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I sat in on a @NationalNurses presser today and let me tell you, nurses are hurting. They're working on floors they aren't trained for. They have too many patients and not enough protective equipment. They're getting sick and quitting, all while COVID-19 cases keep pouring in.
One nurse said:
"Last week I reached a point where I was numb. I didn't even feel tired. I couldn’t feel happy. I didn’t feel angry. I didn’t feel frustrated and didn't feel sad. I literally felt nothing, and that is a scary place for a nurse to be."
"Last week I reached a point where I was numb. I didn't even feel tired. I couldn’t feel happy. I didn’t feel angry. I didn’t feel frustrated and didn't feel sad. I literally felt nothing, and that is a scary place for a nurse to be."
Another talked about holding phones and tablets for coronavirus patients who are dying so they can say goodbye to their loved ones. "In that instance, we are the patient's family. ... This takes an emotional toll that will stick with us for the rest of our lives."
"Everyone has to wear a mask," one nurse said through tears. "I have had patients tell me that they didn't think it was this bad. ... What it shows is that there is a lack of leadership. When people are given mixed messages, they don't know what to do, so some do nothing."
"When we work, we know that the care we would like to provide our patients will likely not be possible," another nurse said. "After a shift like this, we feel defeated, knowing we did the best we could but that it wasn’t enough."
Another: "We know the right way to battle this virus and take care of our patients, but we are not prepared with the resources that we need to keep our workers and our patients safe. It is clear, our federal gov has not supported us."
Another nurse, speaking to the public:
"You need to protect the nurses and all hospital workers so that we can care for you. We are your front line of defense. ... Please listen … we are your only line of defense."
"You need to protect the nurses and all hospital workers so that we can care for you. We are your front line of defense. ... Please listen … we are your only line of defense."
"Are you willing to give up one holiday season for 10 more? Think of everything you want to accomplish in your life, the places you want to go, the things you want to do, the people you want to spend your time with … are you willing to give all that up?"
Here's my story for @TB_Times: https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/11/23/florida-is-a-hot-mess-nurses-union-raises-alarm-as-coronavirus-spreads/
