Nicu Nurse
What does a NICU nurse do?
A NICU nurse cares for all of the sick newborns. Some of our patients are just feeding and growing while others are very sick on ventilators with multiple IV drips running. We monitor vital signs, administer medication, provide nutrients, and comfort to newborn babies. We work as a team with the doctors, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and various other staff members to care for the infants.
How has your day to day life in the NICU unit changed since the pandemic started?
We limited visitors to the two support people for the infants. All of the staff and visitors wear masks. We keep our distance as much as possible from each other. At the start of our shift we go through a screening process including taking our temperature and answering a series of questions.
Do any of the babies have covid-19, if so do they have to go to a separate units?
As far as I know we haven’t had an infant test positive for Covid-19. We have negative pressure rooms with ppe set up for any infant who is a possible positive.
Do you feel like the hospital is looking after you? Do you have enough protective masks and gloves? I see a lot of nurses are being sent or are making their own masks, are you doing that ?
So far we have had enough equipment and ppe. We are saving our N-95 masks for the positive or possibly positive patients. We wear surgical, procedure, or cloth masks. A lot of nurses and volunteers have sent us the cloth masks. I usually wear the cloth mask with a filter inside of it. We wash the mask in hot water and dry it in the dryer or the sun after each shift.
How are you doing? Are you and your fellow nurses big support system for each other? Does the hospital offer mental health support?
I am doing okay. Everyone seems a bit on edge with all of the stress of the virus. We have a tight unit and are very supportive of one another. The Chaplins have been checking in periodically to see if we need to talk with them. I usually check in with some of my nurse friends on my days off to make sure they are doing okay, and to keep myself sane!
How do you decompress when you go home?
My gym has been a great support during this pandemic. They have online workouts via zoom and one of the instructors leads guided meditation sessions. I have been trying to stay active although that has been a struggle. I am definitely more of a group participant in the exercise department. I’ve been working on some household projects, like fixing and painting my deck. I spend a lot of time cooking for my kids and making sure they are getting outside and eating healthy meals. One other thing I find helpful are campfires. I try to make a fire on the warm nights and chill with my music and wine.
While there is this pandemic are you allowed to be near your children or do you wave from afar?
I am with my children. Their father, my ex husband, comes over to be with them on my days on. I am happy that this routine is working out so far. It would be very difficult to be separated from my children.
Are you able to decompress on your days off or at the end of shifts? What do you do on your days off?
I usually try to basically take a shower then go to sleep after my shift at work, it’s a long day...7am-7:30pm. On my days off I’ve been busy with helping the kids with school work and making the meals. There is more cleaning involved also with everyone home 24/7! I try to take the dog for a walk, get in a workout, and work on one of my projects. I also check in with my family and friends to try to feel connected with them.
Have your hours dramatically increased?
My hours have stayed the same. There are some staffing needs in our unit, but it seems to be about the same as usual so far. I don’t typically pick up extra time since I have the kids at home.
How is your life and your headspace changing as the weeks go on?
I am definitely feeling the isolation. I am a social person and I miss being with people. I’ve had moments here and there where I loose it and get emotional or angry. That’s when I pick up the phone or go for a walk.
How have your anxiety levels changed as the weeks have gone on?
My anxiety is pretty high at the grocery store and at work sometimes. I am trying to stay healthy so I don’t get anyone sick. It makes you skeptical of the other people you are in contact with. At home we try to give each other space so we aren’t on top of each other all the time. That helps decrease the anxiety.
What frightens you the most about this, do you have ways of calming yourself?
I am scared that my parents may contract the virus. They are elderly and it would be very difficult to see them sick and alone. I worry about my kids, not only the possibility of getting Covid, but also their mental health. I am also worried about my 401k and the 529’s! Trying not to look at the losses too often.
Have you managed to find any silver linings?
I have actually had a bunch of silver linings. I am spending quality time with my kids. I have an 11 year old and a 14 year old, they typically would rather be with their friends, but since I’m the only option we have been having some fun together. I’m cooking a lot more, which is nice. I’ve been getting some things checked off my list of things to do around the house. I have taken more time to sit and listen, broke out the binoculars to watch the birds too.
People are saying this is a time for real change both personally and worldly. Do you agree and if so how, at this early stage, do you see and/or hope your life will change from this?
It has made me rethink a lot of things. Like, do we really need to have something going in every night and day? My kids are very active in sports and school events, we rarely get to have a meal together. It has been a wake up call for me to really get to know my kids. Maybe we were all a bit too busy. It’s nice to step back in time and enjoy the simple things.
Are there any conspiracy theories you subscribe to?
I haven’t let myself take that thought process. I am a realist and try to take each day in stride. I also am limiting the news that I watch ;).
If you were president what would you have done differently?
I think we probably could have shut down the international traveling sooner. I would try to offer more comfort and compassion to the people. I wouldn’t blame the healthcare workers for a lack of ppe either.
What one thing would you shout from the tops of buildings that you wish people would listen to? Is the general public taking this all seriously enough?
I can’t believe how many people are on the roads still. I almost have the same amount of traffic on my way to work. Also so many people shopping and frantically buying things. I would shout “stay calm, stay home!!!”.
Using the color chart below please tell me in general what colors you are feeling. It can be a whole rainbow if you want or just one…!
Red- angry
Yellow- scared
Green- inspired, this is giving you time to reflect and/or create
Blue- sad/depressed
Pink- happy. You see and focus on the silver linings.
black- doomed this is hard
cream- you feel no difference
orange- over whelmed
Blue, pink, yellow
*Names were asked to be kept out of this as hospital requested a no interview policy.