The article “Care during the Pandemic” in the September 2020 issue discusses about this recent COVID-19 pandemic. The author did a great job by showing nurse caring attitudes during COVID-19, and how they had to face many challenges. For instance, Clint Wallace’s first four patients arrived from Japan, from an isolated ship where passengers were exposed to the infectious virus. He stated that as a healthcare worker he was “anxious” about the unknown and a PPE shortage. Also, the article was well informed about how nurses during a pandemic time use telehealth and iPad services, which were valuable to physicians and nurses at that time. Moreover, for some patients or family members the equipment looked scary, because they never used it before. Nurses were challenged to talk to patients and their family members regarding their loved ones’ situation, illness, and decision regarding end-of-life support. They taught about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the importance of wearing a mask.

Nurses created a therapeutic environment, which assisted patients in transitioning to a near-normal functioning state during that fearful time. In the article, nurses like Nikeyia Davis from Michigan, Amanda Buechel from Chicago, Amanda Foster, and others, are examples of hard-working healthcare workers who every day had to evaluate, teach, advocate, and provide care for families and their loved ones in that chaotic environment during COVID-19. Healthcare professionals often went through physical, emotional, and mental difficulties caused by everyday work stress due to dealing with illness, sickness, and end–of –life experiences.

By reading this article I feel a ray of care, compassion, and commitment to providing safe and effective patient care during a pandemic. I appreciated the information about Megan Piotrowski – her excellent work and dedication helped to alleviate children’s fear and anxiety during COVID-19. She explained to the children that PPE is “extra stuff to keep them safe”. Also, she mentioned how important it is for nurses to keep a healthy lifestyle through physical activity, diet, relaxation, and taking time off if they needed to effectively improve their self-esteem and well-being.

I was surprised and happy to read when RN Piotrowski stated that due to burnout and stress during COVID-19 nurses should be valued. Senator Gary Peters suggested a COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” to pay a pandemic premium to all frontline nurses working throughout the pandemic.

Thank you for this nice and impressive article regarding frontline nurses. I can only wish that those hard-working healthcare workers could get extra time off and stay home with their families and friends, so they can improve emotional, spiritual inner feelings, and boost physical well-being.

Reference

Trossman, S., (2020, September). Care during the pandemic. Nurses share their experiences on the frontline. American Nurse Journal, 15(9), 50-52