■ Healthcare
Continued From Page 12 very difficult for us as nurses . Initially , we had to learn about this virus , how it was transmitted and how to treat our patients . The first wave of high patient admissions started in March 2020 ; the second wave ran from December 2020
through March 2021 . The pandemic has proven challenging , both physically and mentally for our nurses . Working all day in masks and shields can be physically difficult , but the more difficult challenge is addressing staff members ’ mental health . COVID‐19 has brought us very sick patients and too many fatalities . Jefferson Health has offered various COVID‐19 Well-Being Resources , which are tiered to match the level of emotional support needed by our staff members during these difficult times . These range from self-help well-being / coping support , to individual professional support . Many nursing staff have participated and benefited from these sessions . In December 2020 , a Jefferson Health — New Jersey Intensive Care Unit nurse became our first vaccinated employee . Being there to see her vaccinated , gave me hope in our battle against the pandemic . All our staff have since been offered the vaccine .
RWJBarnabas Health , Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey By Carolyn Hayes , PhD , RN , NEA-BC , Chief Nursing Officer
The last year has been both physically and mentally challenging for frontline workers .
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Oncology has had a unique role in the COVID‐19 pandemic given the patient population for whom we hold primary accountability . Screening , social distancing and reassurance were major work efforts , which are still underway at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RW- JBarnabas Health . With vaccines now available , patients turn to us for advice and access with understandable anxiety . We were pained by visitor
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