A heartwarming video captured by a fellow nurse showcased the emotional moment a retiring nurse clocked out for the last time.
The clip had received 1.7 million views on TikTok as of August 17.
@misspauuparazzi Same hospital and same unit for 33.5 years is just unheard of and im blessed to be here to witness this ♥️ #registerednurse #rn #nursetok #nurses #nursetiktok #pinoynurse #retirement #nursegang
For over 33 years, Agnes Reyes was a cornerstone at the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Virginia.
She remained in the same unit for the entire time, even during COVID-19, becoming a regular fixture for patients and a role model for fellow unit members.
“She’s got the nurse’s heart and she’s very special,” Stephanie Bustillos, a nurse manager, told Fox 4 KDFW. “Of course, I was elated for her next chapter but at the same time, very sad because we are losing a very, very, very, very important asset to our unit.”
It was equally difficult for Reyes to bid farewell to the unit.
“I enjoyed being at Chesapeake. 2 East was my second home,” Reyes told Fox.
Nonetheless, Reyes will be diving into her role as grandmother to her two grandchildren — one of whom is expected in November.
Those who watched the TikTok video capturing Reyes’ final minutes at work took careful note of the heartfelt reactions of her colleagues.
“And thats how you know she was an amazing nurse and [amazing coworker] and just simply an amazing human,” noted one TikTok comment.
“This reaction shows how wonderful she is. Thank you for all the incredible work,” said another commenter.
In fact, Reyes’ coworkers had hung around past their shifts to see her out.
“I said, ‘Oh, what are you guys waiting for?’” Reyes recalled. Learning that everyone was waiting on her, she shimmied up to the time clock and swiped her card.
“They all came and hugged me and we were all laughing. I was happy,” Reyes added.
Nurses nationwide are in high demand.
As reported in The Dallas Express, an assessment last year from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services foresaw the healthcare system being 57,000 nurses short within the next decade.
