I remember 2020 started well for me, with a traditional New Year's celebration, followed by celebrating my son’s 18th birthday and my mom’s 89th birthday. It was fun, right on the heels of a beautiful Christmas.
Then, things started to happen. My mom was admitted to the hospital for an episode of delirium, and right after that, another admission for a fractured hip after a fall. Thankfully, she recovered, and was transferred to a long-term care facility (CHSLD) for rehabilitation.Ěý
While this was going on with my mom, my sister, who had been battling with ovarian cancer for over 3 years, was admitted to another hospital for respiratory issues. It turns out her cancer had progressed, and she began the transition from active treatment to palliative care.
While all of this was happening, COVID-19 had already begun its devastation in Asia and parts of Europe. We had not yet been confronted with our own COVID-19 battle here at home. We were still living what I now call our status quo of the past few years; a long period in our healthcare system where governments have systematically been cutting into our services, with a public largely unaware of what that means. A time where patients, nurses and others were trying to have their voices heard, but with little impact. A period where productivity was being prioritized over humanity in our institutions, a time where everybody seemed to be getting their orders from the ministry directly.
It seemed hopeless to me. I coped with my feelings by being everywhere at the same time for both my mom and my sister, ensuring they got what they needed and that their voices were being heard by their care teams. I just wanted them to be as safe as possible and above all, to be treated with dignity, as people. I somehow managed to get my mom out of the long-term care facility andĚýback to her nursing home where she lives. I helped my sister to get out of hospital, then back home and eventually into a palliative care residence where she died peacefully and COVID-19 free.
Along the way of my personal healthcare story, of course, everything changed with COVID-19. We were all immersed in this frightening new reality. Our healthcare system was thrown into chaos, and across the province, the country and the world, we all had to do the best we could with what we had.Ěý All the hidden flaws of our healthcare system were suddenly very visible to all, not just to healthcare workers and patients.Ěý
My close friends tell me it is a blessing to be a nurse especially at this time, and I do believe that more than ever. Here is the caveat I will add: If Quebec and the rest of the world want to have nurses and other nursing staff to deliver the care they so deserve, things have to change. Nurses’ education, knowledge and voices must be visible and respected once more.
What do I want to say as I write this story today? Firstly, while productivity is an important metric, it cannot be the only outcome that is measured. Secondly, nurses want to have their rights respected. Why? So that they can provide the care that, our patients deserve and pay for. Expert, compassionate care that is not rushed, that is evidence based and truly centered on our patients and their needs, not those of the system. Thirdly, we are present, day and night, weekdays and holidays. Our expertise when it is well used is critical to patients’ safety, wellbeing, and comfort.
It is difficult to imagine anybody who is not heartbroken to see the devastation in hospital and in healthcare facilities. I am horrified at what I heard and saw, but sadly, I was not at all surprised. For many years now, nurses have been trying to advocate for better education, better patient ratios and better conditions for our patients. We have been fighting to live our full scope of practice, as recognized by law.
With all the public attention on our healthcare system now, while all of its flaws are exposed, I implore nurses and other healthcare workers to use their leadership to speak in unison, to articulate our message and advocate for our patients. Let us speak louder, in unison and more cohesively. The words of Dr. Judith Ritchie, one of my idols and mentors: “Don't miss good while you’re waiting for perfect…” but maybe, the more accurate phrase is don't "waste" good.
Perhaps the unseen benefit of COVID-19 will be a renewed, unified voice of nurses for the benefit of our patients.
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Written byĚýLouise Murray, RN/Inf., MScN
Director, Clinical Partnerships Office at the Ingram School of Nursing
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