It’s official. I volunteered to work on our covid unit indefinitely.⁣
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I got floated to the COVID unit on Saturday & wanted to see what it was like before making my decision. Mostly because I was really anxious & doubting my ability to handle that work environment as a nurse.

My hospital opened part of the expansion early to have more beds available for the COVID floor. There are a lot of beds, a lot of patients & a need for a lot of staff. My home unit is supposed to be one of the last to convert into a COVID floor if the need arises.

I thought it would be best to help staff the COVID unit especially in these earlier stages & learn as things change. ⁣

The PPE situation is the same. One gown per shift to use between each patient. All are either Positive or PUI.

The only situation where you’d be allowed a separate gown is if you have a COVID patient that also has CDIFF.⁣

One N95 a shift, you have the choice to keep it on all shift if possible. That N95 will be reused for three shifts, keep it in a paper bag if you take it off.

Write your name on it & don’t forget to put your paper bag in the bin to be sterilized when you’re done. We have one surgical mask until it is visibly soiled or broken. We are given surgical scrubs to change into before we come to the unit. We are to wear goggles in every room.

Lab is not allowed on the COVID unit. We are doing all of our own labs. Many nursing schools do not teach phlebotomy or allow students to practice IV skills any longer. So it has been a learning process for me. ⁣

I will be on the COVID unit until this is all over as long as they need me. I know things will become more & more difficult in the coming weeks but I am young & want to do what I can to help.⁣