What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

Laws that NEED to be Enacted in FLA--3

Another recent bill that has yet to see the light of day...

Is the bill to make it mandatory for bedside/staff nurses to be part of decision and change processes....

WOW...another NOVEL concept...to actually involve the nurses that provide the comfort and care to the patients--24/7. This often includes life-saving measures...BTW..those that make these decisions...ON A DAILY BASIS....

Really what a shame that lawmakers need to promote what should be obvious...

BUT ya wanna guess who would be the MOST against this bill being passed...

???? Hospital Associations will be against being made to do something that should already be a standard....AGAIN...one of my faves...LUDICROUS....

Come on nurses...get involved....YOU can make the difference..BE a VOICE for your own advocacy...

Today's Society

ENTITLED and NOT RESPONSIBLE...

So many of today's 20 and 30-Somethings are unwilling to be responsible for THEMSELVES (now of course there are exceptions). I am primarily relating to what I see more and more of on a daily basis. The focused and ambitious are fewer and fewer. Too many people out there really feel that the government and somebody should be providing for them...a MORTGAGE, a CAR, INSURANCE, and HEALTHCARE.

Truly, a very small percentage of these people could have ever lived in the 1920's and especially not the 1890'S. They would have never survived because they have little sense of any personal responsibility. They seem to see no reason for taking care of themselves, it is obviously someone else's place to do so.

Anyone ever hear of bootstraps?? I would love to see them all get some, maybe some norplant and vasectomies too..Stop procreating children that are not taken care of by the parents...It is not the responsibility of the government or my taxes to provide for those that will not provide for themselves.

Did you ever stop to wonder why so many patient's have bad veins fro coming to the ER for all of their healthcare. They get blood drawn and IV medications way too frequently. Some of these people have more than 30 (and that's being subtle) visits to the ER every year. LUDICROUS... These generation of people are all going to require implanted IV sites or long term ports. STOP the MADNESS.. This litigious society plays a heavy part in the burden of this class of patients.

Oh the soapbox...I love it...Healthcare needs reshaping in promoting personal responsibility...

From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

"July effect" on death rates is real, researchers conclude
A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that death rates at teaching hospitals climb in July -- when new groups of medical residents arrive for training -- while care efficiency decreases, suggesting that the "July effect" is real. People in need of treatment should not put off care in the summer but should consider bringing a friend or family member as an advocate, said the lead author of the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. HealthDay News

Okay so new residents are not perfect...LOL..Who Knew? Really, that's why they have advisers and mentors and more experienced residents to rely on...

More cardiac arrest patients survive with body cooling in study
A study of 140 cardiac arrest patients who received therapeutic hypothermia -- a treatment in which the body is cooled after the restoration of the patient's heartbeat -- found that 56% survived, compared with 10% of those in the U.S. who suffer cardiac arrest outside hospitals, a study in the journal Circulation found. Each hour of delay before cooling therapy began raised the risk of death by 20%, researchers reported. An organized system of referrals to regional medical centers also plays a role in improving patients' chances of survival, the study found. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (7/12)

This is a great therapy, care intensive and definitely places the patient in a 1:1 nursing status, but it is definitely proving beneficial.

A shift in perspective can improve nurse retention, CNO says
Hospital leaders may be able to reduce a looming exodus by adopting strategies that address the needs of nurses who might otherwise retire or seek a new job. Among those that should be considered are flexible scheduling and allowing some work to be done at home, said Marcia Donlon, a registered nurse and hospital executive in Manitowoc, Wis. Nurses should also discover their job potential and try new roles, Donlon says. "We as nurses trap ourselves, sometimes saying 'I've worked on Med/Surg for 20 years; what else can I do?' But there are so many things we can do." HealthLeaders Media (7/11)

Interesting concepts, will be interesting to see what other ideas are generated and if this is ever given the consideration it deserves.

Standardized measures of ED crowding backed by ANA, other groups
The ANA, the Emergency Nurses Association and seven other health care associations signed a consensus statement aimed at standardizing emergency department metrics that include definitions of arrival, triage and offload times. Organizations have long measured ED use, but the groups say the new, common metrics can yield more useful information in the hunt for solutions to crowding, leading to better care for patients and safer work environments for providers. Nurse.com (7/13)

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

Did U Know?...2

That in the Florida House has been a bill related to safe lifting of patients...
It is a great idea and aimed at protecting not only patients but nurses backs...Wow, an issues that promotes the health of nurses???(A shame that nurses need such bills)
But even in some bariatric facilities nurses cannot get the proper tools and lifting equipment needed. Forget the normal sized patients that may be immobile, just double or triple that and the need for many nurses needed for the lifts and turns. (So we do need bills passed into laws)
Really novel...and need I say, Finally??? But it has not been passed.
Not enough nurses were made part of this process nor have they been involved or encouraged to be involved in even knowing that bills are proposed and voted on regularly. Bills that die in the limbo of government officials, who are most affected to vote by those that are most present in the support of bills to be passed.
Many of these bills never see the light of day because it does not suit the purpose of the AMA or the Hospital Associations, and not near enough nurses get involved or are even aware.
It could make such a difference...What a Voice nurses could have if we just get involved...In my city alone there are more than 14,000 RN's that is power...That could be one of the greatest voices senators and congressmen have ever heard...
Think about the changes that could happen........

From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

5 ways to ensure long-term commitment from new nurses
Fresh nursing graduates can find it hard to make the transition from school to practice, and hospitals that help them are rewarded with confidence and competence. This article recommends nurse residency programs, competency-based orientation and mentorships, as well as efforts to make sure nurses are in the hands of good managers and to recognize and support new nurses' achievements. HealthLeaders Media (7/5)

Ochsner uses eICU technology to expand care to rural hospitals
In an effort to expand access to critical care services to rural hospitals in Louisiana, Ochsner Health System in New Orleans will implement its eICU program using the Philips VISICU system. The technology monitors patients for changes in condition and allows two-way audio and video communications so off-site intensivists can interact with medical staff and families in making care decisions. Healthcare IT News (6/30)

Medical errors' lessons -- and pain -- can be powerful
Oncology nurse Theresa Brown writes that committing a medical error that could have harmed her patient made her realize that she is not a "Super Nurse." "As nurses, keeping our patients safe is always our most important priority. If my error endangered my patient in any way, I had completely failed in the most fundamental obligation of the job," Brown writes. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Well blog (7/6)

Exercise strengthens the brain to reduce stress, study suggests
Exercise can improve mental health, studies show, and even moderate amounts of activity can have emotional benefits that fight stress. A new study using mice shows exercise triggered changes in the brain that helped smaller males deal with the stress of being bullied by their larger, more aggressive housemates. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Well blog

Poll: Too much is spent keeping very sick patients alive
A poll of registered voters in Washington and Oregon found about half said the health care system spends too much money keeping seriously ill patients alive. The survey for the National Journal and The Regence Foundation also found that people supported the idea of palliative care but thought it was available only to those with the right insurance or resources. The Seattle Times (7/6)

Group wants nurses to assume leadership roles in informatics
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society released a position statement asking academic organizations, medical providers and IT vendors to adopt measures that would "ensure that nurses are well-positioned to lead and advance health care," such as establishing an informatics department and allowing nurse informatics specialists to take chief roles. "Nurses play a role that truly puts them in a pivotal and important position where they can both influence health care reform and manage patient-care needs across the continuum of care," said HIMSS Vice President Joyce Sensmeier. Modern Healthcare

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What do you want from NURSES of the FUTURE?

I Want:

Nurses that care about being nurses, that are PROUD of what they do and what they can manage

with all of the limits placed on them...

Nurses that automatically place what is best for their patient's 1st!!!. For me that should be the ultimate in basics for nursing....I have always thought that it is UHHHMMMM...Ludicrous that all of these alphabets are needed and SAD, because caring for your patient is why you are here, WHY you exist, that care, comfort, and life-saving elements ARE the basis of Nursing... I DO NOT NEED

Alphabet Soup to tell me what is right for my patient's...

Nurses that Care...I always start with the idea that I am going to treat this patient like I would want someone to treat my family... Now, on another note..I would smack one of my family members for being an ASS and acting entitled, or that I owe them a particular type of care, be a DECENT HUMAN and treat people with common courtesy (Esp your nurse, they want to help you)..When a patient or family drops that ball, I will kick it back at them...Stress, pain, etc..DOES NOT MAKE it OKAY to be a JERK...

Nurses that are NOT Here Just for a Paycheck, the bottom line is...that it is great to make money...but LIVES are at stake here..

My #1 Rule is..Know why you are doing whatever you may be doing for a patient, Never do anything just because you may have seen someone else do it...If you do not know ask...

Just a few thoughts about what I want from all of these nurses..that schools are pushing out way too fast...KNOW the reasons you are treating a patient...

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What are your ideas??? (1)

What exactly is short staffing? Is it the new MTO (Oh and suck it up-like it or not)/not necessarily when needed) staffing?

A) Like when JCAHO or OSHA or AHCA visit? (Like does safe staffing really matter any other time)

B) Like when the budget says so? (But hey lets not look for ways to actually encourage money-making ideas for the workplace) Just cut the staff short instead.

C) NURSING SATISFACTION STAFFING???? OH my those are the wrong words to use, because nurse satisfaction is so often the first consideration.... (I can dream)

D) Study after study shows that safe staffing improves not only nursing satisfaction, longevity, security, etc., but actually promotes patient and family satisfaction, promotes better patient outcomes, patient safety and less sentinel events, and reduces medication errors. OH so many ANDS for nurses and patients...and SO many buts fro those that really should care but too often

consider the bottom line and NOT the bottoms of their nurses and patients....

Again, I really do not place patients after nurses, I just really consider the Patients and families have the WHOLE freakin alphabet advocating for them...Nurses do not even have the ABC's (another day for my BLOG on the one organization that really does care, just a quick hint...FNA)

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

Laws that NEED to be Enacted in FLA

Did you know???

There are many bills in the FLA Legislature that can promote the improvement of nurses workforce situations, that can protect the health and well-being of nurses, and that can promote nursing autonomy.

Many bills just never get the support they need to be passed into law.

In the recent past there have been bills that make it very important to include the staff nurse (aka: nurse at the bedside) in the decision making process regarding changes and new procedures and protocols in the workplace.

WOW, What a novel concept to include the one doing the work and providing the care (24/7) in the decision making process. It could be great progress to include these nurses in the process of changes rather than just expecting them to add something new (without their input) to already stresses workloads. And how much safer could it be? For patients and staff????

Things that make you go HMMMMMMMM.....

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

Laws that NEED to be Enacted in FLA

Do you ever wonder why the Southeast often seems behind in nursing practice issues.

Florida is the last state to STILL refuse to pass the LAW that allows ARNP's to write all levels of narcotic prescriptions...

How do you spell Ludicrous?? FLA??? ;-)

Come on and make the change FLA, time too loosen the strangleholds of the AMA and the AHA,

Join the rest of the country and let ARNPs, BE all that they can be...

Think about where many Nurse Practitioner's Practice, Have a Clue??? In Nursing Homes and special needs facilities, including long term care...WHERE PEOPLE NEED all levels of pain relief and pain management...

Not only does NOT Passing this law limit the care nurse practitioner's can provide, it makes pain relief more slowly provided than necessary to patient's, NOT RIGHT...

Law Maker's In FLA--Get over the delay and PASS the BILL...

Please folk's write the Senators and Congress of FLA, Let them know what you think of such backward progress...

http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/government.html

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What Nursing can Mean Part VI-Final Part

Many nurses want to work at facilities that offer all of this and more. Where one can find the time to play with a little girl who is feeling better, or comfort and soothe a dying woman and her family, and when the time comes, one can pull a man out of the claws of the four horsemen’s grasp. It may not be smooth sailing every day, but the face of nursing is changing and attitudes towards nurses need to evolve more. Every patient family and staff member should be able to walk into the halls of any facility and know that in this place, someone cares and that someone will be there when needed.

From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

Working out while hungry doesn't speed fat loss
Exercising on an empty stomach does not increase the amount of fat your body burns and could even lead to muscle loss, according to a report in the Strength and Conditioning Journal. Data showed exercise intensity and calorie burning can be reduced because people who are hungry lack the fuel for their workouts. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Well blog

DO people really believe this? Just too funny...

New ANA CE: Understanding "Nursing's Social Policy Statement: The Essence of the Profession"
"Nursing's Social Policy Statement" describes the essence of nursing and defines nursing's value and accountability to society so all nurses have an understanding of what it entails. It is a must-have resource for nurses, administrators and researchers to advance their practice within the field of nursing. Visit ANANurseCE.org now!

Sounds like something of benefit...But!!! does it tell you how to get nurses involved????

Nursing's leadership role is explored by panelists
Nurse.com recently invited a panel of 10 experts to talk about the call for nurses to take leadership roles in health care. "Nursing is quite core to efforts to re-engineer health and health care in this country. As a result, you see lately an unprecedented stream of resources to support nursing education and nursing practice," said panelist Mary Wakefield, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. The event can be viewed here. Nurse.com (6/29)

Nurses need to be involved at all level of the coming changes

Health care law for 9/11 victims takes effect
The 9/11 Zadroga Act, designed to provide health and financial assistance for Ground Zero emergency responders, recovery workers, volunteers and residents during the 2001 attacks, took effect Friday. The law provides $4.3 billion in federal funds to cover health care costs for affected individuals. Daily News (New York) (7/1)

Why not sooner?

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What Nursing can Mean Part V

More forums need to be in place to allow front-line nurses the chance to help make some changes. This gives the nurses at the bedside the opportunity to voice concerns and if they are wise, they will come with ideas for changes needed, not just the issues themselves but a way to make it better. In addition to the changing views that many facilities are embracing, there needs to be changing views among the nursing-at-the-bedside staff. With professionalism encouraged at every level in facilities, it should no longer be the directors versus those at the bedside; it should be us (being every one of us) for them (being the patients and families that come through the hospitals doors). Through increased education, taking pride in being autonomous, improving the collaborative way in which we practice, taking command of our professionalism, and working hand-in-hand everyday for the betterment of our nursing culture, will we be able to improve nursing satisfaction. With these measures, we can ensure patient safety and satisfaction and decrease patient mortality and morbidity.

One other issue to be considered in the face of this looming crisis is that nurse’s work in alphabet soup. JACHO, OSHA, and AHCA are just a few of the alphabet telling us how to do our job and often how wrong we are doing it at varying levels. Where is the alphabet that helps us not work in jeopardy, with unsafe staffing ratio? Where is the alphabet soup FOR nurses?

Perks...

As Nurses We deliver CARE---Health Care on 24/7 basis and make life saving decisions daily.

Health Insurance should be a perk..GRATIS, if not very inexpensive...

We GIVE our LIVES providing care, comfort, education, and our sweat and blood to not only saving but keeping patients healthy.

Insurance used to be very affordable, now every year it is ridiculously expensive, especially for single parents. NOW, On top of all of this, my facility is now mandating a health screening..I do not feel this is right or legal and plan to pose this question to some in the legal profession:

My current facility is now making health screenings mandatory, or I forfeit my right to the health insurance of my choice. I have been informed that with no screening, I will have to accept the worst insurance with the highest deductibles.

#1- I feel this is a violation of my HIPAA rights and my right to have privacy regarding my health care

#2- I feel I have the right to be able to choose any healthcare that I can afford, not just the cheapest with the highest deductible, regardless of a screening.

Please let me know if this is a legal action, because making it mandatory somehow seems wrong and I have a right to privacy regarding my health issues that are few, but so do the other hundreds of employees.

BTW last year they offered bonuses for doing the screening and that was promotion not mandated. Again I deserve a right to privacy and choice.

Please respond and let me know what you think....

From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

Idaho hospitals lobby insurers for telehealth coverage
A telemedicine system using video screens and robots is connecting more rural Idaho patients to specialist care at urban medical centers, and hospitals in the state are lobbying insurers to add coverage for the services. Clearwater Valley Hospital CEO Casey Meza said a telehealth alliance is being created to show insurers how it improves access to care and saves money. The Idaho Statesman (Boise) (6/24)

Technology wonders will have to be part of the future and be covered by Insurance..

Nurse leaders promote the value of higher education
As nurses take on a bigger role in the changing health care landscape, higher education is a crucial tool, according to this article. Kim Sharkey, CNO/vice president of medicine at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, received a master's degree in business administration and now is enrolled in a doctor of nursing practice program. "I ask my nurses: When you're sitting around the table with care managers, physicians, physical therapy, etc., do you really want to be the least-educated person at the table?" Sharkey said. HealthLeaders Media (6/28)

The fact is that many are graduating with degrees and jobs are few, but nursing will always have a place in patient care. The other side is that more and more education and degree levels are going to be expected if not required..

Internet tools help dieters lose weight, study finds
A review of 23 studies found that people in weight-loss programs that included a Web component lost an average of 1.5 pounds more than those in programs without online help. However, the Internet-based interventions alone did worse than face-to-face counseling, while Web-based programs paired with face-to-face interaction fared better than counseling without a Web component. Participants also saw more benefits from Web-based programs when they aimed to lose weight rather than maintain the weight they lost, researchers wrote in the International Journal of Obesity. Reuters (6/28)

This was just interesting...The very long arm of the internet...

Career resources for new nursing graduates
According to research done by the National Student Nurses Association, about 45% of the 2010 nursing graduates still don't have jobs because of cutbacks in hospital hiring of new nursing grads. We've organized career-related resources from across the Web to help new nursing grads find jobs in today's competitive job market.

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What Nursing can Mean Part IV

These are only a few of the pressing issues that need to be improved and examined to waylay the oncoming shortage and the danger this presents to the increasingly sick population coming into facilities around the country. Staffing is an issue unto itself and needs extreme measures and policies implemented to ensure patient safety, satisfaction and the care they deserve. Tied to this is nursing satisfaction. Patient safety and satisfaction decrease with decreased nursing satisfaction. Research has noted that patient mortality and morbidity, that is their deaths, increases with nurses unhappy in their situation. Safe staffing ratios can be found throughout nursing studies; many have shown that a nurse with more than two patients in a critical care area compromises patient safety and care, and the nurses on the floor should have no more than four patients to care for and ensure their safety. Some states have even mandated that hospital units advertise their staffing ratios so patients and families know what they are walking into.

Attitudes are changing; hospitals across the nation are adopting more nurturing and less punitive demeanors. Nevertheless, they seem to have missed the realization that as the nursing shortage continues; the value of a skilled and professional nursing staff that feels appreciated is paramount to the stability of any facility. NURSES will continues to leave this wonderful profession for the same reasons that they have left for the last many decades. NEW NURSES will LEAVE for the same reasons because the issues are not being repaired; the problems with this profession are not being fixed. These newly educated nurses are walking into seriously compromised staffing situations and viewed with many of this younger generation’s work ethic, they will not stay as long as the nurses currently in place.

Just Have to Say It---NO Justice for Kaylee Anthony

What is wrong? With the world, the justice system, PEOPLE on Juries???

Were they affected by the media?

Their personal beliefs in Accidents Just Happen...Really accidents with chloroform, duct tape, Oh and by the way..Riding in the trunk in a bag is just good for some kids?????

Really???

What were they thinking to not even find that inhuman woman guilty of manslaughter at the least?????

The fact that they could not find her guilty in anyway is ludicrous and has me really wondering about their morals, character, honesty and sincerity...

This week and through this whole zoo of a trial, has not brought even one morsel of justice for that poor child...

Please Comment...One friend has suggested we boycott any company who supports this monster..I wholeheartedly agree..and any who make deals with the jurors...TOO.....

From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

CDC report shows increase in hospitalizations for sepsis
Hospitalizations for blood poisoning have more than doubled, according to CDC researchers who evaluated admissions data in the U.S. from 2000 to 2008. Two-thirds of the cases were in patients 65 and older, according to the report. The findings highlight the need for immediate treatment of suspected blood infections even without concrete diagnosis, said Margaret Jean Hall of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. MSNBC (6/21)

Okay, so how many hospitals now have sepsis specialists and core measure to identify and aggressively treat sepsis? Maybe the procedures and heightened awarenes is working.

ANA asks lawmakers to give home health care authority to APRNs
The ANA is supporting federal legislation that would authorize advanced practice registered nurses to approve home health care plans and provide home health benefit certification to Medicare patients. "This legislation will improve access to care," said ANA President Karen A. Daley. "In order to meet our nation's health care needs, an integrated, national health care workforce that optimizes utilization of all qualified providers must be put into action." Nurse.com (6/22)


Maybe Florida can jump on this bandwagon and also give ARNP's the ability to prescribe all narcotics..And catch up with the rest of the nation...

Severe constipation could help ID women at risk of heart disease
Women with chronic severe constipation are more likely to develop clogged arteries, have a heart attack or stroke, or die of heart disease, compared with women without the condition, according to a long-term study of 73,000 women. However, other factors might explain the link, and only a small percentage of women suffered severe constipation, said the lead researcher in the study, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine. Reuters (6/22)

Okay, so this is almost funny if it does not make you sad...How being full of it can cause you to have a compromised heart and brain...LOL...

Nights, long shifts put patient, provider safety at risk
Two studies presented at a sleep conference found physicians and nurses who work overnights or extra-long shifts can suffer from sleep deprivation, putting patient safety at risk and raising their own chances of getting into a car accident on the way home. About one-third of critical care nurses who responded to a Canadian survey said they always felt tired and reported feelings of irritability and forgetfulness as well. Medscape (free registration) (6/21)

Okay, so maybe more states should encourage the Cat Nap for their staff, instead of threatening termination...Again LOL

What Nursing Can Mean--New Followers Re-post

What Nursing can Mean Part III

As noted above, nursing is one of the most compassionate, rewarding and enjoyable professions in this world. It is also demanding of knowledge, experience, and the ability to make life-altering rapid-fire decisions and all of the stress that that can entail. Nursing often requires more than adequate amounts of time, the time to assess patients’ thoroughly and accurately. In this way, nurses are more likely to note a deteriorating condition before it becomes life threatening as well as perhaps having the time to interview patients more carefully, thereby, determining issues that may present problems while they are caring for them.

More and more what a patient deserves is going to be in the manner that they are going to be lucky to get only what they need the most. Numbers show that in 10-20 years there will be a shortage of at least 800,000-1.2 million nurses in this country alone. Nurses continue to leave the profession or are moving into areas away from the bedside, sometimes through increasing education or taking jobs in other, often, less critical areas, or moving out of the profession altogether. Many facilities seem to be pinning their hopes on graduating nurses who have no experience or gut feelings that can prevent patient events. The fact of the matter is that without experienced and satisfied nurses the mortality and morbidity of patients will only escalate. Admittedly, more nurses graduating and getting experience will help with some of the increasing shortage, but working to keep and satisfy nurses who have been loyal and committed to a workplace should also be a high-level goal. Due to past business crises, many hospitals have decreased or eliminated the benefits that nurses received in the past and may be looking to decrease them further. This is the time to improve benefits and tuition reimbursement if these facilities want the better-educated nurses at the bedside. Better retirement packages should be implemented, whether on a hospital-to-hospital level or at the state and national levels. Increasing the salaries would also be of benefit. There should be no salary cap for nurses who continue to be educated. On not only a yearly basis but also many are back in college, obtaining higher levels of degrees and certification. Facilities should be just as concerned at rewarding their loyal and experienced nurses as well as encouraging new nurses. There should be no limit on how many years a nurse can earn a raise; they have only continued learning throughout their career. The fact that many new nurses are paid very close to the same salary as a nurse with 20 years of experience says a great deal about who hospitals and other facilities value.

OFF

Many days of Work...OH my..Will be back Next week...

Hope all of those in Healthcare will consider ways to revolutionize their workplace..This holiday sets the precedent to Making Nursing Practice Independent...