Once the pandemic really took hold I was working in QLD, the first time you walk into a room with someone who is positive is a scary time. There is a definite sense of putting your own health at risk for a strangers health. We had plenty of PPE, I had been fit tested weeks before in preparation, and had a CN teach me donning and doffing, we had a spotter each time to ensure we didn’t contaminate ourselves, as scary as it was I felt safe.
I then came home to NSW. I am a casual here, I arrived for my shift, and was sent to the covid ward (no warning). I had worked in ED a few months earlier and asked to be fit tested where I was told they were too busy to do casuals with all of the permanent staff!! Thank goodness I was fit tested in QLD within 24 hrs of arriving as an agency nurse. I asked for a clean visa, and was told to use one hanging on the wall as there weren’t enough to have a new one for everyone!! It had someone else’s hair on the foam part at the top, given how much I sweat (unusual for me) I guess many different peoples sweat was also unseen in that foam part, I was disgusted.  There were 3 of us in a huge area, not all beds were full however it is a very lonely feeling and it didn’t feel safe to have 3 nurses spread over such a huge area. No one comes into these areas (except some of the amazing drs), no mangers etc, we get to do this alone, lucky us!!!!

Luckily I have another degree and will work in that until the pandemic is over or I travel to QLD to work in far better conditions.