Devoted to Caring
Have you ever had to drop a loved one off at the hospital, unsure of when or if you will ever see them again? Can you imagine saying goodbye via feast time while they are dying in a hospital bed alone?
This became the new reality when the Coronavirus pandemic took effect.
This has become the site of nursing we could have never imagined. We didn't learn about it in school, and most of us have never seen anything like this before. And yeah, here we are. We're doing it. Why?
How? You may ask, although I cannot speak for everyone, I know why and how I am. Five years ago, I stood on a stage and recited a pledge from Florence Nightingale, and I stated that I will devote myself to the welfare of those in my care,
and that is what I strive to do. Every day.
Since the start of this pandemic, I have made it a priority of mine to maintain the line of communication with my patients and their family as much as possible.
There are a few instances that I will carry in my thoughts for a long time.
One of the first very sick COVID 19 patients on my unit was spiking, fevers uncontrollably, the status deteriorating fast.
I hear a rapid response called overhead rectal temperature. 104.9
bags of ice rushed into the room. The whole team working hard and fast once he was stabilized and the temperature came down, everyone rushed out of the room because, after all, were supposed to maintain limited contact. The thought of him being alone after all of this, just didn't sit right. So I ground up and I went into the room to comfort him, to let him know he was not alone. I took my cell phone and FaceTimed his wife so that she could see and speak to him.
That was the last time she saw him awake.
Later that night, he was rushed to the ICU, intubated, and passed away. 10 days later. I cried when I found out, but I had a small piece of joy in my heart knowing that she got to see him awake and to tell him that she loved him and hear him say he loved her back. Another patient of mine was a hospice patient who had seven children. I saw he was declining rapidly, and I knew it wouldn't be much longer. I started a zoom call with all seven kids so they can see and say goodbye to their father. I also called the CEO on his personal cell phone, pleading for permission for a visit, because who wants to die alone?
The son was able to visit, and I found out the next day passed away. One hour later, I believe COVID 19 has taught me to be a better, more caring nurse, and these are the memories I will cherish forever.