COVID-19: Take the position?

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I am deciding whether to take a position in an ICU. It is a large hospital in a rural setting.

I really do not want to care for COVID-19 patients without proper PPE.

So in summary, has any nurse personally experienced COVID-19? Would you recommend working in ICU at this time? I love caring for patients and am dedicated to the profession, but my priority is my family (that I continue living with- parents in their fifties and not in the best health.)

Thank you for any suggestions you may have!

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Specializes in Quality Management.

I haven’t exp getting sick from it crosses fingers. I work in a Large urbane covid19 specialty hospital aka 100% of patients are covid positive. Realistically every hospital will have covid pts it’s just out new reality. Wear proper PPE learn how to Don and Doff, hand wash before and after pt care and before you eat and use the restrooms. I do a full change of clothes at work including shoes, all goes into wash and shower for me including washing hair daily, bleach spray 1:9 ratio like 1 cup bleach to 9 cup water all work equiptment and shoes best of luck

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
10 hours ago, Enarra said:

Realistically every hospital will have covid pts it’s just out new reality.

Exactly this. My leadership team thought surgery on COVID positive would be a few and far between scenario, that the OR would be a relatively COVID free zone. They were wrong. Patients are coming in with non-COVID complaints and testing positive without symptoms. Just yesterday alone we had 4 positive patients and one emergent who was treated as such because the test result didn't come back. These aren't elective patients who can wait- they're trachs, traumas, appendectomies, dialysis access, and other patients who need surgery to continue treatment or prevent worsened medical condition. And they are everywhere.

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Thank you Rose_Queen and Enarra for your detailed explanations and for giving me a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation! I did not realize surgical centers were also being hit with COVID-19.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
1 minute ago, ISTJ nurse said:

I did not realize surgical centers were also being hit with COVID-19.

I'm a hospital area, but yes, even ambulatory centers will have the potential of asymptomatic people if they don't have testing protocols in place.

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