Nurses are at the frontline of healthcare

By Sallie Piazza, Chief Nursing Of cer at AHN Saint Vincent

Can you hear us now?

Can you hear that collective voice of nurses across the country?

Where would we be over this past two years if it were not for the nurses?

Nurses were the rst to stand at the front line. They were bold and fearless. Our country shut down and our nurses came into work every day and faced almost impossible situations.

The past two years have tested all of us, but none more than nurses and our other frontline healthcare workers.

Nurses were the rst to hold your hand, wipe your brow and they were the rst to help calm you and your families.

Our current climate has changed us all - the way we think, how we talk and how we interact with one other. Some of it has been good and some not.

I am so proud to be working for AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. As an organization, they are hearing our nursing collective voices. Investments are being made, not only in our salaries, but also our work/life balance.

We are giving our nurses and ancillary sta choices.

We have created Serenity Rooms for a quick respite.

Our cafeteria is open for our night shi to receive a hot meal.

Our hospital leaders round weekly at night to ensure we are meeting the needs of our workers.

We are minimizing weekends and eliminating swing shi s.

When you see a nurse and other frontline workers, please take a moment to thank them for all they have done individually for our patients but for our community. They literally saved our lives.