By: Angelic Nicole S. Robles, R.N.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, home became our only safe zone. Safety measures are applied carefully to ensure a certain extent of protection from acquiring a devastating virus that has already caused an alarming number of deaths everywhere. I’m a nurse by profession. I’ve experienced volunteering as a nurse in our hometown a long time back. For the past 4 years, though not being in the clinical field, I have always felt the need to get updates in the scope of nursing.
When the words ‘lockdown’ and ‘quarantine’ began to take over my daily life, the chances of leaving home was impossible. I could not blame the strict local implementations. Putting safety at the forefront of fighting COVID-19 made sense. Since I was one of those who were stuck at home, I felt the need to learn all that I could about helping others---in any way that I could. With that goal in mind, I found an advertisement on social media from The Ruth Foundation. They offered a series of webinars educating healthcare workers on COVID-19, all based on many personal experiences and recent updates on the progress made in this fight to conquer this virus.
I signed up because I wanted to learn from the different perspectives of those who would be teaching and attending the webinars. I was so glad I had a chance to attend, even online, because the way The Ruth Foundation was reaching out to us with their knowledge, materials, and experiences was very eye-opening. I knew I could do research for myself, keep up with everyday news, and implement safety practices; but nothing---NOTHING could even come close to all the interactive explanations given to us attendees at each webinar session.
From introducing the basics of the coronavirus, all the way to promoting Self-Care, I was able to learn more than just the WHATs and the HOWs. I learned the WHYs of all the precautionary measures. I learned the disproportion of cooperation, and why nurses, along with every member of any medical team, must make a genuine effort to reach out to each other, and not just be stuck in a bubble of ‘getting it all done’. Facing pain, suffering, and fear together---each patient with their respective healthcare team, to create a strong support system.
I especially loved the discussions on dealing with moral distress, anger, and frustration. Healthcare workers have front row seats to witnessing these emotions in patients and family members. I remembered all the times during my nursing practice where I felt torn between encouraging a patient to staying strong, or simply being there to listen as they vent out. Because of the webinars, I finally understood that it is important to learn to do both. As a nurse, I’ve learned that I would need to listen to a patient’s concerns in order to find out the best way to encourage them to keep fighting.
Those 9 webinar sessions made me feel braver in facing any change that the pandemic’s ‘new normal’ would bring. There is still so much to do and learn, but all that was shared during the discussions helped build a good foundation of openness for the circumstances I may deal with if I am approached for help. I found relief in the experience that my follow-up questions after the lectures were accommodated and answered, plus, I was allowed to share my own experiences and concerns as well. I wish I had spoken up more, and I am glad I attended the whole webinar series. It gave me a good look at how my home country still has faith that we, as a nation can and will survive COVID-19.
Editor’s note:
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