PEORIA, Ill. — Nurses are on the front lines of pandemics, how do they handle it?
Nykole Jackson, an emergency services nurse at OSF HealthCare Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, gives an idea of being a nurse during the coronavirus outbreak.
“None of us have been in this position before, this is new to everyone. This isn’t just new to citizens and people who are not in healthcare, this is new to providers as well,” Jackson said. “I just feel like we want people to remember that, [and] we are all in this together.”
When it comes to the emotions about being on the front line, Jackson said that she is not afraid.
“This is my job, this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to take care of people, and I wanted to be that person who if you need something we’re here for you,” Jackson said. “I’m truly not afraid. I’m not fearful at work because I feel like this is what we were created to do.”
Jackson wants people to remember that our current situation is only temporary and staying at home gives everyone the best chance.
“This is not what our life is going to be for years, this is just for this little small amount of time,” Jackson said. “If we can just adhere to this, it gives everyone the best chance possible. Because, it’s not just the hospitals who are only seeing a pandemic, we’re still seeing the heart attacks, we’re still seeing the trauma, there are still babies being born.”
Many people have questions during this time, and Jackson said to ask your questions and go to a reliable source, and do not just rely on social media where information could be false.
She said she is proud to be a part of OSF and how the hospitals are prepared.
“About having systems in place, and just knowing that there are multiple experts coming together to create a plan so that our community is safe. They have so many resources that don’t require you to be exposed by going to the ER, you can use the chat bot (CLAIRE), or the text line ((833) OSF-KNOW (833-673-5669)),” Jackson said.
As an emergency services nurse, Jackson said it is very concerning to see people in the community not practicing social distancing and not staying at home.
“There are some people who are just not taking this seriously. It doesn’t need to warrant panic, but it does need to warrant caution,” Jackson said.
The measures issued the by governor are to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect those most at risk.
Illinois does not have the number of tests for the virus to test everyone who may have it, so only a select population gets tested.
“There is a rational side to why people are not being tested; that if it is not going to change our management, you’re not being tested, because those are a commodity right now,” Jackson said. “So, they need to be reserved for people who are being admitted to the hospital and who aren’t compensating for their disease process like a healthy person can.”
With so much being unknown at this time, Jackson still has hope.
“I think as much as there are unknowns, there are equally and more certainties of reasons that we should have hope and not be in panic,” Jackson said. “And, know that we are prepared.”
