Editor:
Re: Nurses, yes, but others, too, Nov. 11, letters
The letter by Mr. Zimmer has a valid point. He addresses the fact that workers other than nurses are overworked and underpaid.
However, a lack of administrators, or certain technicians does not have the same impact as that of a lack of nurses.
Nurses are necessary for OR theatres, (or cancel surgery) and Intensive Care Units (caring for COVID patients; and motor vehicle accident victims) for example.
Lack of nurses can result in physical bed closures, causing extended patient waits for admission and increased wait times in the emergency room. Not to mention that the public has an expectation of competent care. Do patients want an administrator infusing their blood products or a non-nursing technician inserting IV lines or attending to complicated wound care? Nurses are central to patient care.
In dedication to our patients, nurses work overtime by staying late or doing extra shifts, which leads to burnout.
Yes, the overtime pay is part of compensation, but we would rather partake in a regular workday and afford our patients the complete care they deserve.
The current pandemic situation has led to cancelled vacation time, increased sick time, and complete mental and physical exhaustion. Moreover, nurses are now being harassed and demonized by anti-vaxxers.
Next time you see a nurse, give them a smile or a thank you. These gestures mean a lot during these unprecedented times.
Tanya Medynski, Surrey RN MPH