Editor's note: Since the outbreak of Covid-19, students and former students of the Open University of China (OUC) have been courageously taking up their responsibilities and fighting the disease in accordance with local policies.

A number of them have stood out for their bravery and devotion to duty; their actions have cast the OUC student body as a whole in a favourable light, and the OUC recently named 107 of them “OUC Advanced Individuals Fighting Covid-19”. The OUC news portal will share their stories in order to promote their spirit of courage and public service, hold them up as models, and enhance cohesion among students as progress toward defeating the disease advances.

About Wang Xuying

Wang Xuying is a pediatric nurse at the Beijing Children's Hospital, and entered the undergraduate School of Medicine programme at the Beijing branch of the Open University of China (OUC) in the autumn of 2018.

Ever since Covid-19 emerged in early 2020, I have considered it my duty, as a medical worker, to help the hospital fight the disease.

At the onset of the epidemic, the hospital immediately set up a post at the entrance of the emergency and outpatient buildings for preliminary patient screening. Since the emergency department deals with critically ill patients, this screening was very challenging, and in many situations patients didn’t understand our work and refused to cooperate. I stayed calm, however, and gave them the best treatment and assurances I could.

We also needed to collect throat swabs from children, whose parents could easily lose their temper. The swab needs to go deep into the throat to ensure accuracy, and the children were apt to cry, so that I had to make an effort to soothe them.

In order to prevent infection and conserve supplies, I had to wear a single set of protective clothing during every 8-hour shift. I worked two shifts a day with only 8 hours of rest, and ended up with a bruised face and sweat-soaked clothing like the other medical staff. Despite the hardship and danger, however, I felt very proud to be able to contribute!

I took part in nursing and transferring patients suspected of having Covid-19, and since no shifts were allowed for such staff, was forced to work until the mission was completed and I was totally exhausted.

After working several days in a row, I needed to isolate at home separate from my family. My young son often cried for his mother, and I felt very guilty about not even being able to hug him. However, I kept in mind that other workers were making even greater sacrifices.

Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital was opened when the disease returned to the capital city in June, and when Beijing Children's Hospital launched a campaign in its support, I signed up at once. Although I did not end up taking part, I remain ready to contribute.

In this extraordinary year, I have continued my undergraduate studies, maintaining an average of 84. Having completed all my courses, I have now started clinical practice, and preparing for my graduation thesis. Studying while working uses all my time and energy, but I believe this crisis has prepared me to face even greater challenges in the future!

 

By OUC News Network