By Martha Pressley-Turner, RN, CMGT-BC, MS, LCCE, FACCE
Last year I was losing hair from the stress of not being able to help my colleagues in New York City ICUs. I did not have the needed skills and have learned to help in other ways through volunteer agencies. My hair is growing now.
Martha Pressley-Turner
My biggest fear now is watching these nurses leave the profession from the horrors of this pandemic battle. A recent Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll¹ revealed after a year-long pandemic, a third of healthcare workers have considered leaving their profession. How many nurses have already left?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has been listening to concerns and addressing them. ² For those non-member nurses or nurses too overwhelmed to search for resources we as case managers need to help the caregiver.
Tell them about the opportunities in case management, the varied practice settings available, your love stories about how your advocacy made a difference in someone’s life. Talk to them about the fulfillment of your career.
Maybe they are feeling the loss of a dead colleague and have not dealt with their grieving or even realized they haven’t mourned. Find a time to pull them aside to a quiet place and ask them to tell you about their friend.
Many of us are standing on the shore but we don’t have to be idle. Be proactive and save part of our interdisciplinary team.
Connect with your local chapter to connect with your colleagues HERE.
Do you know someone who’s struggled to cope through COVID?
Thank you for this beautifully worded piece, Marty. It is so important to stay connected right now and I hope those who are struggling reach out to their friends and colleagues!
Martha; what a beautifully written, incredibly timely, thoughtful commentary. I have observed this first-hand and remind my friends and colleagues…to seek help is a sign of strength. Thank you for shining a light on this issue.
Melanie,
I worked high risk L&D and once had three consecutive days with deliveries incompatible with life. On the third day the NICU took me out to happy hour. After forty years, I don’t remember their names, but I remember the kindness.
Marty
Kelley,
I worked high risk L&D and once had three consecutive days with deliveries incompatible with life. On the third day the NICU took me out to happy hour. After forty years, I don’t remember their names, but I remember the kindness.
Marty