Frontline Warriors – Contribution and Role of Nurses During the Pandemic

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Nurses. They were there for Polio, the Spanish Flu, for Ebola, and now, they stand tall between the coronavirus and the rest of the world. 

Beyond the shadow of a doubt, COVID-19 has turned our world upside-down. It has affected the lives of more than one million people across the world. In a crisis where everything is falling apart, it’s incredible how these nurses tend to remain committed and ready to fight.

Furthermore, nurses are responsible for offering all-inclusive care to all patients, whether in adversities or daily routine. Since nurses constitute a large chunk of healthcare providers, they have a significant function in healthcare systems. Imagining a healthcare institute without nurses seems bogus. To put it simply, nurses are (and always will be) uniquely armed to deal with the persistent crisis. Their presence on the frontlines is one of our paramount defenses against diseases. 

So without further delay, here’s a glimpse of how these warriors are curbing the pandemic and keeping us alive. 

Patient Care

While researchers battle illnesses like SARS-CoV-2 in clinical studies and laboratories, nurses are facing this menace head-on. They are directly interacting with numerous patients who may be carrying the virus. Their presence is critical to the overall healthcare operation and epidemic response – assessing, processing, and triaging patients efficiently and quickly. It is also primarily up to the nursing crew of a hospital to carry out contagious disease deterrence. One of the added steps of prevention includes social distancing, preventing coronavirus from quickly spreading within a setting. 

Furthermore, if you, as a vibrant individual, want to contribute to the world of nursing and fight against the pandemic, a nursing degree would suffice. For instance, you can apply for some CCNE accredited online MSN programs and cater to the healthcare industry in every possible way.

Nurses are doing exceptionally well in reducing the effects of the pandemic. By determining the experience and immediately accessing a patient’s condition, the spread of disease is restrainable. Patients who test positive or display symptoms quickly shift to quarantine. Nurses take care of them while protecting other patients who may not have the virus. While taking care of patients, nurses face a shortage of tests and the rigid rules surrounding it.

According to Business Insider, a 31-year old nurse in Portland said these test policies are “so harsh, that almost no one is allowed to get tested. It is almost unmanageable to have all these boundaries, which is why no worker has been tested. Still, I think that is across the board for every healthcare institution.” The statement sheds light on the matter that nurses are leaving their health behind and doing whatever they can to lift the pandemic. 

Spreading Awareness and Knowledge 

Besides giving their best, nurses also play a critical role in spreading knowledge regarding everything they practice, from disease prevention to symptom awareness. 

As healthcare providers, nurses bear the external duty of educating the public and their patients on preventing the virus from spreading. Besides that, they ensure the patients follow a healthy lifestyle. 

While the information on subjects like proper handwashing, sanitation, and social distancing is available everywhere, nurses have an influential voice over most. For nearly twenty years, nurses have been voted as the right-hand profession in the United States. So, while individuals doubt the politicians, news, or what they read on the web, they’re much more likely to heed nurses’ directions.

Working Overtime 

During the contagion, nurses worked for longer periods, mainly as the virus spread and healthcare workers fell ill. 

In countries like the UK and Canada, even retired nurses had to come back and fill the need. Other nurses, especially those whose oldness puts them at risk, have found ways to help – such as operating the emergency health lines for clinics and hospitals. 

“I want to offer what I can, do what I can,” says 74-year-old Marie-Rhein Seguin – a nurse. She volunteered to handle health line phones in Quebec. 

The United States has also commenced similar plans, calling for medical staff and nurses to return from retirement to save the masses.

Managing Medical Equipment and Other Supplies

Another critical role that nurses play during an upheaval is maintaining supplies of protective items and medical equipment. The gear includes gloves, hand sanitizers, and masks, whereas the equipment consists of ventilators. These capitals can quickly become scarce during need. Nurses play a vital role in maintaining these supplies from hoarding, misuse, or theft. 

Furthermore, many nurses are in charge of rationing and protecting these types of medical supplies. Whenever an item is requested, the nurses immediately respond with pre-written questions to ensure the utilization of that specific material appropriately. For instance, many hospitals provide ventilators to those who have an underlying disease or are elderly before others. Thus, nurses ensure that these people get the treatment first before anyone else. 

Telehealth Nursing 

Telehealth nursing is an additional practice that assists nurses in holding back the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses use the internet, webcams, and Voice over IP (VoIP) to conduct a telehealth session from a doctor’s office, healthcare facility, or home. Moreover, telehealth nursing aids as an extension of an existing hospital, medical practice, or health clinic. 

For instance, a nurse working at an obstetrician’s office may attend after-hour calls from expected mothers regarding possible signs of labor. On the flip side, ER nurses may use telehealth harboring to explain to a patient how to treat a slight wound.

Other health amenities telehealth nurses can offer are: 

• Directing patients to an ER
• Discussing lab results
• Explaining how to treat illnesses at home 
• Helping patients get fill-ups on medications

Indeed, this form of healthcare technology enables nurses to give a helping hand to handle minor issues efficiently. 

Conclusion

Despite the obstructions, struggles, and dangers associated with their jobs, nurses worldwide have fought bravely. They have remained steadfast and strong in the face of overwhelming odds. If it weren’t for their undying efforts and commitment, reducing the virus spread would have been impossible. Therefore, it is vital to pay heed to their services and acknowledge all their efforts in such times.