A Russian nurse who was pictured wearing only lingerie under a see-through protective gown on a coronavirus ward has become a TV weather presenter.
Nadia Zhukova, 23, who wore transparent PPE as she gave patients their medicine, was initially disciplined by hospital bosses.
The nurse complained she was ‘too hot’ in the hazmat gown – and her punishment was withdrawn after a furious backlash from the public.
Now, Nadia has been offered a role as weather presenter on her local TV station in Tula, south of Moscow, but will continue working as a nurse.
Nurse Nadia Zhukova, pictured, wore only lingerie underneath her protective gown on a coronavirus ward in Russia – saying the hazmat suit was too hot
Nadia Zhukova has now been offered a role as TV weather presenter after pictures of her in the hospital ward were seen around the world
She will fit in the forecasts as she works as a nurse and upgrades her training to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.
Earlier she was offered a role as a model for a Russian sportswear brand, but she insists that nothing will deflect her from her cherished medical career.
Of her new TV role on Vesti Tula, she said: ‘It is a big thing for me. Thank you for letting me try.
‘My parents will watch, in the evening, after work.’
In May she was initially disciplined for ‘non-compliance with the requirements for medical clothing’.
But Tula regional governor Alexey Dyumin, a close ally of Putin and his former bodyguard, strongly backed her and her punishment was rescinded.
Zhukova speaking to the camera in front of a green screen in her new role as a weather presenter on Russian television
Nadia, pictured wearing a mask and in her see-through gown, was initially disciplined by hospital bosses but the punishment was later withdrawn
Nadia admitted she was ‘shocked’ when friends showed her how her lingerie pictures were going around the world.
‘I thought it would only be a talking point in my city, and that would be all. As it turned out – no,’ she said.
She was upset about hurtful comments posted about her pictures.
‘My colleagues supported me and I thank them very much for this,’ she said. ‘ If it hadn’t been for them, I don’t know how I would have dealt with it all.’
The backing from Dyumin was ‘unexpectedly pleasant’, she said.
‘After his words of support, I felt much calmer…. I have no boyfriend, but my friends supported me as much as they could.’
Nadia, pictured in her TV role, will fit in the weather forecasts as she continues working as a nurse and upgrades her training to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor
Nadia, pictured, admitted she was ‘shocked’ when friends showed her how her lingerie pictures were going around the world
For the future, she is determined not to be distracted by the bright lights of TV or modelling.
‘I want to continue my studies and become a doctor,’ she said. ‘I am not afraid to get infected.’
She continues to work on her coronavirus ward.
‘Despite all the losses, stress, constant lack of sleep – we will win, I’m sure,’ said Nadia.
‘The main thing is to keep a positive attitude.’
Doctors took Nadia’s side at the time and said there was a shortage of necessary gear. ‘We just have nothing to wear,’ one medic told Komsomolskaya Pravda.
‘There are not enough scrub suits, which according to the rules we should wear under our protective gowns….
‘Believe me, we wouldn’t go naked if we were provided with a complete set.’