| Dilemma re Covid 11:01 - Jan 6 with 957 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
I'm faced with a dilemma. I am due to begin my next 6-week practice placement on Monday at [redacted] hospital, for my [healthcare profession] degree course.
However, with the new variant being more easily transmissable, and affecting more younger people, I'm not sure if I feel safe or comfortable enough. I have previously worked in Covid areas, including ITU, at another hospital, however this was going back to Nov-Dec time, where things were slightly different.
At [redacted] hospital Covid levels are through the roof, and every ward I work on will be either Red or Amber level (all Covid positive, or awaiting a test result, respectively).
I'm simply not feeling confident enough that I can be sure to avoid catching the virus, as I have not yet been vaccinated and am unlikely to have the opportunity to receive even the first dose of the vaccine in the next 6 weeks (although there is an outside chance). My two closest friends have also currently got the virus, and have flu-like symptoms.
Part of me does want to to go, because I don't want to shy away from the reality, and I will feel a sense of pride or something if I push myself back out there again and continue to train and help out during the height of this current wave.
But part of me is worried, doesn't feel safe, and from a mental health point of view I am dreading it. I have a history of mental health issues which are a factor. On my previous placement I felt overwhelmed after just a few days' experience in Red Covid/ITU, wearing full PPE etc, as the reality on the ground is not nice, as posters like BB have discussed. Whereas this time it will be 6 weeks of continual exposure, and regular full PPE. When I *don't* have to wear the full PPE, I will still be working with Covid patients but I will be wearing less PPE, in which cases I will again not feel completely safe.
I also currently have an immediate family member at the same hospital, whom has been in for over 3 months, and this is also obviously affecting me.
I have until the end of the day to decide if I should 'man up' and go for it, or decide to pull out and rearrange a placement for the summer, delaying degree completion by 6-8 weeks.
I realise that no one can decide for me, but if the great TWTD posters can offer anything which might help me make a decision, that would be great. [Post edited 6 Jan 2021 11:02]
|  |
| |  |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:04 - Jan 6 with 925 views | itfcjoe |
If all it does is delay degree completion for 6-8 weeks then with the way things are and your clear anxieties about it then I'd do that |  |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:07 - Jan 6 with 896 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
I would say if this is the career you want then this is the sort of thing you have to face. And those already doing it don't have a choice, they just have to get on with it. They can't say "I don't fancy my job at the moment, I'll come back in the summer." Easy for me to say though and I totally understand your fears. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:12 - Jan 6 with 874 views | lowhouseblue |
anxiety does make it very hard to properly assess risk. I assume that you are relatively young, and I hope that you don't have any relevant pre-existing health conditions. in that case the risk of you becoming seriously ill if you do catch the virus is very low. it is probably comparable to other risks you would take in everyday life without too much thought. but equally maths doesn't make anxiety go away and only you can decide. |  |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:15 - Jan 6 with 862 views | J2BLUE |
I think the best thing you could do is PM Blue Badger. He might be able to give you some insight with things he doesn't want to post on the forum. You need to know exactly what you're facing to make a decision. Then obviously it's going to get worse in the short term.
It's quite possible at the peak of the chaos you'll be thrown in at the deep end. Only you know if this will make or break you.
The only thing I can say is that there's no right answer here. Whatever you do, make your choice and know you made it with full knowledge of who you are and how you are wired. Dolly has a point but at the same time hopefully this is a once in a lifetime pandemic and this is completely different than turning up on day one fully trained to face an outbreak a week later.
Good luck with whatever you decide. |  |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:23 - Jan 6 with 833 views | jeera |
I don't think it's unfair to expect to go into that situation fully vaccinated if it's available.
That is what I would be focussing on when asking for answers.
Will your new colleagues be protected or not? |  |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:39 - Jan 6 with 789 views | giant_stow |
Whenever I have a horrible dilemma I do a list of pros and cons vs weighted categories.
The categories might be for you: safety, career, mental health, job satisfactions etc... Give each a score out of 5 and tot up the totals in the pro and con columns.
Maybe its an obvious technique, but it can help.
All the best. [Post edited 6 Jan 2021 11:42]
|  |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:42 - Jan 6 with 779 views | factual_blue |
To put your mind at rest, just search for the term 'empty hospitals' on the twittery thing. |  |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:43 - Jan 6 with 767 views | factual_blue |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:39 - Jan 6 by giant_stow |
Whenever I have a horrible dilemma I do a list of pros and cons vs weighted categories.
The categories might be for you: safety, career, mental health, job satisfactions etc... Give each a score out of 5 and tot up the totals in the pro and con columns.
Maybe its an obvious technique, but it can help.
All the best. [Post edited 6 Jan 2021 11:42]
|
Presumably if there are more 'cons' than you can count on the six fingers of your right hand, it's a 'no'? | |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:52 - Jan 6 with 736 views | giant_stow |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:43 - Jan 6 by factual_blue |
Presumably if there are more 'cons' than you can count on the six fingers of your right hand, it's a 'no'? |
best to use a pen and paper mr. Like the good old days, before those impenetrable new-fangled Turing boxes came into fashion. | |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:54 - Jan 6 with 729 views | factual_blue |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:52 - Jan 6 by giant_stow |
best to use a pen and paper mr. Like the good old days, before those impenetrable new-fangled Turing boxes came into fashion. |
It's still cave paintings in norfolk though. | |
| |
| (No subject) (n/t) on 12:53 - Jan 6 with 640 views | giant_stow |
| Dilemma re Covid on 11:43 - Jan 6 by factual_blue |
Presumably if there are more 'cons' than you can count on the six fingers of your right hand, it's a 'no'? |
| |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 12:59 - Jan 6 with 632 views | ThisIsMyUsername |
I'll reply in one general post, rather than individually.
This is the career I want to do, however that doesn't necessarily mean I will have to work in a hospital in a ward-based role. Based on my experiences so far of working in hospitals in this capacity, I don't think that it is what I want to do.
I appreciate that those working in hospitals don't get much of a choice at the moment, and they have to continue until they break down and go off sick for example. Personally, if I weren't doing this course I wouldn't be thinking about going into a hospital right now, of course.
I'm in my late 20s, and have previous life experience, for example working in the emergency services. So I am not a 'snowflake' who is just out of 6th Form and wanting to avoid the real world (I know that no one suggested I was).
As far as I know the frontline workers at [redacted] hospital are slowly starting this week to be vaccinated, however I do not believe that this is widespread yet, and therefore why I feel I am unlikely to get it just yet. Although I don't have any identified health risks, I'm just feeling quite risk-averse at present from a physical and mental perspective. Maybe I've been influenced to a degree by the recent media coverage, but from what I've seen and heard myself, I do not believe it is at all inaccurate.
I've spoken to a couple of relevant people today and I think all things weighed up the best option for myself is to withdraw and do a catch-up placement in the summer.
Thank you all very much for your responses, it is much appreciated. | |
| |
| Dilemma re Covid on 15:53 - Jan 6 with 519 views | J2BLUE |
| Dilemma re Covid on 12:59 - Jan 6 by ThisIsMyUsername |
I'll reply in one general post, rather than individually.
This is the career I want to do, however that doesn't necessarily mean I will have to work in a hospital in a ward-based role. Based on my experiences so far of working in hospitals in this capacity, I don't think that it is what I want to do.
I appreciate that those working in hospitals don't get much of a choice at the moment, and they have to continue until they break down and go off sick for example. Personally, if I weren't doing this course I wouldn't be thinking about going into a hospital right now, of course.
I'm in my late 20s, and have previous life experience, for example working in the emergency services. So I am not a 'snowflake' who is just out of 6th Form and wanting to avoid the real world (I know that no one suggested I was).
As far as I know the frontline workers at [redacted] hospital are slowly starting this week to be vaccinated, however I do not believe that this is widespread yet, and therefore why I feel I am unlikely to get it just yet. Although I don't have any identified health risks, I'm just feeling quite risk-averse at present from a physical and mental perspective. Maybe I've been influenced to a degree by the recent media coverage, but from what I've seen and heard myself, I do not believe it is at all inaccurate.
I've spoken to a couple of relevant people today and I think all things weighed up the best option for myself is to withdraw and do a catch-up placement in the summer.
Thank you all very much for your responses, it is much appreciated. |
Respect to you for taking a difficult decision. Sometimes it takes balls to do what is right for you. | |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
