Episode 15: No is a Complete Sentence: Nurses and the Right to Prioritize Self-Care in Times of Redeployment

During the pandemic, this podcast addresses the impact of redeployment on nursing personnel. Nurses are asked to work in unfamiliar sectors and with coworkers needing more training or experience.

While nurses are unsung heroes who respond to society's demands, the strain on them is tremendous due to workforce shortages. Redeployment is a symptom of our deteriorating healthcare system since it stops the bleeding but does not address the fundamental issues.

 Nurses must safeguard their mental health and well-being, evaluate their circumstances and dangers, examine the department they are transferring to, and determine whether they want additional assistance.

Finally, individuals must remember that they are the priority and that "no" is a complete phrase. 

This podcast encourages nurses to think about all aspects of redeployment before making an informed decision that is best for them. 

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Transcript

Intro
To say it’s been a crazy few years would be an understatement. We live in an ever changing world, one constantly challenging people to their very core. It is because of this we aim to create assuredness in an uncertain world. Welcome to the Project ReNew podcast, a show for nurses - and angels looking to help nurses - and anyone in
search of motivation. Let’s bring you and your passion back to where you were when you first started out. Let’s reignite that fire together. This is the Project ReNew Podcast.

Episode 16: No is a Complete Sentence: Nurses and the Right to Prioritize Self-Care in Times of Redeployment

How Has Redeployment Affected You?

In the unprecedented wake of the pandemic, nursing staff in all settings are being asked to work flexibly across multiple departments, often in departments they have little experience  or are untrained in. These heroes, who answer the call of societies’ needs are working in unfamiliar surroundings, with unknown colleagues, and outside of a usual practice.

Not many of us would rise to this challenge, and what other industry would this happen in? However, nurses are no ordinary people - they are angels on Earth, and are ready to do their duty, no matter where it is or what they need to do. The Explanation The pressure currently affecting the Healthcare industry is unbearable.

Due to staff shortages, there is a huge amount of redeployment happening, where nurses are sent to other departments to work. There are multiple reasons why a redeployment may occur. Sometimes, it is seasonal, or dependent on the resurgence of a virus. For example, during the pandemic, many nurses were redeployed to the COVID-19 ward - even those who had little to no experience working with a respiratory virus, such as nurses who are used to working with cancer patients, for example.

 Nurses may be redeployed to areas of hospitals that have high amounts of staff on sick leave. For example, at this minute, the biggest nursing shortages occur in midwifery, closely followed by nurse anesthetists. Therefore, a large number of nurses are needing to be redeployed to cover these areas.

Redeployment may also increase to  support a vaccine programme. This may not necessarily be the COVID-19 vaccine, but it could also occur in the winter along with the flu vaccine, or with school starting  when children are also getting vaccines.

At the minute, nurses are needed more than ever to cover a huge backlog of work generated by the pandemic. This includes non-emergency surgery, and routine appointments. The pandemic has created a huge pressure on our Healthcare system, and it is the nurses as usual who are being overstretched to compensate for this.

There is a huge demand at the minute for nurses to fill these roles, however the Catch-22 is that when an inexperienced nurse covers a role they are not familiar with, patient safety decreases. Also, it detracts from the department that the nurse is experienced with - when a pediatric nurse is sent to cover oncology, the pediatric ward loses one good nurse.

Therefore, deployment is literally a lose-lose situation - and is a sign of our collapsing Healthcare system.

 The Solution Redeployment must come with clear government guidance to ensure the safety of patients in the care of the hospital, as well as protecting the mental health and wellbeing of our nurses.

There must be a strategic plan to return to a normal standard of nursing - redeployment is not a permanent solution, it is the same as applying a bandage to a wound.

 It does not fix it, redeployment only temporarily stops the bleeding. Nurses who are asked to redeploy to different departments need to liaise with an Occupational Health professional to understand their personal circumstances and the risk that lies before them.

For example, if you are asked to redeploy to a Covid-19 ward, but you live with vulnerable or immunocompromised people, you should take these underlying health conditions into account and undertake an effective occupational health risk assessment.

 You also should assess the department that you are being asked to move to, and consider whether that department has met their personal responsibilities. After all, if redeployment could be avoided, your employer should have a look for alternative options at all costs.

 Redeployment should be taken as a last resort, not as a matter of course. Finally, you need to understand your rights, and decide whether you need any further support.

For example, if you are moving to a department with a higher mortality rate, you may need to access more therapeutic support, such as workplace counseling.

 Make sure you protect your own mental health and energy, and remember - you do not have to stay anywhere that you do not want to, you are not a tree that is fixed into one place.

You are a nurse, an angel on earth, who is Stepping Up to the plate to cover for shortages in a busy and stressed department.

You always come first!

 A Question to Consider Are you aware that no is a complete sentence?

The question mark does not feel pressured into redeploying, just because you have been asked to and you know that the other department is struggling. you always have to put yourself first and look after number one.

 As a nurse, it is easy for managers to take advantage of your giving and selfless nature. Make sure you consider all factors of redeployment-ppe karma working  hours, contract, salary, size of the team, location of the new department karma time to read over new policies and procedures.

 All of this needs to be taken into account in order for you to make an informed decision that is right for you. If you do decide you still want to redeploy-good luck, and thank you for serving your society . you truly are an angel on Earth.

Sources For Help and Advice https://www.nursingschoolhub.com/infographics/nursing-shortages/ https://www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Help/RCN-advice/redeployment-and-unsustainable-pressures https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8961057

Outtro
We really hope you enjoyed this episode of the Project ReNew Podcast. Stay connected with us through www.ProjectReNew.Co. You can also join this discussion on Twitter @ProjectReNewPod, and on Instagram at @ProjectReNewPodcast. If you would like to speak with us, please send us an email through our website. As always, thank you for pushing your mindset and your heart towards a better reality. This concludes the most thought-provoking part of your day. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay fully up to date. Until next time, be kind to yourself, and to
each other.

 As a fellow nurse, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for each and every one of our listeners. 

As nurses, we are all part of an essential and noble profession, and our dedication and hard work make a real difference in the lives of our patients. 

As Brené Brown says, ' Resilience is the ability to move through difficult experiences and to come out on the other side with wisdom and compassion.' 

Our podcast is dedicated to exploring resilience from trauma and the pandemic, providing practical advice and reviews of symptoms to help our listeners navigate these challenging times.

It's important to note that the information provided in our podcast is for educational and informational purposes only.

 The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 Always seek the advice of your physician, other qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

 As a colleague, I encourage you to continue to listen to our podcast, engage with the content, and use it to enhance your nursing practice and further your professional and personal growth."