ER Nurses Blog

Is the work of a nurse supposed to be "above and beyond?" COVID has certainly shifted our expectations. There is more work to do as risk and critical care accommodates the massive influx and changes COVID-19 has brought. It means a lot more attention on frontline healthcare providers. Some of the narrative celebrating these workers include acknowledging the work--those who go "above and beyond" the normal work repsonsibilities to serve. But is that what we're after? In times of crisis above and beyond may be normal. Comes with the territory. But the expectation nurses go ABOVE and BEYOND all the time is NOT sustainable. It leads to rapid burnout at best. It makes performing critical care harder as management expectations go up. And you know who are the chief proponents of this unhealthy culture? NURSES! There is a peculiar assumption that nurses should overachieve by nature. That creates an internal culture where doing more than what's required in your j...

https://www.thestate.com/news/coronavirus/article243599457.html Have you found rhythm in your daily work routines amidst COVID craziness? You do what you have to do to cope. But note, this is trauma. Inundated ER rooms look like war zones, and with government officials doing little to curb the rapid acceleration of the virus, we can expect it to get worse. This is trauma for healthcare providers. Frontline workers may find rhythm in the chaos today, but bear in mind that it's taking a toll on all of our bodies. Be mindful of the stress and plan for a long recovery when we get to the other side of this. Any mechanism or strategies you've tried to cope with new stress and hazards?

You're safe where you're at and that you're not suffering from shortages of PPE. Frontline healthcare workers are receiving acknowledgement from everyone these days. But we know what it means sit exhausted on the front lines as the world seems to deteriorate inside the hospital. Some of you are on the front lines of a pandemic that doesn't seem to be slowing down. In someplace it's actually picking up. We see you in the struggle and how you put your body on the line. Keep sharing the story that COVID-19 remains dangerous and we should all be on high alert. Keep encouraging people to wear their masks in public. Hopefully we get over this but it's not gonna be soon....

COVID 19 is the worst disease process I’ve ever worked with in my 8 years as an ICU nurse. When they say “recovered” they don’t tell you that that means you may need a lung transplant. Or that you may come back after d/c with a massive heart attack or stroke bc COVID makes — Cherie Antoinette (@sheriantoinette) June 14, 2020 COVID-19 is vicious. This is an ER Nurses blog but we know there's crossover. Many pulled into pandemic response (most in fact). But special shout out to our family in the ICU!

I can't imagine how many grown men and women still refuse to wear masks in public? It's a matter of public health. Part of me wonders whether or not it has to do with grown white men unwilling to do something that might benefit other people. After all mask wearing is predominantly for others as it doesn't have as big of an impact on YOU. It stops YOUR droplets from heading out into the world. So who cares if your ugly mug is covered, show some respect. Keep on pushing the normalization of mask wearing in public because it doesn't seem like we're gonna be out of the woods anytime soon. Stay safe out there.

You know things are bad when the federal response is completely missing, and you have to blame state governors for the mess. Stay safe out there. Your work is crazy. it's ok to feel the grief and anxiety of this time. Other countries responded quickly and aggressively to combat the spread of coronavirus. Trump failed to do the same—and now the U.S. has the most cases in the world. pic.twitter.com/JpYn0okt2j — CAP Action (@CAPAction) April 9, 2020

The results aren't good for America. Something failed in the healthcare system. Here are some resources in terms of tracking COVID trends. »  COVID-19 tracking map »  COVID-19 tracking map FAQ »  CEPAR COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

How are you feeling with the advent of COVID? We're just getting started and nurses are on the frontline. Even if you haven't seen the magnitude of the problem hit your workplace yet, it's coming, and you've been thinking about it. part of that thought process, and the changes you're facing in the workplace, is traumatic. Go ahead, name it, it's trauma. Pre-trauma, but it counts, and it takes it toll. Stay safe out there . https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/03/18/doctors-nurses-are-already-feeling-psychic-shock-treating-coronavirus/