Metaphorically and literally, we are crispy in California right now.
Last weekend was hot with crazy storms that set off a chain of many wildfires. Most of the fires have new types of names to symbolize this new catastrophic cause: “lightning complex” fires. Many lightning strikes hitting dried out & ready-to-ignite brush (it is wildfire season, after all) and then the small fires come together quickly, fueled by high winds, to form the larger “complexes.” I certainly wish I’d never had to learn that.
And back in the ICU, we are full of patients and short on nurses. For three of my regular shifts this week, I’ve been doing the work of 2 nurses (actually, more like 5– but that’s impossible so I focus on doing 2 and let the chips fall where they may). I’ve also worked extra shifts.
The amount of overtime I’ve seen people working is truly astonishing. In many ways, our team is really pulling together and doing the best we can with what we’ve got. This is what we’ve always done as nurses, and will continue to do. Even when it means no one gets a lunch break. Or the charge nurse is also the rapid response nurse is also the code blue nurse is also the break nurse is also the resource nurse….
You know what gets us through? Laughter! And kindness. I always end my shift huddles during times of high stress by reminding everyone to help their neighbors and be kind…
You know what else helps? Food and beverages! We order boba, pizza, fried chicken, sandwiches, Thai food… and if the coffee runs out? Omg, a national disaster!
It’s Sunday morning now. I’m preparing for a new week by washing my scrubs, washing and chopping my face work snacks: celery carrots and apples. If they’re not precut, I won’t be eating them… I made three sandwiches for three nights of work, and I ground some coffee beans to take with me tonight!
I have my go bag packed, in case I have to evacuate because of a fire. Last year, one jumped a body of water near a bridge (the wind carried it) and came within a few miles of my house. I pack for work the same way, like everyday is a small disaster— scrub cap, face masks, stethoscope, food and water supplies. Today the main difference is that the smell of fire and the poor air quality is here to remind us that emergencies will continue to occur— now we just have COVID too.