We know that the need for universal healthcare is essential now more than ever.
Nurses are contributing in countless ways to help fight against the pandemic. They are active in the role of patient healthcare safety and delivering integrated patient-centred care.
The role of nurses and midwives in contributing to the public health service is critical during the time of the pandemic. As care connectors, they play a direct linkage into the healthcare system and patients outcomes.
Challenges Faced By Nurses During Covid-19
We cannot point out the impact of covid-19 without mentioning the challenge of safety. At the start of everyday nurses and midwives need to wear a full PPE suit to do ward rounds and to be in contact with the patient. The same level of precautionary measures needs to be taken by nurses in other departments too. A neonatal nurse needs to take care of newborn babies, and they have to overcome some incredible obstacles to be in contact with them. As care connectors during times of crisis, their multifaceted abilities to treat a patient in isolation and those not suffering from infectious diseases are more apparent.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire nursing community is in the risk zone & we have all seen the unparalleled levels of overwork by nurses in response to fight this situation. 2020 is the year for nursing and midwives, it marks 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale, and nurses still follow her principle of compassionate patient care.
Provide Emergency Nursing Care of Patients With Novel Coronavirus
Now in the age of this pandemic and this virus is not going away anytime soon. The public health sector needs to be vigilant all day long. Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 should be placed under appropriate isolation precautions on arrival.
Ideally, all patients with COVID-19 would be seen in isolated pressure rooms with health care workers wearing airborne precautions like wearing a PPE Suit, N95 mask, or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). This has proven to be impossible in most areas because of the limited number of these resources.
As a part of the Covid-19 task force team, the nurses in the emergency isolation ward had to look after each other to ensure their safety and other patients’ safety too. From the first case of Covid-19, nurses have taken several steps to ensure community protection. They’ve started several campaigns to build awareness among people on how to stay safe from Coronavirus.
Despite all this, global pandemic clearly shows the incredible and innovative spirit among the healthcare community. They are coming together to create some very creative solutions despite limited resources.
Hardship, Sadness, Joy – a Nurse’s Life in a Global Pandemic
Healthcare workers are actively being in the forefront and are managing patient screenings, placement, and the care of patients in the containment zone.
Due to this, nurses are in a state of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue. Often without adequate rest and tiredness. Without support and assistance, they have limited considerations for their mental health and well-being. However, these responsibilities, accountability and challenges are so willingly and happily accepted by the nursing community.
Despite their fear, they are always first and foremost to fight the pandemic, and that is what’s most important when they don’t stop being a nurse just because of Covid-19.
Nursing: The Glue of the Public Health System
When we think of the significant pillars of public health response, including testing contact tracing, treatment, safe isolation, and support, it is imperative in a pandemic to have these evident pillars of responsibility to be in place. Nurses need to guide those various pillars and act as a glue that binds them all together. They are naturally cultivators of grit and resilience. Nurses work with passion and perseverance while providing exemplary patient care when a disaster occurs.
As a nurse, it’s a real privilege to represent as partners in a public health response team’s health during Covid -19. They act as a health representative that understands unique needs that are required at the local level. With all the precautionary measures taken, they can be there to respond accordingly.
Healthcare workers provide care for patients in remote sites and take leading efforts to prevent Covid spread. As care connectors, nurses are being forced to be creative in the patient care routine and work as a team to lean on each other for mental health support. It’s undoubtedly a challenging time for nurses and other workers in the medical field.
Impact on Mental Health Support
Nurses are very aware of the challenges and the time needed for quality care at the pandemic. They respond to take care of people in all settings, no matter what the situation they are forced to confront.
For the patients who are suffering from Covid-19 related illness, nurses act as their real-life contact. They fought for their life for so long, which affects and remains with them. Their roles are critical in supporting a patient’s mental wellbeing and sustaining global health coverage.
Besides all the healthcare sector’s efforts, a public health response founded on nursing principles must be in place. Supporting the whole public health system is the only way to eliminate the Covid-19 threat permanently.
Why You Should Choose a Career in Healthcare!
Covid-19 has only amplified the need for health care workers and impacted how these roles function. This year, 2020, being the year of the Nurse and Midwife & there is no time like the present to celebrate and be proud of the rewarding profession.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of nurses’ contribution to health care prevention & promotion. If you would like to be a part of this highly demanding career, colleges like Laboure College offers accredited nursing and healthcare programs, which gives you an opportunity to excel and enhance your nursing career.
