Healthcare... the next Blockbuster Video?

Blockbuster, of course, is a cautionary tale of what happens when companies—or industries for that matter—fail to adapt to the times by adopting new technologies and best understanding contemporary customer preferences. This is true within healthcare, too, in ways both facilities and entrepreneurs can't ignore. In this case, particularly during the pandemic, telehealth has taken huge strides forward, transforming the "traditional in-person, clinic-based" care model. Prior to the spread of COVID-19, healthcare providers asked, “What can we treat virtually?,” but today the question is, “What has to be treated in person?” Some estimates place the total count of telehealth appointments in 2020 at 1 billion. While this may taper once the pandemic subsides, nearly 40% of primary care visits can safely be achieved virtually. The pandemic may have been the final catalyst before mass industry change. Are you and your facilities ready? Read more

Skincare tips and mastering your sleep schedule —

Did you know that being awake for 24 hours straight can result in an equivalent .10 Blood Alcohol Content! Wait, what? Skin care expert Renée Rouleau and sleep expert Lois James recently led us through a bedtime routine worth dreaming about (watch the full recording here). In this article, we recap the knowledge you need to care for your skin and sleep better despite your ever-changing nursing schedule: from dealing with "maskne" to improving your sleep hygiene. Read more

Addressing implicit bias in healthcare —

Over the last few months, we have become more aware of the social injustices faced by Black people... not only in society at large, but also in healthcare. A few weeks ago, Ashley Sayles, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC shared one side of healthcare in her blog post entitled, “Being the Only Black Nurse on the Unit," and she mentioned how Black patients are not always treated the same as White patients. The statistics are out there. Here's what you can and need to do about it. Read more

The AACN launches call to action around nurse wellness —

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has recently launched a call to action for nurse leaders to raise awareness and "promote practices to enhance optimal well-being, resilience and suicide prevention" throughout nursing schools and facilities across the US. While this has always been a crucial topic, it is particularly pertinent right now. In a recent study, we found that 95% of nurses said their mental wellness either wasn’t a priority or wasn’t supported. We want to change this, which is why we have created an in-depth guide for nursing leaders to help them support their teams with tools proven to build resilience, improve mental wellness, and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. If you're in a leadership position, we strongly encourage you to check it out; and, if you're not, please consider sharing it with someone you know who is. Read more

California announces full practice authority for NPs by 2023 —

California's governor Gavin Newsom passed AB-890 into legislature this past week, meaning that California is the 23rd state in the United States to offer Full Practice Authority to its nurse practitioners. What does this mean? It means that NPs do not need to partner with overseeing physicians nor receive oversight from the state's medical board; they are now seen as fully independent practitioners under their own leadership. This is a big win for both NPs and facilities across the state. Why? This mitigates the delay in care that can happen when an NP must consult a physician before delivering the care necessary. NPs are also more cost effective than physicians and help to avoid unnecessary duplicative service paperwork or costs. Additionally, many patients prefer to work directly with their primary care NPs for continuing care and support, and AB-890 allows them to do just that. Read more

Nobel prize awarded in chemistry for new method of genome editing —

Researchers Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna have been credited with discovering a new, incredibly precise tool within the world of gene editing: the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. Using this tool, researchers can modify the DNA of animals, plants, and microorganisms at the smallest level and with incredible precision. Charpentier and Doudna have been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this technology's contribution to possible new cancer therapies as well as bringing modern science one step closer to the dream of curing inherited diseases. This is also the first time in history that a pair of women have jointly won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Read more

Coronavirus Updates

Sustaining your well-being during COVID-19 —

Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, is best known for her "The Science of Well-Being" course at Yale, which has been the most popular course in the school's history since the course's launch in 2018. Recently, since our normal routines have been squashed, so too have many of the small pleasures that come with them — water-cooler chats at the office or even friendly conversation with a stranger in public. However, we can regain a bit of normalcy by intentionally limiting digital distractions when we're preoccupied with social interactions (even when on Zoom); this means turning of email or Slack notifications when having a virtual meeting or conversation, or putting away your phone when you have a quarantine dinner with whomever you live with. Santos also reminds us that self-care isn't always about the self; sometimes the best kind of self-care is actually doing something caring for someone else: from surprise gifts or cards in the mail to texts or calls checking in or reconnecting with old friends and family members. Seemingly minor actions can make a great impact on everyone's happiness and connectedness. So don't put it off any more, make that call! Read more

Some older medical professionals are retiring early because of COVID-19 —

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Louis Korman, a 73-year old gastroenterologist, required his patients to take a COVID-19 test 48 hours before any procedures. And when it comes to procedures such as colonoscopies or endoscopies, he said he's especially nervous about putting himself in an "aerosolized environment" for extended periods of time. He has since reverted to seeing most of his patients via telemedicine and refers them to his younger associates for more hands-on appointments. He's not the only medical professional in this position. Two of his colleagues in their mid-60s decided to retire a few months into the summer. Providing care during times like this “takes a real emotional toll [...] Not just to myself, but also to my family. I like what I do. But I’m not going to risk my life to do it," says Korman. Read more

Upcoming Events

10/7, 3pm PST: So you want to be a travel nurse? —

So, you want to be a travel nurse? Well, we certainly understand why. There are many benefits to putting on your travel shoes. Travel nursing allows nurses to explore new cities, gain experience in new settings and hospitals, and typically pays more than a staff job. It can help with burnout, allow you more flexibility in your time off, and can even give you a sense of confidence and independence that you haven’t experienced before. But even with these known benefits, it can be intimidating knowing where and how to start. Join us and three experienced travel nurses to discover how to find your first travel nursing job! RSVP