Since we’ve all been quarantined and we all live here I’ve spent more time than I thought possible with 3 of my 4 children. Lelly was not planning to continue to dorm at FIT past this spring semester. Well, she and every other student who was living in a dorm was sent home early due to COVID 19. It’s ok that she was sent home before she finished the semester. Dorming wasn’t the be all and end all experience for my daughter. I’m glad she’s home.

I’m glad they’re all home to be honest. We’re not together every waking hour and they’re all old enough that they need time away from me as well. And that’s ok. I hear Lelly working out in her room since all they gyms are closed. Samantha goes down the basement to work out. Alyssa…I can’t always tell what she’s doing since her room is 2 flights up in the attic. She does a lot of school work and working from home for her job/internship.

Yesterday, Easter Sunday was nice. We had church in the living room, Alyssa ran Facebook on our television and we were able to see and hear the singers praise God with song and then listen to Pastor John’s message. His point aside from Easter being a huge celebration for Christians was that Jesus is our lifeline for everything. That we must tether our lifeline to the rise one Jesus Christ. It was really nice to have church at home. I miss church, I miss my church family and the fellowship. We email and text but it’s of course not the same. I miss driving in my car and worshipping with song to God. Before work every morning I would arrive early to ensure a good parking space and praise Him with worship music. I miss that. I miss my morning time spent that way. When I was assigned to the enrichment centers I would arrive early mainly because I gave myself extra time because I wasn’t familiar with the area where I was being sent. I would use that time to worship with music.

Anyway, as much as I dislike being quarantined and dislike all the disruption to our lives that COVID 19 has caused. I have been enjoying the time spent with my girls. I am forever grateful that they aren’t all young children during this time. I enjoy my girls at the ages they’re at which is young adult and young teen. I’ve been fortunate that the teen years haven’t been horrid. Only time will tell with Samantha. Right now we have a nice relationship, she talks to me so it’s good.

One of my son’s housemates at his group home, an man named Sal; most likely in his 60’s has passed away. He was hospitalized for the corona virus around the third week in March. I was told he was discharged home because he was doing well while in the hospital. I spoke to Thomas when Sal was home and Thomas told me they were able to spend time together wearing masks and sitting outside when the weather was nice. I thought that was really nice. Thomas also told me that Sal was in his room “a lot” and that he wore a mask while in the house. Early this week I called Thomas and the group home manager told me that Sal was back in the hospital, that he was having some respiratory issues but was not on a ventilator. This afternoon I found out that Sal had passed away.

Its a very sad time for the guys in Thomas’ house. There’s 8 of them maximum. They all know one another and for the most part get along. Sometimes it’s a sibling/love/annoy relationship. The group home is a 2 family house with 4 bedrooms upstairs and 4 bedrooms downstairs. Thomas lives upstairs with Sal and two other male residents. Sal was the oldest. Thomas and the other two men are in their mid to late 20’s. When I spoke to Thomas today he said he was sad. Thomas knows there is a virus out there and that it can make people sick. Thomas tells me he’s “not sick” and I know the group home staff have been monitoring Thomas’ temperature twice a day, since Sal became ill. Thomas also knows we aren’t able to pick him up and bring him here for dinner these days.

I miss him. I miss my guy, my Thomas. I miss being around him, going shopping with him (my son loves to shop; I have no idea where he gets it from…) I miss getting him a hair cut. And I feel bad that he has suffered a loss. The house manager said that Thomas was asking about Sal very often and wanted to know when he was coming home.

If you could, please keep Thomas and his housemates and the staff in your prayers. The staff still have to show up and care for the residents. Even through this pandemic.

The government of our state has enacted a state of emergency law (or whatever) that allows the government to mobilize nurses employed by the city to hospitals to wherever they see a need within a city nursing home or hospital. My co worker who lives 15 minutes from me was mandated last week to a nursing home in East Harlem. I received my notice yesterday. As of right now I don’t know where I will be working next. This past week I was working at an enrichment center way up in East Harlem. I did so without complaint. To be perfectly honest I don’t want to work in a nursing home or a hospital. If I did I would be employed at one right now.

Being a nurse is not a one size fits all profession. You can’t just interchange people this way. Yes we’ve all received the same basics in nursing school but unless you practice in a particular area you aren’t always proficient in all skills and knowledge. I’m not against being a help to my city, not at all. I have skills that are in demand and I’m more than willing to put those skills to good use. However I am apprehensive about being placed in a work situation I am not familiar with.

Also, I’m made uncomfortable by the emergency announcement requesting nurses that was blasted over iPhones yesterday. The city of New York has already mandated hundreds of Department of education and department of health school nurses to work in city hospitals and nursing homes. Why aren’t our numbers counted as those that responded to the call? I’ve heard no mention.

Every city employed civil servant I know is doing their part during this terrible, frightening time in our lives. I thank God for every one of them, from the teachers, paras, OT/PT staff, my fellow nurses, police, fire department and every other hard working professional the city write a paycheck for.

It’s been over 2 weeks since we said a very odd goodbye to each other. There were no hugs or “have a good break!” well wishes. I miss my Hungerford people, my co workers, the teachers, the paras, the students; everyone that makes up my work family. The people I spend every minute of every hour with from 7:40am to sometimes 5:30pm (depending if there’s after school program), Monday through Friday. You get used to the routine, what students you’re providing care for and the type of care they each require.

It’s funny at first I missed the staff. The fun exchanges we would have with each other. The way I would depend on certain staff; mainly paras to give me updates on particular medically fragile students. The “one to one” paras I work with are the best. They know their student inside and out and they know when to call me or to bypass the phone and bring the student right in to the nursing office for me to evaluate and decide on the next course of action. I see those paras a lot.

There’s also the teachers I see everyday like clockwork in the classrooms and the occupational and physical therapists I often pass in the halls. The OT/PT staff have a smallish therapy room and are sometimes are in the hallway working with their students. Usually if the student is on a bicycle/board with wheels; some sort of equipment that more space is needed than the room can provide. I enjoy chatting as we pass each other.

I miss my school in general. I’ve been working at regional enrichment centers in Brooklyn and way uptown in Manhattan. We are there for children of essential workers who have no other childcare options. I’ve met other nurses who work in regional schools (work with typical students) and other nurses like me who work with special needs students (District 75). All have been very nice and accommodating thank God. But I am a guest in their house. I miss my “house,” my school, my students.

I can’t wait for this storm to pass and we can all go back to our regularly scheduled programs/lives. And I get to go back to “normal” work and not worry about where I’ll be working from one day to the next. I know we all want “normal” again.

The title of this post was given to me by a dear friend, Heather when she described how we are living these days. The governor of my state had declared a state of emergency and has the authority to reassign NYC school nurses to work in city hospitals and nursing homes. Let me preface this to say I have no trouble working. I do have an issue with working in an environment that I’m not prepared to work in. There are many aspects of nursing that you learn in school and you do not forget. There are skills that require recent practice and there are many skills that stay with you for life. You adapt your practice to the responsibilities you face depending on where you work and hone those skills you use on a daily basis. I’ve learned how very different my work environment of caring for medically fragile special needs students is compared to the work of nurses who work in regional/typical population schools. The nurses who work in regional schools with typical students face different challenges and the skills they use are essential to their practice just as the skills I use in my practice are essential to the needs of the students I provide care for.

I began my nursing career working in a hospital. I did not like it. I gained invaluable experience there, but to say I did not like one thing about it is a fair observation. Many nurses love working in various units/areas of the hospital. They thrive in their environment and are skilled and wonderful in that practice. Same goes for those working in home care, nursing homes, office’s, corporate environment, working for an agency, and private duty. Most of us have a niche and we do best in that niche.

As of right now I have been “excessed” from the Enrichment center I was assigned to in Brooklyn. It’s been decided that they only need two nurses for the morning shift and two nurses for the afternoon shift. Right now I have no idea where I will be assigned next. That’s the part that’s freaking me out. The not knowing. I’ve called my malpractice insurance company to ensure that I’m covered no matter where I work. They assured me that the location change is not a problem. I hate that I have to think about these things. It’s funny because one nurse I recently met (she is a hospice nurse) remarked that I am putting my license on the line working at the school I work at. It’s funny because I don’t obsess about things like that when I’m working where I usually work; at my school. In this current climate of the unknown I have no doubt I will worry about putting my license “on the line.” It very unpleasant to not know where you’re going to be working. With which population? What will the nurse to patient ratio be? Those are just a few of my concerns, not to mention the lack of PPE in hospitals. I wait to see where I’m going next .

I’ve been home (using sick time that I didn’t want to use) because I’ve been waiting for my assignment to work in one of the enrichment centers the DOE have opened in all 5 boroughs. The centers are for children of essential workers. I was hoping to be assigned to work in the borough where I live but Brooklyn is fine, much better than the upper most West side of Manhattan they had me assigned to first. I’m a little nervous. There are supposed to be other nurses there, hopefully they’re nice and not too picky about my oddly colored hair.

So I made it there in one piece, sat in my car listening to worship music until it was time to go in. It’s calming to praise the Lord. I know He is with us and will see us through this storm. There is light and His name is Jesus.

Today my assignment has changed, I’m now going to a public school in Brighton Beach Brooklyn. I don’t mind going to Brooklyn. Due to Corona most people are home so there is no traffic. And parking wasn’t a nightmare. Yesterday I was home in 35 minutes, there were drivers on the BQE going so fast. Brooklyn drivers are amazing and something you really need to experience at least once in your life.

Today should be interesting, meeting new people. Yesterday one of the other nurses I worked with turned out to live only 10 minutes from me! We talked a while, I mentioned Thomas and me working District 75/special needs population. She began telling me about her nephew who is autistic, non verbal living with an older Aunt and they needed help. I quickly texted one of my moms from my bible study group and that mom was more than willing to share information she had with the other nurse. I love networking like that. It’s how we learn about others and how to help someone else. God knows what he’s doing.

My husband is considered an essential worker so he goes off to work everyday Monday through Friday. I’m here at home for now with my girls. They’re all students, two college and one, the youngest at 13; a junior high student. The 13 year old, Samantha is to complete school work online, she did well yesterday with only one hiccup. I’m hoping the rest of this online learning continues to go as well.

I’m waiting to take my statistics final. I was scheduled to take it this past Sunday morning but due to COVID 19, the college had to do some restructuring related to instructors proctoring exams and I am to reschedule my final. I want to just get it over with and move on. In the meantime I’m waiting on my employer to assign me to a program to work at.

One of Thomas’ housemates at the group home has tested positive and was hospitalized. As far as I know the man was sent back to the group home because his condition was stable, he was doing well and had no fever. I spoke to Thomas on Sunday and strongly instructed him to stay away from that particular housemate to avoid getting “sick”. Poor kid still wanted to know if we would pick him up for dinner. When I said no Thomas quickly said, “I don’t want to get you sick.” I’m thinking he gets it a bit. As for Thomas’ health he’s been fine, Thank God. No symptoms and no fever. God has blessed my son in many ways, Thomas is resilient, easy to do blood draws, adapts relatively easy to different life situations and he has a strong immune system.

My heart goes out to those parents who are home with younger children. I seriously thank God all this is happening during this time in my life. Everyone is older and the fighting between siblings is not there. Alyssa and Lelly get along as best friends (most of the time…) and Samantha as the youngest simply falls into place in her role. Tommy said the other day, “Imagine yourself home with a young Thomas and the girls”… I loudly said, “No! I can’t imagine”. I mean snow days were bad enough back in the day and you knew it was only for a day, two days max. This situation, it’s unclear as to when it will end.

Alyssa is great in that she loves to cook, we’ve decided on vegetable soup tonight, it’s going to be really good, I know it is. Yesterday was this chicken dish from Trader Joe’s, it’s a Kung Pao type meal that I added their vegetable fried rice to. It came out good and it’s something different.

I’m awaiting my employer to assign me a place to work now that the schools are closed. I had been assigned to a center way, way uptown around 154 St. in Manhattan. I requested a change since that is so far away but I believe I’m now on the pay no mind list; I haven’t heard anything. Very frustrating.

My husband has decided to complete some needed projects around the house that we’ve put off. We went to Lowe’s for him to buy supplies to remodel his shower in the basement. We practiced social distance and washed our hands appropriately after coming home. Lelly is redecorating her room beginning with a new paint color on the walls and new blinds. She bought a new full size bed last month to replace her twin size. The paint job came out awesome, she now needs the blinds up; privacy is nice.

I’m taking my statistics final this morning. I debated putting it off but decided to just go for it. Of course I’m really hoping to pass, I don’t even care so much about doing well. Statistics is no joke I did not anticipate it being easy at all. To be honest I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve never taken anything remotely like that class.

We took our crazy rescue hound dog to the vet this week for some kind of medication to calm her down. Anyone who’s been to our house and has met Lola can testify to her craziness and incessant barking. God forbid the UPS guy even drives down our street, Lola goes nuts; same with the mailman. If you bring in a delivered package she goes after the package and will attack the box, biting and trying to rip it apart. Weirdo. I won’t even go into what the moulding around our front door looks like. So Dr. V gave me a script for an anti anxiety med that is expensive; I have to pay out of pocket. I have to call them tomorrow to see if their supplier is less money. In the meantime Dr. V also gave us a sedative to use for her while we are waiting for the prescription to be filled.

Today I’m ordering over the phone, paint for Tommy and my bedroom. Our local Sherwin William’s is open but you need to pick out your things and call the order in, then they meet you at the door to take payment. Pretty cool, safe system IMO anyway. We haven’t redecorated our bedroom in about 10 years so it’s time. Plus when we removed the house chimney during the renovation 2ish years ago they had to open part of one of the walls in our room, it’s behind my bureau but the room still needs to be redone.

Here’s to continued social distancing and a passing grade in statistics!!

Schools are closed in hopes of slowing/preventing the spread of Corona virus. This past Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the teachers and staff had to report to their school. We all had our roles; as nurses we had to call parents who’s children receive medication or nursing services in school and ask if they wanted to pick up their child’s meds, supplies, etc… A few parents came, most did not. That was fine, I enjoyed their optimism that school would be open again come April. I’m not too sure what to think. I’m hoping we are able to return in April. I like my job and I enjoy my co workers.

It’s the uncertainty I don’t like. Today, classrooms were cleared out. Medical supplies that are usually kept in the classroom were returned to our office, secretaries cleared out their desks. We were told to take our personal belongings home, to not leave anything behind. I packed up my desk, cleared out office supplies I like to use such at post it notes and markers, my stethoscope, my plaque that the girls gave me for Christmas with “Registered Nurse after my name. I wasn’t ready to clear everything all out. It felt odd and unsettling. Normally when we have a school break everyone is leaving in a good mood, yelling goodbye! Have a good week off!! See you !! There are often hugs exchanged. Yesterday was nothing of the sort. One of my co workers and I bumped elbows, to others I waved goodbye from a “safe” distance,

We were told we are to work from home after having our attendance taken via email at 8am today. I’m curious as to what we will be doing from home. Paperwork? Nursing care plans? I have no idea. I wonder if we’ll be placed to work where they may need nurses. I don’t know how these things work, I’ve never worked for the city before in the midst of a pandemic illness. Rumor has it we may be placed to work in centers the city is opening for children of people who must go to work. It should be interesting.

I’m not one for journaling so I write here. Day 1 of treating today, a Monday as a “snow day” as instructed. The girls had a big breakfast because they’re all together. It was sweet. So far I am procrastinating getting to work on my statistics class, hanging out on Facebook, dropped packages off at the post office (not crowded), spoke to mom on the phone twice, texting my fellow nurses that I work with, and vacuumed my car and chatted with my next door neighbor.

I managed to get in a much needed visit with a dear friend who is in the hospital (not corona virus related). My friend is doing great and we laughed and I cried such happy tears to see him doing so well. Life was amazing for that hour or so.

Back home again and I was informed that school nurses are to report to their schools along with teachers, paras and other staff. They need us to call parents to pick up any needed medications or supplies that we have at the school. Makes me really wonder when/if we’ll be back this school year and what will they have nurses doing now that schools are closed. Will we be sent anywhere? Will the DOE *find* work for us to do? I’m so curious. Off to do school work!