Who qualifies as an essential worker?

I understand those that work directly in the ICU and nursing homes are first in line to receive the vaccine, but what about nurses in other areas, like a doctor's office or home care where our patient's statuses are unknown?

Why aren't we considered essential when we have a high chance of coming into contact with a Covid + patient?

For example, there was a CHHA  that worked with five of our patients. These patients are very ill with chronic diseases, which we manage with three nursing visits a week. The CHHA tested positive eventually. We still had to make our visits. My company said that those patients still needed care and that we can't just stop making visits because they might have Covid. So of course I wore my protective gear.

[chare]

24 minutes ago, Runsoncoffee99 said:

[...]

For example,there was a CHHA  that worked with five of our patients. These patients are very ill with chronic diseases,which we manage with three nursing visits a week. The CHHA tested positive eventually. We still had to make our visits. My company said that those patients still needed care and that we can't just stop making visits because they might have Covid. So of course I wore my protective gear.

Are you suggesting that your coworker contracted COVID-19 from one of these patients?

[guest1143647]

On 12/28/2020 at 1:49 PM, chare said:

Are you suggesting that your coworker contracted COVID-19 from one of these patients?

I really do not know. But what is known is that the patients that were in contact with the coworker now have tested positive for Covid 19.

What I am trying to say in a few short words is why aren't  nurses that work in low risk settings considered non essential when our patients are mostly of unknown status? Most nurses in these settings do not wear N95 or any other protective equipment besides a surgical mask.

[T-Bird78]

My healthcare system has several hospitals and hundreds of physician offices and urgent cares and long-term care facilities. We all got an email asking if we’d be interested in taking the vaccine. The first batch of doses went to the ER, ICU, med-surg, and other hospital staff first, then long-term care staff, then was opened to physician office staff. I got my first dose Monday evening, some of my coworkers received theirs last week. 

[ThatBLURN, BSN, RN]

I am a volunteer with a food distribution (mobile- pickup and delivery foodbank) non-profit and was offered a vaccine through them yesterday so this is astounding to me.

[guest1143647]

After seeing patients and taking risks all year, Pa.’s private doctors have been left out of the vaccination process

This article explains why some of us are slipping through the cracks.

[chare]

1 hour ago, Runsoncoffee99 said:

[...]

This article explains why some of us are slipping through the cracks.

Some states have a system in place to manage distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccination.  Have you contacted your state's department of health?

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

Yeah there must be a lot of variation among states. I work in an outpatient clinic, and officially we don’t even treat Covid patients (let’s be realistic, if you leave the house you’re contacting Covid patients) but we all got vaccinated. As did the dentists in my state. 

[guest1143647]

On 1/1/2021 at 7:35 AM, CommunityRNBSN said:

Yeah there must be a lot of variation among states. I work in an outpatient clinic, and officially we don’t even treat Covid patients (let’s be realistic, if you leave the house you’re contacting Covid patients) but we all got vaccinated. As did the dentists in my state. 

I think so. One state, Florida, vaccinated seniors instead of healthcare professionals first. I thought that was odd.

[DowntheRiver]

On 1/1/2021 at 11:32 PM, Runsoncoffee99 said:

I think so. One state, Florida, vaccinated seniors instead of healthcare professionals first. I thought that was odd.

Yep. Working Oncology nurse in an infusion center in Florida. Been around positive patients and co-workers. No vaccine in sight for us, but our physicians and APPs were vaccinated if they have hospital privileges. Nothing for us or support staff. Work recently took a poll at work to see if people wanted the vaccine. Considering I live in Central Florida in the Bible Belt, we have a lot of COVID nay-sayers here. Work is actively encouraging us to seek the vaccine elsewhere. But there is no place that will give it to you. It makes little sense.