Is asking nurses to be "courageous" too much?

According to three scholars focused on the intersection of healthcare and virtue ethics, it might be asking too much for healthcare professionals to be completely "selfless." In a 2015 paper, medical ethics scholars, Ann B. Hamric, John D. Arras, and Margaret E. Mohrmann, argue that courage in nursing has two sides. While courage is uniformly highlighted as an individual attribute, our basic conception of it doesn't properly explain how an institution (like a hospital) should think about it. The authors argue that "a nurse or doctor may make the heroically courageous choice to join the frontlines of the fight against Ebola [or COVID-19], but doing so shouldn’t be seen as a universal professional obligation." In part, this is because these same individuals may also have obligations to their own families in addition to their patients. Instead, the authors posit that we should be addressing institutional dysfunctions and power imbalances: "To be sure, courage should be celebrated [...] But demanding individual courage is no substitute for institutional justice.” Read more

How telehealth is making healthcare more inclusive —

We're all familiar by now with the ways in which COVID-19 has hastened the use of telehealth across the globe. Many healthcare leaders are excited to see this shift, primarily due to their increased ability to provide healthcare for a larger number of people over a wider area. As Baha Zeidan, CEO of Azalea Health said, the urgency of COVID-19 has “shaved off 5 to 10 years of telehealth adoption” in modern society. More specifically, there are a growing body of telehealth services focused on providing inclusive care to women, LGBTQIA+ people, and Black communities. This has truly been one positive of the last year that has likely benefited all parties involved. Read more

Navigating health insurance as a travel nurse —

One of the most frequently asked questions from nurses considering traveling is, "What am I going to do about health insurance?" Choosing a health insurance plan can be challenging to navigate. Comparing costs, coverage, and options can be overwhelming. Travel nurses should understand all options when choosing the plan that's best for them. Here are some things to consider when deciding on which health insurance to get as a travel nurse. Read more

What to pack for your first travel nursing job —

You landed your first travel nurse job! Now that the background checks, credentialing, and interviews are done, it's time to pack up your life for four to thirteen weeks. You don't want to overpack, but you want to make sure you take the essentials. Before you go on your first assignment, here is a checklist of essentials you don't want to leave home without! Read more

Coronavirus Updates

COVID-19 nurse sings "Amazing Grace" at coronavirus memorial —

Lori Marie Key, RN, has been working as a frontline responder since the beginning of COVID-19. On Tuesday, she sang a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" at the COVID-19 memorial site in Washington, D.C. The memorial was at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and displayed 400 lights representing the more than 400,000 Americans who have died due to COVID-19. Read more

Do you still need to wear a mask after getting your vaccine? —

The short answer: yes. With cases still surging across the United States despite the burgeoning vaccination effort, frontline responders and researchers alike are still urging people to wear their masks, continue social distancing precautions, and washing their hands regularly (even if they've been vaccinated). This is mainly due to lingering questions around the topic of viral shedding, some of which may still be apparent even after someone is vaccinated. As far as how prevalent and contagious this shedding is, we still don't know. So, keep wearing your mask, staying six feet apart, and practicing good hygiene... even if you've received your vaccine. Read more

Upcoming Events

1/23, 12pm PST: The Trauma of Nursing in the COVID-19 Pandemic —

Since the pandemic started, have you had trouble sleeping, nightmares, or an increase in anxiety and irritability? You are not alone. Exposure to trauma can evoke intense and sometimes overwhelming emotions as well as physical responses. Join us this Saturday, January 23 at 12pm PST on Instagram Live for a discussion around the ongoing trauma impacting nurses across the globe because of COVID-19. Trusted Nurse Tayler Oakes will speak with Certified Trauma Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor Brittany Phillips about how nurses can recognize and define trauma. She will also share healthy coping mechanisms nurses can utilize when faced with it. All are welcome!️

1/27, 3pm PST: Nursing Careers on the Fringes —

This event is the third in our "What else is out there?" series. There are nurses who have always been trailblazers. They have taken risks in their careers and been extremely successful. They were out on the fringes of health care, assuming roles in organizations that did not even realize they needed a nurse. Now, another generation of smart, bold, and exceedingly talented nurses are blazing new trails into organizations once considered unheard of for nurses. Dr. Beth A. Brooks will describe how to prepare and share examples of nurses who are working at the fringes as well as some key lessons they have learned from their experiences. All nurses are invited to this event, just make sure you RSVP!️