[Jorge Mesa]

The COVID 19 has impacted and stretched healthcare resources. The graphic presents a very accurate description of the impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on the healthcare system and the different levels it has impacted. Although some of the waves have decrease, and services have returned to normal. The impact of the fourth wave has not been evaluated and yet understood. Healthcare professionals have endured mental and psychological trauma, and many have experienced burnout and decided the healthcare profession. The amount of cases has decreased, and many patients have recovered; the emotional impact on families is still happening, and the long-term effects will only be evident in many years. The closure of many services, schools, and the normal day-to-day human connection impact in mental health have yet to be studied, and the impact in society and interaction to be understood. Another element that needs to be included in the graphic is the impact and position of individuals related to the vaccine. The impact of reducing spread is another stressor that has not been quantified. As a healthcare leader, it is important to implement interventions to evaluate and address the emotional impact of healthcare professionals and the general public as the COVID pandemic continues to affect and impact daily activities. This graphic can help to predict and allocate resources where most needed.

[Jorge Mesa]

The COVID 19 pandemic has revealed a series of significant strengths and weaknesses of some of our current programs and services. The article’s author makes an excellent point about the lack of a safety net to help families and individuals in need of child and elderly care. The creation of a fund to help support the child and elderly care sounds like an excellent idea. However, before developing a new program, current programs at a federal and state should be evaluated, expanded, and amended accordingly to provide family and caregivers the resources needed. The program should include support in education and counseling, not only to the caregiver but also for family members to help deal with the adjustment and new challenges. Many services for children and young adults have been provided via the school system; with COVID, some of these services have been suspended, directly impacting these groups. Providing funds and the structure so specific services can continue to be provided. Safety net programs need to be extensive and comprehensive to provide the needed services and support for each member of society. It is important to provide services for caregivers. Still, it is also important to include medical services and other services to ensure the basic needs are provided during times of need.

[Jorge Mesa]

The video provides a great argument for finding solutions to solve the nursing shortage and reduce nursing overwork. The nurse’s role is always changing, and more and more tasks and responsibilities are placed upon the nurses. Throughout the years, a significant amount of administrative, such as audits, reviews, and evaluations, have been given to the nurse to be implemented as part of their daily routine. The COVID 19 pandemic revealed some of the areas for improvement and new practices that can be implemented. The idea of given the nurse a secretary is not far-fetched. However, revising and reevaluating some of the policies, practices, regulations, and requirements can help reduce nursing overwork, reduce turnover, and retain experienced nurses. Documentation was one of the reviewed tasks, and leaders implemented alternatives to manage the surge of patients. Before assigning this task to another healthcare team member, revision of the documentation requirement, revision of workflows, and maximizing the use of technological tools can give the best gift, the gift of time. Unfortunately, many organizations have not maximized the use of technological tools to perform tasks such as audits and tracers.
Some of the alternatives presented in the video to manage the ever-growing nursing shortage, preventing nurse turnover, could effectively decrease the nursing shortage. The incorporation of internship during the academic preparation of the nurse can be beneficial in reducing the post-graduation training, helping the nurses’ growth in their careers as clinicians.
The nurse’s role has evolved and continues to evolve, requiring new solutions to the unique problems of the profession.

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