For almost two years, I was forced to leave the hustle and bustle of the university campus and teach nursing online. As I sat alone watching the news, I realized that each episode on every channel began with the image of a grey ball with what seemed like red-coloured cloves protruding. This was COVID-19. 

Nurses were initially deemed heroes for working with such a deadly germ. But nurses navigate environments with multiple viruses, fungi, parasites, protists, bacteria, and contagious other microorganisms (staphylococcus aureus, mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, E coli, pseudomonas, human immunodeficiency virus, scabies, gastroenteritis, H1N1, COVID-19, and so on) in the air, on surfaces, and with patients.

Saving a nurse is their scientific knowledge about these pathogens and the skill with which they provide care using universal precautions. 

As an avid knitter, I set out to replicate the COVID-19 virus image. I began making other pathogens scattered throughout healthcare environments. To show others, outside of nursing, the magnitude of the pathogens that lurk in our environments, I created an exhibit and installation that required the public to move through a space.  

About Laurie Clune RN, PhD, FCAN

Laurie Clune is a Canadian Nurse educator at the University of Regina. She is a novice artist who used fibre art and watercolours to share her ideas about the profession and research.