Hello everyone
I am Ramakant, working as Nursing officer at ESIC Model Hospital, Katha Baddi, Dist. Solan, Himachal Pradesh. I would like to share my experience & thoughts about the COVID situation which I witnessed during my posting.
It was time for me to celebrate the birthday of my son Harshan who was going to complete his 2nd year of life on the next day i.e.20/05/2020. I was busy doing all the preparations for his birthday when suddenly I got a call from my superior authority saying that I was assigned ‘COVID duty’ and have to report immediately as the new patient was supposed to be admitted in next one hour. Here I will be sharing many of nurses who may have experienced the same during this pandemic.
Nuclear family and COVID Duty
I was a bit worried not because of the duty but because I have a nuclear family and the groceries were not sufficient enough to maintain until I come back from my COVID duty followed by quarantine days. I hurried up and just bought in things whichever came in mind at that time. I was juggling between family arrangements and attending calls from the in-charge & ANS. They were trying to guide me on how to manage the situation at ward since I was the only one posted there till next morning. I abided by with situation & managed to bring all essential items for the home. Later on, I discussed with my wife and we decided to celebrate our son’s birthday today itself now itself. She also agreed and with the help of our neighbours we quickly got ready for the celebration. Although It was a very happy moment for us but we were anxious for the moment that was ahead of it. I remembered the oath I had taken at my nursing college and prepared my self to serve life and bring up needy people in a critical situation. I secretly wished that they would have called me on some other day so that I could have enjoyed the occasion well with my family.
The journey of COVID duty
My profession gave me the strength to serve mankind and manage a pandemic situation. I just picked up my bag and went ahead with positive hope. Nursing is a profession where it teaches how to care for people as well as how to manage yourself. It is difficult for everyone who is going for COVID duty because you have to pack yourself with PPE which exhausts you during your duty and does not allow free movement. Sometimes we feel like running away from the duties but we don’t do that. We also learn patience from our profession and use it when it comes to caring for our patients.
Nurses are very strong to serve the mankind and for social well being of the world. But it is difficult for them when they or their family members are left without care during such situations. They should be provided emotional and social security by either their higher authority like In-charge, ANS or the Hospital Management. If any nurse suffers from any problems during such pandemics they should be provided with medical insurance and compensation.
Positive end with COVID negative
Positivity spirit and motivation are an important part of the teamwork. Team leaders and institutional representatives should focus on these to maintain harmony and teamwork among the staff so that we can always shine out.
I spent my duty in witnessing ups downs, drenched in sweat in this hot climate. Apart from being away from my family, I had to stay in a hotel and we all know that eating hotel food for a whole month is not enjoyable at all. COVID situation has disturbed people socially, economically & mentally. I was 14 days away from my family and all family members were anxious about my health, worried that I don’t get infected while on duty.
They were tensed about my COVID report until it came negative. Everyone was happy to know about it. As I returned home and I saw my son coming running to me while I was standing at the gate. We both hugged each other for a while and the feeling of kissing him after a long time brought me the same smile which I had on the day he was born. I thank everyone for their love and support which made me strong to fight in social as well as clinical situations.
Jai Hind