It’s no secret that nurses and hospital workers are probably the most essential workers right now. Thousands of healthcare workers across the world are putting their lives on the line daily as they clock into work to start their shift.
Teanna Royer, a licensed practical nurse who has worked at the Dr. Phillips Hospital for three years, said she never imagined she would see anything like this. “We have to get our temperature checked at the beginning of our shift and in the middle of our shift every day. They are giving us the option to choose if we want to come work or not. But most of us have still been coming in because we need the pay.” said Royer.
According to Royer, all patients, employees and visitors are screened before they enter the building. Hospital security guards are asking everyone that enters if they have any coronavirus symptoms such as cough, runny nose or fever. As of April 12, 2020, there are currently 18,986 confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida. Royer, who also works at nursing homes from time to time, says she has seen three patients test positive for the coronavirus so far.
Crystal Smith, a registered nurse at Winne Palmer Hospital, shared that her fellow nurses have been offered $6000 a week to travel to New York City to work at hospitals that are understaffed. “Six thousand dollars a week for 13 weeks. That’s $78,000 in about three months. The nurses would work three 12-hour shifts out of the week. It’s very tempting but I can’t do it,” said Smith. New York currently leads the country with approximately 181,825 confirmed coronavirus cases.
Both nurses also shared that their hospitals have a shortage in personal protective equipment, or PPE. Smith, who has been working in the isolation unit, said the best thing for people to do is follow the rules placed by the CDC and remain hopeful that this will be over soon.
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