Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1241832
Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com 45 April 27–June 15, 2020 Thanks to some amazing donations and the resourceful- ness of several of our hospital leaders, we have been able to ensure that our nurses have the equipment they need. However, although we can now say with greater confi- dence that we have adequate supplies to protect the clinical staff, this pandemic is ongoing, so PPE supplies remain one of our top priorities. Robyn M. Nelson, RN, Ph.D., MSN Dean, College of Nursing West Coast University Our university has focused on the health and safety of our faculty and students. For stu- dents, we have associates certified in mental health first aid available in addition to our existing student assistance programs. For faculty, we have implemented changes to existing sick and vacation time policies, including addi- tional sick time for 2020. We're also sending weekly messages regarding strate- gies for working remotely; Thanks to some amazing donations and the resourceful- Pandemic reminders of the support available; and appreciation for flexibility, encouragement and positivity during this healthcare crisis. Denise Robinson, RN, DNP, MPH, WOCN Chief Nursing Officer Loma Linda University Medical Center Hospital-provided scrubs are available for employees working in the ED or desig- nated COVID-19 units; after their shifts, employees can change back into their non- clinical attire and leave the scrubs to be washed. Local hotels are offering special rates to employees looking to stay in a hotel to protect their families during this time. (Nurses may also be eligible for a state pro- gram providing no-cost hotel rooms to frontline healthcare workers who meet certain criteria.) We're also coordi- nating food distribution to all the frontline staff. Chaplains round through- out the organization to pro- vide emotional and spiritual support to employees, patients and families, and we can arrange virtual visits for COVID-19 floors. Nurses on the COVID-19 units can also take advantage of emotional support/renew- al rooms, an idea developed by our professional gover-