Palliative care nurses already have a lot on their plates—while trying to help patients with life-threatening illnesses, they also comfort the families going through the toughest phase of their lives.
Kobkit Chamchod/Shutterstock: The tough job of nurses during the pandemic
These caregivers have much more to do now, given the coronavirus pandemic situation. They not only have to take care of the patients who are at a high risk of the virus, but also have to play the part of a family member, as the ill people are unable to meet their loved ones in their final moments.
Jantanee Runpranomkorn/Shutterstock: Nurses opting for singing to provide comfort for patients
During such dire times, some nurses of Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found a way to relieve their stress and that of the patients by turning to music.
The caregivers at this center say that working in palliative care is rewarding, as they understand that theirs could be the last touch the patient feels or the last voice they hear—it’s all frightening and gratifying at the same time.
COVID-19 has proven to be not only fatal but also very effective in mentally stressing out a person. While patients and their families are suffering by staying apart, it becomes the nurses’ responsibility to take care of the sick—both as a medical professional and a family member.
To deal with the constant stress of providing emotional and physical care, the nurses prefer music and melodies as a source of salvation.
Megan Palmer, a nurse and a singer says that tunes and nurses’ calm voice brings comfort and a sense of peace for all patients suffering on their own.
Another care provider, Anna Henderson, vividly remembers her experience when she sang to a patient. She says that he started crying all of a sudden and it was hard for her to continue with the song, but she did anyway because music is the only thing that helps in such situations.
These nurses collaborated with House of Songs, a nonprofit organization for songwriters, and formed a group where all the caregivers would gather and write lyrics about their experiences and hopes for the future.
Stop for a Minute is once such melody written by Henderson and Palmer, inspired by a patient of the former who asked the nurse to hold her hand.
It’s very difficult to deal with these circumstances while staying sane and caring, so it’s only natural that the medical professionals are considering art to heal them and their patients.
heskaman306/Shutterstock: It’s difficult to keep sane during coronavirus pandemic
They find singing and songwriting productive, as it not only bringing joy to their patients but also motivates the nurses to keep fighting.