October 5, 2021
A Great Team
At a young age, Rachel Appel, ICU nurse at St. Cloud Hospital, knew she wanted to be a nurse. “I remember being in 2nd grade and writing papers about being a nurse,” she said. “I just knew early on that’s what I wanted to do.” That dream came to fruition in 2007 when she started at St. Cloud Hospital as a new grad, working in the Medical/Surgical ICU where she still works today.
For Eileen Schumacher, the path to becoming an ICU nurse was sparked by those around her. “My mom and sister are nurses, and my grandma was a volunteer paramedic,” said Schumacher. A native of South Dakota, she worked two years at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, then moved to St. Cloud and has now worked in the Medical/Surgical ICU for the past 8 years.
Appel and Schumacher are part of an ICU team that is all heart, caring for critically ill patients around the clock. And like all teams and departments, they’ve been put to the test the past 20 months.
“It’s been really hard,” said Schumacher. “But you try to keep your resiliency and push forward because we’re here for the patients – to get them through a tough time, whether it’s surgery, stroke, COVID or other medical problems. For me personally, I have really relied on my family to help me stay focused and mentally strong, and that allows me to show up for my patients.”
This past year, everything has been heightened with more challenges and more loss. That can take a lot out of you.
Rachel Appel, RN, St. CLoud hospital
“Eileen and I have worked in the ICU for many years,” said Appel. “The thing about ICU nurses is that we are used to going through a lot of difficult and hard situations with patients and their families. But this past year, everything has been heightened with more challenges and more loss. That can take a lot out of you.”
While the work has been intense and heavy at times, there have been positives that both Appel and Schumacher have seen and experienced during the pandemic.
“Even though there have been difficult times, many of our patients do get better and we celebrate those victories with the patient and their families,” said Appel. “And being on a great team has really helped me get through everything. There’s always someone there to help if you’re not having the best day – you’re never alone.”
Schumacher added that through it all, the teamwork has gotten even better. “Our team has always been incredible, but the way we work together now is amazing. We know what makes each other tick and on most shifts I don’t even have to call people – oftentimes they just show up and they’re there to help. And these days, a little bit of help goes a long way.”
“Our team has always been incredible, but the way we work together now is amazing.”
Eileen Schumacher, RN, St. Cloud Hospital
That support at work makes it a little bit easier to disconnect when a shift is over and they head home to their families.
“When I go home, I really keep my focus on the things that make me happy, which is my family,” said Schumacher. “I have two young girls under the age of three, my husband, my siblings and my parents. Seeing my family happy makes me happy. And at the end of the day, when my girls say ‘I love you, mommy!’, I know I’ve done a great job.”
Rachel and Eileen,
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to serving the sickest of our patients and being there “on the ready” over your career when you community needed you. You, along with the other team members in critical care help patients and families through times of greatest need. Thank you for your un-ending service!
Eileen and Rachel,
Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you and all of your ICU colleagues for your continued commitment to our patients, community , and organization. I know the last 20 months have been extremely difficult for everyone. I am proud to call you and your colleagues friends and family.
Great work and an honor working alongside you two! Your dedication to the ICU is inspirational! Keep up the good work, you are appreciated!
Two rock star ICU nurses! CentraCare is very fortunate to have you both working the ICU. I remember my last day in ICU with Rachel by my side helping me with one of my most demanding patients on a night shift and she was there to help me get through! Thank you for your continued service to the most sick patients in our community!
Thank you both and all the rest of the ICU staff! 💖 You each made a statement on why I’ve always thought ICU is the best unit to work in…for both the patients and the staff!
“There’s always someone there to help if you’re not having the best day – you’re never alone.”
“Our team has always been incredible, but the way we work together now is amazing.”
Thank you Rachel and Eileen for your commitment to providing outstanding care to those in need. You’re part of a great team doing great work!
Two amazing RN’s, part of the fantastic team in the ICU! Thank you both for all you do. Great article and a reminder that though things are tough, you have each others backs. Doing hard things together…
Thank you both for sharing. We appreciate all the hard work you and all the nursing staff has done for all patients. Keep up the great work!
Thank you and your team for all that you have done and continue to do. I am so proud that I was able to work with you both. Both of you and your coworkers are an outstanding asset to St. Cloud Hospital and to our communities.
Thank you Eileen and Rachel for your care, compassion and dedication! You are part of an incredible team, doing incredible work- thank you for all that you do!
Rachel and Eileen,
Thank you both and thank you to all of your peers for the work that you are doing to manage the sickest of the sick in our hospital. We so appreciate your commitment to our patients, our community and to the organization. And Rachel, an extra thanks for being one of three nurses who stepped in to save my life almost 3 years ago when my heart stopped suddenly over at the YMCA. I and my family am forever thankful to you for being part of the team to jump start my heart.