Roller Coaster of COVID

As a nurse manager, the roller coaster of COVID has been a nail-biter. From low to high volumes, the perpetual high acuity, the increase in terminal weans, and daily deaths, the impact on the team has been unpredictable and unrelenting. The daily unknown of the ED has elevated to a level never seen before in my 13 years working in the ED. While the team has transitioned with grace, the long-term impact remains to be unknown and stress levels are at an all-time high. Some patients are grateful and others are hateful.

Complaints about not being able to visit a family member occur daily. Patients are increasingly frustrated by increased wait times due to the demands on healthcare everywhere. Hospital diversions are daily and at record levels. Supply issues continue and impact normal operations. Still, I believe the light at the end of the tunnel continues to shine, even sometimes when it feels like the light is buried under Mount Everest. The team continues to push on, working together with purpose and excellence.

-Jennifer Davis, DNP, RN, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC