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When concert venues across Europe began shutting down in early 2020, Felicia Temple’s music career came to an abrupt halt.
Within days, the registered nurse who had been touring overseas found herself back home, wearing full personal protective equipment and caring for critically ill patients in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey.
Years later, Temple says the emotional impact of that experience has never fully faded.
“There is not a single person that I worked with during COVID who doesn’t carry moments from that time with them,” Temple told Nurse Approved. “An entire generation of healthcare workers carries some form of PTSD from that time period. There were wonderful moments of camaraderie, and there were painful moments that still make me tear up to this day. No one should ever have to experience that much death. It’s not normal.”
Temple has never seen nursing and music as competing callings. Still, people are often surprised that those worlds continue to exist side by side.
“I think it’s difficult for people to understand how I’m able to span across these different worlds, all sometimes within the space of 24 hours,” she said. “It sounds like something out of a movie. When I explain my schedule, I think some people believe I’m exaggerating, until I show them my calendar. I believe when you love what you do, you make time for the important things.”
Cancer Changed Her Perspective as a Nurse
Temple was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2015 at age 27, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy before later auditioning for The Voice.
She said surviving cancer reshaped both her outlook and the way she cares for patients.
“I was always someone who just ‘went for it,’ but having cancer put another level of fire in me,” she said. “Getting diagnosed with cancer at 27 is a stark reminder that tomorrow is not promised. It was a reminder that I may not have all the time in the world to make my dreams a reality. My music career has been in overdrive since then.”
“As a nurse, I say constantly that I believe being diagnosed with cancer has made me a better healthcare provider,” Temple said. “You can be sympathetic to your patients, but when you have experienced being a patient with chemotherapy, multiple blood draws, injections, surgeries; the fears and frustrations, you can provide better care. You can look your patients in the eye and say, ‘I got through this, so can you.’”
A Third Phone Call Led to The Voice
Temple never expected to audition for The Voice while recovering from cancer treatment, but a casting director contacted her during chemotherapy.
“I initially turned her down twice, citing that I was in treatment and recovering from surgery,” Temple said. “The production team loved my story and was so willing to accommodate my needs. When they called the 3rd time, I said, ‘ok, this must be for a reason,’ and I said yes.”
Temple said she taped her blind audition one year after starting chemotherapy.
“I could have never imagined how much my life would change in a year,” she said. “I felt like this was God giving me beauty for my ashes. A way to tell my story and connect with other people who have gone through similar trials.”
She joined Alicia Keys’ team during Season 12 of The Voice, introducing her music to a national audience before launching a touring career.
Trading the Stage for the ICU
By early 2020, Temple was touring throughout Europe when governments began closing venues because of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
“Within a day, the tour was officially canceled, the government had put a travel ban in place, and I had no choice but to get back home,” she said.
Going back to the hospital was never in doubt.
“There was no question that I was going into the hospital to work. My coworkers are like family to me,” Temple said.
“I not only lost multiple family members within a very short period of time, but I also went from touring in front of thousands every night in glittery outfits, to wearing full PPE and taking care of the sickest of the sick in the COVID ICU within a 48-hour timeframe,” she said.
“It was mind-boggling and intensely sad, as I felt like I was finally making strides in my music career, only to be pulled back into a dystopian nightmare. I think that trauma still sits with me today.”
For Temple, returning to the ICU felt like the reality of her life.
“I know that my story made for a very catchy headline, but for me, this was just the reality of my life,” she said.
“It’s very kind of people to call us heroes, but this is what we sign up for. Nurses go to work every single day and save lives, then go home, do laundry, help their kids with homework, etc. It is part of our DNA.”
Finding Comfort Through Music
At home, Temple continued making music during the pandemic and learned to play guitar. She also recorded a rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” at the request of her hospital’s CEO so it could be played over the hospital loudspeakers during shift changes.
“When I would be finishing work, and I’d hear my voice over the speakers, it definitely was a bright point in my day,” she said.
“My family did not understand what I was seeing in the hospital, and to make matters worse, I was isolated because I didn’t want to get them sick,” Temple said.
She also decided not to pursue travel nursing contracts during the pandemic.
“I didn’t want to risk my mental or physical health by traveling to the unknown,” she said. “I needed to come home at the end of the night. It was the one place I felt safe.”
More Than One Calling
Today, Temple continues to build her music career while staying grounded in nursing.
“Nursing has been a constant for me, even as the music industry undergoes so many changes,” she said. “Being an artist can be very enjoyable but superficial. Your worth is based on what you can create and how you sell it. It’s so easy to lose sight of reality.”
Temple believes nursing gives people the flexibility to pursue passions beyond the profession.
“Nursing is the perfect career if you do have other passions that you want to pursue,” Temple said. “So many of us don’t work that Monday through Friday, 9-to-5 lifestyle. It gives you so much freedom and flexibility to enjoy everything that you love, while giving you financial security.”
Temple hopes other nurses never feel they have to choose between their profession and the dreams they want to pursue.
“No matter what your schedule is, I believe if there is something you really want to do, time is just a construct,” she said. “The life you want is yours to build. You’re never too old to pursue the things that bring you joy. Go forth and be great!”
