Has anyone left nursing job due to COVID19 virus?

super_psych_nurse1221, BSN · Apr 3, 2020

I know right....?

No she was wanting to use medical time. It was decided that she would get 2 weeks of paid administrative leave. That is what HR is doing for several employees, not just her. I pray she does not get this illness. It would be detrimental to her health. However, she is using her time and if she were to come back and our dorm was hit by the virus, she would be out of luck as far as being able to have paid time off. As mentioned before, we are all going to be exposed at some point. It would be hard to pinpoint when and how. Hopefully she is making a wise decision to be off at this time.

Stay safe!

NurseBlaq · Apr 3, 2020

22 hours ago, GoodNP said:
? ? ? ???
People who all of a sudden NOW give a crap about their health crack me up
But...she's right, she's at risk of being exposed. We all are. It's everywhere.
When you say she wants "medical leave" do you mean she wants use FMLA? Because if that's the case at least you won't have to pay her.

I don't think anyone that's high risk not wanting to put themself in harm's way is funny, especially since you acknowledge that's exactly what it is. Furthermore, this isn't the regular run of the mill expected job hazards in nursing. This is a virus like no other, highly contagious, and no treatment plans or cure known to anyone. Medicine as a whole is learning about this as we go. To laugh at that is trifling. I don't blame that employee for not wanting to venture out into the world and being afraid. I am too, as are the nurses who are working and those who are not. Doctors, NPs, PAs, respiratory therapists, and everyone across the healthcare spectrum are afraid. We're dying in record numbers right along with the public. None of this is funny!

NurseBlaq · Apr 3, 2020

6 hours ago, super_psych_nurse1221 said:
I know right....?
No she was wanting to use medical time. It was decided that she would get 2 weeks of paid administrative leave. That is what HR is doing for several employees, not just her. I pray she does not get this illness. It would be detrimental to her health. However, she is using her time and if she were to come back and our dorm was hit by the virus, she would be out of luck as far as being able to have paid time off. As mentioned before, we are all going to be exposed at some point. It would be hard to pinpoint when and how. Hopefully she is making a wise decision to be off at this time.
Stay safe!

Every employee is not her though. She's not the average employee and she's super high risk. Maybe she can use her sick time and decide to quit. I would be afraid too if I were her. As someone with heart disease, not to the point of needing a pacer thank God but still high risk nonetheless, I am deathly afraid of catching this virus because I know for a fact I may not survive. You can't dictate someone's level of fear or concern about their life if you're not the one who's in that position. What happened to having compassion? Isn't that a major aspect of nursing? Why is there none for your fellow nurse? I'm cringing at this whole exchange of laughter and dismissiveness of a valid concern. Yes, you're being extreme and reckless with someone else's life. SMH

Angie Lee · Apr 4, 2020

I recently had to quit my job due to covid 19, now not sure what to do except stay safe at home. My situation:

When I first got hired I explained that I have a son with multiple disabilities including weak immune system. I have been a CNA for 25 yrs and I love what I do. I take care and love everyone like if they were my son. I have always had a heart. And always take safe measures.

The place I work has nursing home down stairs and TCU upstairs.

When covid 19 outbreak begin Front hall upstairs started having staff appy PPE as well as downstairs. CNA staff are not gave proof of diagnosis of patients and residents. I know we are taught about safety measures and PPE. I am a hard worker and was willing to work. I requested to work on the back hall either way I know it's a risk but lesser risk. I was basically gave the option work the quarantine rooms upstairs or downstairs. So I made the decision to just go home. I know some may say I have no heart and that's part of my job. My son is my priority what I do is because of him. The actions I took was for our safety. For anyone reading this you that has negative comments you can keep them to yourself I don't need your approval or opinion. Only the ones that know from experience can relate.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2020

On 4/1/2020 at 11:06 AM, Snowleopard said:
At my facility in Western Mass we are expected to use the same N95 for the entire shift. But now they want us to use one N95 per WEEK. If it gets to that point - I am out.

We were given one N95, one yellow surgical mask, and a paper bag to keep them in. That's it. My allotment for the foreseeable future. I work in a LTC in a rural area with very few positive Coronavirus cases. We are mandated to wear masks the whole shift even though we're virus free. I can only imagine what will happen if the virus gets in where I work. My mask is already a petri dish.

My situation doesn't come close to yours however. I personally support whatever decision nurses make, regarding working with no protection.

motherofcats, ADN · Apr 5, 2020

On 3/25/2020 at 10:33 AM, Tirednurseandmomma14 said:
I am curious to find out if anyone has decided to leave their current job due to the risk of this virus? I work in the Emergency Department and we are now being asked to reuse PPE and to prepare for a surge of COVID 19 patients. This makes me sick to my stomach and concerned for my co workers, other patients along with the risk we bring home to our own families.

I did. I left before the "wave" hit. I am a new grad, was 2 weeks into orientation on a stepdown unit, so this decision was PAINFUL. However, my history is that 4 or so years ago my lung collapsed out of the blue requiring surgery to basically reattach it to the chest wall . If my lungs decided not to be lungs back then, what the hell would COVID do to me? I had to step back and reevaluate if I was willing to find out. My thoughts are with everyone who must stay in the line of fire right now. I consider myself beyond lucky I had the resources to not have to work right now.

Nurselexii · Apr 5, 2020

6 minutes ago, motherofcats said:
I did. I left before the "wave" hit. I am a new grad, was 2 weeks into orientation on a stepdown unit, so this decision was PAINFUL. However, my history is that 4 or so years ago my lung collapsed out of the blue requiring surgery to basically reattach it to the chest wall . If my lungs decided not to be lungs back then, what the hell would COVID do to me? I had to step back and reevaluate if I was willing to find out. My thoughts are with everyone who must stay in the line of fire right now. I consider myself beyond lucky I had the resources to not have to work right now.

God bless you lady , hope you stay safe you had me at “reattached lung” *big ?

the VEGAN Professor · Apr 5, 2020

On 3/25/2020 at 5:39 PM, cubby777 said:
What about applying for something different or a transfer? Phone nurse? I bet they are needed right now. Even home health might be better than in a hospital which is basically one big petri dish.

Where are phone nursing positions?

motherofcats, ADN · Apr 5, 2020

4 hours ago, Nurselexii said:
God bless you lady , hope you stay safe you had me at “reattached lung” *big ?

LOL perhaps I should have used proper terminology, mechanical pleurodesis. Thank you and stay safe too ?

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Apr 6, 2020

Just received an email from the state health department. The takeaways:

They recognize asymptomatic people can spread the virus. Awesome!

They approve "alternative PPE" due to the shortage for working with confirmed positive or suspected COVID patients.

Am I a fool if I don't leave my job? It's like they're giving us permission to work with less but be at more risk.

otgd8 · Apr 6, 2020

@the VEGAN Professor Nope. It was a quote for only me! That was the federal marketplace insurance quote which was all I qualified for at the time because my hospital refused to give me temporary insurance for the duration of the pandemic. I tried everything to stay, but admin, HR, OCCMED, all kept giving me the run-around or ignoring me. It was really very disheartening. I had amazing annual evaluation scores and everything but I guess being a good employee was not enough for them to even consider my requests.

Lilysart · Apr 7, 2020

9 hours ago, chacha82 said:
Just received an email from the state health department. The takeaways:
They recognize asymptomatic people can spread the virus. Awesome!
They approve "alternative PPE" due to the shortage for working with confirmed positive or suspected COVID patients.
Am I a fool if I don't leave my job? It's like they're giving us permission to work with less but be at more risk.

No. Take care of yourself.