun helped me by continuing to pay my full salary, even though I worked a total of 60 hours at the hospital in November.

What gave you the idea of volunteering as a nurse?

I’m a trained pediatric nurse, so I knew that I could actually help. It had been 25 years since I had last worked in nursing, though, so I was also a little nervous. 

What was your experience as a nurse?

My very first shift was 12 hours long. It was very hard work and, when I got home, I was completely spent. COVID was everywhere. A huge number of nurses had the coronavirus themselves and had to quarantine. But when I looked at the faces of the patients and nursing staff, I was so happy I was able to help.

How did you manage to get through that most difficult time?

The doctors and nursing staff, my clients, motivated me. They do so much good every day during their shifts. Usually, I would just be visiting at the hospital and would only see part of their daily grind. With this insight, I was able to appreciate their work even more and was able to better understand what they need.

What gives you hope?

The vaccinations. The situation at the hospitals is slowly starting to get better because more and more doctors and nurses are getting vaccinated. That’s our way out of this crisis.