COVID Information
Submit HEMOPHILIA Forms

Nursing in a Pandemic

Paragon Healthcare

Written by: Danielle Jenkins, BSN, RN
Our heart is to serve our patients and provide them with the best healthcare possible. Read our latest blog article about nursing in a pandemic.
Our heart is to serve our patients and provide them with the best healthcare possible. Read our latest blog article about nursing in a pandemic.

It was a beautiful sunny day with clear skies as I began gathering my thoughts in preparation for my last speech as Treasurer for the Charity-Delgado School of Nursing. It was graduation time in the year 2000, and we were all so excited as we discussed our five to ten-year plan to conquer the world of nursing in our own way. After all, we were trained in the number one trauma center in Louisiana- Charity Hospital. I remember being so scared of the next chapter yet ready. We practiced in wards versus private rooms. These wards would be filled with anywhere from 10-20 patients at a time. There would be medical students, nursing students, medical residents, dietician residents, and many others trying to learn and practice medicine. It was here that I learned Charles Darwin's theory of "survival of the fittest." We had a paper charting system that hung from a patient's bed. You had to learn pretty fast on essential assessment information about your patients, or you could end up with the wrong chart on a patient and make a medical decision that could cause harm to a patient. That moment taught me that the patient is my number one priority, and I had to protect the patient. To give you a bigger picture, this was the stroke ward where many of the patients had suffered from Aphasia and had no family members present due to limited space in the wards.

 

During this time of the Pandemic called Coronavirus or COVID-19, I am reminded that our patients should be our number one priority. Those wards represent the battlefields of life, and all medical staff members were put there to protect and serve and cover one another in the battle of life. This Pandemic has placed a mirror effect on the community to recognize the importance of valuing life and, more importantly, valuing community. I recently witnessed in a news report a physician saying this is not why she became a doctor, and a nurse saying this is not why he became a nurse. Well, imagine a soldier on the battlefield next to you during a battle that decides to put down their weapon and walk away, leaving you unprotected. COVID-19 is the war and medical professionals; we are the soldiers. We must rise up and take our place on the battlefield and protect our community by serving the patients, bringing awareness to this disease, encouraging one another to keep fighting, and remember our purpose as medical professionals. We will graduate from this Pandemic, and I believe we will begin to have visions and action plans to forecast what medicine will be like 5-10 years from now as we dream of a master plan.

 

 

Here Are Some General Prevention Tips:

 

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help reduce the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

 

  • Practice Social Distancing: use alternative ways to greet others (no handshaking, hugging, etc.)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • CDC's recommendations for using a face mask should be followed
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, often with soap and water
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Stay home when you are sick

 

 

COVID-19 Resources:

 

 

 

To everyone in healthcare still on the battlefields/frontline, I salute you.

 

What is hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a disorder that affects your blood’s ability to clot. Read the full article to learn the challenges and solutions available to bleeding disorder patients and their families.

Read More
IV Nursing: Combining Compassion and Healthcare

At the very heart of what we do at Paragon are our incredible team of infusion nurses. We are honored to celebrate them this year for National IV Nurses Day.

Read More
Diversity in Healthcare

Read our new blog to learn more about the importance of diversity in healthcare.

Read More
The Paragon Healthcare, Inc. blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or someone you know has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional treatment because of something that you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice, or other institution.
COVID-19 
information
phi horizontal logo high res

Locations

Specialty Pharmacy
03/01/2025
achc accredited
Specialty Pharmacy
12/01/2024

Request an Infusion Center appointment

Thank you for submitting your request for an appointment at our infusion center. One of our friendly team members will contact you shortly to confirm your appointment and discuss all necessary information before your visit.
  • Hidden
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.