Emergency nurse shares confronting selfie after 12-hour Covid shift
A NSW nurse working on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 has revealed the distressing reality of wearing full personal protective equipment for a 12-hour shift.
Katie, who works in a NSW emergency department, filmed a before-and-after account to demonstrate the physical impact of the long Covid shift.
The clip, which was posted to TikTok and titled ‘night shift makeover’ shows her face looking red and painfully imprinted from the pressure of her surgical grade face shield.
Nurse’s harrowing video goes viral
The confronting transformation has racked up more than 100,000 views since it was shared on Sunday, attracting hundreds of encouraging comments.
“From the bottom of my heart I want to say Thank You for your service and putting your life on the line for others,” one woman wrote.
Another man said: ‘Wow, looks like you went to war. Thank you for your service.’
Other comments included: “You're so valued, appreciated and respected.” and “You poor thing. I got vaccinated for heroes like you!”
Fellow health workers and students also rallied in support.
“We’re in the same boat my sista!” commented a cardiac nurse.
“We’re getting absolutely smashed. We can do this.” she continued.
A nursing student wrote: “I admire you so much, thank you for what you are doing,”
“Tough time to start nursing but stick with it,” Katie replied.
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It comes as NSW hospitals face mounting pressure during the state's worsening Covid-19 crisis.
Frontline workers like Katie are scrambling to treat an influx of Covid-19 positive patients.
More than 600 people are being treated for the virus in NSW hospitals, with 107 of those in intensive care.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the state's "hospital capacity is still substantial".
"We quadrupled our ICU capacity last year, from about 500 ventilators to up to a few thousand," he said.
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