Called for Such a Time as This: The Account of a Frontline COVID-19 Nurse (Unabridged‪)‬

Called for Such a Time as This is based on the experience of a COVID-19 nurse who worked within several different NHS hospitals in the United Kingdom. The author, in her own words, gives a riveting account of her first unplanned encounter with COVID-19 patients. Her storytelling includes her fears, her tears, vulnerabilities, prayers, and her strength during this journey. Esther knew that there was a divine calling on her decision making; duty bound, she accepted the call to action. Initially, she was afraid but later found strength and joy through her act of obedience. Her actions were inspired by her favourite biblical character and namesake Esther, hence the name of this book, Called for Such a Time as This. 

As we journey through the book, we will listen about her experiences, including her observations of the sufferings of patients who died alone in the hospital due to the restrictions on visits and the anxiety, fears, and uncertainty of those who survived COVID-19. This work also acknowledges the ultimate sacrifice of the healthcare workers who died in the field, bound by duty, battling to save others. 

Esther has used this platform as an opportunity to talk about why certain groups of people are at particular risk to the virus, through extensive evidenced based research. As the reflections draw to a close, possibly the most unfortunate finding of all is that it is evident that thousands of COVID-19 survivors will need therapy and/or rehabilitation to address the physical and psychological insult inflicted upon them by COVID-19. The hope of this work is that on the other side of this pandemic, when all is said and done, our new normal will be to care and look after one another as Esther and the thousands of healthcare workers have shown us; we are all duty bound.