Nurse who works in Covid-19 unit wins $ 1 million in North Carolina lottery

A nurse from North Carolina who works in the Covid-19 unit of a long-term care facility received a welcome surprise when she won $ 1 million in the state lottery.

Nurse Terri Watkins had entered Supreme Riches’ $ 300 million Second Chance raffle but didn’t think she would actually win.

When the National Education Lottery called to congratulate her, Watkins said she was shocked.

“I thought it was a scam. I was a little upset actually! I thought it wasn’t real, couldn’t be real. It’s still something I really don’t believe in, I’m still in shock here, ”she said, according to a press release.

Watkins, of Durham, did not return an NBC News phone call on Wednesday.

His name was chosen from over 513,000 entries. Watkins had the option of taking $ 424,500 in cash – the amount the winner receives after taxes – or receiving 20 payments of $ 50,000 per year.

She chose to take the money home and got her prize back on Thursday.

“I am a nurse and I work in the Covid unit of a long-term care facility. Just seeing some of the things I had to see, I am very grateful, “she said.” I had prayed that something would help me in this situation. It really is a good thing. I am very lucky.

For now, Watkins said she is still thinking about how she will spend the money. She said a new house would be nice, but she wants to “take the time and put it in the right place”.

“I’m just going to take it slow and easy and figure out what I’m going to do,” she said.