Has anyone left nursing job due to COVID19 virus?

waufah, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2020

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Lala131 · Mar 31, 2020

Definitely considering quitting. We’ve only had a couple covid19 patients so far, none on my floor, and I’m already being told to reuse the surgical masks, put it in a paper bag with my name on it. What?? This goes against everything I’ve ever learned as a nurse. I understand, this is a unique situation, they’re preparing for a surge, supply, etc. also found out (just last night) that MRSA is “temporarily” no longer contact precautions. So, either they don’t have to be (from what I’ve read some hospitals gave up on that a long time ago, but none of the ones I’ve worked in) or they do, but temporarily? I hate to cut and run, I feel like a wimp, but my children, myself and my elderly parents all live together. I don’t see how I can “temporarily” justify putting everyone at risk.
so quitting is definitely on the table for me. I’d hate to just walk out though, if I do it I would want to give notice, I just don’t know.

ThomasB · Mar 31, 2020

I'm hoping they keep this into account for next years contract renewal. I was able to purchase some PPE for myself from kn95supply.com and got my Supply Chain Officer to order some for the department.

Alexandra4rmtexas, ADN, RN · Mar 31, 2020

On 3/25/2020 at 12:33 PM, 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 know we didn’t expect to go through this with such high exposure when we signed up to be nurses. Our lives and those of our loved ones at home are not replaceable. Our house is thankfully paid for and I would definitely quit my job if I got to that point of exposure, it is not bad here in McCurtain County Oklahoma so far. But they’ll just have to come get my vehicle if I were to quit, material things are replaceable. And who cares about credit when you’re dead...

Alexandra4rmtexas, ADN, RN · Mar 31, 2020

29 minutes ago, Lala131 said:
Definitely considering quitting. We’ve only had a couple covid19 patients so far, none on my floor, and I’m already being told to reuse the surgical masks, put it in a paper bag with my name on it. What?? This goes against everything I’ve ever learned as a nurse. I understand, this is a unique situation, they’re preparing for a surge, supply, etc. also found out (just last night) that MRSA is “temporarily” no longer contact precautions. So, either they don’t have to be (from what I’ve read some hospitals gave up on that a long time ago, but none of the ones I’ve worked in) or they do, but temporarily? I hate to cut and run, I feel like a wimp, but my children, myself and my elderly parents all live together. I don’t see how I can “temporarily” justify putting everyone at risk.
so quitting is definitely on the table for me. I’d hate to just walk out though, if I do it I would want to give notice, I just don’t know.

I am with you on this, there is no reason why we should expose our whole household just because us nurses are on the frontlines with no adequate protection, life is not replaceable, material things are and family comes first. God will provide

AAAMOM · Mar 31, 2020

I am a ICU nurse and work once a week past 6 months because of school obligations. I am quitting my job as I speak - I have a son who has genetic respiratory issues and I am scared I will expose him. I am scared his lungs will give up if infected with covid 19. I feel extremely guilty leaving my work, but I also believe I am doing the right thing by my child. It's hard to walk away, but its worth it to see my son live well. Tired emotionally!!

NurseBlaq · Mar 31, 2020

11 hours ago, Rsbrittany said:
My brother was exposed to a covid-19 patient on the floor who was not on any precautions at the time... the patient was later confirmed positive. Him along with multiple nurses,CNAs, even the director of the unit were all exposed with no protection.

hospital administration was minutes from testing all of them and decided against it last minute...
if you ask me they didn’t want to take 10 staff members out of commission pending confirmed cases. Handed them masks and were told to record their temps and report to management 3x daily.

selfish selfish selfish...

But what about their families and their own lives? I would have demanded a test. That's not only selfish, it should be illegal!

Nurselexii · Mar 31, 2020

1 hour ago, AAAMOM said:
I am a ICU nurse and work once a week past 6 months because of school obligations. I am quitting my job as I speak - I have a son who has genetic respiratory issues and I am scared I will expose him. I am scared his lungs will give up if infected with covid 19. I feel extremely guilty leaving my work, but I also believe I am doing the right thing by my child. It's hard to walk away, but its worth it to see my son live well. Tired emotionally!!

Oh your a great super hero mom!! Your story melted my heart ,

DeeAngel · Mar 31, 2020

On 3/28/2020 at 4:04 PM, turtlesRcool said:
Yes, my mind is blown by the staff not ALLOWED to wear masks. It's one thing if the facility doesn't provide them (which I disagree with, but that's another issue), but to not allow staff to wear their own masks is worse than ridiculous - it's dangerous. Even a simple home made cloth face mask will filter about 50%. Obviously, not as great as N95, but better than nothing, especially if you have multiple masks that you change throughout the shift (and then wash on hot after your shift). If we think of healthcare workers as vectors, then a mask on a sick person/vector is going to do more to prevent virus spread than masks on well people who are around sick people hacking up their secretions.

The only response I have to being told I can’t wear a mask is “just watch me”.

DTWriter · Apr 1, 2020

On 3/25/2020 at 10:09 PM, kailaniRN said:
As a PRN Nurse in Ambulatory Surgery no work, closed for elective surgery but when our facility is reconfigured for covid19 I bet they will be happy to take me back without benefits let alone pto. Have lymphoma in remission and am 60 yo. I fear a mandatory recall. Is this possible?

Let's face it. If things get worse, mandatory recall will happen (with exceptions) BUT if it does, the government should provide free accommodation, free food, free transportation, free uniforms, free supplies, and lifetime health insurance.

StillSearchingRN · Apr 1, 2020

I specifically chose an area with limited exposure to the public. Now I am considering leaving because my [insert mega-corporation umbrella healthcare entity] has decided that if you are a nurse---in any role and any experience---you will be shuffled into acute care with limited training and PPE. This is not what I signed up for. I have a high-risk parent at home for whom I am the ONLY (no family, friends) caregiver around. However, I am just short of my 1 year mark, so I miss out on FMLA.

Crystal-Wings, LVN · Apr 1, 2020

Can't afford to. As a single woman with no spouse or SO, I have no one else to rely on to help pay my bills.