NURSING IN THE PANDEMIC OF COVID 19
NURSING IN THE AGE OF COVID 19 HAS BECOME A REAL CHALLENGE. WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, KAISER ASKED ME AND MY CO-WORKERS TO OPEN UP A NEW UNIT TO CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COVID 19 AND PATIENTS UNDER INVESTIGATION (PUI’S). WE STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND WITH INCREDIBLE TEAMWORK HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. I’M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA AND OUR INFECTED KAISER MEMBERS.
OUR CHALLENGES
WORK AROUNDS FOR DONNING AND DOFFING OF PPE THAT ACTUALLY WORK.
ASSISTING ANXIOUS DOCTORS AND ANCILLARY STAFF WITH PPE
PRACTICING CARITAS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR PATIENTS
INCREDIBLE STRESS ABOUT BRINGING THE VIRUS HOME TO OUR FAMILIES
ADVOCATING FOR OUR PATIENTS WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED ANY VISITATION
WORKFLOW CHANGES TO ALLOW FOR THE EXTRA TIME NEEDED FOR PPE
BEING EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS FROM A PUI
STRESS TO OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
HELPING PATIENTS WITH THE PERCEIVED STIGMA OF COVID 19
CONVINCING OUR FAMILIES THAT THEY SHOULDN’T BE AFRAID OF US