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How VA Nurses are Coping With the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs takes stock of how its members are addressing the current crisis.


 

The tsunami we call COVID-19 has threatened to overwhelm everything in its path, with devastating effects that can be hard to quantify or qualify. But the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA) has taken on the fight. Earlier this year, NOVA surveyed its members to learn how nurses felt the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was managing personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, communications, staffing needs, and other issues. Following the survey NOVA conducted in-depth interviews with nurses at the VA Boston Healthcare System to better understand how the pandemic was affecting nurses across the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The first survey, which was conducted in March and April 2020, included the following questions:

  • Do you feel prepared for COVID-19?
  • Do you feel your facility’s supply of PPE is adequate?
  • Are you aware of the protocol for the distribution of equipment/supplies at your facility?
  • Are staff being tested for the virus, and if so, when, and are there enough test kits available for staff and patients?
  • Do you believe your facility is properly handling staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are asymptomatic?

With the May survey, NOVA aimed to get an update on how things were progressing. This survey asked how the pandemic was affecting members personally, including questions such as: Do you feel you are being supported—mentally and physically? Has VA offered to provide staff mental health counselors or others to help mitigate stress during the crisis?

Results revealed inconsistencies and some confusion . For example, c ommunication among leadership, staff, and veterans continued to change rapidly, causing some misunderstanding overall, respondents said. Some pointed to “e-mail overload” and weekly updates that didn’t work. Others felt communication was “reactive” and “bare minimum”—not “proactive and informative.”

Most (74%) respondents felt that access to PPE was inadequate, and many did not know the protocol for distribution or what supplies were on hand, while 47% felt ill prepared for any COVID-19 onslaught. Although things had improved somewhat by May, > 85% of the respondents said they were reusing what was provided daily and were still finding it difficult to get PPE when needed.

According to respondents, testing was pretty much nonexistent. When asked whether staff were being tested and whether tests for both staff and patients were available, the answer was a resounding No (80%). Nurses’ comments ranged from “staff are not being tested, even if they have been exposed,” to “there are not enough tests for patients, let alone for frontline staff.”

The lack of tests compounded stress. Helen Motroni, ADN, RN, spinal cord injury staff nurse, said, I have been tested twice for direct exposure to the coronavirus in the past 3 weeks. Luckily, the results were negative, but waiting for the test results was extremely stressful because I have 2 little boys at home. While waiting for results, I self-quarantined and was terrified that I possibly brought the virus home to my children. I never left my room and would talk with my boys through the door and FaceTime. My 8-year-old asked me why I couldn’t stay home so I would not get sick. I explained to him that if every nurse did that, there would be nobody to help those that are sick and suffering.”

More thoughts from NOVA nurses

The COVID-19 crisis has only intensified the nurses’ commitment to their patients. Here are some more comments from the respondents to the NOVA survey.

Carolyn Keefe, BSN, BS, RN

Staff Nurse, Screener

I am a Screener. Staff are considered self-screened when they present their PIV card. However, patients and vendors are screened for possible exposure to COVID-19 before entering by VA staff. I ask them if they have a fever, cold or flu-like symptoms, and if they have had contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. I appreciate the support of the VA Police and Emergency Department staff when some do not cooperate with the screening process as well as when possible COVID positive patients need to be escorted to the Emergency Department. Monitoring access and screening patients and visitors who are given entrance into the facility helps safeguard our staff and patients during these uncertain times. I am passionate about protecting the Veterans and staff.

Brian Tuffy, BSN, RN

Assistant Nurse Manager, Psychiatry

COVID-19 has taken Unit 2-3-C, an Acute Psychiatric inpatient ward, by storm, just as it has the rest of our nation and world. This virus has affected staff and patients alike, with symptoms ranging from minimal to debilitating. Our veterans’ courage is as evident today as it was at the time that they served our country. Our patients remain hopeful and appreciative of the staff now more than ever. In today’s unprecedented times, the staff’s courage, commitment, and dedication to the veterans is obvious. Even in these challenging times, this makes coming to work simpler than going to the grocery store, despite the risk that we are faced with on a daily basis. We find comfort and support within each other, and I am so thankful to work with such a compassionate, caring, and strong group of individuals. We are all in this together.

Dianne Acerra, MSN, MBA, RN

Management of Information and Outcomes (MIO) Coordinator

In my role, I use my informatics and analysis skills to access data and provide accurate and timely COIVD-19 statistics and patient updates to staff and leadership. At first, the media made me anxious, however, working and interacting with my colleagues both locally and nationally, I believe has given us all a support network and a sense of community to make it through this together.

Nacha Pierre, MSN, RN

Nurse Manager, Outpatient Specialty Clinics

Being a nurse during COVID-19 has truly shown me the resiliency and sacrifices of the nurses surrounding me. It has made me even more proud of my nursing profession and grateful to be part of such an amazing organization.

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