The role played by nurses as front line workers

Running head: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS 1
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Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

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Question one:
The outbreak of COVID-19 in the recent months has come with repercussions for both
care givers and the ordinary citizens. While the rest of the population are being asked to stay at
home nurses have had to work in the frontline to help those affected and help those not affected
to stay safe. Nurses play a major role in the health promotion and disease prevention (Potter,
Perry, Stockert & Hall, 2016). The role played by nurses as frontline workers in the management
of the COVID-19 epidemic represents this responsibility.
As a future nurse, the fact that I will be required to perform my professional duties in
such times while others are asked to stay at home makes me happy. I perceive my presence in the
nursing profession as calling. This means that I have always been prepared to go an extra mile in
making use of the knowledge I have to help others
However, it worries me that sometimes I will have to spend extended periods of time
away from my children, parents or spouse in order to undertake my professional duties. The fact
that this will be as a result of a worthy course however gives a sense of satisfaction.
Nevertheless, I will always make a point of spending enough time with my family whenever I
can.
Thirdly, my position as a nurse gives me the responsibility of being an advocate for my
community. I have a role of educating my community and keeping them safe in times of crisis
(Potter, Perry, Stockert & Hall, 2016). Any opportunity to serve my community in whatever
capacity will always will always be a fulfilling experience.
Question Two

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With the serious nature of COVID-19, any suspicion of contacting the disease must be
dealt with immediately and with appropriate measures. As a nursing student I clearly understand
the repercussions of the disease as well as the high risk of infecting a huge number of people
within a short duration. In such a case I would immediately talk to the student to learn if he/she
has been in contact with any suspected case of the virus ensuring that I maintain one meter
distance from the student.
Next I would help educate the student about some of the symptoms of COVID-19 to
ensure that she understands everything about the virus. I would also explain to her that not all
symptoms mentioned mean that a person has the virus. Some of the symptoms could also signify
the presence of other illnesses. Next, I would also seek to find out if he/she has any symptoms
associated with Corona Virus.
I would then seek to find out if the student has had contact with any suspected case. If
they have had contact with a suspected case, I would then advise the student to self-quarantine
for 14 days, then present themselves for testing in a nearby healthcare facility. I will explain that
such move will minimize the risk of transmission to other students and members of the wider
society. I would also take a precautionary measure of maintain a social distance when
communicating to the patient to protect myself too.
Question Three
Part of my responsibility as a nurse include giving hope and instilling optimistic attitudes
to patients and members of the community (Potter, Perry, Stockert & Hall, 2016). If I were
confronted with such a question, I would respond by telling the neighbor the importance of
protecting her family by adhering to all the proposed precautionary measures. Additionally, I
would also educate her on the mode of transmission for the virus, the role the ventilators and

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inform her the types of patients who need them. I would also tell them that ordering ventilators is
not the answer to the management of the crisis. Instead, I will tell them to focus primarily on
regular handwashing, keeping social distance, wearing protective masks and staying at home
whenever they can.
The goal here would be helping the neighbor understand that prevention is the most
important goal. I would also explain that ventilators are used on patients with severe effects of
the virus such as failed lungs as a result of the virus. Therefore, although it offers them the best
chance of fighting the virus, it does not guarantee their survival. I would also explain that recent
statistics have shown that majority of the COVID-19 patients put on ventilators do not make it
(Hamilton, 2020). My parting shot would be that the only way she can help her family is by
ensuring that they do not get exposed to the disease and not through the purchase of ventilators
as that would give them a false sense of security.
Question 4
The emergence and continued spread of COVID-19 has caused anxiety, fear and
depression among global populations. The impact of these new developments could be more
detrimental on patients with pre-existing mental health issues (Yao, Chen & Xu 2020).
Additionally, with the increasing number of patients being isolated or required to maintain social
distancing cases of depression, exacerbation, loneliness and anxiety are likely to increase.
However, this can be managed with the use of the right strategies.
To start with, the intake of too much media content is one of the aspects that can lead to
these outcomes. Therefore one of the strategies should limiting the amount of media content
consumed per day. Although Individuals need to be informed about what is happening outside,
they should stay away from news and social media as much as possible. Secondly, enrollment for

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an online course could also be an effective strategy. There are multiple websites offering online
courses which a person can use to keep themselves busy during isolation.
Thirdly, connecting to a few people in a day via video may also help an isolated person
to feel connected to other people (Wright, 2020). Having a daily plan for all activities would also
be an effective strategy. The plan should detail important undertakings such as waking up time,
the time for taking engaging in physical activity, taking a bath, having lunch, reading a book etc.
Having a daily plan helps a person to stay focused on upcoming activities as opposed to focusing
on their isolation and other less important things. The strategy would therefore minimize the
chances of an individual being depressed (Wright, 2020).

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References
Hamilton, J. (2020). Ventilators Are No Panacea For Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients. Retrieved
4 April 2020, from
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/02/826105278/ventilators-are-no-
panacea-for-critically-ill-covid-19-patients
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2016). Fundamentals of Nursing-E-Book.
Elsevier health sciences.
Wright, R. (2020). Self-Isolating and Feeling Totally Alone? This Will Help. Retrieved 5 April
2020, from https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/how-to-deal-loneliness-self-
isolation-coronavirus
Yao, H., Chen, J. H., & Xu, Y. F. (2020). Patients with mental health disorders in the COVID-19
epidemic. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(4), e21.