Is It Safe?
The World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The year 2020 will mark the 200th birthday of Florence Nightengale and the WHO is celebrating her birthday in style and grace. Florence Nightengale, known as “The Lady with the Lamp’ for making night time rounds with her lamp, was instrumental in advocating for handwashing to prevent disease and minimize the spread of infection. She also started the first nursing training school. Honouring the work and role of nurses and midwives, WHO made a call to the world to celebrate nurses and midwives, highlight the challenges they face and advocate for increasing investments in nursing and midwifery in order to achieve universal health care coverage by 2030. That was the declaration made in early 2020. The cause for celebration of nurses is even more with the arrival of COVID-19 AND the role nurses play in our world of today.
May 8th is the anniversary of Florence Nightengale’s birthday. We honour and celebrate her with Nursing Week and the value of nurses in improving the health and wellbeing.
The past few months have been a game changer for the way we live our lives. As our economy and lives 'open up', there are mixed emotions about how to navigate this new world order as we increase of level of comfort and social nearness. There are mixed opinions about how to interpret the advice and directives from our leaders. There are mixed actions and reactions of how to function in our daily lives.
”To Mask or not to Mask, that is the [one] question. To glove or not to glove is another”
To mask or not to mask— that is one of the questions many are grappling with. When do you wear a mask? Does a homemade mask work? Will a homemade mask protect you from Covid-19? Do you wear a mask outside? in your car? Similar to glove or not to glove. When do you take the gloves off? Do you wash the gloves? Do you still need to wash your hands if you are wearing gloves?
The mask and glove issues are interesting ones. They generate a whole of ‘what if’s’ and ‘but just in case' and ‘you never know’ types of conversations.
While I am not averse to wearing masks or gloves, I do exercise caution with both of those for the general public. Being a [former] nurse, I believe I have a level of knowledge and experience when it comes to infection control. After all, it is one of the myriad of roles nurses hold in organizations, both in healthcare and probably non-healthcare organizations. Drawing upon Florence’s leadership and advocacy, handwashing remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection, But yet, masks seem to always get the most attention. Perhaps because they are mysterious, visible and somewhat foreign to most people outside of healthcare.
From what I observe, and I observe it from a nursing lens, is there is a false sense of protection that occurs when masks and gloves are worn. This often leads to becoming less vigilant with physical distancing and handwashing. People believe they are protected and safe and therefore touch surfaces, or get closer than they should. The cross-contamination that occurs with gloved hands is quite astounding. This could be a blog post about the scientific data of about micron size of the virus, effectiveness of cloth masks, and how long the virus lives for. But it is not. This is a blog post about the value of nurses in our world.
Nurses are portrayed in a myriad of ways in the media and our culture. But to truly know the value and the vital role they play as the backbone of healthcare is to either be a nurse or be cared for by a nurse.
As brilliant multi-taskers, direct care nurses provide the care that comes to most people's view of a nurse: they give needles, administer medications and blood products, provide treatments and perform a whole host of tasks. At the same time, they are constantly scanning the environment on a minute by minute basis for risk, ensuring patient is safe and well cared for. NURSES WASH THEIR HANDS!!! And they don't hesitate to ensure others wash their hands before touching a patient. When I worked in the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, this is a common conversation between doctors and nurses (and I have the utmost respect for doctors):
DOCTOR: “I am here to see ‘x’ patient. I have a consult here to see ‘x’ patient.
NURSE: “Great. We are glad you could come see ‘x’ patient. Just wash your hands before entering the transplant room”
DOCTOR: “Oh, I won’t be touching or examining the patient. So I will just go on in”
NURSE: “Glad you are here to see ‘x’ patient. You still have to wash your hands before you go in”
DOCTOR: “But I won’t be touching or examining the patient. I just need to go in and see them”
NURSE: “And you still have to wash your hands. And you have to wash them when you come out as well. Here is the sink, soap and paper towel. You will need to wash for 1 minute, and remove your rings and watch before you wash. Open the door with your foot and close the door with your foot. And here are some gloves if you do need to touch anything around the patient. Let me know if you need anything else. “
However, a nurse is so much more than what is captured on film or in a photograph or what image you have of a nurse.
Nurses are serious badasses in the world. I draw upon Brene Brown’s definition of badass (and taking a little creative license here to use her definition):
‘People who wade into discomfort and vulnerability are the real badasses. They are curious about the emotional world and they face discomfort straight-on.’
Nurses do not shy away from much when it comes to providing care. They are fearless, relentless and dedicated to be there for the patient.
A nurse is there to say: “it’s ok to be sad. I’m here to support you through this really difficult time. I am here to make a really bad day, slightly better or manageable. I am here for a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and arm to soothe a listening ear, AND I will partner with you to ensure that your care is done in the way that works for you"
Nurses hold reverent and fearless space for the first breath into the world and the last breath to the next one.
Nurses notice when you are weary and need some respite or a cup of tea because you have been beside your child day in and day out waiting for a diagnosis.
Nurses advocate for you and often intuitively notice when you need something to bring some comfort or ease your suffering.
Nurses are not afraid to take a stand for you when something isn’t being done the way it should but will also bend the rules for you when the rules don’t serve your healing or best interest. Nurse can think critically and assess a situation to know how a policy can be implemented
Nurses are fearless when it comes to doing what it takes to make sure you have the least amount of duress in a very technical and sterile environment. They don’t shy away from dealing with body fluids, skin wounds, monitors or devices, pumps or beeps, complicated IV lines, tubes and can still talk about it all over lunch.
Nurses are uber organized to skillfully juggle a handful of patients in a single shift, fully show up as a respected colleague in a multidisciplinary team, keep up to date with latest technology and evidence, know the hundreds of side effects of the thousands of drugs they administer and can leap tall buildings in a single bound :)
Nurses are scholars, researchers, leaders, administrators, educators, coaches but ultimately, caregivers and bring compassion, courage and curiosity to these roles.
Nurses are not afraid to hold brave space for you as you navigate a crisis when you are at your most vulnerable or experience one of the greatest joys in your life.
NURSES ARE;
FEARLESS | REVERENT | SPACEHOLDERS | LEADERS | COORDINATORS | ORGANIZED | BOLD | ADVOCATES | RISK MANAGERS | QUALITY AND INFECTION CONTROL MANAGERS | EDUCATORS | COMPASSIONATE | EMPATHIC | WITTY | INTELLIGENT | CRITICAL THINKERS | CURIOUS | HEALERS | HELPERS | COACHES | HANDWASHERS
It is no wonder they are the backbone of healthcare with compassion as their superpower.
In this new world order, non-healthcare organizations would be wise to hire a nurse or two or three or an entire team. A new role: Chief Infection Control Officer. Chief Health Officer. Chief Compassion Officer. Chief Everything Officer. Imagine the stellar leadership they could provide in the boardroom of a company that employs many people who have to work in close quarters or be in contact with each other, products and food. A nursing team would ensure protocols are written, orientation and education programs are delivered, policies adhered to, employees supported and customers are safe.
Once a nurse, always a nurse.
Celebrate Nursing Week 2020 with as many nurses you know or wish to know. Nurses are amazing people and I am so proud I chose a nursing career. Bang a pot or blow a horn for all the nurses in the world to honour and appreciate their gifts and dedication they have for the health and well-being of all people great and small.
Wishing you health and easy breathing in the year ahead. Wash your hands...a lot!
With gratitude in my heart, peace in my soul, and fresh air in my lungs,
Dori
Chief Experience Officer
enso learning and retreat centre