The state of mental health in nursing

As part of our nurse-first mission, Trusted is releasing its second annual report on the mental health and well-being of frontline nurses. This year, we’ve expanded on the initial report to look at the specific impact of the pandemic on nurses’ physical and mental health, and how their experiences over the last year have impacted their career plans. Our goal in releasing this data is to highlight the ongoing challenges that nurses are facing, even as much of the public discourse moves to vaccines, variants, and the end of the pandemic. We hope this serves as a rallying cry for nursing leaders and the healthcare industry as a whole. Read more

Not a hero, but a human —

We want the world to see us for who we are. Not fictitious characters with superpowers, but beautifully imperfect humans who care for others. People who have helped carry the weight of this pandemic and have suffered because of it. People who need help from time to time. People who want to raise awareness about the mental health crisis affecting healthcare workers after a year of caring for others during a global pandemic. This mental health awareness month, let’s replace the "hero" label and show the world who we really are under all that PPE. To participate in this campaign, write N-O-T-A-H-E-R-O across your knuckles, take a photo and post it to Instagram. In the caption, fill in the blank with who you are: "Not a hero, but a _____." A mom, a daughter/son, a mess, a runner, a reality TV addict… whatever that blank is for you. Make sure to use the hashtag #NotAHero and tag @trustedhealth! Read more

Nursing execs share digital tools they've used most during the pandemic —

Which digital tools did nursing executives rely on most in the last year? A combination of telehealth, dynamically adapting EHRs, and mobile apps proved top of mind for most. Telehealth has been an obvious benefit during the pandemic, with (safe) access to healthcare practitioners never being easier. Telehealth enabled many clinic visits to continue virtually, ensuring that patients with chronic diagnoses were able to check in with their providers. EHRs may surprise you, but many nursing leaders applauded their EHR vendors for quick thinking: "This has not only saved the providers time in having to search for individual orders, but it has also allowed providers to be consistent in providing all COVID-19 patients with comprehensive and high-quality care," stated Lorenzo Suter, CEO at Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Dupont Hospital. Lastly, mobile apps were critical throughout the last year. Facilities across the country employed a variety of mobile apps to help screen their staff and patients alike for COVID-19 symptoms and assess other important information. Many folks, both patients and practitioners, are hoping these practices are here to stay. Read more

Scientists discover new gene-modifying tool (and it's awesome) —

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and MIT’s Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have discovered a new gene-editing tool within CRISPR that allows them to control which genes are turned on or off, without making a single edit to the genetic code itself. The researchers have used the tool in a laboratory setting to turn off the gene that created the protein Tau, which is connected to Alzheimer's disease. Once a gene is turned off, it's not expressed and will remain inactive for hundreds of generations until turned back on using another functionality within CRISPR. This new technology carries with it numerous implications, many of which will hopefully lead to impactful new therapies; however, as Jonathan Weissman, PhD, and Whitehead Institute member, shared, "further work is needed to realize its full therapeutic potential." Read more

Coronavirus Updates

FDA authorizes Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds —

On Monday, the FDA announced that children ages 12 to 15 are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. While the FDA has gone ahead and made this decision public, and the CDC has accepted it as well, the actual rollout of the vaccine to this age group may differ from state-to-state. Accordingly, particular regions or facilities may choose not to provide shots to this group as of yet. The two vaccine doses are administered just as they are with adults, three weeks apart. Additionally, Pfizer announced back in March that Phase 3 clinical trials of the vaccine for this age group proved to be one-hundred percent effective in preventing COVID-19. Read more

Vaccinated? Some health experts say you can relax now —

While some healthcare leaders are holding firm to their pre-vaccination ways for the time being, others are pretty much in agreement: you can relax. Tara Smith, an epidemiologist at Kent State University, shared, "I’m not particularly worried about getting ill myself [...] I know that if I do somehow end up infected, my chances of developing serious symptoms are low.” Many experts have very little fear, if any, for their own health and safety after being fully vaccinated. From going out to restaurants to movie theaters, they say they're slowly enjoying pre-COVID activities once again. However, they say that any of their remaining caution is mainly to protect others who are not yet vaccinated. While the vaccines appear effective in reducing the risk of transmission to someone not vaccinated, the data is still coming in, so it seems best to remain careful and cautiously optimistic. Read more

How schools can support kids' return to the classroom —

Children who for the past year have had limited social contact are now faced with the challenge of going back to school. Many students have seen their families overwhelmed by stress, fear catching or spreading illness to loved ones, and have anxiety about being in a new environment. Educators recommend taking a few minutes a day with each student to talk about their emotional health as a way to reestablish relationships in the classroom. Students who still struggle are seeking help from school psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, however not all schools are equipped with the funding to provide such resources. The latest COVID relief package could be a way to help. Read more

Upcoming Events

5/19, 3pm PDT: Travel Nursing With Your Family —

If you already have a family (or are starting one) and are interested in learning more about travel nursing with a fam, this chat is for you! We'll be covering topics like how to set family goals, navigate school days and childcare, and even various types of housing and transportation you could consider. Join Trusted and travel RN (and mom) Kelsie Parrett for tips on how to make it happen! All nurses are invited to this event, just make sure you RSVP!