When the Omicron variant started emerging around the country, registered nurse Currine Smith flashed back to the despair she felt at the beginning of the pandemic.
With variants straining short-staffed facilities across the country, some on the front lines are experiencing added physical, mental and emotional stress. “I’m feeling burnout,” said Registered Nurse Currine Smith, who saw her medical floor skyrocket with COVID cases amid the current surge. “The stress and anxiety I feel wears down on me mentally, emotionally and physically.”