COVID-19 : the down and dirty
The reality behind being a bedside RN currently is that we don't have the right protection. Experiencing this first hand has made me and many others lose sleep and have increase anxiety. I understand that you may be anxious at home and are unsure if you will have a job but these nurses are literally risking their lives from being exposed, and knowingly. Let that sink in, because you read it and it just seems nonchalant but literally their LIFE is on the line. Someone you know. Everyone KNOWS a nurse.
It is not within our nature to be callous and not give comfort to those going through something traumatic. We are supposed to “limit” our time in the rooms of patients who are possible or confirmed Covid-19 patients; this isn’t possible. We cannot do our job efficiently and up to our (or the hospitals/or the public’s) standards with spending “limited” time in the rooms. What happens when the patient is panicking because they feel they can’t breath and I, THEIR NURSE, needs to be in there helping them through it and adjusting their oxygen and doing other interventions? Reassuring them to take deep breaths and that I won't leave their side; trying to calm them down. Yet, I don't have all the resources in the room I need, so yelling out the door to get someone to get the supplies I need so I can stay in the room while someone hopefully can help get the supplies/medications I need. This way I don't need to don/doff my protective equipment AGAIN, and waste MORE time.
When the patient is actually on the unit in the hospital the NURSE is doing all of the work. It’s not the doctor. They aren’t being exposed 12 hours a day, sitting in patients rooms adjusting positions, giving them words of encouragement, crying with them, giving them the medications they need, assessing their every breath; it is the nurse. It's not even the nursing assistants, at least at our hospital. They don't go into the patient's rooms to preserve protective equipment. Please, don’t get my wrong I love my doctors and aides I couldn’t do what I do without them — but they just aren’t the ones in there as much as the nurses once they are on the floor.
I know people are all about “protecting the nurses”. However, I truly, deeply, honestly don’t believe that the common person understands what we as a profession deal with on a daily bases. And adding on this pandemic ... this is a whole new ballpark.
Why should we not be given appropriate PPE? Are we THAT dispensable? Just a number?
We clearly know that what we are doing to protect the healthcare frontline workers is not enough. Make something happen, this is freaking America. Our hospital is expecting that 20% of our colleagues will be out of work because of this pandemic. One would think that with that percentage they would be doing more to protect us.
During nursing school and now, we are constantly told to follow what the CDC says. Never in my life or career did I think I would be so disappointed in the CDC. I am disappointed and furious with them. They are taking the easy way out of this pandemic. The reality of this virus is that it is extremely contagious. It has been seen over and over that people who are asymptomatic are infecting healthy individuals. That means no cough, fever, headache, diarrhea, etc. Yet, the medical professionals were still not wearing anything for day to day cares. Finally, they are having us wear masks at all times. But, these masks are crap. I'm sorry but if the smallest amount of bodily fluid gets on them, it's going through the mask. At that point we can get a new one. On top of that we are supposed to reuse masks, which has ALWAYS been a no-no. The CDC decided that now it was okay because we are in a "shortage". But are we really? Hasn't production gone up significantly? At what point do we get to use them how they are supposed to be used? And okay, if we are truly in a shortage - don't bullshit us, call it what it is. We are in a shortage and we have to change these "standards" but the CDC shouldn't be changing the actual true standards of it. What is ACTUALLY appropriate? Tell us that information so that we can stop beating around the bush.
People are constantly talking about how the hospitals census is so low and there is no one in the hospital. Well, they have canceled all unnecessary surgeries/procedures, so yes, there is a lot of "open" space in the hospital, because those are a very large amount of patients. Because of this it has allowed us to move people around easier and keep the virus at bay. It is contained to specific wings and floors of the hospital. It has allowed the supplies to be available for the patients that need it when they needs it. Ventilators, heart monitors, oxygen, medications, and STAFF. It has allowed us to have lower ratios of nurses to patients.
The Stay at Home order was placed to decrease the spread of COVID-19. Along with that, they specifically said that if nothing happens, that's exactly what we want. It has pushed the surge out to a further date; this has allowed hospitals to make plans on steps to take be able to handle this pandemic. Look at what has happened. We've had more ventilators made, people have made PPE incase we get to a place where we don't have "tested" PPE available. We have learned more about the virus. We have prepared the doctors, nurses and nursing assistants. The hospitals have made plans on how to move patients around, make more beds available, where to put patients, where to put critical patients, etc. They have trained in RN's who don't normally work on the floor. I have personally trained RNs from the OR to have some idea of the flow of the floors. They've come up with types of buddy systems to work in case it gets super terrible. Just because you are at home and getting bored does NOT mean that things aren't happening in the hospitals. It does NOT mean that when I go to work I am not busy. We staff to the number of patients we have.. patients can be EXTREMELY busy. Don't you dare disrespect the medical field and tell them that the "hospitals aren't busy".
I would love to have life go back to normal. We all would, but the reality is, is that it never will. Life how we knew it is gone. We need to grieve that. Yes, I understand that I "get" to go to work and have a job, and yes I am fortunate. However, I put myself at risk every single day. Even more now that this pandemic is here. People are making more on unemployment than they would working - thats insane. Plus, they are getting these stimulus checks. Because I am working AND RISKING MY LIFE frontline workers aren't getting anything extra. They have not approved hazard pay yet, they maybe won't. Even when they are planning 20% of us unable to work because they expect us to get sick. Maybe that is selfish to want or expect hazardous pay, but it's pretty frustrating when people are flaunting how they are making more money, yet hospitals are annoucing pay cuts. PAY CUTS TO FRONTLINE WORKERS! How is this okay?! It's not. Pretty much it comes down to... healthcare providers aren't heroes, we aren't essential... we are sacrificial.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is legit real during this time. People who have depression before this most likely have an increase in depression. Anxiety is likely skyrocketed. As someone who suffers from both, and have had a handle on both, anxiety and depression both increased. Social distancing away from friends and family has been extremely hard, especially for me who lives alone. I have talked to other nurses and other non-nurse friends and family who are also suffering from anxiety. Some of these people live with others, and some others live alone. Clearly this is a disaster that came out of nowhere.
I know I just told my hate for the CDC about their PPE crap. However, I do have to admit that they have done a good job about giving information about mental health and different resources available. I have been done with therapy for years now, but since then and since I went through physical therapy with head aches, I started meditation to release tension in my neck and shoulders. There are endless resources to meditate. youtube. insight app. etc.
Here is a good article : https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/how-does-coronavirus-kill-clinicians-trace-ferocious-rampage-through-body-brain-toes?fbclid=IwAR3O3n_tACT8zUfI0BGJV19YtkBLCy6Njw2uX6T0UWPI6dlTKPDvWz3Sv30
It's ridiculous -- our Governor is doing a great job. He is trying to do what is best to spare the MOST lives. This isn't a freaking joke -- this is serious and if you don't take it serious, then I guarantee you are in for a rude awakening.
Okay, this went on and on and I still don't think I said everything I want to.. I'm sure there will be a second one. But stay safe Minnesota -- do your part. Don't be stupid!
xoxo,
breezy
Okay, this went on and on and I still don't think I said everything I want to.. I'm sure there will be a second one. But stay safe Minnesota -- do your part. Don't be stupid!
xoxo,
breezy
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