SARASOTA – Thousands of registered nurses across the U.S. held a National Day of Action on Wednesday, fighting for the lives of patients and other frontline workers.
RN Genice Hunt, a member of the National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the country, says Doctors Hospital of Sarasota needs to take immediate action in order to save lives amid the pandemic.
“We’re asking for PPE and staffing, there are is no provisions for us,” said Hunt.
RN Patrick Hoffman who works directly with COVID-19 patients tells a different story. He says their demands are being met and the safety of all has always been priority.
“Every morning we come in and we have a PPE Czar, who supplies us with the proper equipment,” said Hoffman. “We get the N-95, we get shield(s), we get several gowns.”
Though Hunt and other nurses claim PPE supplies are limited, some nurse have picked up a rather unique occupation and become the lifeline when fellow frontline workers have needed it most.
“My job everyday is to make sure every single nurse has the proper PPE before they start their job.”
Laurie Shaw continuously makes rounds all throughout the hospital. Handing out supplies such as surgical scrubs, fitted N-95 mask, isolation gowns, face shields and more. Despite what the protesters have claimed Shaw says administration at the hospital has been tactical in their approach to ensure they don’t run low on PPE.
“We had a bit of a rocky start, but this is what our routine is. I feel very comfortable knowing that my fellow nurses at this hospital are well taken care of.”
Administrator in response to the protesters released the following statement to SNN, “Doctors Hospital of Sarasota treated the state’s first hospitalized COVID-19 patient …. and since that time we have been unwavering in supporting our caregivers as they continue to care for our community.”