To our members:
The COVID-19 outbreak represents a challenge for every emergency nurse on a personal and a professional level, something I know firsthand as my home state of Washington quickly became a hotbed of coronavirus activity in February.
As many of you know, in addition to being ENA president, I spend my days managing an emergency department. Between my ED and the others in our region, several lessons have already been learned. Among them:
There is a continued need for clarity about who should be tested and how testing should be handled
Screening patients at the door, and isolating those patients who might be tested for COVID-19
Limiting and screening visitors to the ED – informing your community about this is important
Securing your PPE supply is critical – take them out of kiosks and patient rooms
Stay informed on local policies about what type of PPE to use, and when to use it. The information is constantly changing.
In the last few weeks, I’ve also spoken to many nurses and exchanged messages with members around the country. My takeaway is that the resiliency and dedication of our peers and colleagues remains strong despite so much uncertainty.
Today, I’m writing to you to say thank you for your undeterred commitment to the care of your patients. As we know, COVID-19 has only added to the stress and complications faced by EDs every day. Yet, you continue to press forward doing the absolute best you can.
We know you turn to ENA for its strong voice and leadership during difficult times, so let me assure you that ENA is right beside you through this latest challenge.
As the association navigates the plethora of new COVID-19 developments and response guidance that emerges daily, our board, local leaders and staff are focused on supporting emergency nurses every step of the way.
It starts with ensuring you have access to reliable, valuable information that directly impacts your work. The COVID-19 page on the ENA website is that hub, anchored by CDC guidelines to inform your practice. The page also features ENA resources and other insightful content to help bring context to this event. ENA is continually adding new material to ensure you stay updated.
ENA’s monitoring of the situation also extends to assessing COVID-19’s impact on association events, activities and our day-to-day operations. Although there are no immediate changes to be announced on these fronts, our team is constantly weighing what is best for our membership and staff in light of the growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the country.
ENA knows the important role ED nurses play extends beyond their facilities into their communities. I want to encourage and empower you as a health care leader to be an ambassador of good information to your network of family, friends and acquaintances. Help them understand the realities of COVID-19 and remind them of the common-sense ways they can potentially reduce the spread of this virus. One person can make a difference.
Emergency nurses rise to the occasion at times like these. Just as ENA has for 50 years, please know that we, as an association, will continue to support you and your work in the best possible ways throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and long into the future.
Sincerely,
Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN
2020 ENA President