Advice

toomuchbaloney · Jun 14, 2020

I would not. You have to decide for yourself.

Swellz · Jun 14, 2020

If I could afford not to work, I would not work. I think in the future, no one is going to judge you for a gap in your resume around this time.

caliotter3 · Jun 14, 2020

You owe more to your child’s health than you do to a pristine resume.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2020

Virus, resume, or whatever(!!), if I could afford not to work, I’d be at home sitting on my porch in a rocking chair!

LovingLife123 · Jun 14, 2020

Can you not tell them that you are immunocompromised and not to send you to COVID units?

My unit was partially COVID for awhile. We didn’t send anyone into that part of the unit who had underlying health problems.

I've also come to realize through all of this, if you take the proper precautions with PPE and washing hands often, chances are slim that you will get it. But that means an N-95 at while I’m COVID rooms, proper gowns, gloves, and I also cover my hair. I wash my hands, not alcohol sanitizer after each encounter, and I don’t wear my scrubs or shoes in the house. I also showered twice daily.

I’ve been hyper vigilant because I have a child with asthma.

sunshine120 · Jun 14, 2020

Our unit is not majorly effected by cv19 patients but it is an area where exposure is likely we are close with our patients and many can end up intubated quickly. I feel our staff isn't really taking it seriously basic mask and that's really it, nurses are all out traveling not wearing mask not social distancing and such(which is fine most are young and healthy and that is their choice). On the unit PRN employees are first to float no matter what and the main charge nurses(management either, they will try to accommodate but its not guaranteed) do not care if your immunocompromised or not, I've been in several situations where I've had issues and I've been told well this is what you signed up for. Which I understand there are always risk, I just feel at this time it is probably best to remain home for myself and my family and not take the gamble as there is so much uncertainty with this virus. Thank you to everyone for your advice.

LovingLife123 · Jun 14, 2020

1 hour ago, sunshine120 said:
Our unit is not majorly effected by cv19 patients but it is an area where exposure is likely we are close with our patients and many can end up intubated quickly. I feel our staff isn't really taking it seriously basic mask and that's really it, nurses are all out traveling not wearing mask not social distancing and such(which is fine most are young and healthy and that is their choice). On the unit PRN employees are first to float no matter what and the main charge nurses(management either, they will try to accommodate but its not guaranteed) do not care if your immunocompromised or not, I've been in several situations where I've had issues and I've been told well this is what you signed up for. Which I understand there are always risk, I just feel at this time it is probably best to remain home for myself and my family and not take the gamble as there is so much uncertainty with this virus. Thank you to everyone for your advice.

You have to do what is right for you, but you have to realize that the world is opening back up. People will not wear masks and social distancing forever and that COVID will be around forever. I’m guessing that once the initial vaccine is done, we will have to get a new one every year. You have to make sure that YOU are taking the proper precautions.

If you feel like staying home is your only option and you can afford it, then by all means do it. But COVID is here to stay and at some point you will have to decide whether or not you can remain in the medical field.

Sour Lemon · Jun 15, 2020

I wouldn't expect a lot of warning in a furlough situation, as the plan is always that furloughed employees will return to work when recalled. I also wouldn't expect much planning in an industry that already deals with illness and disease ...just a quick brush up on any policy changes and additional precautions.

I am PRN, float constantly, was furloughed, and was called back to work two weeks ago. I am not immuno-compromised, but I do have two preschool age children. Sometimes I think it's safer at the hospital, because people know what they're doing (presumably). Most people with COVID are not hospitalized, and are not taking the same precautions in their home or work environment that a healthcare worker would.

In any case, you must do what's right for you. I don't think a gap would hurt you, but as someone else stated, COVID is not going away. I also thought about quitting when I first started hearing all the scary (and real) stories, but decided not to. I've only worked two shifts since returning and haven't been assigned a patient that tested positive for COVID yet, although there seem to be many confirmed and rule-out cases around the unit. I'm sure it's coming.

Take care. ?

JKL33 · Jun 15, 2020

19 hours ago, sunshine120 said:
I am at a point where I can remain home if I would like(financially), but I also do not know if I want to formally resign.I was thinking of staying home and looking for another PRN position in a new area that allows for more growth and is closer to home, while also trying to start NP school in the Winter/Spring.

If you have personal reasons you would rather look for a new position, then do that. It might be wise to find one before resigning.

I would return to work knowing that you can put in your notice at any time. IMO workplaces should now have their plan and supplies together a lot better than they did in the beginning of all of this. The safer/safest way to operate is to treat every patient as potentially having covid/SARS CoV-2. Proper PPE should be being used the way it was intended to be used.

If basic workplace and patient care precautions and PPE are not being supplied, advocated, expected and used in a reasonable manner, your decision of whether to stay or go becomes easier.