DeaneB246

Do y’all get to change masks, gloves, gowns as per rec standards or have to wear beyond what’s recommended?

Twitter is a great place to get one on one contact with a ton of people in all walks of life. Good luck!

We’re not talking about abandonment. That is a different definition.

Oh I agree wholeheartedly, and am glad y’all have that in place. I meant something now, more immediate, a place nurses can turn to for help with all the unusual topics and questions we are asking right here right now that we, or maybe no one, really knows the answers to in these uncertain times. I meant for support and advice in the moment while it’s happening. For example the video circulating of the nurse that walked off the job and her specific situation involving her health, forced to work a Covid + floor, etc. Access to an advocate perhaps could’ve helped. Lord knows I’ve been lied to by employers only to find out later they violated my rights. Had I known that day it would’ve made a huge difference. Just sharing thoughts on how we might help each other!

Unions for nurses are certainly not everywhere. I know nurses who got in serious hot water fro trying to bring a union to south La years ago. But that’s not exactly what I had in mind.

It’s far from fair, it’s nuts. Surely there’s some type of form you can fill out to document all this and your disagreement with it. Maybe nurses need to come up with something like this, forms, legal documents, and Importantly advocates/lawyers on standby to call right away for advice. That possible? Since employers are making random impulsive decisions as this goes on it would be great if nurses had someone to call immediately for advice (rather than only ask in forums) since their response/actions can be held against them, and it’s obvious many of us don’t know our rights through all of this.

You do what’s best for you, which sounds like step away. Follow your head not your heart right now ? Be well!

A make shift mask/face protection that can help as a general barrier - easy, quick Need 3-4 items: -a shoe cover (woven poly, looks like ‘paper’, not waterproof/vinyl). Open it with your hands, fit it over your face (horizontally) to just get a ‘feel’ for it - scissors, pointy sharp. Make a TINY snipped hole OUTSIDE the sewn seam on each side, about an inch or less from the opening - a thin elastic band Slip it through holes, tie knots on each end. -tape, option- an added small piece of scotch tape over each hole before you snip, or after and include the knot, helps it stay stronger if lowering mask/taking it on and off. The elastic in the shoe cover conforms to your face covering your mouth, nose, and chin, though obviously not a tight seal. It’s pretty comfortable, and disposable. One box of 50 pair makes 100 masks. We used ready made elastic used in crafts for mask/hat making (Amazon pk of 50). It has metal tips on the ends, as a ‘real’ mask/hat would. Makes it easy to feed through the tiny hole and also to tie in knots. Any thin elastic should work. 20 inch length worked well. Best of luck to all, be well!

These judgmental and sarcastic comments have me furious, please excuse my vent. I say of course you have a choice. It is YOUR life, your LIFE, and YOUR license. You didn’t join the military where an expectation of dying in the line of duty is the norm. Don’t let anyone guilt you into it. That is totally out of line. We are all extremely dedicated nurses and we are needed, but there are boundaries. It should be a personal choice. * We are bound by strict legal rules we follow, as the hospital is:should be. If they are unable to measure up to their obligations to provide you with all safety equipment necessary then imo you or I are certainly not bound to the agreed upon ’contract’. These are uncharted waters. To suggest you would have to surrender your license or lose your job is preposterous, and I’d suggest seeking legal advice if someone were actually callous enough to be serious about that. Everyone’s personal situation is different. I would never judge someone else for this choice, nor intimate how dare they leave the front lines, or in any way attempt to make them feel bad for such a difficult, individual, adult choice based on their own needs. How dare anyone. Whether elders at home, sick children, or concerns for themselves, it is not a sin so to speak to put your priorities in order. Some obligations come before job, regardless. I appreciate all you supportive nurses here who are there for each other with kind, uplifting words and heart, constructive suggestions, and offers of help.