Now that the fog has cleared, and some time of healing has occurred, I can see the bigger picture, the 30,000 foot view from the clouds. Healthcare workers in the USA (and worldwide) have been extremely overworked and driven to exhaustion over the past 3 years since the pandemic began (even before the virus was identified, thousands of people were overtaxing the healthcare system with a mystery illness). They have been forced into overtime, not compensated for their own pain and suffering, and many couldn't even go into their own homes to be with their families after their extra-long shifts (due to safety concerns or short turnaround times between shifts). Many weren't given the mental or physical support by the management that they needed. Workers' face masks had to be used over and over again! Simple procedures all of a sudden became complicated ones, there were too many questions and not enough answers surrounding the pandemic virus and its variants.
Everyone was playing the blame game. Even the politicians were playing the blame game, from the top down, and that wasn't helping heal the sick or help the healthcare workers partner up and solve any of our systemic problems. All it did was show how broken we are in our healthcare system overall. Many healthcare workers left the industry. So, who was left? Now, near the end of 2022, most hospitals, clinics, live-in facilities, and short term care units are severely understaffed. There is such a need for staff that many are seeing the financial benefits of becoming traveling nurses, travelling medical social workers, and all support staff, even down to the cleaners and food service workers in the healthcare industry. Finally the money is there to support some of the desired incomes, but the solidarity of a consistent work environment and common goals shared in many settings is gone. There is a lack of comradery. There is a lack of community. When a group of workers share the same or overlapping shifts together for years, they become a family. There is a sense of knowing and trust. I have experienced this myself as an employee of 25 years at the Hilton in San Francisco.
I do not think the people who choose to go into the healthcare fields do so just to make money. I think they truly want to help people. The amount of schooling and dedication is large and long. The education and training is expensive as well. Now it is time to back up even further to see the world view as we move forward in the care of our world citizens. Let us take better care of the professionals who take care of us.
Blessings,
KJ Landis
SuperiorSelf channel on YouTube