It occurred to me this morning that Ms. Pham or Ms. Vinson might be members here at AN, and they may be reading some of these threads since most of their communication would be limited to cyberspace at this point. (Some other people may have already noted that - I haven't read all the Ebola threads.)
I just want to say directly to them, if they are reading... you are in my thoughts. I admire your courage in trying to care for a patient without the necessary equipment and training. I'm sorry that you had to become the face of nursing safety issues in this way, but I hope we can take advantage of your unfortunate circumstances to improve conditions for all of us. Regardless of the media coverage, blaming, PR and legal maneuvering, and political spin you may be subjected to, please know that I hold you in the highest regard, and first and foremost wish for your quick and full recovery.
I agree with the sentiments of pretty much everyone else. I was so saddened to hear about these nurses who were inflicted with the virus. It was a testament to the fact that nurses are usually the sacrificial lambs in the workplace. We are most likely to suffer from abuse at the hands of patients and/or visitors, and most likely to contract infectious diseases due to the close proximity in which we work with our patients. We should be here to support each other and let these nurses know we stand united with them!
I hope it's just not nurses and Healthcare workers praying for these comrades. I like to think that everyone is praying for them. I think it's well over due for a National Day of Prayer for our Healthcare Workers. Other folks read these post as well. I hope that they realize when we make positive comments or though some of these post seem directed to nurses. That we include all Healthcare Workers as well. I see folks on these post make reference to working with HIV/AIDS pts. Yes I was on the forefront of working with these pts. There was anxiety, as in all isolation cases that we worked with and had risks involved. But regardless of exposure and even needle sticks. We knew we had years to deal with the disease process in worse case scenario. This Ebola is very new to our land. But I cant think of any disease I worked with that could lead to such devastation. But an old saying rings true. When we start pointing our finger, there is always 4 others fingers pointing back at us. .....I hope Nina and Amber are following this site. If not may be someone could let them know. We could be very therapeutic to them and give them the emotional support that only family and friends can provide...
Threads where everyone agrees with everybody else can get stagnant.
The only reason there are more than 45 reponses here, is half are lambasting the opinions of the other half.
You can't say "My thread only gets happy thoughts". Or designate a thread for support only. Just as you can't say "I just want to trash somebody on my thread, rainbows and unicorns not allowed".
Hanging a halo on AV, is like nails on a chalkboard to those who think she epitomizes selfishness.
Posting negative thoughts about AV, is like nails on a chalkboard to those who disagree.
Nobody here seriously wants a site where threads have disclaimers, "Opposing opinions are not allowed".
[ I just found the terminology "highest regard" a little florid. Highest regard is earned by showing an example others should repeat.
Okay When we go to War. We always have "High regard" for the 1st charge,the 1 st injured and the 1st fallen. This is the 1st time this enemy has entered the arena of a General Hospital. The 1st situations the facility had days to prepare and abundance of staff to directly care for the Ebola pt. This was the first ambulatory Ebola case that ever came through the door of an ER. Most likely these nurses perform their duties and task appropriately according to the policy and procedures, providing they were available. They did not turn away and refuse to care for this patient, cant say for sure how I would have acted in the situation. Who would ever think we would be so concerned about the difference between 99.2-100.5 degrees. When you consider the margin of error with out basic thermometers. Seriously how often have you got the same reading twice in a row?. Okay Amber notified the authority of the temp and they instructed her to follow through with her plans. How can we expect this nurse who has never worked with this type patient,or had no training with this type disease to not trust and be comforted by the authority's directions.
Threads where everyone agrees with everybody else can get stagnant.
The only reason there are more than 45 reponses here, is half are lambasting the opinions of the other half.
You can't say "My thread only gets happy thoughts". Or designate a thread for support only. Just as you can't say "I just want to trash somebody on my thread, rainbows and unicorns not allowed".
Hanging a halo on AV, is like nails on a chalkboard to those who think she epitomizes selfishness.
Posting negative thoughts about AV, is like nails on a chalkboard to those who disagree.
Nobody here seriously wants a site where threads have disclaimers, "Opposing opinions are not allowed".
Actually, there have been threads only meant to support AN members who've gone through a crisis like a family member dying. Coming onto those threads to stir things up would be pretty darn mean.
This thread's OP probably needs to decide if this is what he/she wanted to do. Maybe a more specific first post about intent.
Since there are so so many other threads about Ebola these discussions can be enlarged to talk about all the controversies there.
Personally, I wouldn't want Amber or Nina to read this thread.
She didn't have a fever. A fever is 100.4 or greater, she had 99.5. That is not a fever. And if you can't trust the CDC who are we supposed to trust?
After Watergate, I'm not a great believer in the integrity of any data given to me by the government.
If you believe the unemployment figures that the government hands out every month, you believe in your magical thinking; accepting that the CDC always knows what it is doing is foolish. Obviously, this is unchartered territory and it shouldn't be. The government's tenor is one of subduing the public's fears and that's all. Our president went to Harvard and he knows what's best for us (snark).
I have nothing but prayers and support for Nina and Amber. They are heroes, in my book. I hope you are reading this and staying strong. This is unprecedented in the US, certainly interesting times that we live in...Be strong, ladies!
(as far as the negativity, in a SUPPORT THREAD yes it is supposed to be supportive only. These two nurses were called out by real names in the title. They will see this.)
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Actually, there have been threads only meant to support AN members who've gone through a crisis like a family member dying. Coming onto those threads to stir things up would be pretty darn mean.
This thread's OP probably needs to decide if this is what he/she wanted to do. Maybe a more specific first post about intent.
Since there are so so many other threads about Ebola these discussions can be enlarged to talk about all the controversies there.
Personally, I wouldn't want Amber or Nina to read this thread.
Agreed. How tempting it is to throw the NETO card. (Nurses Eat Their Own)
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I don't think it is that black & white about the fever. When I run a temp of 99.5, I KNOW I am sick. Then again, I know my body. Everyone is different. I normally run extremely low temps so any elevation for me, I just KNOW I am sick. I am generally achey, tired, possibly nauseated. I am sick. Personally, I would not need someone from the CDC telling me not to fly. I would be stupid to ignore my own body telling me what I know. My body is trying to fight something.
THIS is what you want Amber and Nina to read? Shame on you for being so judgemental and so inconsiderate of their feelings.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Look, I don't think either one deserves what she got, and I sincerely hope they both get better and go on to live long, happy lives. I hope Vinson did not infect anyone else. I just found the terminology "highest regard" a little florid. Highest regard is earned by showing an example others should repeat. No one should repeat Vinson's judgement call or subsequent actions. If we are going to learn what not to do and how to contain this disease, we have to be frank about where breakdowns occurred and stress how not to repeat them.
No one who is concerned as to whether they could possibly be infected or might be spreading a virus should consult an expert about whether or not they should fly, quarantine themselves or check into a hospital? No one should BELIEVE what the experts tell them? The breakdown occurred at the CDC, not in Vinson's judgement or critical thinking and I think it's cruel to come on a thread addressing them by name and then lambast them for what YOU perceive is an error in judgement.
laynaER
228 Posts
I agree with the sentiments of pretty much everyone else. I was so saddened to hear about these nurses who were inflicted with the virus. It was a testament to the fact that nurses are usually the sacrificial lambs in the workplace. We are most likely to suffer from abuse at the hands of patients and/or visitors, and most likely to contract infectious diseases due to the close proximity in which we work with our patients. We should be here to support each other and let these nurses know we stand united with them!