Frontliners: ICU Nurse Krystal Talks About Covid-19

If you’re like me then you are without a doubt overwhelmingly TIRED of hearing about Covid-19. It’s to the point where I try to limit watching the news and how much I allow myself to talk about or listen to anything related to Covid, outside of work. It’s a tough time for us all but I simply choose not to feed the fear, hysteria, and overall panic. However, as a nurse, I want you all to be informed on what it’s currently like for us.

I’ve linked with Nurse Krystal to give you guys the rundown on a day in the life of a nurse during Covid-19.

Krystal is a 26 year old, BSN prepared Registered Nurse with a 4 year specialty in the ICU. She has previously worked at one of the largest healthcare systems in Detroit, using her skills to combat inner city health disparities with socially and economically disadvantaged populations. Today, Krystal works as a travel nurse with her latest assignment being stationed in California, where she has worked relentlessly with patients affected by the Coronavirus.

Can you tell me how the hospital has changed since the outbreak? What’s an average day at work for you like now?

The outbreak of Covid-19 has made things more intense and has definitely created some anxiety due to the fact that we are putting our health at risk with limited PPE supplies and the stress of the job itself. On a positive note, it has made the unit closer. We work as a team to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

An average day varies because some are smooth sailing and on others, I am not able to leave the room due to the instability of the patient. I have found myself in a room for 90 minutes, sweating in my equipment, anxious from limited air in my PPE. It’s very draining, emotionally and physically.

What type of PPE is your facility providing and is there enough to go around for each nurse? Do you feel safe?

We are provided with gowns—both the blue plastic like material and the other yellow cloth like ones, gloves of course, N95 masks, face shields, and PAPR hoods, which is a powered air purifier respirator that filters contaminated air. The issue is now resources are becoming scarce and they are trying to ration them out. I feel safe, for now, until PPE runs out.

What is the youngest/oldest patient in your care that has tested positive and can you share a little bit about their health outcomes?

The youngest patient testing positive was one in their mid-twenties. I thought the patient was improving but I believe they declined. The oldest patient in their mid-eighties and trying to fight, but unfortunately not doing too well.

Do you worry when taking care of patients who’ve tested positive for the virus?

Most of my unit is Covid now— This has developed a new onset of anxiety for myself, mostly because of the equipment I have to wear. It is very tight around the face which makes it a little difficult to breathe. I also get nervous because of how quickly the patient can become unstable. It’s literally a matter of life or death.

If a code were to happen, (for those unfamiliar, a code is a medical emergency when a patient has had a dramatic change in condition that could quickly result in fatal outcome if not responded to properly. A Rapid Response team immediately comes to evaluate and treat the patient quickly i.e. code blue, stroke code.) we cannot just rush in. The doctors are telling us to ensure that our PPE is applied entirely and properly before entering the room, no matter what! I don’t personally worry for myself because I have faith that I will remain safe and healthy.

Recently, there has been a dire need for nurses in order to negate the influx of emerging Covid-19 patients. Many places are offering nurses travel contracts with an increased base rate pay to have adequate staffing, despite experience.

How do you feel about nurses who may be inexperienced being offered these positions to help combat this pandemic and would you recommend nurses to take assignments such as these?

It makes me very nervous for them and for the patients. These patients are very sick and in the ICU setting, nurses have more autonomy to make decisions when a patient is declining. An inexperienced nurse may be overwhelmed and cant ultimately put their license at risk. I feel like this will traumatize them and burn nurses out, quickly. I honestly and truly do not recommend. We have to remember that all money isn’t good money.

If you could tell the public something about nurses during this time, what would you tell them?

I would tell them that this is really a war zone for healthcare and that we need them to do their part by staying home so that our efforts do not go in vain. I understand the eagerness to be social, however, we must temporarily compromise these things for the greater good of the people.

You heard her, y’all. STAY HOME!

We are all frontliners when we do our individual part to stop Covid in its tracks. I don’k know about you, but I am ready to get off of punishment. My nail beds are horrible, I’m trying to run to target and spend $300 on things I absolutely don’t need, and the beauty supplies are closed— I don’t even have to say much more about that (the struggle is real, lol!)

Not to mention we protect the vulnerable when we oblige to the orders put in place to keep the risk of spreading the virus at minimum. Limit your contact with others, only go out for necessities, and wash your hands!

A huge thank you to Nurse Krystal and all of the other nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, CNAs, environmental service workers, dietary staff, and admins that make treating patients everywhere possible.

Stay safe family.

xoxo, Z