Living during a pandemic is unbelievable, disruptive, stressful, the worst kind of unknown. Working on the frontline is kind of like looking into the eye of the storm. You know it’s coming. What’s going to happened, who will parish, who will survive? How do you keep safe, when will it end, will it get worse? Thoughts race in your mind, you worry about everyone then yourself last. The stress sometimes manifests as a tummy ache, blame it on the cooking, or it can come in the form of sleepless nights. I find myself being irritable and edgy. I even had a moment of forgetting we are in the middle of this battle, for a brief second it was all good then the reality seeped back and a grey shadow casted itself against the vibrancy of spring.
I focus on things that are positive. I try to the find the helpers. I remind myself that I am an educated professional who is made for this. I think what a gift it is to be forced to stay inside all day with the people I love the most. I think mother nature is bringing us to balance. She is centring us back to equilibrium. But that does not make the concern go away. My forehead wrinkle gets deeper by the day.
As a rural nurse I am used to having to be flexible and creative. I also unfortunately know what it is like to not have the tools to do the job I am expected to do – that’s what it means to be a generalist.
I am no expert epidemiologist, however, as Canada deals with the COVID-19 pandemic and I deal with specific issues of being a rural nurse I have come up with some tips and concepts to keep in mind. These tips are compiled from my experience and in no way are to be used as expert advice but as information for all frontline workers embarking on this journey or nightmare together.
- Listen to the experts – be realistic and use your skills in critical thinking
I feel less anxious when I read or listen to information by credible experts in my community. That can be the medical health officer, government leaders, and health authorities. Credible media sites also can provide objective information with reliable sources. I do however listen with my critical ear I know things are most likely worse then what is shared, and if I find myself getting anxious it helps go back to the science. Science is not based on fear or paranoia that is not part of the scientific process and I often remind myself of that.
- Keep on top of the information and communication – stay connected keep others in the loop
There is tons of information being disseminated. Your work inbox will be full of changes in policy and procedures in regards to your work as a health care provider. You need to stay on top of it and you need to communicate this information with your co-workers in a way that is quick and easy. A handwritten daily communication log (so old school) that is intended to share the most recent pressing changes is a great method for sharing info. This allows the next shift to have the information they need before they get the chance to read their emails. Just like we handover report on our patients we need to handover the current pandemic information to keep our colleagues in the loop and safe.
- Stay calm – don’t buy into fear
So easy to say so hard to do. I recently had a moment at work thinking in my head I don’t want to die. Letting the fear in can incapacitate you and cause you to make rash decisions. Positive mantras can help to focus your mindset and boost your spirit.
- Use daily huddles to talk about psychological wellness – check in and check out
Daily huddles are the way of the nursing future and often gets some eyerolls, but I love them. I love the chance to collectively meet and problem solve. Some sites call them discharge huddles or safety rounds whatever you call them, take time to add a piece on psychological wellness. Check in and out with your colleagues. It is comforting to know other co-workers are having feelings of stress and anxiety. It also helps to create solidarity and open the dialogue on workplace health and wellness that extend beyond the physical. Because I can deal with my sore back or knee, but somedays when I am crying in the bathroom because of mental exhaustion, the huddle can be safe place to share emotional pain.
- Talk with your co-workers – share your concerns
Take an opportunity to share your concerns and fears with your co-workers, this can be while on break or chatting after your shift. It also helps to share the good things that have happened. Have a laugh. I can’t press this enough laughing is so therapeutic it is no wonder that’s my go to when things get tough. I am always the one making the inappropriate joke but laughing released endorphins and those guys make you feel good.
- Be kind and cut everyone some slack
From your co-workers and colleague to your family, we all need to cut everyone some slack. Stress can cause emotions to take over our thinking and make us less able to deal with the issues that come up daily. If you feel like you’re going to loose your shit, take a step back, breath, and then try and shift your perspective.
- Wash your hands
Yes, I know you’re a trained professional and this seems pretty simplistic for the complicated epidemiological workings of a pandemic. However, it’s the truth and our greatest tool against this virus.
- Bring it back to basics – remember the principles of infection control
It is helpful to remember the basic principles when as the rules of what PPE we use have to change based on supply and demand. At the end of the day COVID is a droplet precaution just like the flu. If we need to aerosolize anything then it would be considered airborne. So mitigate your risk accordingly. Also take the time to put on PPE, it will help no one if you jump into action without the proper equipment and succumb to the illness yourself. Think about social justice (click here and I will remind you), and remember you are a health care resource and need to be protected, that’s your right.
- Don’t take part in the rumor mill
There is always rumors and myths that start to circulate, and if you live in a small town like me then you know what I am talking about. Don’t buy into the rumor mill, be the voice of reason and again look to the experts for clarification – focus on facts.
- Educate your patients to empower them
Patients have a right to know what is going on and have the best information. Watch any cognitive bias you may have regarding this pandemic and make sure you are giving patients the best objective information you can. It also helps to use handouts that have been approved by your health authority so that the information is available to refer to. Patient’s will have heard many myths and may not have accurate information, it is our job to ensure that they have a chance to discuss their concerns and be empowered to make wise decisions when they are back in the community.
- Do your part – be the solution not the problem
Stay home on your days off, take care of yourself, and be supportive of those who are struggling. Another topic I would like to refer to is how we all deal with crisis and trauma in different ways (see my post on trauma and its effects for ideas to support your colleagues in crisis) making it important to watch what we say and do in the workplace. It is ok to have anxiety but maybe keep some of that to yourself while working, you may have a co-worker who is struggling too and your comments may compound what they are already feeling.
- Find a creative outlet to express your lived experience
Yes, write in that journal Aunty Bessie gave you four years ago or make some art. I started to make smudging sticks from the old herbs I had in my garden. I learned via Pinterest how to make them and I did it. I gave some away as gifts to family we have been missing and I used one to smudge the shit out of myself and my home (I tend to turn to witchcraft when things go sideways, lol). But guess what? It helped. It took my mind off things and it gave me pleasure to make something beautiful and share with my family.
- If you are sick don’t go to work – error on the side of caution
We are living in different times. Once we would suck up our symptoms and head to work because we were worried about not being able to be backfilled. But now the risk is too high, so if you feel unwell please speak with your manager and follow your sites procedures for health and safety. Again, you are the health care resource your health is paramount.
- Use PPE with prudence
You have the right to do your job with the appropriate PPE. If you find yourself in a situation where there is not the proper equipment your health authority will have a process for refusing unsafe work, and it should be followed. However, we know that because COVID is a global issue we are having unprecedented issues with the supply and demand of PPE. I have loved seeing the innovation that has happened in other industries that have stepped up to the plate to donate PPE or refabricate their company to make PPE. But we still must be prudent when using our PPE and making sure we can make each piece last for as long as we can. Also going back to infection control procedure to help you decide what to use and when will help with supply.
- Find other ways to connect
Connection is key during the pandemic, but with social distancing you may have to be creative in keeping the connection within your social groups. Try virtual staff meeting or conference calls for ongoing workplace communication. Perhaps using a social media discussion board to connect with other members of the team to share ideas and concerns. Have some fun, host a Zoom party for your friends and family just so you can see their beautiful faces and have a good laugh. Connection can be physical too. I had family drop off homemade gifts for my kids and it was so amazing to find that surprise at the front door and it made our day. Little acts of kindness help to connect us and make us feel part of something bigger.
- Do something good for yourself and make the ordinary extraordinary
What do you like to do? Keeping in mind social distancing, do the things that make you feel good. If you, like me have kids, then you are probably not too worried about passing the time on your days off. But take the time to so something special. Since the start of this pandemic my daughter has slept in her brother’s room. I am guessing it helps her anxiety to be around her big bro but it also makes boring bedtime fun. It’s like a sleepover every night! We have also started to have family movie night with popcorn like every night too. It feels good to turn a simple activity into something more fun. So, add that’s Baileys to your morning coffee and enjoy.
- Trust in your Resilience
I have never met a group of more resilient workers in my life and it’s kind of ironic that the world it just catching on to how dangerous our job as a health care worker is and how resilience and dedicated we are to that job. Feel empowered when your community rallies to support you, you deserve it. After COVID ends we will still be faced with challenges it is part of our job but that is what make us valuable.
At the end of the day, we need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. Be mindful of your colleagues and try to incorporate the above tips to make your workplace a supportive environment while we all try and deal with this crisis.
So, bring it on Coronavirus we will eradicate you like we have every other virus that threatens humanity it’s all in a day’s work + WE GOT THIS!
Peace + Love
The Renegade RN
Helpful Resources
The BC Centre for Disease Control – get up to date epidemiological data and use the screening tool to identify COVID-19 symptoms
The Government of Canada – information of the national pandemic preparedness related to COVID-19
The World Health Organization – get info on the global issues and direction from the WHO on COVID-19
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – media coverage from a Canadian perspective
Dr. Bonnie Henry Updates – includes a list of video updates from the queen Dr. Bonnie Henry
