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WFMY News 2's Amanda Ferguson connection to the frontline

Amanda Ferguson talks with her sister who is a nurse on the frontline.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — May 6 kicked off Nurse Appreciation Week. 

Nurses are working on the front lines of coronavirus. WFMY News 2 appreciates all nurses, but one is close to WFMY News 2's Amanda Ferguson. 

Her sister, Sammy Bongelli, is a nurse in Florida. 

“I never expected one day I was going to wake up and drive to work, and see a huge sign that says heroes work here," said Bongelli. "I never thought in a million years that because I became a nurse, I would be a front line hero.”

For the past 2 years, Bongelli has been taking care of patients as a cardiac telemetry nurse. 

She spent years in school, preparing for her career, but there was no textbook for handling a disease, brand new to the world.

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“You can’t just run in and out of rooms anymore," said Bongelli. "It’s a process.”

She said she has to wear a mask all day. Then change into another one when she goes into a patient's room, but that's not the biggest change in her job.

“What changed the most about my routine is when I leave the hospital," said Bongelli. "I get home and call my husband to tell him to open the garage. I undress in the garage and leave my shoes at the front door. Then the clothes go in the wash, even if its one pair of scrubs. I go right to the shower and make sure I don’t bring anything home with me.”

It's part of her job to protect herself while she takes care of others and it's more important now than ever.

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