Written by a nurse in today's hospital environment [View all]

[appleannie1]

Remember 3 months ago when everyone cared about healthcare employees? We received lots of check-in phone calls and texts, countless prayers for safety and well-being, and sweet care packages, all to remind us that we were essential... and appreciated. There were signs stuck into the ground in front of every hospital saying “Heroes work here” and employees were proud to be there.
But all of that support has seemed to disappear.
But you know what hasn’t disappeared? The stress on the healthcare workers during this pandemic. And if you think for one second that three months ago was the worst of it, here is some news for you.
You see, 3 months ago people believed in it. They wanted to keep everyone and themselves safe. So all those “elective” surgeries were postponed. All the doctor office visits were virtual so they couldn’t smell rotting wounds through the computer. People who probably needed to come to the ER didn’t, in fear of contracting this virus. People put off treatment and preventative procedures and delayed care for as long as they could in hopes that this would be done with by now.
But it’s not done. IT’S WORSE.
Not only is COVID worse, but the hospitals and patients are back in full swing. Hospital censuses are full. ERs are having to stack patients wall to wall and are treating patients in the waiting room, literally. ORs are back operating. Research, resource and additional nurses in hospitals are pulled back to bedside nursing. And somehow there still seems to be a shortage of staff.
It’s not only nurses either, but clinical techs, phlebotomists, respiratory therapists, PT/OTs, dietary staff, housekeepers... everyone is being effected.
And still... a nurse who has 6 patients to take care of gets reprimanded for forgetting to chart a medication. A tech who has a 14-patient load is still expected to bathe everyone who can’t bathe themselves in the proper concentrated anti-microbial soap. A phlebotomist gets written up for drawing a stat lab 15 minutes late. Everyone is still expected to perform A+ care in a C- environment.
Most importantly, all that was mentioned above is only what goes on in hospital settings. This doesn’t even begin to touch the home life of healthcare workers. Mothers and fathers who are healthcare employees are scared to bring this home to their families. Employees who are on sick leave getting weekly COVID swabs until they’re negative and can come back to work, just to potentially contract it again. Spouses who go home and don’t talk for an hour because they just “need a minute”.
~ Don’t worry, this post is almost over.
Maybe this is rambling and maybe you don’t care. But maybe It’s necessary to say because it feels as though essential voices are being muffled by these masks. This is what healthcare workers deal with every day at work. Regardless of individual stances on COVID... be nice to healthcare workers and hospital employees, because the stress is real.