Photo by: Mike DeZarn
Checking in with ICU Nurse Claire Noser
April 08, 2020 | Cross Country, Track & Field
Resilience and mental toughness help Noser through these uncertain times
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Every day doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers go above and beyond for their patients, staff, and community. The extra effort they make, the extra steps they take, and the extra care they give adds up to a big difference to the lives of the people they touch, especially during this time of uncertainty.
This week will feature some of UofL alumni that are nurses in the healthcare community. Today we catch up with Claire Noser, who works at the Medical Center of Aurora in Colorado.
In her senior year, Noser earned second team All-ACC honors in the steeplechase. She finished fifth in the event with a personal best time of 10:15.98, breaking the school record. Noser went on to qualify for the NCAA Preliminary Round.
While lettering in both cross country and track and field, Noser was pursuing a career in nursing. After graduating from the University of Louisville, she returned home to Colorado where she has been an ICU nurse for the last three years.
"The ICU I am working in currently is a large, general ICU where I deal with any and every type of critically ill patient, from surgical, to medical, to trauma, and more," said Noser. "My main passion and area of expertise is recovering open heart surgery patients. While some shifts I recover these patients, another shift I can have a totally different type of ICU patient."
Generally Noser works three 12 hour shifts per week, but that has changed in the last month with the emergence of COVID-19.
"I am working 12 hour shifts, getting to the hospital right before 7:00am and usually leaving around 8:00pm with a 30-minute lunch break -- hopefully," Noser said. "I have been trying to work four shifts during this pandemic instead of the usual three shifts to attempt and help out as we are short staffed and need the help every single day. Our ICU is full with 30 or more COVID positive patients and we are now turning other areas of the hospital into makeshift ICU units, meaning even more RNs are needed to staff the increased number of ICU patients."
Noser's experience as an athlete has prepared her for her career. Now more than ever she has had to lean into the mental toughness she developed while running cross country and track.
"Being a Division I athlete, especially in the sports of cross country and track, has made me who I am today without a doubt," said Noser. "Pushing my body to its limits in workouts and races when physical exhaustion hits would have been impossible without learning an insane amount of resilience and mental toughness.
"Nursing is both mentally and physically challenging as well, especially during these tougher times. Attempting to navigate through frustrations, using my coworkers as my team to keep me going, and taking it one day at a time are things I do in the hospital, similar to the way I did on the track while at the University of Louisville," said Noser.
While life has gotten much more hectic for Noser the last few weeks, the support of the nation has not gone unnoticed. The compassion shown for nurses has solidified her decision to join the healthcare field.
"Without COVID-19, ICU nurses survive short staffed shifts and care for critically ill patients everyday including respiratory failures, ventilators, the death of a patient and so much more," explained Noser. "But during this crisis the love we healthcare workers have received from the public has showed me how appreciated I am as a nurse, that the world needs us nurses, and that I am proud to be a nurse! Thank you!"
Working on the front lines of this pandemic, Noser has some great advice for those who are struggling to comprehend what is going on around the world.
"The support and love healthcare workers are getting from the public at this time does not go unnoticed and does keep us going," she said. "I know every single person is struggling with different battles during this time of fear and uncertainty. The advice I would give the public is that words and actions are so powerful and can make all the difference. Support one another, reach out to your friends and family with encouragement and kindness, as all of us in this country need each other now more than ever. Watch the news a little less, read a little more, and STAY HOME."
During a time of uncertainty, Noser is able to fondly look back at her time at Louisville as something very special.
"My favorite memory at UofL was ACC Conference Championships my senior year," said Noser with a smile. "I knew it was likely to be my last meet with my team and last race ever and I was missing my nursing graduation because of the meet. I ran the best race of my career and got the school record in my track event. After staring at my time in shock, I walked off the track that race to all of my coaches and teammates of four years screaming, cheering, and hugging me. I realized in that moment how lucky I was to have the opportunity to run for UofL's program with such an amazing team and support, and that it was an experience and a memory I will never forget. GO CARDS!"
This week will feature some of UofL alumni that are nurses in the healthcare community. Today we catch up with Claire Noser, who works at the Medical Center of Aurora in Colorado.
In her senior year, Noser earned second team All-ACC honors in the steeplechase. She finished fifth in the event with a personal best time of 10:15.98, breaking the school record. Noser went on to qualify for the NCAA Preliminary Round.
While lettering in both cross country and track and field, Noser was pursuing a career in nursing. After graduating from the University of Louisville, she returned home to Colorado where she has been an ICU nurse for the last three years.
"The ICU I am working in currently is a large, general ICU where I deal with any and every type of critically ill patient, from surgical, to medical, to trauma, and more," said Noser. "My main passion and area of expertise is recovering open heart surgery patients. While some shifts I recover these patients, another shift I can have a totally different type of ICU patient."
Generally Noser works three 12 hour shifts per week, but that has changed in the last month with the emergence of COVID-19.
"I am working 12 hour shifts, getting to the hospital right before 7:00am and usually leaving around 8:00pm with a 30-minute lunch break -- hopefully," Noser said. "I have been trying to work four shifts during this pandemic instead of the usual three shifts to attempt and help out as we are short staffed and need the help every single day. Our ICU is full with 30 or more COVID positive patients and we are now turning other areas of the hospital into makeshift ICU units, meaning even more RNs are needed to staff the increased number of ICU patients."
Noser's experience as an athlete has prepared her for her career. Now more than ever she has had to lean into the mental toughness she developed while running cross country and track.
"Being a Division I athlete, especially in the sports of cross country and track, has made me who I am today without a doubt," said Noser. "Pushing my body to its limits in workouts and races when physical exhaustion hits would have been impossible without learning an insane amount of resilience and mental toughness.
"Nursing is both mentally and physically challenging as well, especially during these tougher times. Attempting to navigate through frustrations, using my coworkers as my team to keep me going, and taking it one day at a time are things I do in the hospital, similar to the way I did on the track while at the University of Louisville," said Noser.
While life has gotten much more hectic for Noser the last few weeks, the support of the nation has not gone unnoticed. The compassion shown for nurses has solidified her decision to join the healthcare field.
"Without COVID-19, ICU nurses survive short staffed shifts and care for critically ill patients everyday including respiratory failures, ventilators, the death of a patient and so much more," explained Noser. "But during this crisis the love we healthcare workers have received from the public has showed me how appreciated I am as a nurse, that the world needs us nurses, and that I am proud to be a nurse! Thank you!"
Working on the front lines of this pandemic, Noser has some great advice for those who are struggling to comprehend what is going on around the world.
"The support and love healthcare workers are getting from the public at this time does not go unnoticed and does keep us going," she said. "I know every single person is struggling with different battles during this time of fear and uncertainty. The advice I would give the public is that words and actions are so powerful and can make all the difference. Support one another, reach out to your friends and family with encouragement and kindness, as all of us in this country need each other now more than ever. Watch the news a little less, read a little more, and STAY HOME."
During a time of uncertainty, Noser is able to fondly look back at her time at Louisville as something very special.
"My favorite memory at UofL was ACC Conference Championships my senior year," said Noser with a smile. "I knew it was likely to be my last meet with my team and last race ever and I was missing my nursing graduation because of the meet. I ran the best race of my career and got the school record in my track event. After staring at my time in shock, I walked off the track that race to all of my coaches and teammates of four years screaming, cheering, and hugging me. I realized in that moment how lucky I was to have the opportunity to run for UofL's program with such an amazing team and support, and that it was an experience and a memory I will never forget. GO CARDS!"
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & FieldTFXC: Joe Franklin 2024 Fall Sports Media Day
Tuesday, August 13
Cross Country Head Coach Joe Franklin Media Day 2023
Monday, February 26
2019 Louisville Athletics Hall Of Fame Ceremony
Wednesday, October 30
University of Louisville Fall Media Day Cross Country
Thursday, August 09
