How to make PPE more comfortable

New research from Radboud University was recently published, sharing a simple intervention for minimizing the heat and stuffiness brought on by 12-hour shifts covered in PPE. The solution? Chilled vests that are worn over scrubs but under PPE. The vests, similar to those worn by elite athletes before marathons, are stored in large refrigerators and are pulled on right before PPE is donned. Their cooling effect can last up to 12 hours. While wearing the vests, 82% of nurses in the study reported feeling noticeably less stuffy and more comfortable. However, the model of vest used in the study cost $190 per vest, so more cost-effective models may need to be developed before we see these in our own units. Read more

Expert tips for nurses on managing your money in the new year —

Whether you need to focus on budgeting or are looking to build up to a life that's "work optional," there’s an opportunity to prioritize your financial health for the year to come. Toward the end of 2020, we hosted five virtual events to give nurses the education, resources, and know-how to achieve financial wellness and growth. Read the event summaries or watch the full recordings to learn what you can start doing today to improve your financial situation! Read more

Best healthcare facilities to work for in 2021 —

Glassdoor recently released their list of "Best Places to Work" in 2021, and out of the 100 companies featured, 18 hospitals and other medical facilities made the list. Leading the healthcare industry is #14 Stryker (Kalamazoo, Michigan), #19 Emanate Health (Covina, California), #24 Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, New Jersey), #39 Pfizer (New York City), and #40 CoverMyMeds (Columbus, Ohio). If you're part of any of these companies, you should be proud! Keep reading to view the full list. Read more

Activism & advocacy for nurses —

2020 made it even clearer that nurses are perfectly positioned to impact change in a meaningful way for those who need it most. Since healthcare is at the intersection of health equity and social justice, we must act accordingly. If you’re not sure where to look to find the resources to get started (or continue) advocating for your community, we share some thinking (and action) points in this article, courtesy of the knowledgeable nurses from the Capitol City Black Nurses Association. Read more

Coronavirus Updates

NY nurses given priority admission to nursing programs —

New York's Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced a proposal during his 2021 State of the State that all actively licensed nurses and nursing candidates in New York will be given priority admission to all SUNY and CUNY nursing programs across the state beginning in the fall of 2021. Inspired by the devastating impact of COVID-19, this proposition will support nurses in completing their baccalaureate requirements and continuing their professional practice. If you're living in New York, it might be time to get that degree! Read more

The long road to recovery for nursing homes during COVID-19 —

The Wall Street Journal recently shared that occupancy rates were down 15% across nursing homes in the United States — surely in connection with the stigma carried by the heavy losses found in nursing home residents and staff throughout the pandemic. While the industry as a whole must push forward to rebuild public confidence, each individual facility must still work to solve staffing shortages, wage and reimbursement pressure, and punitive regulatory systems that focus on punishing operators instead of focusing on improving outcomes. As "the convenient scapegoat for actors in all levels of government — local, state, and federal," nursing homes will have to push hard in 2021 to rehabilitate the public's perception of the industry as a whole. Widespread vaccination is the first step in this endeavor. Read more

The financial cost of racial inequality in healthcare —

Many of us are aware of the physical and emotional costs associated with racial inequality in healthcare, but what about the financial ones? A recent look into medical expenses of Texas hospitals from the onset of COVID-19 until now has revealed some startling numbers. For example, had Black and Hispanic individuals in Texas been hospitalized at the same rates as their white peers, the state would have experienced 24,000 fewer hospitalizations. These incidents alone account for $550 million in healthcare spending, an amount that would likely not have been spent if not for persisting racial inequality in community health and healthcare. And had these hospitalizations not been necessary, it's likely that Texas would have seen 5,000 fewer deaths, a decrease in 30% of total deaths. If the stories don't resonate with you, these numbers surely will. Read more

5-year-old writes 200 cards for local nursing home —

Aryana Chopra in Vestal, New York, decided to hand-make 200 holiday cards for the residents of nearby Willow Point Nursing Home. She knew that the residents would be unable to celebrate with loved ones over the holidays due to COVID-19, so she should took it upon herself to bring them some cheer. She was told they had about 200 residents, so she took the next two weeks to craft 200 unique cards for them. She also used her own piggy bank savings to purchase the nursing home a Santa Clause statue and floral vase. If only we could all be a little more like Aryana! ️Read more

Upcoming Events

1/20, 3pm PST: Advance Your Degree, Advance Your Career —

This event is the second in our "What else is out there?" series and focuses on nursing careers beyond the bedside that are best acquired with advanced degrees. If you’ve considered going back to school for that MSN or DNP degree, Drs. Beth A. Brooks and Nicole Thomas will help you think through grad school options and strategies on how you can shape your career with an advanced education.

You'll leave this virtual event aware of different career trajectories and an understanding of how to pursue both traditional and non-traditional career paths. All nurses are invited to this event, just make sure you RSVP!️