is much more effective than telling them they could use more time off
or making suggestions about the help they need. Also, reassure staff
members about things they are likely nervous about (PPE supplies
and job security, for example) and do so at every possible opportuni-
ty.
Widespread impact
While you understandably want to focus your efforts on helping nurs-
es who cared for coronavirus patients reacclimate to the daily work-
flow of outpatient surgery, don't lose sight of the fact that everyone
was affected in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news
is that the pandemic has pushed recognition of nurses' mental health
into our consciousness. There are resources available to support staff
resiliency, and we can create systematic approaches to supporting all
surgical team members with the goal of recovery and post-traumatic
growth. We can also create a new culture of support for mental health
and compassion toward each other, letting go of past incivilities and
giving staff members the right and space to recover from traumatic
experiences.
OSM
Dr. Foli (kfoli@purdue.edu) is an associate professor at Purdue University
School of Nursing who coauthored the book The Influence of Psychological
Trauma in Nursing.
Staffing
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