[Andrea M Whitchurch]

As we continue to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a “return to normalcy” creates anxieties for many about returning to public interactions. In addition, in some health care settings, it has all but been forgotten that there are many other diseases/ailments that can have similar symptoms to COVID and require medical attention, and patients can’t get seen by outpatient professionals. This creates overcrowded emergency departments and taxes those resources further. Telehealth is definitely a viable option; however, it can’t take the place of personal interactions with providers completely. For example, a patient who experiences a MI during the pandemic and is dealing with all those life changes events, anxieties, medication regimens, etc. and can’t even see their cardiologist in person for them to auscultate the heart or perform exams. This can be terrifying and lead to increased anxiety. Elderly patients who aren’t tech-savvy face difficulties with devices and broadband access, and lest we forget those who simply don’t have the means to devices bandwidth. Yes, the pandemic will have its lasting effects in almost every aspect of society and change the way that we do a lot of things, school, work, etc. but we can also adapt as we have to other things in our past and make public outings, appointments, etc. safe for everyone.

[Andrea M Whitchurch]

While I agree that the nursing shortage needs to be addressed, I disagree with the author’s solution of placing senior nursing students in hospitals to fulfill their graduation requirements and bridge the staffing gap. I work in an academic medical center. Today’s senior nursing students had reduced (if any) clinical experiences due to the pandemic. Much of their learning was remote or distant. We must continue to keep patient safety as a priority. Yes, those students are capable of performing some nursing tasks, but not all and not individually. If this is a viable solution, it definitely needs to be well planned out and executed to ensure that 1-patient care and safety isn’t compromised, and 2- that it doesn’t create even more of a burden on an already taxed nursing staff. Teaching while providing care adds another level of stress that not everyone is prepared for or wants to deal with at this point. Yes, we need more nurses, and yes we need to be prepared to educate them but we do have to be careful how we do it. State nurse practice laws do need adjusting, and nursing schools need more faculty in order to allow for more students. Hospitals aren’t the only places that are experiencing shortages of nurses, outpatient areas such as clinics and home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, etc. are as well. Team nursing using LVN’s in tandem with RN’s is an also an option to be explored.

[Andrea M Whitchurch]

I haven’t necessarily received negative comments, so much as a questioning of general confusion as to a DNP not being strictly a Nurse Practitioner. As soon as I say that I am enrolled in a DNP program, the assumption is that I and becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Of course, I go on to explain that the DNP is the degree and that there are 4 different roles associated with the degree. When I first told my brother, he assumed that it meant I was going to be a doctor-as in a physician. Hopefully, as more and more DNP’s graduate and enter the field, this confusion will be cleared up.

[Author]

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