Men In Nursing 2020
Aaron Acquisto, Magnet Coordinator, Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Looking back on this year, what have been the biggest changes in your practice?
Many of us have learned a lot about resilience. In my 10 years as an RN, I have always been keen to focus on the needs of others, but I often forget myself. Recently, I was struck by an article that emphasized the importance of recovery: building resilience by finding ways to recharge my body, mind and spirit.
Tell us about the most inspirational thing you’ve experienced as a nurse during this pandemic.
I spent five weeks assisting the telemetry COVID-19 response unit as a nurse leader on the night shift. The camaraderie, teamwork and partnership was like none I have experienced. Within the first week, we established a rotating “warm-zone runner” position, who would don appropriate PPE to answer all call lights and assistive needs between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The immediate changes we noted were extraordinary! Staff felt more comfortable managing the unit through this shared responsibility, and it greatly reduced the amount of PPE used per shift during a period when PPE was not readily available.
