True leaders emerge in times of crisis
The fourth session of the webinar series, co-organized by Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and Turkish Surgical and Operating Room Nurses Association, took place with the participation of experienced nurses from different hospitals. Operating Room Nurse Sariye Gürdal, Operating Room Supervisor Nurse Meryem Çelik, Executive Nurse İlknur Yayla from Directorate of Nursing Services, and Operating Room Supervisor Nurse Gülcan Bağdaçiçek participated as speakers in the session moderated by Prof. Filiz Öğce, Dean of IUE Faculty of Health Sciences, and the President of Turkish Surgical and Operating Room Nurses Association.
The seminar addressed the management of the pandemic period in the field from the perspective of the nurses in charge of the surgical branches and in charge of the unit, and the arrangements they made to balance their home and business lives. Participants gave important messages to nursing students, academics and nurses working in the hospital at the "Have we been able to balance work and home life during the pandemic period? How well have we managed?” titled event carried out through the blackboard collaborate infrastructure of Izmir University of Economics.
Operating Room Nurse Sariye Gürdal said, “Health workers are not braided with iron nets, but the perception that we should be stronger when going home has occurred, we must be strong. I think people's self-protection starts with loving people and the environment. We should reflect our love for the people by protecting ourselves and set this as an example to others. Let's not be separated from water and soap, let’s love our environment, protect ourselves.”
Operating Room Supervisor Nurse Meryem Çelik stated the following: “We go to the hospital in the morning, we do not know how we will return in the evening, we are emotionally worn out. People must cover their noses while wearing masks. This is now part of our lives. People who wear masks should be respected. Everyone should get their work done and return home as soon as possible. Let's follow the rules for a beautiful world.”
A real crisis
Stating that the period we are going through is the real crisis, Executive Nurse İlknur Yayla from Directorate of Nursing Services said, “True leaders emerge in times of crisis. During this period, while managing the crisis as the managers of nursing services or operating room managers, we also struggled with the unknown. Because there is very little practical and scientific information about the Covid-19 outbreak in the world. With this limited information, we focused on topics such as what we can do for our employees, how we can protect their lives, how we can make their lives comfortable.”
Noting that Turkish nurses have contributed to society and taught hygienic hand washing, Yayla said:
“The period has taught and contributed to us. We, as Turkish Nurses, have made contributions to the society. We taught hygienic hand washing. It is very important to turn crises into opportunities. There is also a lot we can do about the correct use of the mask and compliance with other rules such as social distance. The pandemic is still not over, it continues. In addition, personal protectors and the world's resources should be equally distributed to all people in the world, and all equipment should be used consciously.”
Operating Room Supervisor Nurse Gülcan Bağdaçiçek said, “As our equipment arrived, we felt more secure. Team spirit was also very important. We made our plans as a team. I think all healthcare professionals follow all the rules. The important thing is to warn the society, let's warn everyone wandering around without a mask.”
At the event, speakers emphasized that operating room nurses are used to using protective personal equipment. They stated that operating room nurses adapted to personal protective equipment more quickly due to the presence of masks, bonnets and gowns in the operating rooms.
