A very dear nurse friend of mine reached out to her manager for support and guidance during this latest spike in the epidemic. Her unit has been short-staffed for several months, and keeps getting worse as each day goes by.
She confessed her frustration, anxiety, and how much she cries on a daily basis due to the overwhelming workload she is burdened with. Coupled with almost daily losses of the patients she works to save, while enduring unsafe, understaffed conditions, this friend was crushed to have her feelings brushed aside.
“This is how everyone is working across the nation”, “the entire country is short staffed” and “Everyone feels like this right now”…stated in a dismissive tone of voice.
Perhaps it is a mutual feeling across the nation.
But SHE has never experienced this sort of emotion before.
SHE doesn’t know HOW to cope with the perpetual grief and constant anxiety of her unsafe workplace.
SHE is the one who is attempting to carry on as usual, without a single sympathetic shoulder to lean on.
SHE doesn’t know what to do and has feelings of hopelessness and loss of faith in fellow humans.
DON’T BRUSH IT ASIDE WHEN YOUR EMPLOYEES COME TO YOU. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT.
The Nurses' Lounge 