As many of us are experiencing stress and anxiety during this time of uncertainty and a lot of unanswered questions, we want to provide accurate information and answers when we can. 

As many of us are experiencing stress and anxiety during this time of
 uncertainty and a lot of unanswered questions, we want to provide accurate
 information and answers when we can. Hank Drummond, Chief Clinical Officer at
 Cross Country Healthcare, continues to field questions from healthcare
 providers around the country.



 &ldquo;While I continue to receive a wide range of questions from our heroic
 healthcare providers fighting on the front lines, there are three that appear
 to be most common that I&rsquo;d like to address,&rdquo; says Drummond.
 &ldquo;As you&rsquo;ll see, there is a prevalent theme across many of these
 situational questions, and that is that we, as healthcare professionals, must
 unite and pull through this together. Never before has our profession called
 upon us to be more adaptive, flexible and heroic in our efforts.&rdquo;


<h3>What it means to be redirected.</h3>


 During this national crisis, we have seen some patient care areas close while
 others have seen a dramatic drop in census. The reason for this is really
 two-fold. One is to conserve the PPE supplies. Secondly, we are trying to
 limit exposure to COVID-19 in the acute care settings. So, by eliminating the
 elective portions and non-essential procedures we can both limit possible
 exposure and conserve PPE.



 During these times, the healthcare facility may redirect you to other tasks
 that you are able to perform. For example, you might be asked to work on
 another unit, be a screener for patients in the ER, or answer phone calls in
 the telehealth arena. While I understand this may be a change from your normal
 assignment, it is also an opportunity for us as medical professionals to come
 together to help our colleagues in their time of need.



 You should try to be thankful that the facility is not canceling your
 assignment and sees value in having you available to assist them during this
 challenging time. These unprecedented times call for us to do unusual things.
 So, welcome the opportunity. Grow from the experience! Use this as an
 opportunity to explore different areas of practice.



 Above all, know we stand with you as we all adapt to the changes and
 challenges placed before us daily. Call and talk with us if you have any
 questions, concerns or comments.


<h3>What floating means during COVID-19.</h3>


 Nurses and other clinicians are on the frontline workforce day in and day out.
 Your skill sets are needed in a variety of ways and measures. During a state
 of an emergency the demands change on an ongoing basis and the situation is
 fluid at best. Due to the rapid changes occurring we may be asked to do things
 that are not &ldquo;normal&rdquo; for us to meet the demands and the needs of
 the patients we are serving.



 When I say, &ldquo;the patients we are serving&rdquo; this has a much broader
 application than your patient assignment or the unit that you are assigned to.
 Together with our fellow nurses we are caring for all the collective patients
 at the location we are assigned. While it is true I do not want you to
 practice outside of the scope of your nursing practice, I do want you to
 practice to the top of the scope of your practice abilities. Allow me to
 provide an example.



 Maybe, you are excellent at starting IV&rsquo;s and the ED is backed up. You
 may be asked to float to the ED to help start 10 IV&rsquo;s. But you say, I am
 not an ED nurse. You are not being asked to do something outside your skill
 sets. The leadership has recognized you for your abilities and are asking you
 to deploy your skills in this time of urgent need.



 This is our time to shine, together! While I understand no one likes to float
 or get another assignment in the middle of a shift, the current situation
 calls us to be united as one for the common good of all of our patients. We
 are professionals and our patients need us more now than ever.


<h3>Cancelling crisis assignments.</h3>


 During these unprecedented times, healthcare professionals are needed and
 relied upon more than ever before. We are the frontline warriors to this
 COVID-19 battle. We should never lose sight of our calling to care for our
 patients and the public at large.



 At the same time, I fully understand the fears and concern for safety while
 providing care to patients. We all have a fear of exposure and/or possible
 exposures.&nbsp; We work with you and the healthcare facilities to ensure
 everyone&rsquo;s safety: yours, your patients and the public at large.



 Canceling or walking away from an assignment will impact your ability to lock
 a new position. Each facility will look at your history and if you have left
 another assignment they will wonder if you will repeat this behavior again.
 This could limit your ability to secure future assignments. I also want you to
 point out that a cancelation puts the hospital and your coworkers in a bind,
 and patients are left with no one to care for them.



 If you have any concerns, we want you to know that our Clinical Team stands
 ready to assist you in any way we can. Please reach out to the COVID-19
 Hotline at 800.998.5058. Or, reach out to your recruiter. The entire team of
 Cross Country Healthcare is available to make your transitions smooth, easy
 and trouble free. We can be your voice to the facility and partner with you.



 To submit a question to Hank, click
 <a href="https://www.crosscountrynurses.com/ask-hank">here</a>. No question is
 out of order! Be Safe! Be Well!

Providers: Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions During COVID-19