MINEOLA, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Retired nurses all over Long Island are answering the call to return to the frontlines and help administer COVID-19 vaccines.
When 69-year-old Diane Bendelier received an email asking her to come back to New York University-Langone Hospital Long Island to administer COVID-19 vaccines, she said she couldn’t say no.
“Without hesitation I said, ‘Absolutely,’” she said. “How could I not go back to help my colleagues?”
The 69-year-old worked for the hospital for 51 years before retiring in October 2020.
“People are emotional, some people – including myself – cried a little bit because this is monumental. This is history. Never in my career did I expect to ever be faced with what we were faced with,” Bendelier said.
The nurse says people have been thrilled to get the vaccine and that she became emotional when she distributed the vaccine to some of her coworkers.
Dr. Mark Adler, Chief Medical Officer for the hospital, says he appreciates everything these retired nurses are doing to now help their colleagues.
“Nurses in general, I'm thinking the type of people that go into that profession. They're just so dedicated and so selfless. It comes as no surprise to me, and to the organization, that these wonderful people would reach out and dedicate their time to such an important mission,” he said.
He adds that the benefit in having these retired nurses come back means they do not need to train an entire new staff in how their facilities work – which would significantly slow down the vaccination process.
“It's just so helpful because they know the facility, they know the people, they certainly have the availability to help us. Our staff person so busy taking care of patients in the hospital,” Dr. Adler said.
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