Long working hours are literally killing people

According to a new study from the WHO, the plight of long working hours is actually killing hundreds of thousands of people each year. The study found that more than seven hundred thousand people globally died in 2016 from strokes and heart disease tied directly to working unhealthfully long hours. It also noted that men, particulalry those living and working in South East Asia and the Western Pacific, were most affected. The research found that working 55 hours or more per week was associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke as well as a 17% higher risk of death associated with heart disease (compared to working 35 to 40-hour weeks). It's interesting to note, however, that many of these deaths occurred years later after the long hours were worked, shining light on the long-lasting consequences of earlier lifestyle habits. Read more

Harnessing the full potential of nurses —

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it's that the time has come to give more advanced practice nurses across the country full practice authority. Nationally, only 23 states and D.C. currently provide advanced practice nurses with full practice authority; quality of care in these states has continued to improve and gaps in access to care have shrunk. On the other hand, the remaining 27 states that do not support full practice authority demonstrate higher rates of geographical healthcare disparity, greater burdens from chronic disease, more challenges in access to primary care, and higher overall healthcare costs. To remedy this, federal and state lawmakers must decide to lift many of the barriers that are still keeping nurses from practicing at the top of their education. Read more

Racism sabotages educational benefits for Black men —

Typically, more formal education is associated with better health outcomes; however, Black men in the US don't receive the same benefits from education as do other groups. The reason for this gap has continued to challenge experts, but the answers may provide a crucial look into the unique challenges Black men face in America. Across nearly all demographic groups, except Black men, higher education leads to better jobs, health insurance, and longer lives. While studies show that Black men with college degrees or higher can expect longer life expectancies, the gain is not as big as it is for white men. Black men are also more likely to die from chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer than their white counterparts. While experts have surmised a variety of factors that may play a role, many believe the most pervasive is racism. As Dr. Adrian Tyndall, associate vice president for strategic and academic affairs at University of Florida Health, stated, "Your high socioeconomic status doesn't protect you from the impact or from the incidence [of racism]." Read more

Soda that's good for you? —

A new variety of soda, called "functional soda," is gaining popularity. What is functional soda, you ask? Pop with an added wellness boost. In fact, sales of functional pop have grown nearly 500% in the last year alone. Brands like Olipop, Poppi, and Booch Pop all promote great-tasting beverages with less sugar, fewer calories, and even some probiotic benefits. From hangover cures to nootropics, the list of purported benefits goes on. If you haven't seen any of these labels on shelves near you yet, you're sure to soon. Read more

Coronavirus Updates

Largest nurses union condemns new CDC mask guidelines —

This past Monday, the president of National Nurses United, Jean Ross, said the guidance recently put forward by the CDC—that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 don't need to continue wearing face masks indoors or outdoors (with a few caveats)—was premature. Ross states that hundreds of people are still dying, including healthcare workers, and that cases due to developing variants are also rising. Ross believes the CDC has created confusion by changing the guidelines again and too early at that. However, the CDC has made it clear that it came to this decision based on a recent study that found that real-life use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines presented levels of protection for frontline healthcare workers at rates of 82% after the first shot and 94% or more after the second. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky believes "[t]his report provided the most compelling information to date that COVID-19 vaccines were performing as expected in the real world." Read more

Delayed second dose of the vaccine may prove more effective —

A recent British study found that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine actually seems to generate a greater antibody response—up to 3.5x larger—when the second dose of the vaccine is delayed 12 weeks after the first rather than the customary three weeks. This study is purportedly the first to compare the immune response of the Pfizer vaccine between the normal three-week interval and the twelve-week interval used primarily to provide more vulnerable people with some protection sooner rather than later. The study is still waiting to be peer reviewed, but it could present valuable insights into the timing of subsequent vaccine doses. Read more

Upcoming Events

5/25, 3pm PDT: Travel Nurse Housing Do's & Don'ts —

Housing can be one of the most difficult aspects of travel nursing because there is so much to navigate simply to find a place that works. Join Trusted Community Lead, Casey Smith, RN, BSN, and Brian Payne, the Co-Founder and CEO of Furnished Finder, to learn about tried-and-true tips on finding housing options while you're on assignment without breaking the bank. You'll learn about how to avoid scams, more about travel nurse safety, negotiating rates, housing alternatives, and the most common tools you can use to find your ideal place to stay. AND one lucky attendee will win a $250 credit to use on a rental or move with Furnished Finders! All nurses are invited to this event, just make sure you RSVP!

5/25, 5pm PDT: Immediate Stress Relief Techniques For The Bedside —

If you could do something for 10, 20, or 60 seconds that could drastically help you cope with the stress of your next shift, would you do it? Join Courtney Jones, RN & Mel Cortez, founder of Cortex Energy Systems, Tuesday, May 25 at 5pm PDT on Instagram Live as they discuss techniques that nurses can use for immediate stress relief at the bedside. They will talk about what stress can look and feel like on the job, and delve into the science behind the techniques that can help you cope with it. Find it on Instagram

In Case You Missed it... Finances For Nurses Part II: Your Plan To Retirement —

Retirement planning doesn't have to be hard. Just ask these nurses who became work-optional before the age of 40. We hosted an IG Live with Naseema McElroy, FNP of @FinanciallyIntentional and Lynn Frair, RN, founder of Fi Healthcare @fihealthcare_frair, on Thursday, May 20 at 3:30pm PDT for Part II of our financial series. These financially savvy nurses discussed the most common types of retirement saving accounts, common mistakes with investing, and how to set up your retirement accounts to secure your financial future! 💸 Watch the recording here!