Has anyone left nursing job due to COVID19 virus?

Updated:   Published

anyone-left-nursing-job-due-to-covid.jpg.b3dbe5951dd45136746c9b13feb53399.jpg

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.

Luckily my family is healthy. Some doctors are renting RVs and sleeping in them to protect their families though.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 3/29/2020 at 5:17 PM, DeeAngel said:

No it is not. They don’t own you just because you have a license.

I agree, and all Nurses need to hear this reminder... having a license does not mean you are property to a slave master. Anyone who suggests that they can force a Nurse to work against their will is full of beans and can go **** themselves.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Telemetry.

I will be retiring this week as a hospice nurse. I expected the Covid patients would all die in the ICU, but they are spilling over into hospice. I considered sticking around until the economy gets better, but I turn 65 on Tuesday, and the chances of having a Covid patient keep going up, and the last thing I want to do is get sick instead of getting out.

9
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a Lpn working in a nursing home the hot spots of Covid right now so to protect my family and my self because I have a autoimmune disease, yes I had to do what I had to do. If I could I work directly with Covid 19 patients because they need help, but I'm already compromised, I need to live and keep working for the LORD.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Registered Nurse.
8 hours ago, Ms S. 78 said:

I am a Lpn working in a nursing home the hot spots of Covid right now so to protect my family and my self because I have a autoimmune disease, yes I had to do what I had to do. If I could I work directly with Covid 19 patients because they need help, but I'm already compromised, I need to live and keep working for the LORD.

This is so understandable! God bless you.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

What I think is sad is that you do not read of any compensation available to nurses/nurses families who become sick or die as a result of being exposed to covid-19. Some attitudes the administrators take towards the nurses are down-right insensitive. I imagine the administrators are staying as far away from covid-19 patient's as possible but expect staff to jeopardize their safety and health without proper PPE. I hope the nurses consider unionizing to protect their own self interest. Because no one else is looking after their safety and health.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
On 3/30/2020 at 7:38 AM, Tclamp said:

Not sure what I am looking for here. I know I am grateful for the anonymity. Why? Because I am so ashamed. I feel guilty. I feel anxiety and loss of sleep because I am questioning my purpose. I work as a contingent float nurse for a large health system, multiple sites, all getting hit very hard. We are on target to become the next US epicenter. I have not worked since early March. My husband is a frontline worker and we have 3 small children, one with asthma. As the governor pleads for volunteers and workers, I feel as though I am not doing my part. I feel pain and fear for my nursing community, but am putting my family first.

I do not have faith in the recommendations provided by the CDC that are created based on lack of supplies. I do not have faith in a healthcare system that doesn’t want us to wear any type of protection (no homemade masks allowed yet) when dealing with any patient/ the assumed healthy population.


I am a darn good nurse, I care greatly and work hard, but this....THIS, I am having a hard time defining myself as a nurse right now. Mother, wife,...coward.


I might quit. I am not sure, I have a few weeks to pray for more supplies and strength. I would love to be considered one of the heroes, but not a martyr.And sending my kids to stay with someone else is not an option at this point, as my husband has been working.

Thanks for reading.
God bless everyone

I've learned a few things over my many years of nursing and adventuring...if your educated intuition is compelling you to do something, or not to do something, pay attention. Consider what your subconscious is communicating to you. Those uneasy feelings that persist to anxiety shouldn't be ignored. Especially when you can articulate cogent reasons to justify the concern. I would recommend that you examine your heart and decide which choice offers greatest reward or fewest regrets. For me, that involves prayer.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
16 hours ago, benharold1 said:

What I think is sad is that you do not read of any compensation available to nurses/nurses families who become sick or die as a result of being exposed to covid-19. Some attitudes the administrators take towards the nurses are down-right insensitive. I imagine the administrators are staying as far away from covid-19 patient's as possible but expect staff to jeopardize their safety and health without proper PPE. I hope the nurses consider unionizing to protect their own self interest. Because no one else is looking after their safety and health.

My old stance when I was a new nurse 10+ years ago used to be:

  • I'm happy to help. I want everyone to be well"

My grown up/"woke" stance is:

  • I want everyone to be well, but I COME FIRST! If I'm not safe, I can't ensure the safety of others. So, if my employer/society doesn't give a flying fig about me (to ensure that I am safe at work) than I don't give a flying fig about them. They can take care of themselves. I'll keep my fat *** at home watch television like everyone else until all this is over. Hospitals are currently just slaughterhouse for nurses, and I'm not lining up to die. I'm a human being a deserve a lovely life, too.
5
Up Vote Up Vote ×

For any Canadian Nurses on here who are in the province of Ontario, and wondering about whether they should leave the safety of their homes + risk their lives to help combat COVID-19 on the frontlines (despite the fact that we're still not being provided with PPE)...According to our government, we're not worth a 1% wage increase.....I'll just leave this here:

https://www.change.org/p/doug-ford-increase-pay-for-nurses/u/26448335?cs_tk=AifRPT-b3afPPy32pV4AAXicyyvNyQEABF8BvCUqoQdQo27GN5oxeTGVxOo%3D&utm_campaign=5b1cdfc235ff4982b74b84f9410916c4&utm_content=initial_v0_4_0&utm_medium=email&utm_source=petition_update&utm_term=cs

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.
On 3/30/2020 at 10:38 AM, Tclamp said:

Not sure what I am looking for here. I know I am grateful for the anonymity. Why? Because I am so ashamed. I feel guilty. I feel anxiety and loss of sleep because I am questioning my purpose. I work as a contingent float nurse for a large health system, multiple sites, all getting hit very hard. We are on target to become the next US epicenter. I have not worked since early March. My husband is a frontline worker and we have 3 small children, one with asthma. As the governor pleads for volunteers and workers, I feel as though I am not doing my part. I feel pain and fear for my nursing community, but am putting my family first.

I do not have faith in the recommendations provided by the CDC that are created based on lack of supplies. I do not have faith in a healthcare system that doesn’t want us to wear any type of protection (no homemade masks allowed yet) when dealing with any patient/ the assumed healthy population.


I am a darn good nurse, I care greatly and work hard, but this....THIS, I am having a hard time defining myself as a nurse right now. Mother, wife,...coward.


I might quit. I am not sure, I have a few weeks to pray for more supplies and strength. I would love to be considered one of the heroes, but not a martyr.And sending my kids to stay with someone else is not an option at this point, as my husband has been working.

Thanks for reading.
God bless everyone

Firefighters wouldn't run into a burning building without bunker gear on, and, police don't show up to a gunfight 'with a bandana' over their face. Why should we feel 'guilty' when we demand the RIGHT protection?~!

I haven't given up on nursing just yet, but I'm spending this time off (no travel contracts for OR right now) looking at and applying for other jobs NOT in nursing. If I get something that pays my bills enough to keep me from having to deal with reptilian management ever again, I'm ggggone.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 3/25/2020 at 8:14 PM, DannyBoy8 said:

Nobody can physically force you to do anything. You're not in the military and we aren't enslaved to the state.

Could there be subsequent repercussions in some sort of 'martial law to recall nurses' scenario; IDK, I'm not a lawyer.

You could also take a nurse-from-home job - triaging phone calls, etc. This would theoretically cover you in this doomsday nurse draft scenario that you're worried about.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your kind and helpful reply!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion