BlessYourHeartt

To me, there are only 2 solutions in jobs that don't provide adequate PPE: source your own PPE ($5 a mask is totally worth it because the alternative is a greater risk of catching COVID) or leave the job. Wearing masks for days in a row is unacceptable.

Then don't. I'm a avowed Democrat, but hey, let's be fair: folks are gathering en masse, partying and vacationing all over the nation...hot zones are emerging all over the place due to social choices. The choice to take a lucrative travel contract to help out depends on individual circumstances and not on judgment of patients' actions.

I worked for 4 years in a step down setting and 7+ years in the ICU. Never been physically assaulted. There have been confrontational moments, but things never came to an actual assault. It happens, but it doesn't necessarily happen every day to every nurse--not by a long stretch. You certainly have to be on guard.

Thank-you for raising this important concern! I fear that if a staff member is contagious, but asymptomatic or presymptomatic and working, the virus may linger in the breakroom air and on more common surfaces than can be consistently disinfected. Same for staff bathrooms.

Amen! I used to get really frustrated by noncompliance, ignorance, willful disregard for basic health maintenance both as a nurse and as a family member. By now, I wholeheartedly believe that responsibility for basic knowledge and self-care rests squarely on each individual's shoulders. Our job is to help if help is desired. Unless you're my child, if you don't wanna, then don't--your life, your health, your choices, your consequences.

I'm so sorry it's been so tough. I have to believe that every week brings us closer to effective treatment and, one day, a vaccine that works. We are holed up at home too--I took an unpaid leave of absence from my ICU job of many years to protect my high-risk husband who now works from home. Would you please PM me? It's our dream to move to NE TN. Please take good care.

Trump is a businessman and a politician. He is not an all-around guru we should emulate outside of business and political wisdom he may spare. He has no medical expertise or cred. Any prudent person should be looking for MEDICAL guidance from medical professionals and sources, not from a businessman/politician. If that's not understood, I am reminded of Darwin's awards. I'm sorry if this doesn't sound nice.

I understand. However, I also strongly believe in personal responsibility. As healthcare workers, we cannot forcibly save those who make poor choices. When the gullible come to prescribers with media-inspired requests, the prescribers can counsel them on the pros and cons of therapies in question. The prescribers don't have to hand out scripts for unproven prophylactics. If that forces some folks to seek out aquarium cleaners etc. to circumvent medical advice, then that's on them. I'm not a Trump supporter. However, I can't blame someone's choices on presidential remarks, and I feel no responsibility for those who wilfully disregard personalized medical advice.

With so many grave concerns, what meds the president takes and/or publicly admits to taking are of zero interest to me.

Research; informatics. Law school or MBA if you have an interest in those respective fields. Any interest in accounting? MAcc degree program is only a year and a half and requires just a few prerequisite accounting classes for those with Bachelor's in other fields. Working with the public is challenging unless, well, unless one is suited for working with the public. Please don't beat yourself up over finishing your degree and gaining valuable work experience and self-awareness. Good luck finding your niche!

Favorite: Foleys, trach care, assisting with intubations, cardioversion, ABG sticks. Least favorite: IVs (just cannot get great at it), femoral arterial sheath and chest tube removals. Absolutely least favorite: doing chest compressions on an elderly patient whose background suggests very little hope of meaningful recovery. I just...#moralinjury

MSW programs accepts applicants with Bachelor's degrees in other fields. You may be able to get free tuition if you land a graduate assistantship at the university or work for the university in any staff capacity. If you decide to stick with nursing, you may benefit from a job with a solid, 6 week orientation and a supportive team (like a hospital floor job where you always have other nurses to turn to). It doesn't need to be psych, but rather any work as a nurse where you can grow and get comfortable and proficient before venturing into contexts where you're largely on your own.

Hi, friend! I also have several kids and no family nearby, and a high-risk husband who's been able to work from home. I've taken an unpaid leave of absence from work and am starting grad school in the fall (loans will provide extra help at this time). It was a tough choice, but at the end of the day, minimizing my family's potential for exposure had to take priority. With the reduction in income, we've become eligible for free health insurance thru Obamacare, albeit with a high deductible. Other than that, I plan on being thrifty and continuing to monitor the situation. I have saved and made provisions for a rainy day which, alas, is here. I'd review your organization's policies with regards to unpaid personal leave and whatever programs and resources you can access with a reduction in household income. Some will judge us, but family safety comes first.

To piggyback onto your analogy, if a C.diff patient had an explosive bowel movement near you, would you be less contaminated if s/he was wearing pants or if his or her hiney was out in the open? ? I would imagine a surgical mask contains a great deal of respiratory droplets coming out of the wearer's nose and mouth. The ideal solution would be for everyone out in public to wear surgical masks to contain their own secretions and, thus, to protect each other. It's not being promoted due to mask shortages and due to the fact that you just can't tell a segment of the population "how to freedom" even if masks were freely handed out.

Congratulations on your ASN!! Mother-baby and NICU would be safer than med-surg, ER, ICU etc. An OB/GYN or cardiology office job. Or go on straight to BSN if you can wing it financially, by the time you're done, COVID will settle out and you'll be more marketable.