Today’s interview is with registered nurse Hunter Martin:
Hi, Hunter! I hope you’re staying safe and healthy during current events. As a nurse, you’ve been on the front-lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. I cannot imagine how stressful that’s been. What have you done to keep yourself motivated and at peace during all of this?
I picked up a per diem position to help with cut hours at my full time job, so that’s been filling some time. It has reminded me that I enjoy working on the frontlines of healthcare as you are there when those that are sick need care the most.
Outside of work, I’ve been working on all those house projects I have been putting off indefinitely now that I have the time. As a family we’ve been filling in our lawn with new plants like apple trees, raspberries, a lilac bush. My daughter helped relocate some “baby” pine and maple trees we found on the property. Basically, I’ve been spending a lot more time outside.
Since June is Pride Month, I have to ask about being openly bisexual in the medical profession. Like teaching, there was a time when it felt inconceivable to be out and be a doctor or nurse. What have your experiences been like in that regard?
I wouldn’t say I am open, but I wouldn’t say I’m not open, if that makes sense. It isn’t a topic that I’ve ever been asked at work and I’ve never felt the need to reveal anything to coworkers. What I would reveal to a coworker would be entirely based on who that coworker was. It has never felt like something I feel the need to make known at work just as I don’t know the orientation of 99% of my coworkers. I don’t think I’d share that information with a patient, ever, as it in no way affects the care I provide to the patient and I feel it could potentially complicate the patient-nurse relationship.
I would be really interested to hear your take as a medical professional on pandemic response, whether we really have flattened the curve, and what you think the near future will look like.
In my state, at least, I feel we have been quite successful in flattening the curve. There has not been a time when the number of beds and equipment could not meet the needs of the patients. It has been hard to watch places like NYC and imagine what it must be like to work in a situation like that. I’m thankful I have not had to deal with a situation anywhere close to that.
I have found being a nurse difficult during these times as protocols, policies, etc. have been changing weekly, if not daily at times. And the PPE shortage requiring all of us to preserve PPE in new ways has been interesting (such as reusing the same mask all day, placing it in a bag, and being able to use it again a few days later).
You and your wife are both bisexual. Bisexual erasure is sadly still a thing in the LGBTQIA community. Can you talk a little bit about your experiences with it?
The most memorable experience was in college on an LGBTQIA+ retreat and being told by someone else on that retreat that they did not believe bisexuality existed. I don’t know if I really felt hurt by that, but I definitely did not understand how someone who was part of said community could deny that another part even exists. I hope that person has come to change their views by now as it is no different than someone denying the existence of any other part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
What inspires you?
My current job for the past year or so and the patient population I work with has been much more fulfilling than the previous nursing jobs I’ve had. But most of what I do is to help create a good life for my family, especially my daughter.
Hunter Martin is a pediatric and emergency department registered nurse, a husband, and father of a 3 year old daughter.