19 minute read
HEALTHCARE WORKER APPRECIATION
STRATEGIC GOAL AREA ADVANCE
WRITTEN BY: VANESSA DAVID, DELTA KAPPA DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE ENGAGEMENT
RN = registered nurse ICU = intensive care unit PPE = personal protective equipment
Susan Huggins works in Interventional Radiology as a radiation therapist at Dupage Medical Group in Lisle, Illinois
Beginning in March 2020, many people were given the opportunity to safely work from home as COVID-19 spread across the world. However, some of those working in the healthcare fields did not have that same opportunity. Instead, they needed to be present on the frontline of this pandemic. Healthcare workers have had to deal with unthinkable and difficult circumstances: shortages of PPE, hospitals over capacity, treating patients virtually, caring for patients infected with COVID-19 and much more. Alpha Sigma Alpha is proud and thankful for our members who have worked in the healthcare fields throughout this pandemic. Thirteen Alpha Sigma Alpha healthcare workers were able to share more about their experience in the field since March 2020.
Brianna has served as a nursing home administrator since June 2020. As a nursing home administrator, she supervises, plans, monitors and maintains standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. Brianna has been working in healthcare since January 2020.
“The hardest part about working at the beginning of the pandemic was having to call families and friends of residents and tell them that they would no longer be allowed in the facility to visit. There were many families we thought wouldn't leave the facility because they knew they wouldn't be allowed back in the next day. The most rewarding aspect of working through the pandemic from the beginning was watching how quickly all departments in the facility worked together to make the best of all situations. Residents were no longer allowed to eat in the dining room or participate in group activities, so there were adjustments to eating and playing BINGO in their doorways. As every new guidance has come out everyone has worked together to find the (new) best way to get the resident's lives back to normal.”
“Everything has been new and creative! Dining, activities, masks, and more has had to be adjusted to fit the new requirements of COVID. I think some of the best new ideas for care have come from the pandemic because it showed how we can build deeper relationships with residents and how we can better accommodate resident preferences.”
KRISTA CARTER, THETA TAU
Krista currently serves as a traveling nurse in Texas working with COVID patients. As an RN, she cares for acutely ill patients in the hospital while collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to maximize the health of her patients. Krista has worked in healthcare for 2 years.
“The most challenging aspect is caring for those patients who are unfortunately dying with COVID, and being the only person allowed in the room. Due to restrictions, no visitors are allowed in the COVID units. So it’s just the healthcare workers with the patients throughout their stay. Many, many times I’ve held the hands of patients and prayed with them as they’ve passed on. I would say that is the most challenging part, but on the flip side it is rewarding to be able to be that person for them whenever their family cannot be there. Being able to communicate with the family and say you were with their beloved family member as they passed on peacefully is a very challenging, but rewarding feeling.”
“Zoom calls! We use this often to set up communication with the healthcare providers, patients and their families. We provide the tablet to set up a Zoom call with the patients, even if they are sedated and not talking, just so they can hear a familiar voice and the family can see their loved one. Physicians also use this to talk with the patients and/or the patient’s family ever since COVID.”
“The end to the pandemic is near! Numbers are going down, and we are getting through this day by day together! I appreciate ALL the healthcare workers and their hard work over the past year.”
MARISSA CARTER, THETA CHI
Marissa currently works as an RN in psychiatrics. She is one of the main points of contact for individuals that are battling mental health issues including depression, suicidal ideation, schizophrenia and many other hidden illnesses. Marissa has worked in healthcare for one year.
“As a new nurse, I started my journey during the middle of COVID-19. I have gone to work one shift and been told information that was no longer relevant at the end of my shift. As much as the world wants to know information about how to handle this virus, we, as healthcare workers, are just as much trying to understand everything that surrounds it. Being in the dark and still trying to make the best decisions for my patients has been the hardest aspect of my job during this challenging pandemic. There have been many challenges throughout this pandemic, but there have also been rewarding aspects as well. I have been able to see the light return to patients who have lost hope. I have been able to decrease patient’s anxiety and teach them ways to cope. And most importantly, I have been able to be a listening ear to anyone in need.”
“As you know, masks have become our new normal so there have been some new and creative methods implemented during my job so far. I have been wrapping my mask ear loops around my space buns in my hair or wearing a headband with buttons sewed to the sides just to give my ears a break from the constant rubbing of the masks. But I will never let a little ear pain stop me from continuing to be an advocate for mental health and my patient population.”
BETSEY COOK, ZETA TAU
Betsey has served as a licensed registered respiratory therapist for 2 years. As an LLRT, she is responsible for maintaining airways in a hospital setting. This can include administering breathing medications as well as running the ventilators for life support.
“My job has changed in a major way since the pandemic. When I first started I rarely saw patients in the state I see COVID patients in every day. I have been a part of more difficult discussions with family and patients about the likelihood of death than I’d like to admit. We are grasping at straws for techniques to save these patients once they are on mechanical ventilators.”
“When you go to school for healthcare, you are going with the hope to save lives, but in this pandemic I have spent a large percent of my time doing comfort care and ultimately withdrawing care on these patients. I think the hardest part for me is when I see a patient decline and remember back on the previous shifts when they were talking and looking up, but the disease takes over so rapidly.”
RACHAEL EGGLESFIELD, ZETA TAU
Rachael currently works as an RN in a labor & delivery unit. She is responsible for providing care to women who are ready to give birth; everything from starting an induction, to providing labor support during the birth process for mom, lots of education, as well as postpartum care for the mom and her new baby. Rachael has worked in healthcare for 9 years.
“While other units were closing due to low patient census (like a post-surgical unit), the birth center I work at was not impacted because having a baby isn't something you can "put off" for a few months. Having visitors restricted was an adjustment, especially if the woman is COVID positive; now she has to give birth by herself with just the support of the hospital staff.”
“The most challenging aspect is that a year ago, it seemed like every hour the CDC was coming out with different recommendations for how to proceed with COVID positive moms and their new babies- should the mom and baby be separated? For how long should they "social distance?" If mom wants to breastfeed, how would that look at home? Mom and baby shouldn't be separated as it will do more harm than good, etc. The most rewarding aspect is that I was able to volunteer at a COVID vaccine clinic and the amount of gratitude from everyone who was there to get their vaccine was very humbling.”
SOFIA GARCIA, THETA KAPPA
Sofia currently works as a pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy. She is responsible for preparing and distributing medications, maintaining drug inventory, maintaining pharmacy records, conducting COVID-19 testing and administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Due to COVID-19 my role as a pharmacy technician have expanded farther than I could have imagined. We started off with traditional pharmacy technician tasks such as filling and dispensing medications and transitioned to also having to conduct COVID-19 tests and administer COVID-19 vaccinations.”
“I believe the most challenging part of my job since the pandemic is having to go through additional trainings as well as stay up-to-date with protocols for COVID-19 testing and administering vaccinations. The most rewarding aspect of my job has been knowing that we are helping improve patients’ health by making sure the community is vaccinated and getting closer to the end of this pandemic.”
HEATHER HENDGES GARRISON, BETA THETA
Heather started working with Axiom Medical as a telephonic contagious respiratory illness assessment administrator last year. She works from home talking to employees in large corporations and schools regarding symptoms and exposure of COVID-19, and decides if they should be quarantined or sent back to work.
“The job is challenging in that I’m taking people off work and often they are not paid for their time off and do not understand that what they feel is a “cold” is still a contagious illness and not wanted in the workplace this year. The reward is the ‘thank you’s’ I get from being a listening ear to those who are ill and just need someone to talk to as well as knowing we’re keeping workplaces safe this year.”
“I would give the advice to those in healthcare this year to remember to take time for yourself more than anything and reach out to one of your awesome ASA sisters for support!”
ALYSSA GUTIERREZ, ZETA ALPHA
Alyssa currently works as a registered respiratory therapist in a sleep lab. She helps test patients for sleep apnea and puts them on therapy to eliminate their sleep apnea. Alyssa has worked in healthcare for 6 years.
“The most challenging aspect of the pandemic is going to work without proper PPE. The patients can’t wear surgical masks while the sleep study is conducted so the workers take a risk of getting COVID-19 every shift. The most rewarding aspect is seeing people be able to sleep better so their immune systems can be intact to fight COVID-19.”
“I would like to tell my fellow healthcare workers to seek therapy for burnout and get vaccinated for COVID-19. A vaccine is just one little shot in the arm and a big slap in the face for COVID-19. I’m so proud for everyone working in healthcare during this time. Stay strong and help administration prepare better for the next pandemic.”
SUSAN HUGGINS, GAMMA OMEGA
Susan currently works in Interventional Radiology as a radiation therapist at Dupage Medical Group in Lisle, Illinois. As a radiation therapist, she delivers radiation treatments to cancer patients using a machine called a linear accelerator. Susan started her career in healthcare in 2008 working as an x-ray technologist.
“Not much! Interventional radiology treats emergent patients, so our team was still hard at work during the pandemic. And cancer patients need to receive treatment in a timely manner, so my position as a radiation therapist was still needed. Although both workplaces saw a decrease in patient volumes, we still steadily worked throughout the pandemic.”
“The most challenging aspect is simply navigating a new world in healthcare. Learning how to care for patients who were positive and how to deal with the losses when we had them. And for our cancer patients, just coming to treatment was even more concerning given the virus and their already compromised immune systems. There were, and are, additional steps we still take to make sure everyone is safe. And ascertaining PPE was certainly a challenge for a while! The most rewarding aspect has been having a team of co-workers to lean on and help you get through it all!”
SUSAN PUTNAM KLEPS, ZETA ALPHA
Susan currently works as a hospital chaplain. Her responsibilities are to provide spiritual guidance, prayers, rituals (baptisms, baby dedications, etc.), moral injury care/prevention, conflict resolution and end-of-life care to hospital patients. Susan previously served as an Army medic for 10 years before becoming a chaplain.
“Challenges and rewards: the most challenging aspect of chaplaincy work during the pandemic is trying to console patients and family members who must be separated due to COVID protocols. It feels terrible to tell somebody that they have to be separated from their loved ones-especially during longer hospital stays and/or hospital stays that involve emotional trauma. However, my work is also deeply rewarding. I am honored every time a patient, family member or staff member shares what is on their mind and their heart to me. I am humbled every time a family asks me to be present during an imminent death. I am very much aware that these are sacred moments. It is an incredible responsibility and a tremendous honor when I am asked to be present during somebody's time of need.”
“I see you. I see you working hours on end to extend not only life, but quality of life. I see you bearing difficult news with the utmost of compassion and grace. I see you pushing yourself physically, mentally and emotionally as much as possible for the sake of others. I see you selflessly giving. You don't hear it enough, but you are seen. You are seen, you are appreciated and you are loved.”
ANNA WHETSTONE, ZETA NU
Anna has served as a physician’s assistant for the past 4 years in the neurosurgery department at JFK University Medical Center in New Jersey. She works as part of a team taking care of neurosurgical patients including brain tumors, brain bleeds, spine problems, etc. She works hand-in-hand with the surgeons in the operating room and performing procedures, and also sees patients on the floor and in the emergency department.
“When COVID numbers began to rise in March 2020, we knew things were drastically changing in the hospital; all elective surgeries were canceled, and quite frankly people stopped showing up to the emergency room other than for COVID-related issues. Given my experience helping in the ICU for neurosurgical patients, I quickly stepped up to help out where the need was, in seeing and managing care of COVID patients, and as our numbers continued to rise in New Jersey, so did our number of intensive care patients. My job title changed drastically as I became part of the COVID ICU team, managing intubated patients on a ventilator and helping place central lines and lines for dialysis.”
“The most challenging aspect, especially at our peak, was the sheer volume of patients and death that we saw every day. We did our best for every patient, but we were understaffed with dwindling supplies, as many hospitals all across the country. So much is unknown on the disease and how to care for patients. We spent many long hours and days on end doing everything we could. The rewards came when those few patients actually got extubated (meaning removing the breathing tube). We had one day in particular where five people were extubated during one shift. Seeing patients ultimately discharged home, especially those that were previously on a ventilator, was truly rewarding.”
HILLARY SEXTON, ZETA OMEGA
Hillary currently works as a travel nurse at Johns Hopkins Burn ICU in Baltimore, MD, where she manages ICU-level patients as a critical care bedside nurse. Hillary has worked in healthcare for 10 years.
“For me, the biggest challenge at work is trying to be a resource for the community and keep up with the constant information change. It was especially difficult when I was a clinical staff leader in the surgical ICU at the beginning of the pandemic, in which I was also managing the unit’s resources for the staff nurses to refer to when communicating with patients and family. The most rewarding aspect has been that nurses and other healthcare professionals have really bonded as a whole. I’ve witnessed stronger team work and healthier support from interdisciplinary units. We lift each other up the most because we’re truly going through it together.”
“Healthcare is not finished. We must continue our hard work as we have always been—committed to achieving the betterment of people’s health and wellness. I hope everyone remembers and honors the nobility of healthcare workers and the job they do.”
LEAH WIDDIFIELD, THETA GAMMA
Leah currently works as a nurse in a trauma ICU at Inova Fairfax Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma facility. She works with extremely sick patients from all over the DC/Maryland/Virginia/West Virginia region. She provides patient care to critically ill individuals; making sure they get correct medications/treatment and advocates for them when they cannot. Leah has worked in healthcare for 2 years.
“In April 2020, we moved all of our post-operative patients to a different floor and within the day we were a fully functioning COVID unit and full to the brim with sick patients. The scariest part of the whole transition was how quickly the policies were changing. Instead of checking on our patients at least once an hour we now had to space out the times in the room due to exposure risk. How we dealt with a patient coding had changed to only 6 people were allowed in the room instead of all hands on deck. Thankfully I work at a hospital whose priority was to always have personal protective equipment and when the national shortage of N-95 masks occurred, they bought us M-3000 respirators and supplied us with new filters every 3 months.”
“The most challenging part of the pandemic for me was the feeling of hopelessness. I would work as hard as I could for upwards of 14 hours a day to keep my patients alive and well, and sometimes still at the end of the shift a patient would pass. It felt like all of the hard work I was doing was still not enough. I lost more patients in the 2 months we were a COVID unit than I have in my entire nursing career. But what was rewarding was giving those patients the best care I could have in their last days and to provide comfort to their families with constant updates. It was also rewarding to see our profession get so much recognition for our hard work. 2020 was certainly the “Year of the Nurse” in a very surprising way.”
Thank you to the many members working in healthcare who reached out to us about participating in this article. Unfortunately, due to the large response we received, we were unable to feature everyone. Alpha Sigma Alpha is endlessly thankful for all of the work that you do, and for being the heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic.
