Community members cheer for front line workers at local nursing home

Balloons, cheers and a red carpet runway, this is not how a few health workers expected their morning to start.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Balloons, cheers and a red carpet runway, this is not how a few health workers expected their morning to start.

“I love that they are so sweet and enthusiastic and do the nice things that they do for us,” said Darcie Smith, LPN nurse.

Front line workers at The Woodlands at Hillcrest were surprised as they were welcomed to work Wednesday morning.

Sign holders waved and yelled words of encouragement outside the doors and the Woodlands team waited inside to make check ins a bit more fun.

“They’re gonna walk through our ‘Your number one’ balloon line on the red carpet that we rolled out for them,” said Hannah Elliot, executive director. ” They’re getting a treat bag to get them through their shift, a couple other goodies in there for them that will hopefully make their day brighter and then their evening when they get home.”

Elliot says at the start of COVID, healthcare workers were celebrated as heroes but as the pandemic continues, the praise has dwindled as people get tired of the virus. She says some workers can experience PPE fatigue.

She adds caring for seniors who sometimes cant see their loved ones puts more weight on the workers mentally and emotionally.

“I haven’t been able to spend time with my mom or my grandchild or friends,” said Smith. “I don’t remember the last time I saw a movie.  So, it has been hard, but I’m happy to do it.”

The Woodlands staff say they will do the surprise walk again for second shift workers.