My significant other works as an ER nurse at a hospital with a toxic work environment. There are dozens of reviews about uncaring staff and unclean conditions. The janitors, and the nurses aids are chronically understaffed so the nurses are often expected to perform those duties as well as their own. Lunches and breaks are almost always skipped.
Last week her mother was brought in by ambulance due to dizziness and chest pains and was being cared for on the same floor where she worked. She is 82. My SO spent her lunch break and her 2, 15 minute breaks on her shift, talking to her mother, but otherwise continued working. She asked if she could spend more time with her, but was told “No. She can’t just leave her work assignments.” The next week the head nurse sat her down and said that she had acted unprofessionally when her mother was there and seem distracted during her shift. I don’t even know how to react. My own work environment is pretty high stress but if my mom is in the ER they would insist I go to her. If for no other reason then to prevent me from making mistakes when I am obviously in distress. She quit a week later.
It seems like Covid really did a number on our medical resources and they are not sure what to do. It seems like they’ve lost their humanity.