Orlando shooting 'surreal' says Winnipeg nurse working in Florida hospital

When Winnipeg nurse Chelsea Slobodian walked into the Florida Hospital Orlando Sunday morning she was shocked to find out that there had been a shooting in the community she now calls home.

Slobodian went into work at the hospital in Orlando, Fla., at 6 a.m., only hours after 49 people were killed and 53 were injured in a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub.The shooter was also killed at the scene by police.

"It's just really shocking, I mean, it feels really surreal that it would happen in a place where I am living and working," Slobodian said.

A hospital closer to the nightclub took the majority of the critical patients, but Slobodian said she heard there were some brought to the one where she works. She said the impact of the shooting echoed throughout the hospital withpatients and staff.

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"I saw some families crying out in the hallways, I heard about patients who knew people [about] what happened," she said."All of my patients were in their rooms watching the TV, glued to the TV all day. It was really sad."

As the names of the victims are being released, candles are being lit around the community and lineups formed at blood donation clinics. Slobodian said people are being asked to hold off on havingvigils while the investigation continues.

"The city has been really banding together to try to help out," she said.

"A lot of people are trying to donate blood, and donate to the victims and the families of the victims."

Slobodian moved from Winnipeg to Orlando less than two years ago on a work visa. She said it's still hard to believe a shooting took place but she is praying for the families and friends of the victims.

"You know, I once heard someone say they didn't think something like this would ever happen in Orlando," she said adding it's an extremely diverse community.

"It's so sad to see something hit so close to home."