As the battle against COVID-19 continues, we want to keep showing our love and appreciation to those on the front lines fighting for us all. It’s because of the first responders, doctors, and nurses bravely risking their health to care for those affected by COVID-19 that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic.
To give back to these dedicated COVID warriors, we are sharing their stories and ways you can help them, too. This week we spoke with Brian Pisano, a registered nurse in the cardiovascular ICU at NYU Langone Medical Center. Read on for his story, and how you can help Brian and his unit at NYU Langone Medical Center.
Have a health care provider you want to submit for a feature? Email their contact info to [email protected]!
Make sure to go to your windows/balconies nightly to cheer all of our incredible healthcare professionals at 7:00PM each evening.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Brian Pisano. I’m originally from Staten Island, but recently moved to Hoboken.
What’s your occupation? How long have you worked there?
I am a Registered Nurse in the Cardiovascular ICU at NYU Langone Medical Center. I’ve worked there for the past 3 years.
What was your original career plan? How did you get into this career?
Nursing was my second Bachelor’s Degree. I went to school knowing I wanted to do something in the medical field. It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I found my passion for nursing.
So far, what has been the highlight of your career?
This is a tough one. In the condition my patients are in, when they are able to walk out of my unit or be transferred to a lower level of care are some of the most rewarding experiences of my job, This is especially true for the heart and lung transplant patients because I build a relationship with them pre-op and post-op.
What has been the hardest day/scariest day on the job?
In the Cardiovascular Surgical ICU, any day has the potential to be the scariest day on the job. The patients we see on a day to day basis are in an incredibly critical status. However, to be honest, once our floor has turned into a COVID-19 floor, seeing how quickly things can take a turn for the worst has brought scary to a new level that I have never seen before.
See More: Sean Healey, Patient Care Tech at Holy Name Medical Center
Who is someone you look up to/your hero?
Someone who I have looked up to in more ways than one, but who inspired me to become a nurse, is my mother. She has been a nurse her whole life, and to this day is on the frontline fighting COVID-19.
What qualities does a person need to do your job?
It takes a special person to be a nurse, and I don’t mean that lightly. You need to be on your toes at all times, thinking critically, with a vast knowledge of medical understanding. At the same time, you need to be a person of compassion and laughs for the patient in need. I’m lucky to work with people who contribute all of these qualities, and more, to my floor.
What’s something that people wouldn’t expect about what you do on a daily basis?
On this “new daily basis” that we have been working through with COVID-19, one element that people may not expect is the amount of innovation that, as nurses, we have to do. We have figured out a way to move the IV pumps outside of the room while still monitoring the patients. We have figured out new room configurations to give nurses the least exposure to the virus, but at the same time giving the patients the care they need.
Describe a typical day on the job.
I work night shifts, so I start my commute while most people are headed home to eat dinner. Once I get to NYU, I head up to my floor, get my assignment, and get a report from the day shift nurse about my patients. From here, I assess my patients and develop a plan for the night with the other staff so we can best support our patients.
How do you spend your free time?
When not socially isolating, I am a high school football coach at Saint Peter’s Boys High School. I also enjoy working out, cooking, and watching Netflix.
Are there organizations that you feel strongly about and support? Tell us about them.
As someone who works in a high school football program, I always try to support local sports camps and programs to encourage younger kids to play. I always enjoyed playing sports and looked up to the older mentors. I hope to be that for other kids.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a healthcare worker during this pandemic?
Every healthcare worker right now is facing the horrible situation of rationing PPE to ensure we are all safe. On top of that, caring for one patient with COVID-19, requires an incredible amount of care and time from a nurse. I could be in one room for more than an hour treating a patient, while still having to care for other patients immediately after. In an ideal world, I would have a 1:1 situation with my patients. However, due to the amount of cases we are seeing, nurses are forced to care for more patients as best we can.
What are the most common symptoms you’re coming across?
In my unit I don’t see common symptoms that patients are presenting upon arrival to the hospital. By the time patients get to my floor, 99% of them are intubated on ventilators. At this point, they are all showing high fever and require high O2 delivery from the ventilator.
What is one thing you want the public to know about the virus?
This virus can affect everyone. It does not matter how old you are or if you have prior medical conditions. Yes, the elderly and immunocompromised are at a greater risk, but everyone can get COVID-19.
Do you know anyone personally affected by the virus?
I am fortunate to not know anyone outside of patient care who is affected.
How can we help? What can we do?
Staying home is the best thing people can do. Staying home means staying in your home. Going to a friend’s apartment, even if you are both showing no symptoms, is putting us all at risk. I am thankful for the precautions the Mayor has taken. Now it is in our hands to fulfill these precautions.
Read More: 16 Ways to Help First Responders in Hoboken, Jersey City, + Beyond
If someone wanted to donate food/supplies/etc to you/your team, how could they do that?
We are so incredibly thankful for the supplies, food, and support that we have received. I look forward to the 7:00PM cheer as I drive to work each night. If anyone has donations, they can email me at [email protected] and I can put them in touch with the proper person. Thank you!
Have a health care provider you want to submit for a feature? Tell us on Instagram: @TheHobokenGirl!
PS: Make sure to go to your windows/balconies nightly to cheer all of our incredible healthcare professionals at 7:00PM each evening.
Updates on the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
On September 15th, 2022 Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state of New Jersey had officially acquired a former rail line + would be converting it into a massive greenway, which will stretch from Essex County to Hudson County. This almost nine-mile linear state park, which starts in Montclair and runs to Jersey City, will serve as a recreational path for bikers and walkers — as well as provide necessary green space to a variety of communities. The hope is that this design will also help mitigate flooding in many areas. This new trail will follow along the right-of-way of the eastern portion of NJ Transit’s former Boonton Line, which discontinued commuter service back in 2002 and, after freight services stopped in 2015, has since been inactive. The state spent $65 million to acquire this 135-acre property — which is the single largest conservation project ever, per an announcement from the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project. In November 2024, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced that it was aiming to break ground on the Newark section of the project in 2025. An open house was held on November 13th, where design plans for the project were revealed. Now, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will hire construction manager for the Greenway, and expects to have a manager ready for board approval in May 2025. Read on for what to know about the plans for the Essex-Hudson Greenway.
February 2025 Update
On Monday, February 24th, 2025, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding that calls for the authority to hire a construction manager for the Greenway, per the New Jersey Monitor. The NJEDA expects to have a construction manager ready for board approval by May, and also expects to establish a project budget by that time.
This post will be updated with any further details.
Read More: A Guide to Fun Outdoor Activities in New Jersey for Any Season
November 2024 Update
Per NJDEP's website, groundbreaking for the Newark section of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project is expected to take place in 2025. NJDEP and NJ Transit hosted an open-house-style event on Wednesday, November 13th from 6PM-8PM at Park Elementary School — located at 120 Manchester Place in Newark — to inform locals about project updates, see artistic images of the Greenway, and share thoughts.
The design plans revealed at the open house include a map of the initial greenway development + construction that includes three community areas in the Newark section — which will span 0.8 miles from Branch Brook Park to Broadway.
The Branch Brook Park Overlook will feature views of Branch Brook Park with lawn and picnic space; The Tiffany Manor Hub will be a gathering space with seating and opportunities for food trucks and other short-term amenities; and The Newark Central Hub will include ADA-accessible play features, a performance space, sports courts, and restrooms. More details can be found on NJDEP's website.
All About the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
Governor Phil Murphy and the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project announced on September 15th, 2022 that they had achieved a major milestone: the purchasing of a northern New Jersey inactive railway. This railway, which was NJ Transit’s former Boonton Line, is slated to be turned into a linear State Park that will stretch from Montclair to Jersey City on an almost nine-mile path. The state spent $65 million, which is the single largest conservation project to date — and is also the biggest investment in a non-motorized transportation corridor.
This project has been a long time coming with a lot of advocates working behind the scenes. The Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition — which is made up of the Open Space Institute, the New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance — celebrated the purchase back in 2022.
“This acquisition by Governor Murphy and the state of New Jersey brings us one step closer to creating much-needed green space to the most densely populated and diverse region in the entire nation,” Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute, said in the original announcement.
This 135-acre property will start from Montclair and pass through Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and end in Jersey City. The path, which is up to 100 feet wide at certain spots, will allow residents space for recreational biking and walking. Plus, according to the original release, this trail will provide a host of different benefits to residents in these areas.
"The Greenway has the potential to support new and existing businesses, create enhanced access to a healthy, thriving green space for historically underserved communities, and offer the communities adjacent to the property with significant flood control and environmental solutions to resolve longstanding issues," the announcement said.
In 2021, the September 11th National Memorial Trail received unanimous federal legislation for a trail route, which created a triangle-shaped, 1,300-mile trail. The Essex-Hudson Greenway will make up a portion of this trail.
“Many people don’t realize that in addition to providing nearby residents with new green space, the Essex-Hudson Greenway also has national significance as a component of the 9/11 Memorial Trail,” Andy Hamilton, Chair of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance Board of Directors, previously said. “It’s exciting to see that we are one step closer to realizing this full potential of this project and we remain committed to supporting the State of New Jersey and our coalition partners as the project moves forward.”
See More: Outdoor Exercise Paths in Essex County
Many locals have been campaigning for a linear park that would serve as a “shared-use path” for people walking, riding a bike, running, rollerblading, or just relaxing. Advocates including the Bloomfield Open Space Trust Fund, the Friends of the Ice + Iron Trail, and groups in North Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken have been pushing for this Greenway to come to fruition.
We can't wait to see what this project will look like once it's finished.
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