Starting a new job with some concerns

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Hello All, 

I am set to start a new job this coming Monday at a teaching hospital. This is my first time working in a real hospital setting. I currently work in a rehab hospital but we rarely have critically ill patients.

At the new job I failed two N95 mask that they have duckbill and 3m. I was told per occupational health to wear a PAPR. I called the director to discuss my schedule and  the papr. Per OCC health I was told to obtain if from my supervisor. The director of my unit is against it. She stated “I’ve never encountered anyone who has worn one on my unit, we don’t use papr’s, a N95 mask and goggles will work fine”. She seems as if she was upset with me. I went on to say that I have written documentation from occupational health.

At my current place of employment we currently have no covid patients with covid and I wear an envo mask at all times. This hospital does not allow ENVO usage. I don't want to cause a riot about the issue but I certainly don’t want to get sick with covid. Also occupational health mentioned that the unit was just recently transformed into a covid unit. Originally it was a single room 15 bed unit for oncology patients. 

How should I approach the situation further? The supervisor stated she is going to investigate the situation further than get back to me. I cannot and will not put my myself or family at risk for something as little as not having proper PPE. 

Also several major hospitals in my area have reported this past week over 100 employee testing positive for covid. I am willing to work with protection. 

[Nunya, BSN]

If Occ Hx says wear a PAPR then that's what you wear.  I don't think the supervisor can override them.  If she tries again she should be reported.  I can understand them not wanting you to wear an Envo mask UNLESS you wear another mask over it, as it has a vent which isn't recommended.  

Are you sure you want to take this job?  The supervisor seems like she'll be a problem....

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

19 hours ago, Nunya said:

If Occ Hx says wear a PAPR then that's what you wear.  I don't think the supervisor can override them.  If she tries again she should be reported.  I can understand them not wanting you to wear an Envo mask UNLESS you wear another mask over it, as it has a vent which isn't recommended.  

Are you sure you want to take this job?  The supervisor seems like she'll be a problem....

To be honest, after this whole ordeal I am reconsidering moving forward with this job. Another university hospital in my area uses envo mask. This hospital does not use them at all. OCC health didn’t know what an Envo mask was. There policy is to wear mask that they approve of only. Which for me is the papr. 

[anewsns]

Yea I wouldn’t take the job right now especially if you are already employed. Major glaring red flag. 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

The Envo mask or any other vented mask are not appropriate for patient care and must be covered with a regular surgical mask. Otherwise the vent is like a shot gun blast of whatever you may be colonized with. Flu, common cold, MRSA and yes even Corona virus. Remember that approximately 50% of people who get the virus will be completely asymptomatic so while you are protecting yourself, you are also putting other people at risk who are within the range of your Envo mask's vented exhaust. I looked them up thinking I might buy one for the home and garden but at nearly $100.00 they are a bit pricey.

Hppy

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Update- 

The nursing director changed the unit to avoid allowing me use the papr. 

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

On 12/6/2020 at 7:21 PM, hppygr8ful said:

The Envo mask or any other vented mask are not appropriate for patient care and must be covered with a regular surgical mask. Otherwise the vent is like a shot gun blast of whatever you may be colonized with. Flu, common cold, MRSA and yes even Corona virus. Remember that approximately 50% of people who get the virus will be completely asymptomatic so while you are protecting yourself, you are also putting other people at risk who are within the range of your Envo mask's vented exhaust. I looked them up thinking I might buy one for the home and garden but at nearly $100.00 they are a bit pricey.

Hppy

At this hospital using a envo is not allowed as stated above. I was fit tested for the N95 mask that they have available and failed due to improper fit. Occ health determined the only safe mask for me is the papr. Unfortunately, the unit director wasn’t fond of it

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

7 minutes ago, Lovethenurse2b25 said:

At this hospital using a envo is not allowed as stated above. I was fit tested for the N95 mask that they have available and failed due to improper fit. Occ health determined the only safe mask for me is the papr. Unfortunately, the unit director wasn’t fond of it

Weather or no unit manager is a fan - if your Occ Health recommends it the employer must provide it. If you really want this job I would encourage you to go back to Occ Health with your concerns.

 

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

On 12/8/2020 at 9:36 AM, hppygr8ful said:

Weather or no unit manager is a fan - if your Occ Health recommends it the employer must provide it. If you really want this job I would encourage you to go back to Occ Health with your concerns.

 

I got in touch with OCC health. It turns out my supervisor requested that I be retested because she did not think it was possible to fail an N95 fit test. She went as far as calling infection control to complain. Long story short, occ health stated they were not going to waste their time retesting me. Who knew this whole ordeal would turn into a total nightmare. 
 

Im afraid this supervisor will hold a grudge against me. I cannot understand why she is upset about me using a papr. After all occ health stated they have quite a bit of employees using them. Given that I’ve already excepted the job I will give it a shot and hopefully everything works out well.