April 26th, 2020

What is the right thing?

I am a single mother who has been in Preop/PACU for 15 years now. With elective surgeries cancelled we are being pulled to the IMC/ICU. Not only are we being pulled from our area but we are now being forced to work nights and weekends. I can understand being pulled to different units but with a 12 year old at home, a heart condition myself and an elderly mother who is strictly self quarenteened, it poses great difficulty. I am willing to help but the nights and weekends to staff the ICU is a bit much. Anyone else going through this? Thoughts/advice/opinions please. Do we have a leg to stand on or are we just sheep that have to go with the flock??

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This is an issue many nurses are grappling with. You might find this guidance from the ANA helpful.
https://www.nursingworld.org/~495c6c/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/work-environment/health--safety/coronavirus/nurses-ethics-and-the-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic.pdf
There is no universal answer, in the end, each person has to weigh their personal risks with their professional responsibilities based on their unique situation.

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