Nurses shedding light on the ugly side of the flu

The 2017-2018 flu season is breaking all records. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the “overall hospitalization rate is higher than the overall hospitalization rate reported during the same week of the 2014-2015 season; the most severe season in recent years.” The most recent CDC report showed an additional 17 flu-related pediatric deaths, bringing the total to 53 this season with little relief in sight.

ER Nurse shares her humble thoughts

There is no doubt that the frontline nurses and healthcare workers are bearing the burden of this record-breaking year. One nurse, feeling the daily frustrations of fighting what appears to be losing battle, recently took her thoughts to the masses in a video that went viral.

Nurse Katherine Lockler posted a video to her Facebook page after a long shift in the ER, candidly expressing what most nurses and providers think on a daily basis but often are afraid to say.

Her simple but sassy message hoped to shed some light on the ways the public is not helping the current epidemic. In her six-minute video, she shares how simply the flu is passed but also how most are just not washing their hands. When working in an office, it’s easy to pass germs without knowing it. Germs can be everywhere, from the desks to the doors. This is why some offices decide to contact companies, like https://greenfacilities.co.uk/, to perform a deep clean in their office. This can limit the number of potential flu germs in the office. However, employees should also wash their hands regularly and keep anti-bacterial gel with them for extra protection against the flu.

Lockler reminds folks that the last place you may want to go if you do not have a true emergency is the hospital which is essentially “a cesspool of funky flu” these days. She sarcastically shares how folks are coming to the emergency room unnecessarily to visit friends and family — all unwittingly becoming potential new flu victims.

Although she shares her message in a humorous, saucy way, Lockler’s points are well taken and true. If we have any hope of containing this seasonal epidemic, we all need to do our part to prevent the spread. As she points out, do not unnecessarily expose family members, cover your coughs and sneezes — for which she does a fantastic demonstration — and especially wash your hands often.

Lockler also goes on to share the true experience of working in the ER during this busy season. She notes the overcrowding, limited resources and lack of breaks for nurses, while all being exposed themselves at high rates. It’s easy to forget that choosing a career in healthcare may also mean signing yourself up to a life of catching all of the various contagious conditions, but luckily there is physicians disability insurance so that you don’t suffer financial hardship if you have to take time off work.

She ends her video — which has been viewed more than 9 million times — asking the public to be kind and thank the healthcare workers who put themselves in harm’s way to care for others.

Nurse fired for calling in sick

So, with unprecedented numbers of infected patients, it is no surprise that healthcare workers are becoming sick themselves. Despite mandated vaccinations at most facilities, healthcare workers will inevitably get sick, especially in light of what appears to be an ineffective vaccine this year.

Recently, an Ohio nurse came forward stating she was fired for calling out while ill with the flu. Theresa Puckett, a University Hospital PRN (as needed) nurse was told she violated the hospital’s attendance policy due to calling out at the end of 2017 and being sent home early on a second shift.

Since she had missed two shifts in a 60-day period, she was terminated. Although she had a doctor’s note to not return to work, it was not considered excused under their policy.

In a strange paradox, the hospital had recently initiated visitor restriction “for the safety of our patients, staff and public.” They were restricting anyone who exhibited flu-like symptoms, yet Puckett apparently was supposed to present herself to work. Although the hospital adamantly maintains that they were well within their right to terminate Puckett, it certainly seems that their message is conflicting.

As the flu season continues to rage on, nurses and other healthcare workers will continue to do what they do — care for sick people, try to care for themselves and continue to try to educate the public so they can care for themselves as well.

So, wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes, and try to minimize your exposure to prevent further spread. Be well and remember to thank a nurse!

ICU Nurse or ER Nurse: What’s the Difference?

Trying to move your nursing career in a new direction? The fast-paced jobs as an ICU nurse or ER nurse are both options you should consider. But what’s the difference? 

ICU Nurse or ER Nurse: The Differences

Both of these jobs are fast-paced, require quick-thinking, and deal with life or death situations. Obviously they work in different parts of the hospital. 

But what are the other differences between these two jobs? 

There are more than you might think! 

Let’s look at each job individually and see what’s different between an ER nurse and an ICU nurse. 

What an ICU Nurse Does

ICU nurses work in the Intensive Care Unit – also commonly called Critical Care. They manage and care for patients that are at a critical stage in their health. These patients will be either near-death or are fragile and recovering. They require constant monitoring and vigilance. 

Since critical care patients require so much attention, an ICU nurse will typically only have to work with one or two patients per shift. 

The main duties of an ICU nurse include: 

• Monitor vital signs
• Stabilize patients when needed
• Educate family members throughout the process
• Document any changes and actions are taken
• Manage ICU equipment like catheters and breathing tubes
• React quickly to codes

Any changes in vital signs or on the equipment could be detrimental. ICU nurses must be incredibly aware and vigilant at all times. 

Since these patients have such critical health, ICU nurses must be excellent communicators. When they leave their shift, they have to make sure the next nurse understands everything that happened on your shift and the actions you took. 

What an ER Nurse Does

An ER nurse works in the emergency room/emergency department. This means they will experience a wide variety of patients and issues. From a minor stomach bug to fatal injuries, ER nurses see it all. 

The number of patients they interact with and treat changes on any given shift. It could be as few as just 3, it could be as busy as 100. It just depends on where you work and what happens that day.

The goal of an ER nurse is to stabilize and move patients to where they need to be – whether that is admitting them to the hospital or sending them home. 

That means an ER Nurse has a wide variety of job duties. This can include any of the following: 

• Communicate with family members and physicians
• Monitor health conditions
• Recommend future patient care (hospital admittance or treating and going home) 
• Administer medications
• Respond to codes
• Prioritize care – discern which patients need to be seen soonest 
• Charting care and actions taken

In fact, on any given shift, an ER nurse’s job will vary and change. And if day shift in the ER is busy, night shift nursing is a whole other beast. 

How To Choose Whether to Be an ICU Nurse or ER Nurse

Now that you know what they do, how do you choose which one to go after? Both of them are adrenaline-pumping and keep you on your toes, but for different reasons. 

If You Prefer Organization and Reliable Methods, Choose ICU Nurse

Since patients in the ICU require a high-level of care, the exact duties and responsibilities of an ICU nurse are always going to be the same. They have to pay attention to so much detail that every single duty has a clear process and exact steps to follow. 

ICU nurses tend to be type-A personalities. They are organized, pay close attention to detail, and are able to remember important information quickly. 

If You Prefer Variety, Choose ER Nurse

On the flip side, if you think variety is the spice of life, the ER might be the perfect place for you. You never know what you are going to experience that shift. It could be quiet and you might be lucky to catch your breath. 

ER Nursing requires lots of energy and quick-thinking. It also demands a strong personality, since you’ll have to make tough decisions. ER nurses interact with a wide variety of people and physicians, so you have to have strong communication skills. 

ICU Nursing and ER Nursing

Both of these nurses require a lot of heart. No matter which one you choose, you’ll feel drained at the end of your shift. Neither one is more important than the other one. Both play imperative roles in helping people when they need it most.