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8 New Aspects Of Working In The Emergency Department, Thanks To COVID-19

We are here for you. Stay home for us.

Jenna Salemie

May 01, 2020

Missouri State University

372

8 New Aspects Of Working In The Emergency Department, Thanks To COVID-19

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I am an essential worker. I may not be a doctor, but I am essential. So are the housekeepers, the maintenance team, and the nurses.

I am an EMCT, or emergency multi-care tech.

I basically do everything besides medicate patients. I splint extremities, insert catheters, draw blood, take EKGs, perform CPR, etc. The emergency department would not be able to function without the techs. The nurses just don't have the time to do all that techs do.

Working in the ER is much different now. It's more mellow while also being more intense...if that makes sense. There isn't an overwhelming amount of patients, but the patients that we do get are usually critical. We always have to be on our toes.

We are enduring these 8 realities every day now that COVID has taken over.

1. We are drenched in sweat at the end of our 12-hour shift

Every time we have to go into a possible COVID room, we have put on goggles, gloves, and a disposable suit. Not to mention, we are wearing our masks for the whole shift. Those disposable blue gowns get HOT. If you aren't drenched by the time you take it off, you did it wrong.

2. We may not get a lunch break

Lots of times, the workers in the ER are stuck with critical patients, taking care of incoming ambulances, or helping their patients. Our patients come before us. If we don't get to eat because someone codes, it's totally okay.

3. We are masked 24/7

Just like most of the world, a mask is now permanently a part of us. I even tried changing my Apple Face ID to my face with a mask...it didn't work. Anyway, being masked the whole shift is very annoying. The material is very itchy and the ear loops hurt our ears. Thank you to everyone who has donated headbands! They help immensely.

4. We have to tell patients bad news on a daily basis

This is normal for us, but recently we've had to tell more people more bad news. It isn't fun letting someone know that they have coronavirus. It will never be fun.

5. We have people yell at us and get mad for the littlest things

Quarantine makes us all crazy. The staff snap at each other a lot (out of love), and patients don't like waiting for results. Everyone is antsier. That's ok though, we love them anyway.

6. We can't allow visitors, and it's really hard telling patients that

Due to COVID-19, there can be absolutely no visitors. Minors can only have one parent guardian with them. I hate telling patients and family members that they can't see each other.

7. Sometimes patients steal masks and wipes, so we have to hide them and ration them out to employees

This is unfortunate and I wish it didn't happen, but it does. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but stealing? Really? We have everything hidden now and are trying to conserve the personal protective equipment (PPE) that we have.

8. We have to screen every person who comes in the door, and many people are not the nicest

"Any travel outside the US? Any contact with COVID-19 positive patients? Travel to high-risk areas? Any cough, fever, or shortness of breath? Let me check your temperature."

We have to ask every single person who walks in these questions. Most of them are fine with it, but a few don't want to talk to the screeners.

All in all, be nice to us, please. We go through a lot to keep you guys safe. We always will. It's who we are.

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25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

30580

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

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college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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Recommended for you

8 New Aspects Of Working In The Emergency Department, Thanks To COVID-19

We are here for you. Stay home for us.

1. We are drenched in sweat at the end of our 12-hour shift

2. We may not get a lunch break

3. We are masked 24/7

4. We have to tell patients bad news on a daily basis

5. We have people yell at us and get mad for the littlest things

6. We can't allow visitors, and it's really hard telling patients that

7. Sometimes patients steal masks and wipes, so we have to hide them and ration them out to employees

8. We have to screen every person who comes in the door, and many people are not the nicest

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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