[Personal] Just ranting - upset nurse in NYC

I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine the trauma and frustration and heartache you’re going through.

You can always come here to vent, as far as I’m concerned.

I know it may sound like an empty platitude, but thank you for your service. You’re a real life-saver on the front lines, doing your best against really shitty odds and some (in my opinion) criminal governmental ignorance and incompetence.

Thank you. I lost my father not too long ago, and the nurses that looked after him were so unbelievably kind, even when he was rude and cruel and confused. The work you do is appreciated, probably more than you’ll ever hear from the frazzled families or patients. THANK YOU. And it’s horrible our society is so shitty that it doesn’t pay you a living wage.

I live in the area and I can't imagine what it's like inside the hospitals right now. Day in, day out disaster mode is indescribably exhausting - mentally and physically.

This comment is going to be somewhat rambly. I apologize.

For skincare advice, I made a post with tips gathered from around the sub and official resources in regards to acne due to mask wearing, irritation/pressure/friction from mask wearing, dry/irritated facial skin, and hand washing woes. Most are fairly obvious - there are acne treatment recommendations, recommendations for gentle cleansing wipes to use during the day, that sort of thing.

Some were less obvious to me, like using a skin protectant/sealant on areas that your mask touches. The NPIAP recommends this for protecting from pressure and friction injuries, so it might help some of the irritation you're experiencing around the perimeter of your mask.

Either way, it might be worth checking out that post to see if anything is relevant to you :)

And of course healthcare workers are getting fucked over, as per usual. Maybe this is the wakeup call needed to make sure the people who do their damnest keep us alive are being kept alive as well.

Been pretty fucking angry recently, so this will be a bit of a rant. But on capitalizing on the desire to do good (and related, the hero stuff), a moral pat on the back doesn't pay the bills, it doesn't keep us safe. Healthcare workers are personal heroes to everyone who is sick (even though it doesn't feel like that sometimes), but that doesn't mean they're superhuman. Livable salary, ability to stay home when sick, adequate mental health care, not being told by management to pound sand when you get sick to avoid workers comp. Seems pretty fucking fair to me.

If you know of any groups that have bite behind their bark in regards to supporting HCWs, please let me know.

The people who are protesting stay at home orders or discrediting the effects of the virus, keep in mind that they are a very vocal, very small minority. (Edit: to be clear, I'm not talking about people who are raising valid concerns about their economic security. The trash heaps are the people harassing our healthcare workers and trying to spread disinformation to sacrifice lives so they can get a manicure). For every human trash heap, there are far more who are quietly doing everything they can to help. To most of us that means staying home, washing our hands, being mindful of our actions. Those often aren't very obvious or clear actions - we don't scream "I'M STAYING 6 FEET AWAY, LOOK AT MY MASK" when we're in the grocery store. If we're doing it right, you don't even see us - we're at home.

And I'm sure this varies by region, but every time I go out, the vast majority of people I see are doing their part. They wear masks, they keep their distance. Community mutual aid groups and neighborhood phone chains are popping up all over.

That's not to say that those narcissistic twats aren't fucking infuriating. They are. I'm not saying you shouldn't be mad at them, because you absolutely should be.

But sometimes it's helpful to remember that most people are good. It's easy to forget that when the bad people are the loudest. But most people want to help, they want to stay healthy, and they want their friends, family, and community to stay healthy too. They're just quieter about it, because they don't need people to validate their opinions. They're just doing their part. (Another edit: although we should be a whole lot louder when it comes to making meaningful, lasting impacts to help support our communities)

And I'd like to share some mental health support resources that I've found recently. You probably already know about them, but maybe they'll be helpful anyway:

For The Frontlines

Fast and free counseling for healthcare workers.

Text FRONTLINE for support to dealing with anxiety, stress, fear, isolation, or other difficult emotions you are experiencing during coronavirus.

• USA text 741741

• UK text 85258

• Canada text 741741

• Ireland text 086 1800 280

Free Course: ANA's COVID-19 Self-Care Package for Nurses

ANA has created a self-care package of free courses to thank the entire nursing community supporting the COVID-19 response. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact nurses across the globe, ANA wants to share resources to support you, your safety and the important work you do.

This self-care package includes the following courses:

• Nursing Ethics: Strategies to Resolve the Top Ethical Dilemmas Nurses Face
• Moral Resilience
• Dealing with Fatigue: Strategies for Nurse Leaders
• Promoting Nurse Self-Care: Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
• A Nurse's Guide to Preventing Compassion Fatigue, Moral Distress, and Burnout

The Schwartz Center: Resources for Healthcare Professionals Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

A list of resources for taking care of yourself, your family, resources related to quarantine, supporting patients and families, and for healthcare leaders.

Edit: a single typo that was taunting me, 5 hours later

Do you need anything? Just know that not all of us believe the hoax bs and are rooting for you and your safety.

I’m sorry for the loss of your coworker. She had a connection to my area and we’re heartbroken for all who knew her. We hear you. We see you. We appreciate you more than you know. ❤️

I’m volunteering as a nurse, so I don’t even make money during this time.

Hold up, that NYC Notify blast that went around asking healthcare workers to “volunteer” meant literally without pay? What the actual fuck? They should be paying y’all at least 3x normal salary. If any situation has ever warranted hazard pay, this is it.

Do you mind if I ask by what channel your volunteer services were requested/recruited?

Edited to clarify: I am not trying to call OP out here. I wanted to know how they ended up in an unpaid COVID nursing role so that I could figure out where to direct my advocacy energy, not because I did not believe them.

Thank you to u/asudancer for pointing out that OP said elsewhere that they are an NP nursing student in their senior year. While it is understandable how this happened, given how the hands-on practical part of medical training typically works, it is still unconscionable that OP is not being paid for their work, fully-credentialed or otherwise. They are putting their life on the line too.

I have also been getting a line of small pimples across my nose and the tops of my cheeks where the mask touches. I have taken to spraying mother dirt aob on my face before I have to go anywhere with the mask on, in hopes that it might help manage the mask sweat.

I can’t believe you are getting downvoted. We are all here to support each other, whether you think it’s a hoax or not, OP is asking for help and love!

Thank you so much for everything you’re doing. I can only imagine how obnoxious the protestors must be but please know the majority of Americans are so thankful for people like you. Hopefully this crisis makes more people understand that essential workers are just that - essential, not expendable.

if you set up a gofundme or post your venmo or anything i would love to donate. as much as i am indebted and thankful for you, i know being called a hero doesn’t pay the bills. you deserve to be compensated and listened to. im so sorry for the ways this country has let you and other health care professionals down:(

This is the most honest thing I’ve read since the start of the pandemic, SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING.

I’ve been making the same statement, almost verbatim, about the medical community suffering the most during this crisis. The more people who die, the more nurses and doctors who may suffer PTSD indefinitely, literally for the rest of their lives. Because it’s all of you who will have to choose who to save versus who you must let die, if there isn’t enough machines &/or staff to save everyone at the same time.

And YES, I see the point you made about “wanting” to help as opposed to being there to help simply because it is, indeed, your job whether you like it or not. IT’S OK TO FEEL THAT WAY, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE RESULT IS THE SAME (U save lives).

Also, you ALL have families, & possibly close friends or roommates, who become at risk alongside your own selves being at risk. Because you go home at the end of each shift, and bring the day’s worth of exposure with you. Many of you have children, or babies, or even elderly family members, who are there when you get home. You ALL sacrifice during this time, even tho none of you necessarily “want” to be the ones sacrificing so much.

NO ONE should be forced to face what you guys continue to face on a daily basis. AND SEEING THESE PROTESTS, FULL OF PEOPLE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONCERN FOR ‘YOUR’ PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL HEALTH, GETS UNDER MY SKIN LIKE YOU CANT IMAGINE.

I sometimes think there should be a “put this patient last” list at each hospital, with the names of every person who’s protested the closings & social distancing measures. If someone protests a virus, then they should be willing to forgo medical help once they do get sick; if they’re not willing to forgo said help, then that speaks volumes about their genuine selfishness. HOWEVER, I ULTIMATELY REALIZED SUCH A LIST WOULD HAVE NO VALUE ANYWAY, BECAUSE MEDICAL STAFF (including people like yourself) WOULD LIKELY INSIST ON HELPING THOSE WHO KNOWINGLY PUT THEMSELVES & OTHERS AT RISK. Because it’s in your medical code of ethics to not discriminate, & even if it wasn’t, it’s just how all of you think (about others before yourself).

Sorry to have responded to your rant with a rant of my own. BUT IF IT’S ANY CONSOLATION, I JUST WANT TO ASSURE YOU (AT LEAST FROM THE BOTTOM OF ‘MY’ HEART, ALTHOUGH I THINK OTHERS WOULD AGREE), IT’S OK FOR U TO NOT ‘WANT’ TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING, OR FOR U TO WANT TO HELP BUT NOT AT THE PRESENT COST. You ALL have a right to a safe work environment, and that’s not something you’re guaranteed anymore. KUDOS TO YOU FOR DOING IT ANYWAY. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WAY MORE AMAZING THAN I WILL EVER BE😏. 🙌🏻

I’m really sorry you’re facing this. Know that your sacrifice and your trauma are not unnoticed or unappreciated by those of us who don’t live in conspiracy theory land.

Our thoughts and thanks are with you and every single one of you who are fighting this. Hugs and strength to you OP.

I've been reporting every piece of misinformation I find on every social platform I'm on. I know it's not much, but maybe 1 person less sees that hoax crap.

Thank you for everything that you do.

Read this post for covid face/hand skincare: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/g61nig/skin_concerns_skincare_in_the_time_of_coronavirus/

Hi, friend. Also a NYC nurse working in one of the converted COVID ICU spaces all over our city's hospitals. Thank you for volunteering (!!!!!) to help us.

I feel you. My skin is a wreck, though honestly I haven't had clear skin since I was 10. My neck/jawline seem especially irritated by the masks, and I can't easily take my respirator off several times a day to do a cleansing wipedown. I'm kinda just giving up and hoping I can invest some time and money into good skin care when this is over, but who knows when the hell that will be. (The bridge of my nose seems to have improved after blistering early on from the masks; I'm using Nexcare foam tape and it's really helping.)

In the meantime, I'm super depressed about what I'm dealing with at work, about the people who claim this is a hoax, about the vultures profiteering from the pandemic. It's all there in my appearance.

As a hospitalist who trained in NY but now practices in CA my heart goes out to you. We are nothing without our nurses and as a nation we are not doing enough for our front line workers. It saddens me to see all the protestors and conspiracy theorists out there making an impossible situation unbearable. My heart goes out to you, and feel free to DM me if you need someone to talk too.

Because at the end of the day, our mental health (ironically) doesn't get the attention it deserves.

If you’re interested, this sub is running a great care package service for front line workers. I’m sorry times are tough and some people really don’t understand the gravity and reality of what’s going on because they’re blind to it one way or another. Here’s hoping all of your tomorrows are better than your yesterday’s. Link copy/pasted, sorry for lack of formatting. https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/ftdqz8/misc_selfcare_packages_for_health_care_workers/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

This may get lost down at the bottom but I hope you see it. I'm also a nurse but a different country so it's a very different experience for me. There is never a call for volunteers. If you came back into the nursing/medical force you will be paid. Students are either being paid or their practicums are on hold. The fact you chose to volunteer and step up shows the phenomenal human being you are. The fact you are being used as free labour in a dangerous situation shows exactly how awful the system is. Even Armed forces get paid to go into danger. Make sure you are putting yourself first. We go into nursing to help people but not to sacrifice our wellbeing and life. Walk away if you need to. Being an NP student is not an excuse to use you until you die or have a mental breakdown.

Fellow HCW, my heart breaks all the way in the PNW for all the firsthand accounts of frustrations, fears and worries. I live outside the Washington epicenter and our ICU was fortunate to not see many cases, but I have my own concerns and frustrations about public safety and awareness with the amount of rampant misinformation, seemingly blatant disregard for others and all the fuck ups we are living through day to day. I also hate the politicization or bastardization of calling us heroes, as if we're to nobly fall upon a sword because our profession. I've hated that term as an excuse to martyr any group unnecessarily. Anytime you need to sound off, feel free to chat or DM me. Thinking of you all out there suffering through on the "frontlines." Be safe and well.

I've been experiencing weird ass breakouts and skin issues from wearing N95s and universal masking, too. Finally started tretinoin and using soothing face balms and hydrating serums to mitigate the skin damage. Luckily my schedule and a PTO day afforded me a week off to detox my mind and skin before rejoining the madness of 12 hr night shifts, since we're lifting surgery restrictions and seeing our pre covid influx returning with a full house, short staffing, plus overnight boarders in our ER and limited PPE, still. Back to business as fucking usual... grrr.

I volunteered to send a care package with skin care and self care items but I was told they had enough people. CAN I SEND THE CARE PACKAGE TO YOU AND THE NURSES YOU WORK WITH??

Your frustration is so justified and please keep telling yourself that this is not forever. We will heal. I can’t imagine enduring that much heart break every day. Thank you for being so strong! Is there anything you need?

How are you volunteering as a nurse? Are you a senior nursing student? You must be a nursing student in your senior year or be licensed to be practicing. You should still be getting paid... I know agency nurses are being paid $100 an hour, you should definitely be compensated for your time.