Out-of-state COVID-19 nurses make their way to Yuma
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The increase in medical professionals means YRMC can activate additional beds in its facility and support the current staff at the hospital.
“We're all seasoned travelers. So we know what each other needs and get right into it.”
The majority of nurses coming to Yuma already have experience with the virus.
John Merrick comes to Yuma from South Carolina where he works as a registered nurse.
“Of course it's scary there's always a chance you could get it hopefully you don't. The patients are very sick, requiring a lot of care, it's a heavy load on all the nurses that are here,” Merrick said.
Although he knows what he’s getting into, he tells me it’s still rough to see what this virus is doing.
“The severity of this illness you see patients, you know, they’re dying every 10 minutes you know it says, and it really does weigh on your mind and your heart yes, we're here to help. And when you see you feel like your hands are tied, or just anything you offer does no good it's it's devastating,” he added.
He has already treated COVID-19 patients in new jersey and new york, previous virus hotspots. Most of his time this year has been spent in the intensive care unit with coronavirus patients.
“You can easily see how a nurse can get burned out, or you know, even ptsd from some of this and you hear that these nurses here are taking three and sometimes four. And then when they get us to come in and help out, you know, it reduces the weight on those nurses, and I know what is very helpful,” Merrick explained.
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The time we are in is something he is not used to, Merrick comes from a community where the mortality rate is low.
Since visitors aren’t allowed inside the hospital, nurses are all patients have during their hospital stay.
“We can't bring families in, and you know you withdraw and care and things like that and nobody can be there except you beside that patient at the time,” he said.
