This will be my first experience being a nurse during what could turn out to be a catagory 3 hurricane. I work ON the coast. My hospital literally has a view of the entire beach. I'll be there as the storm is making landfall.
Any other nurse experience being a nurse on duty while a hurricane is hitting? What was your experience like?
Im also concerned because I feel going to work is mandatory and I'm not sure what to do with my mom whom is a senior now and has no one else but me here in Texas.
This storm keeps changing tracks. Earlier today I thought I could return home because the freeway to my home was clear but the storm stalled again and moved North West and now however it's starting to move south again and expected to go into the gulf again. I have never seen something like this in my life, I'm used to storms passing and moving along their path. This is an nightmare from which we cannot wake from. The shelters are saturated and they medically treating people from what I hear combat style. They are desperate for nurses and doctors everywhere...! Call the shelters, call the Red Cross, they DO need both physicians and nurses if anyone is interested in that.
When will I go home? Is that question selfish? I'm so far from home, working constantly, and drained. I miss my family and my normal life.
I did not know or grasp the sweetness of my former life until everything was changed.
I'm also at a loss for words for the people I work with. Losing everything they own, all while here caring for the sick with a "happy" face.
It is political. And this is not the place. You are assuming I'm wound up. You are assuming I'm tired. You're assuming all these things. And you're not the one in my position.
So why don't you stop over analyzing the fact said I'm proud of my fellow Americans?
Give ME a break. It hit you the wrong way? Really? I'm SO sorry it offended you ... :gasp:
Maybe I can swim to you and give you solace.
OK, sorry about assumptions. Maybe you're not wound up and exhausted. I would be, so I assumed you were, too.
It just momentarily irked me but I should not have opined. I apologize and ask your forgiveness and wish you all the best.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you Cardiac, and all affected by this catastrophic event. None of what you post strikes me as "selfish" but rather, quite human and honest.
I am not in your shoes so I will never judge you or anyone with their lives so affected by this tragic and horrible storm. I only offer my thoughts and prayers for you all. Thank you for hanging in there and being so strong.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I am in Dallas. Turned in my Red Cross Volunteer application this morning. Have shared on FB the call for nurses to come down there. We are listening and hurting for all of you up this-a-way and primed to take action. A massive shelter is being opened today in South Dallas. Hopefully I can do some good there.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Word on the street here is that there are four planes now on standby in Houston to evacuate hospitals. We are opening up beds here where I am to be ready to receive them.
Thank you for posting your experience in real-time. My thoughts are definitely with you as I do not think I could bear what you are going through. Thank you for providing unwavering care to your patients. It sounds as though your employer appreciates your efforts and has a plan in place to manage these situations. It also make me realize other RN colleagues are not so lucky. God bless you, God bless Texas, and God bless America.
120+ hours later this tired nurse is HOME. I want to thank everyone for their support. I think I'm going to have myself a nice drink and some junk food now.
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
120+ hours later this tired nurse is HOME. I want to thank everyone for their support. I think I'm going to have myself a nice drink and some junk food now.
Glad to hear you're safe! I did 96+ hours and able to get a few days rest before going back. I was getting delirious toward the end and not able to sleep well at all. My apartment is fine and my truck was not flooded so I'm extremely grateful. It's going to be a long process to get out of this mess. Praying no more hurricanes or storms hit...
Boomer MS, RN
511 Posts
Oh dear...:-(( Please take care of yourself. It is unimaginable what all of you are enduring. The news continues to be dire.