Being a healthcare worker can be a difficult job, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic of the last two years. However, one Missouri nurse is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

Monette Chiarolanza, a hospital worker in Kansas City, recently wrote an emotional essay about the heroic work her coworkers have done during the pandemic, according to reports. She then entered it into a national competition and won.

“They contacted me and said, ‘We cried when we read your essay.’ They were like, ‘We were in tears,’” Chiarolanza said, according to KMBC.

“This is tough work,” University Health CEO Charlie Shields told KMBC. “When we go up on the floors and we talked to the nurses, and particularly the nurses in the ICU, dealing with some very challenging cases that frankly don’t always have good outcomes.

The essay drew the attention of internationally renowned singer Michael Bublé, who set up a Zoom meeting with Chiarolanza to thank her.

“I thank you on behalf of every human being you’ve rescued and helped and every person who is going through tough times and who is gonna go through tough times,” Bublé said. “Your selflessness has changed the world. It really does and you inspire us to be better people.”

Chiarolanza, who was surprised Bublé took the time to congratulate her, said she has never seen Bublé in concert, but if he ever returns to Kansas City, she’ll be front and center, KMBC reported.

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