Mzzeclipse

You have an amazing history in your nursing career! Respiratory School I went to school for Respiratory Care back in 1989-1991, then started a full time job at our County hospital in May of 1991. I loved what I did, despite being mistreated at times by some staff and some patients. I kept that smile on my face, even at times when it was just too much to bear. Then came 2009 and I was handed a very diverse assignment: 5 ventilated patients at the end of ICU, 2 ventilated patients and one open heart pending on a vent in the Cardiovascular ICU, and one sole pediatric patient in the Pediatric ICU that needed Albuterol treatments every two hours. This seemed like too much, but I did it, again, with that darn smile on my face. Then I was approached by three of my closest friends. They asked me the question I never knew I'd be asked, "Do you want to join us? We're going to apply for nursing school!" Nursing School Well, first of all I didn't know I would be required to take thirteen prerequisite classes to enter Nursing school for a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. I just kept a paper with all the classes listed and crossed them off as I finished them, always working towards an "A" so I could rank faster and better whenever time came for me to apply to Nursing school. I finally finished all my classes and ranked in March of 2012, five months before the first semester started in Nursing school! Fast forward past graduation, after many arduous days and nights in school to receive my degree,the time I put in by working full time and going to school full time paid off.. I interviewed in the intensive care unit where I already worked and got hired. I started the month after graduation. Preceptorship Believe it or not, my time in preceptorship didn't kill me. I started on my own after a year of that. Yes, a year, that's what they required at the time, now it's eight months (I know, that is way more time than the standard three months but safer is better). I worked three years in the Trauma ICU, then they opened Neuroscience ICU a floor above us! I moved there immediately. Neuro ICU becomes Covid ICU I loved my team, the type of patients, my management, and yes, the doctors. The doctors were so unlike the Trauma/Surgical ICU team, these guys actually respected us and taught us! Plus they used Nurse Practitioners who would save us every single day when the night shift residents ignored us. The culture was so wonderful, then Covid hit. Our unit became the Covid ICU. That was the beginning of the end. I worked Covid ICU twice before my Endocrinologist sent a letter saying she did not want me up there. Thinking about it, you were safer up there since they have the appropriate PPE. Trauma ICU, where those of us that didn't work Covid ICU were normally placed to work, had their lion's share of the "Surprise, your patient that was supposedly negative for Covid, turns out was actually positive." While our PPE was a surgical mask...not the N95. Most of us bought N95's, and I personally used mine daily, only taking it off to eat. Infection One shift, I was so busy that I got to eat at 5:45pm (shift ended at 7pm). I thought to myself, I better eat light since my husband, who is retired, will be making us dinner and will be hurt if I don't eat it. I saw a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so I took it out of the baggie it was in and reached for a cup into which I was going to pour my milk. When I sat back down, I forgot where I was, apparently how old I was as well. I saw a smear of peanut butter and jelly on the uncleaned table (I forgot to wipe my place down before eating on it)and I scooped it up on my finger and licked it...The feeling of dread came over me. I know they say Covid enters the respiratory tract, and that mucus membranes should be protected to avoid infection. Well, I am 100% certain I got it from that unfortunate lick. Three days later, I spiked a fever, 101.9 but my saturation was still 94%, so I didn't do anything about it. That night I spiked at 102.8, and my saturation was 92%, but since I'm asthmatic, again, I didn't really worry too much, but I was sure I had Covid. I called my manager, and she said to sit tight until Monday if I could and get tested that morning. Tuesday after I had tested I got that dreaded phone call. By Wednesday, I spiked at 102. 5, and my saturation was 85%...off to the hospital, where I spent a total of 23 days: 7 of those in Covid ICU and another 7 sharing a room with my husband who couldn't breathe at home so we sent EMS for him and he was hospitalized and placed on high flow oxygen. Early Retirement Believe it or not, I didn't really burn out. My hubby made me realize that I was endangering both him and myself by working at my home away from home. Fortunately, they have the rule of 75 here. Your age plus your time worked (served as some put it). I'm 52 and I had been there 29 years. Now I'm retired. Happily some days, and some days not so much since I remember how it used to be. People have left in droves since I left. Younger healthcare workers following the places that pay you what you actually deserve in other states. Alternative Paths I too am looking for alternative career paths in Nursing. I think I found one with Content writing, though I don't know how to start. I won't be going back to the hospital, those days are gone. Sorry for the extremely long response, I thought you should know the background story ?