Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghann Fletcher.
Meghann, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been working as a registered nurse here in Miami, FL for the past 3 years. I work nightshift on a medical-surgical unit and I am currently back in school to become a family and acute care nurse practitioner, so that has been a big challenge this year. My unit was the designated COVID unit for my hospital. When we first got the news, it was definitely scary because there are so much things that are unknown. It’s scary to think that we could get the virus and even more so that we could possibly pass it on to one of our family members. None the less, we did what we had to do. I have to say, we have been very blessed to have good PPE. From the beginning, we were provided with eye shields, masks (both surgical and N95) gowns, hair covers, shoe covers and gloves. Our unit was even able to provide everyone with N99 masks and scrubs to change in and out of when we got to work. This experience has been interesting and absolutely crazy. The teamwork has always been amazing on my unit, but when we were hit with this pandemic, the support and unity has been even greater.
In relation to COVID 19, there is a lot of research going into it and many people have questions that are still unanswered. It has been hard to watch my coworkers that have kids or family members with immunosuppression that were scared to go home or couldn’t hug their kids. The masks are hard to breathe in, they’re uncomfortable, and they leave our skin damaged or bruised. All the nurses are breaking out in acne and have scars on their noses. It’s not easy to feel these things or to see your friends going through it, but we keep going. That’s the thing about nurses, we are beyond resilient.
As a nurse, we are often not noticed or praised for the things we do. Nurses are so important and do so much more than many people are aware of. As scary as this time has been, finally people see just how important nurses are. Our jobs require much more physical, mental and spiritual strength than meets the eye. Patients are sick, and we do everything we can to make them feel better and support them in this time. Beside the circumstances, it is nice to have some recognition and also see how healthcare workers are coming together around the country. As we battle this pandemic and get through it, I encourage everyone to remember how important human connection is. Appreciating your family and friends and even strangers. We all live and die on this planet and it’s important to really spread love and be conscious and respectful of those around us. I think more than anything this pandemic is teaching us some really important lessons.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not. I’ve struggled every step of the way in the pursuit of my passions. I don’t think it is ever an easy journey when you’re trying to accomplish big goals. I always struggled with math and several other classes throughout college. I always had to work extra hard in my classes to pass, meaning tutoring and long hours of studying. College was never fun for me, it was intense. Then when you get in the nursing program, your world is flipped upside down. Nursing is the hardest undergraduate degree to obtain and you can ask any nurse, it’s no joke. Beyond my academics, pursuing other passions have not been easy either. It always takes serious commitment, focus, discipline and support to complete anything I have achieved.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am currently working on my masters and I also work as a plus-size model. I use my Instagram as a way to inspire myself and others as I go through my journey in life. My handle, “@shekando” is literally “she CAN do”, meaning I can do, we can do, women, can do anything. The word itself came from a skit I was in for drama and my character’s name was “shekando”. It stuck with me for a long time, friends would call me that, and so naturally when I made my Instagram, it was a perfect fit. I started modeling around the same time I became a nurse and signed with Dorothy combs models agency here in Miami. I am building a brand around the idea that you on’t have to be stuck in one thing for life. We are multifaceted beings. I have many interests, talents and goals. Just because you’re a nurse doesn’t mean you can’t be a creative. It also doesn’t mean that you can’t stop being a nurse and pursue something different altogether. As we grow and change in our seasons of life, so do our interests. It’s important to never hold yourself back from the dreams you have. I want to show people that you can do anything your heart desires, practical or not.
What were you like growing up?
I was a weird kid, hahaha. I have an older sister that I was always fighting and messing around with. We didn’t get along when we were younger because we had different interests, but now we are best friends. I would watch Disney channel all the time, stay home, and hang out with friends from church. I used to read a lot and spend time camping and going on trips with my church group. I had this short phase when I listened to punk rock and wore colorful socks and shoes from hot topic, hahaha. I just was myself. I did get teased a lot for being so much taller and bigger than everyone, and that was pretty much the theme of my life as a kid; this big, shy, funny girl. I liked to sing my heart out to Celine Dion when no one was home and I was always searching for new recipes to make baked goodies. I loved to bake things like quiche, cookies, tarts, and cakes. My family benefited off of that haha. I was always low key convinced that one day I would do something in the culinary arts. I had an amazing childhood. I was always laughing and making other people laugh. My parents exposed me and my sister to a lot of things, from traveling, food, the arts and meeting people and that has helped form me into the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: meghannfletcher.com
- Phone: 7869992530
- Email: meggyfletcher@gmail.com
- Instagram: @shekando
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