Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1307977
Bill Paige, RN, BSN, MICN ER SUPERVISOR Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? We've had to come up with entire new processes to take care of patients safely during the pandemic. Even the new processes have evolved: moving supplies out of the rooms and into the hallways; the ways we gown up and use PPE; having patients wait outside; and even erecting temporary walls to section off areas of the emergency department to use as "hot zones." Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. Early on, a fellow employee came to the ER with difficulty breathing. She had to be intubated and spent a long time recov- ering in our hospital. She called recently after being discharged and thanked us for saving her life. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? People's capacity to care has been amazing to see — both coworkers and the public. We have so many restaurants, organizations and individuals who send us food or donate supplies they've been able to acquire. At the beginning of the pandemic, when N95 masks were next to impossible to find, I came home from work one evening to find a new box of N95 masks on my front porch, dropped off by a friend of mine with a note saying to stay safe. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? I have been growing as a nurse for the last 21 years! Initially, nursing was scary and new, but as time goes on, you find you're a resource to everyone else and someone who helps other nurses who are new and scared. Justin Ocampo, RN CONCURRENT REVIEW NURSE, UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT Inland Empire Health Plan, Rancho Cucamonga Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice? Transitioning out of hands-on patient care, which I really enjoyed in my previous roles, has been the greatest chal- lenge. Although I am no longer at the bedside, I know the work I do behind the scenes is having a positive impact for our members who need our help. Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse during this pandemic. The recognition nurses and medical professionals have received. Prior to the pandemic, the risks of the job and the dan- gers it can present were rarely discussed and sometimes felt unnoticed. As a nurse, being rec- ognized as a community hero has really inspired me. What nonmedical support from family, friends or the general public has been most appreciated? Seeing everyone do their part to stay safe has been critical and appreciated, and the support from family, friends and the public has been amazing. I hope it continues post-pandemic. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? My work as a nurse and the relationships I was able to build with my patients and other healthcare professionals have changed my whole outlook on life. They have strengthened my morals and ethics as a per- son and given me the opportu- nity to learn and grow into the nurse I am today. No matter what walk of life one may be in, there is always someone who has it worse. There is always room to help others, which can improve not only someone else's life, but yours as well. We've had to come up with entire new processes to take care of patients safely during the pandemic. Even the new processes have evolved: moving supplies out of the rooms and into the hallways; the ways we gown up and use PPE; having patients wait outside; and even erecting temporary walls to section off areas of the emergency department to use as "hot zones." Tell us about the most inspirational thing you've experienced as a nurse Early on, a fellow employee came to the ER with difficulty breathing. She had to be intubated and spent a long time recov- and the public. We have so many restaurants, organizations and individuals who send us food or donate supplies they've been able to acquire. At the beginning of the pandemic, when N95 masks were next to impossible to find, I came home from work one evening to find a new box of N95 masks on my front porch, dropped off by a friend of mine with a note saying to stay safe. How have you grown as a nurse since you started working in this profession? I have been growing as a nurse for the last 21 years! Initially, nursing was scary and new, but as time goes on, you find you're a resource to everyone else and someone who helps other nurses who are new and scared. November 9–December 14, 2020 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com 29