This was written back in September 16, 2020. It had only been today (May 30, 2024) that I posted this because I was just scrolling through my drafts and found that this was never published. So here you go: my life as a nurse during the first year of the pandemic.

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The photo shown above was taken after an early morning case of caesarean section, wherein we had a small panic over the lack of supplies at the new infectious Operating Room/Delivery Room annex.

The place was opened just a little over a week ago, and we already held a few procedures there. The issue with the OR/DR extension is that the place wasn’t even fully prepared and functional yet when we began to accept admissions that were considered infectious, and it definitely still isn’t ready today due to the flowing number of cases at the main OR/DR complex. OR staff on duty become busy during the day, and the supplying of the annex is abandoned. Doctors complained due to the lack of equipment and medications. Confusion ensued during the procedures.

Staff who were off duty were required to return to the hospital to facilitate the arranging of the OR/DR extension. No one came. Who can blame them though? It’s their only time to take a break from work, and others have problems with the transportation.

People will hold our oath taking against us, and ask why bother becoming a healthcare worker if we can’t do our jobs right.

Let me tell you:

This will be our first time to experience a pandemic as workers. It will take us some time to adjust to this “new normal”, and with the increasing number of cases locally, it should be no wonder if we get more and more distressed every time we enter the hospital to start our shift, not knowing what kind of illnesses we would encounter, and exit the workplace exhausted.

We are not superheroes. We are also human; we also get exhausted if we overexerted. If you see a doctor, nurse, med tech, pharmacist, or any other member of the healthcare team sitting them and not doing anything, let them be. They’re taking a rest to gain the strength they need, as does anyone when they have to do their tasks.

Please take time to consider their current situation, as they’re trying their best to bravely face this pandemic.

PS. Shoutout to my colleagues who have to wear this debilitating outfit. I only had to work in this suit for 4 hours and it’s already wearing me out, so I can’t imagine being in it for 12 hours. The snappiest salute to you guys.