‘PAWSitive’ interventions ease ‘rrrf’ times in pediatrics
Daniel, a 5-year-old child with asthma, is anxious and doesn’t want to keep his oxygen mask on during his much-needed…
Practice Matters
“Bundle” up to prevent pressure ulcers
Find out how to start a pressure ulcer prevention program on your unit or in your facility.
#EndNurseAbuse—Help is on the way
New resources to protect RNs from workplace violence (more…)
#WeAreFirstline
ANA joins CDC’s new infection control training collaborative Healthcare professionals agree that infection prevention and control measures, when implemented correctly…
125 years of progress
ANA’s track record shapes its pandemic response. “We have been so busy that we don’t know where we are at.…
20 million strong
Nurses and midwives create a healthier world. No matter what continent we call home, the experience is the same—nurses and…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (01.04.10)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (01.08.10)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (02.02.2010)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (11.09.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (11.20.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (12.04.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu – Situation Update (12.11.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu: Situation Update (10.14.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009 H1N1 Flu: Situation Update (10.23.2009)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2009: H1N1 Flu: Situation Update (10.16.09)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators…
2018 nursing trends and salary survey results
What are your colleagues saying about workplace violence, bullying, and job satisfaction? RNs, as a whole, are a satisfied group.…
2019 ANA Innovation Award winners update
Nurse-led innovation continues to unfold. (more…)
2020 ANA Innovation Award winners update
Making strides forward during a challenging year The American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Awards, powered by BD, highlight, recognize, and…
4 million reasons
Let’s celebrate and promote workforce diversity. This content is for Digital Access and Print Plus subscribers only. Log In Register
5 reasons why pandemics will be more frequent
We must prepare now for future outbreaks. In 1918, nurses played a pivotal role in the Spanish flu pandemic that…
A contemporary look at gerontological nursing
Nurse experts identify and respond to changing needs of an aging population. By Carol J. Bickford, PhD, RN-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS,…
A conversation about the ethics of staffing
Editor’s note: In March 2016, Leah Curtin RN,ScD,FAAN, a living legend in nursing for her work in ethics, was asked…
A conversation with Rep. Lois Capps
Over the past several months, I’ve written extensively about the importance of nurses increasing their political advocacy to protect health care…
A kinder, gentler workplace
According to an analysis in the May 2016 issue of BMJ, medical errors in U.S. healthcare facilities are incredibly common and are…
A kinder, gentler workplace
Others may not notice your courtesy, but they will notice your rudeness. (more…)
A kinder, gentler workplace, part 2: Impatience
When I was a nursing student making rounds with a surgeon, he decided to remove a patient’s stitches. I hurried to the treatment…
A kinder, gentler workplace, part 3: The generation gap
“We shall a new rule of life make: a little kinder than is necessary be.” Yoda-speak for a famous quote from…
A look back—and ahead
Making progress on key priorities. (more…)
A medication dosage simulation strategy to improve patient safety
Simulation boosts skills and encourages active learning. Takeaways: Traditional medication administration dosage testing can be time-consuming, costly, and lack elements…
A model for ethical decision-making in management
Pam Cipriano, president of the American Nurses Association, said In November 2014 that nurses must know how to make ethical…
A nurse’s guide to food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens
More than 48 million people in the United States live in poverty. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affects 49…
A quantum life
Quantum theory explains how you create your life through what you choose to think, then intend and, ultimately, do.
A roll-up-your-sleeves kind of hope
To reinvent health care, we need down-to-earth help and a roll-up-your sleeves kind of hope.
A whack on the side of the head
The last iteration of repealing and replacing Obamacare has gone down in failure because of Republicans appalled by cost and Democrats obsessed with numbers of Americans without access. I think repeal and replace keeps coming up because the narrative never changes. What Congress needs is a new way of thinking—a whack on the side of the head.
Addressing the opioid epidemic
Funding and access to care are crucial to solving substance use disorders. The word crisis can be defined in several…
Advance care planning across the care continuum
Nurses can play an active role in engaging patients and families in helpful conversations. Takeaways Nurses are in a unique…
Advancing adoption of the electronic health record
Experts at the federal level are working to actualize the promise of health information technology.
Adventures in virtual meetings
Tired of unproductive staff meetings held at inconvenient times? Had it up to here with being interrupted when trying to express your opinion? Maybe it’s time to explore alternatives to the traditional in-person meeting. One hospital unit did just that, and their online meeting forum helped them create new protocols in record time.
Advocacy agenda
Collective action reaps rewards in public policy. Ernest J. Grant Advocacy—the process of influencing public policy—occurs at all levels of…
Advocacy matters
Concerted efforts yield wins on nursing priorities. In an era of political rancor, an important piece of legislation involving nursing…
Advocacy: A modest proposal
Nurses are with patients during some of the most important moments in their lives.
Advocating for access to safe, quality care
As I write this, the next steps in the GOP’s crusade to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA)…
Affirmation of focused practice competencies
In August 2017, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors approved the inclusion of an additional component to ANA’s newly revised recognition of a nursing specialty, approval of a specialty’s scope of practice statement, and acknowledgment of standards of a specialty practice program. The new component, affirmation of focused practice competencies, provides a formal review process for identifying the specific knowledge, skills, abilities,accountability, and judgment deemed important for professional practice success, interprofessional collaborative practice and team success, and achievement of defined outcomes.
Afraid at work
Sometimes certain people have personality problems — and anger problems. If that person happens to be in a position of…
Agendas for change
Nursing’s path for growth, diversity, and health equity. Even as nurses worldwide confront one of the gravest crises in modern…
Amazing you!
Celebrate yourself…you deserve it! By Leah Curtin, RN, ScD(h), FAAN Things are so different today. I remember being thoroughly and…
An activity menu for older adults
You are caring for Mrs. R, a 75-year-old woman admitted to your hospital with pneumonia. After a few days, Mrs.…
An inside look at Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation’s inaugural year
Social movement gains momentum through engagement By Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN HEALTHY NURSE, Healthy Nation™ (HNHN), the American Nurses Association…
An invitation to error
What happens when you’re short staffed and there isn’t anyone to help?
An ounce of prevention
Engage in practical training through Project Firstline. A lifetime of working with patients with serious burn injuries truly ingrained in…
ANA and HIMSS join forces to advance nurse-led innovation
Highlights from the inaugural NursePitchTM event in Orlando. This content is for Digital Access and Print Plus subscribers only. Log…
ANA supports safe patient handling measures in Congress
“The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009” (H.R. 2381) gets ANA approval.
ANA’s 125th anniversary
Building on our history and recognizing nurses When I first began serving as president of the American Nurses Association (ANA),…
ANA’s Health Risk Appraisal: Three years later
What have we learned in the 3 years since ANA launched the HealthyNurse® Health Risk Appraisal (HRA)? Since November 2013, more…
Applying a systematic approach to new-product assessment
Take the spontaneity out of new-product purchases to control costs and keep patients safe.
Are you confident about confidence intervals?
The confidence interval yields information on how confident
researchers are about the success of a studied intervention.
Aromatherapy: Essential oils and nursing
Explore this option for enhancing well-being Takeaways: Aromatherapy is a growing holistic therapeutic option, but is not typically taught in…
Artificial intelligence in nursing
Practical implementation in clinical settings. Editor’s note: This is an early release of a web exclusive article for the January…
Asking difficult questions
Inclusive nursing assessment in a new era of healthcare Takeaways: Collecting information about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity…
Assessing the ethical climate: An environmental scan
Nurses offer insights on day-to-day ethical challenges. By Liz Stokes, JD, MA, RN At the June 2017 American Nurses Association…
Attitude adds to a toxic work environment
Richard Aldington, a well-known British writer, poet, and reviewer, insisted that the best review he ever wrote wasn’t published. He…
Attitude: The power of human energy
Our thoughts, feelings, and disposition influence other people, not just because people see and read our facial expressions or body language, but because thoughts themselves are energy.
Autonomy and the patient’s right to choose falls prevention
You know from your experience that some patients will choose not to call for help before getting up from a…
Avoiding flu complacency
Vaccination coverage is key to managing outbreaks. As of June 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated…
Banner Simulation Medical Center: Using simulation to set up new nurses for success
Today, many nursing students graduate from educational programs without the clinical skills and judgment they need to handle a typical…
Battling burnout and languishing
Brief evidence-based tactics that work Even before COVID-19, rates of burnout, depression, stress, and anxiety in nurses, and other healthcare…
Before blowing the whistle, learn to protect yourself
Don’t let fear of reprisal stop you from reporting serious misconduct.
Behind the curtain: Creating an in situ simulation experience
Go "behind the curtain" to learn how simulation is being used to prepare hospital-based nurses for urgent situations.
Beware of predatory journals
Choosing best evidence requires watching for these red flags. Takeaways: Predatory journals (reading them, citing them in your writing, or…
Beyond a box of chocolates
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written…
Beyond a box of chocolates
Often, patients and families express their gratitude for a special nurse’s outstanding care with spoken thanks or heartfelt commendations written…
Beyond customer service
Many nurses don’t like to hear their patients called “customers” or be told to provide “customer service.” This expert explains how to lose the lingo and adapt the principles of customer service to patient care.
Blood transfusions: How technology can improve patient safety
Testing a prototype identification system leads to 100% acuracy.
Brain science gives holistic care a new aura of legitimacy
IF YOU’VE EVER WONDERED if you can consciously change not just your mind but the very structure of your brain, Alfred North…
Breaking down diversability barriers to improve patient well-being
Many of us make assumptions based on a person’s appearance, behavior, our personal experiences, and what we believe that person…
Breathe new life into unit staff meetings
Revive humdrum unit meetings by setting compelling themes and having staff members present agenda items.
Brighter days ahead
Marking one year of the pandemic and nurses’ response We generally think of anniversaries as causes for celebration, as is…
Brought to you by NDNQI: Data that do good
Thanks to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, hospitals and nurses are capturing and converting into data what nurses actually do and how their actions affect patient care.
Building moral resilience and healthy environments
This effort requires everyone’s support. “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger,’’ so proposed German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche…
Building programs to reduce sharps injuries from insulin injection
Your involvement in safety programs and device evaluation and selection protects everyone. Takeaways: Increases in incidence of diabetes can result…
C.A.R.E. to prevent medical device related pressure injuries
A facility’s innovative program effectively reduced patient injury. Takeaways: Learn how a nurse-led interprofessional innovation was designed at an organization…
Calculating and interpreting the odds ratio
Researchers use the odds ratio to analyze which of two groups of individuals
is more likely to have an adverse outcome. Find out how to calculate the
odds ratio and interpret its significance
Can teach-back reduce hospital readmissions?
A study shows this method helps educators focus on topics the patient doesn’t fully grasp.
Can you fire a patient?
The answer may surprise you. WHAT can you do with a patient who won’t comply with any of your directives?…
Case study: Coerced consent
“Coercion is commonly said to invalidate consent, and that is always true if the source of the coercion is the physician.
Case Study: How much is enough?
Three-year-old Christy* has been in the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) since birth, when she was diagnosed with McCune-Albright…
Case Study: When is what you know considered confidential?
Five years ago, Jane Doe* was an inpatient at the XYZ Psychiatric Medical Clinic, being treated for long-standing cocaine use.…
Catching up to stay ahead
Getting back on track with routinely recommended vaccinations The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in dramatic declines in adolescent vaccinations, which…
Celebrating nurse innovators
Nurses’ creativity showcased at the ANA Quality and Innovation Conference in Orlando. THE American Nurses Association (ANA) continued its commitment…
Central venous catheter dressings put to the test
A nursing team’s research findings lead to hospital-wide savings.
Changing injury trends related to diabetes and insulin injection
This article is the first in a two-part series brought to you in partnership with the International Safety Center.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 30 million people live with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association estimates that 1.5 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes every year.
Chaplains as connectors
Promoting spiritual care in the wellness continuum. Takeaways: Many assume that the chaplain’s work is limited to religion. However, their…
Charge Nurse University: Preparing future nurse leaders
A leadership development program helps staff nurses with high leadership potential become the hospital’s next nurse leaders.
Cherish the differences
You’ve probably heard of groupthink—the psychological phenomenon that arises in a group, where the desire for conformity or harmony leads…
Claiming our rights
The pandemic has cast a spotlight on human rights. According to CNN, the night-shift emergency department (ED) nurses at a…
Climate courage
Act now to protect the global population. I’ve always accepted the science of global warming, but I stayed on the…
Coaching Communication: Tips for nurse managers
One key element of performance management is coaching staff to improve behavior. In this section on coaching communication, I will share ideas for how you as a manager can coach employees via your day-to-day conversations.
Collaboration brings an innovative approach to nursing education
Working with local hospitals, a Texas consortium of nursing schools developed learning modules to improve new nurse graduates’ preparation for practice.
Collaboration: Get better care, go home sooner, live longer
In April 2015, Critical Care Nurse published an article about the correlation between nurse-physician collaboration and positive patient outcomes. When…
Combating medication verification workarounds in an electronic world
In the classic report To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System, the Institute of Medicine reported that at…
Combatting stress
Nurses know stress—it seems like a defining characteristic of the profession. In a recent ANA Health Risk Appraisal survey of…
Communicating with intubated patients: A new approach
Learn how one hospital improved communication between nurses and intubated patients through the use of an algorithm,
new communication devices, and a focused communications course for nurses.
Communication for coordination
Key takeways – Communication across the continuum of care is more than “just read my notes.” – Consistent communication is…
Compassion holds everything together
Despite our physical separation from each other, we’re still all connected and react to what happens to each other. Compassion is the unifying force that holds it all together.
Compassion: A nurse’s primary virtue
Strengthening compassion may help you avoid burnout. Nurses, we’re told, are fundamentally compassionate people. In fact, nurse burnout could be…
Compassionate Connections
Improve outcomes, promote trust, and keep patients safe. Takeaways: Creating meaningful, compassionate connections with patients can improve outcomes, promote trust,…
Conscience, legalism, and the clash of rights
Federal law prohibits hospitals that receive certain federal funds from forcing employees to participate in abortions. But in September of…
COVID-19 and palliative care
Primary care symptom management can enhance quality of life and prevent hospitalization. Takeaways: Early identification and reporting of symptomatic COVID-19…
COVID-19 exposed our deficiencies
The U.S. healthcare system needs adequate reserve capacity to address future pandemics. The current U.S. healthcare delivery system doesn’t have…
COVID-19 vaccines: What you need to know
A critical intervention to help end the pandemic. Scientists began work to develop a safe and effective vaccine soon after…
Creating a smooth move for patients and staff
When Missouri Baptist Medical Center had to relocate nearly 200 patients in a single day, staff and leaders knew collaboration and planning would be key. Here’s how they did it.
Creating ethical environments in nursing
To uphold workplace ethics, leaders must send the message that unethical behavior is never acceptable, no matter who’s demonstarting it.
Creating moral space for nurses
Some years ago, I was caring for a 67-year-old woman dying of leukemia who had received an experimental chemotherapeutic agent…
Creating more than just a journal club
How to create an innovative journal club – and keep it going.
Current and future newborn screening
Newborn screening illustrates what can happen when genetic testing converges with ethics and electronic health records
Data science for nurses
Learn how to apply this skill to nursing projects. Takeaways: Using data science methods and techniques has the potential to…
Dedicated education units: Advancing nurse preparation
An academic-practice partnership achieves student and staff nurse success. Takeaways: Developing and sustaining a dedicated education unit (DEU) academic-practice partnership…
Defeating horizontal violence in the emergency department
The authors share how they defused horizontal violence in their ED.
Defending yourself through documentation
Complete, objective, and accurate documentation of the care you provide can help you avert or defend against lawsuits.
Déjà vu all over again
Some people simply can’t learn from the past—even the fairly recent and painful past.
Delegating without doubts
With this decision tree as your guide, you’ll delegate tasks to assistive personnel with confidence.
Demystifying literature reviews
Every nurse should understand evidence-based practice and the terms used in literature reviews.
Developing a mentor program to improve support and retention
A medical intensive care unit implements mentorship to ease the transition from novice to practicing nurse. Takeaways: After orientation is…
Developing and expanding APRN and PA teams
Takeaways: Advanced practice RN (APRN) and physician assistant (PA) roles are increasing in both primary and acute care settings. The…
Differentiating research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement
All nurses should know and understand the differences among these three concepts.
Difficult and frustrating? Caring for those with chronic and complex conditions
Caring for people with chronic and complex health needs has become an ever-larger part of everyday nursing. The World Health…
Digital dashboards and staffing
Many healthcare organizations use digital “dashboards” to provide employees with real-time data collected from various sources, helping to guide decisions and improve the quality of care. Increasingly, dashboards also are being used to support effective staffing decisions.
Do I still belong?
You matter to the profession. As nurses continue their journey to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, many are asking, “Do…
Do Magnet facilitites maintain their “magnetism”?
Nursing researchers investigated 41 facilities to determine whether they maintained thier “Magnetism” after earning Magnet designation.
Do you hear what I hear? Combating alarm fatigue
As you enter your unit to begin your shift, a cacophony of alarms from multiple devices greets you. The cacophony…
Do you know the schedule for vaccinating children?
Learn how to promote pediatric immunizations in your practice. Part of ANA’s Bringing Immunity to Every Community campaign. this handout stresses the importance of vaccinating children and their caregivers, parents, and siblings.
Do you know the vaccination requirements for adolescents and adults?
This handout, part of ANA's Bringing Immunity to Every Community campaign,
provides the tools you need to ensure that adolescents and adults
get appropriate vaccinations.
Do you know which vaccines are recommended for special populations?
Pregnant and postpartum women, immunocompromised
children, and persons at high risk for flu-related complications have special immunization needs. Part of ANA’s Bringing
Immunity to Every Community campaign, this handout
explains how to help ensure that these vulnerable populations are protected.
Do you want to be a preceptor?
PRECEPTORS MAKE ALL the difference. Without the right preceptor, the transition from classroom to patient’s room can be difficult, but…
Doctor shopping and prescription substance use disorders: A nursing response
Prescription substance use disorders (SUDs) have a serious impact on society. In 2013, 6.5 million adults admitted to illicit use…
Documentation: You’ve got a lot to lose
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, fraud is “the intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person…
Does a right to refuse treatment include a right to demand it?
According to the dictionary, the word integrity is a noun, and it means either adherence to moral and ethical principles;…
Don’t tolerate disruptive physician behavior
No matter if you like – or fear – a doctor who behaves badly, you must report the incident for the sake of the staff, the patients, the institution.
Driving staffing solutions
Stakeholders join forces to address the nursing shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic response has magnified long-standing nurse staffing deficits burdening the…
Drug errors harm 1.5 million people each year, report finds
In a new report, the Institute of Medicine concludes that at least 25% of harmful adverse drug events are preventable, and recommends specific preventive actions for nurses and other healthcare workers.
Dumped: When nursing homes abandon patients to the hospital
Margie is an 86-year-old nursing home resident who has developed a bladder infection. As is the case with many elderly…
Emergent nurse cross-training in response to COVID-19
Program prepares a hospital for future patient surges Takeaways: Patient surges during the COVID-19 pandemic require nurses who are cross-trained…
Empowering nurses with infection control resources
As the frontline defense in many healthcare facilities, nurses and their knowledge of infection control principles and confidence in infection control…
End workplace violence
Charting a path to zero tolerance April 16, 2021, marked a key milestone in the journey to end workplace violence…
Ending stigma
From your ANA President: Mental health support is vital for nurses to thrive. If a flood or fire were to…
Engaging and advocating
Election year offers opportunities to influence. (more…)
Enhancing nursing curriculum with an injection of technology
Use online tools to engage and motivate students. Evidence-based research has changed teaching from a traditional teacher-centered approach to a…
Errors, care, and the bottom line
Try a mock survey to ensure patient safety. PRESIDENT Calvin Coolidge once said, “The chief business of the American people…
Ethics and the quality of care
Leah Curtin discusses the issue of quality care from an ethical perspective.
Ethics case study: ‘Just watch them die…’
According to the Associated Press, a Brookdale Senior Residence facility* worker who identified herself as a nurse, refused to administer…
Ethics case study: Poor staffing results in brain-damaged patient
Author Leah Curtin discusses the ethical issue of short staffing.
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice
In recent years, most of the world’s people have celebrated their diversity: different races and languages, religions and cultures, and…
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice: How stupid can you get?
Staffing is an issue at this 150-bed proprietary acute-care hospital. More than 100 of the hospital’s nurses, led by Mary…
Ethics for nurses in everyday practice: Insubordination in the ICU?
What happens when there is no room in the ICU for an ED patient?
Ethics in a pandemic
Decision-making during a healthcare crisis. (more…)
Ethics is not punitive
Leah Curtin writes about finding your passion.
Evidence-based practice: The forum approach
At one hospital, nurses use a monthly evidence-based practice (EBP) forum to help integrate EBP into the workplace culture.
Examining racism in nursing
National Commission releases foundational report. The National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing released a series of six reports on…
Exposed to patient’s body fluids? Now what?
Learn how to protect yourself by taking the right steps if you are exposed to a patient’s body fluids.
Family history as a genetic assessment tool: Where are the resources?
Learn the value of a genetic history and resources for how to conduct one.
Fighting emerging threats
Three years ago, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and nurses nationwide found themselves on the frontlines of a crisis when the Ebola virus made its way to the United States, killing one patient and infecting two RNs who provided care to him. The crisis wasn’t in the number of cases in this country—four diagnosed and 11 treated—but in the need to ensure that healthcare workers could keep themselves and the public safe when faced with a potentially fatal infectious organism.
Finance for nurse managers: Return on investment
Healthcare leaders need to spend their money wisely. Determining the costs and benefits of proposed workplace solutions can be easier with the authors’ five-step approach.
First and last line of defense
Nurses are crucial to ensuring the safety of patients and the public. NURSES want every interaction with every patient to be…
For once, ethics and the ‘bottom line’ agree
Author Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
Forgive us our trespasses
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairman of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee, speaks of Nelson Mandela, he insists Mandela has always been a free man because he was free from any need or desire for revenge.
Fostering nurse-physician collaboration through shared experience
An innovative program fosters appreciation for nurses. Takeaways: Medical residents participating in a Nurse-for-a-Day program reported that the top lessons…
Fostering professional identity in nursing
How to wholly support nurse well-being Takeaways: All nurses should learn about professional identity in nursing and then model and…
Foundation for the future
A bold initiative to reshape nursing and healthcare. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses nationwide have been providing exemplary service under…
From apathy to political activism
When someone mentions the words politics and nursing in the same sentence, do you roll your eyes? Do you think…
From idea to impact
Innovation Awards recognize nursing initiatives. The 2022 American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Awards, sponsored by Stryker, recognized an individual nurse’s…
From our readers: A perspective on moral uncertainty and politics
Nursing as a profession tends to hold a liberal view of politics and social justice. A strong belief in the…
From our readers: ABC’s of evidence-based practice
A simple mnemonic can serve as a guide for the process of evidence-based practice.
From our readers: Overtime is only fun in baseball: A somber look at mandatory overtime and nursing care
The author reviews issues surrounding mandatory overtime.
From our readers: The making of a newsletter
When I was working as an ICU nurse on the evening shift, I could tell you what was happening on…
From our readers: Using theater improvisational games to enhance interpersonal skills in nurses
Learn how to "play the game" to help nurses and students build skills.
From our readers…A case study of implementing an injury prevention program
The authors explain how they successfully implemented an injury prevention program.
From our readers…Are you prepared for a mass casualty event?
Take a self-assessment to determine if you are ready and take action to increase your preparedness.
From our readers…Creating a patient/family advisory board
Today’s nurse is challenged to procure the skills and knowledge to facilitate healthy work environments in order to achieve best…
From our readers…Delegation for nursing managers: Increasing the odds of success
Delegation is one of the most important—and most neglected—management skills. Learn how be a better delegator.
From our readers…Hourly rounding benefits patients and staff
Studies have shown hourly rounding decreases call light usage and unit noise levels, increases patient satisfaction, and reduces falls. Some…
From our readers…Negative effects of shackling pregnant incarcerated women
The author advocates for more respectful treatment of pregnant women who are incarcerated.
From our readers…Practical approaches to patient advocacy barriers
Nurses know that patient advocacy is an expected and important role for their practice, but the practical implications of acting…
Gandhi and the practice of nursing
Professional ethics and daily practice. One man, Mohandas Gandhi, led us back into morality as a practical thing. In my…
Generational learning preferences
Target patient teaching to match generational and individual needs. Takeaways: Generational cohorts frequently have similar characteristics that influence learning preferences.…
Genetic counseling, abortion, sex-selection, and autonomy
Author Leah Curtin discusses the implications of genetic testing for sex determination
Genetic counseling, abortion, sex-selection, and autonomy—a response to readers’ comments
Author Leah Curtin responds to readers’ comments on one of her recent articles.
Genetic research sheds light on common complex diseases
Using new tools, researchers are exploring complex disorders in which genes and the environment strongly interact.
Getting to the root of the root-cause analysis problem
With national attention focused on the unacceptable prevalence of medical errors, the healthcare sector has turned to highly reliable industries,…
Give the gift of life
Make a personal commitment to support blood donation in your community. Nurses first learn about the value of blood and…
Global issues are our issues
Nurses around the world focus on healthcare quality and access. While a lack of access to health care, widespread poverty…
Going from the gut
The current emphasis on best practices, guidelines, and checklists make cause healthcare professionals to turn off their judgment and go by the book – even when it’s the wrong thing to do.
Good intentions eclipsed
Leah Curtin discusses how negative effects of work on work/life balance and mandatory overtime affect patient care.
Good-bye and God bless…
Practical hope will create new realities. It is with some trepidation and a great deal of nostalgia that I say…
Gorillas, restraints, and moral blind spots
Leah Curtin discusses a restraint situation.
Grasping the all-important concept of risk
To fulfill your responsibility toward evidence-based practice, you need to understand statistical techniques. In the first article in our new “Spotlight on Statistics” series, the authors demystify the concept of risk and describe how it helps you apply evidence to your practice.
Grooming our future leaders
The future of nursing may be in jeopardy. For almost a decade, we’ve known that when the current shortage peaks…
Harassment: It’s about abuse of power
You should feel safe at work. By Leah Curtin, RN, ScD(h), FAAN Nurses—everyone, in fact—have a right to a workplace…
Hazardous drugs, a safety blind spot
Know the risks of handling many commonly administered drugs. WARFARIN, OXYTOCIN, CLONAZEPAM—registered nurses administer millions of these drugs daily with…
Hazardous exposures and military veterans
Identify veterans and perform exposure assessments to improve care outcomes. Takeaways: Many military service members access healthcare outside of the…
Healing our hazardous environment
Environmental pollution threatens our homes, workplaces, and communities. So what can you do? This article will tell you.
Healing the wounds: Quantum nursing V
Quantum nursing demands that nurses honor each person’s
humanity, promote independence and autonomy, and offer the
opportunity for individuals to redefine for themselves who they are and how they choose to live.
Health promotion and disease prevention in rural communities
Key takeaways Diabetes and risk of diabetes is high nationwide, especially within rural communities with limited access to care. Group…
Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ Have you accepted the challenge?
Nurses are leading the nation’s journey to better health. By Holly Carpenter, BSN, RN, and Jaime Murphy Dawson, MPH Since…
Hospice and palliative care
What nurses don’t know about hospice and palliative care can hurt the patient and family.
Hospital at home
Expand capacity, increase patient satisfaction, improve outcomes Takeaways: Outside of the United States, countries such as England, Canada, and Australia…
How do we get into morally questionable situations?
Leah Curtin discusses the dangers of bottom-line thinking.
How do we manage in uncertain times?
As the early months of a new political landscape unfold, there are many concerns about the future direction of health care…
How dolls can help patients with dementia
Dolls can work wonders on geriatric dementia patients.
How shall we mourn our dead?
Take your time and follow the path that’s right for you. Since May 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
How the candidates want to change health care
Web exclusive! See what Senators McCain and Obama say they’ll do to fix our broken healthcare system.
How to appraise quantitative research articles
Increase your ability to critically appraise, synthesize, and communicate research findings.
How to comment on government regulations
You can get directly involved in developing public health policy by submitting your comments on proposed government regulations to federal departments and agencies.
How to conduct an evidence-based practice investigation
How to conduct an evidence-based practice investigation The authors describe how they conducted a clinical inquiry into their own practice…
How to deliver bad news
Healthcare providers often must give bad news to patients and families. Doing this in a direct, concise, compassionate way is a skill that equired practice.
How to increase developmental opportunities for frontline nurse leaders
Over the decades, the role of the frontline nurse manager has evolved from head nurse to nurse leader. With this…
How to meet the challenge of disruptive patients
Disruptive patients can be challenging for even the most experienced nurse. Learn how identify those at high risk for disruptive behavior and strategies for defusing a person who is being disruptive.
How to motivate your staff
Use these tips to help your team succeed.
How to prevent falls among older adults in outpatient settings
The author provides tips for preventing falls.
Huddle up for patient safety
You have received report on your patients and are starting your shift on a busy medical-surgical unit. To help control…
Human factors engineering can improve patient safety
Knowing how nurses interact with the environment can help safeguard patients.
Human rights
ANA and nurses call for migrant family reunifications IMMIGRATION across our southern border took the spotlight earlier this year. People…
ICU Diary: The Gift of Care™
As an ICU nurse you’ve probably encountered the critically ill patient who is experiencing hallucinations, delusions, and confusion. Healthcare providers…
Immunization nurse champions
Staying informed about vaccines is the key. By Chad Rittle, DNP, MPH, RN, FAAOHN, and Ruth Francis, MPH, MCHES Are…
Implementation science: A framework for integrating evidence-based practice
Implementation science is the study of methods that promote integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice. It addresses the challenge…
Implementing bedside shift report
Implementing bedside shift report improved communication with patients and families.
Improving HCAHPS scores the old fashioned way
Hospitals seeking to raise their HCAHPS score should focus on old-fashioned values—courtesy, kindness,respect, discipline, and commitment.
Improving palliative care and communication in the ICU
Looking for more information on evidence-based practices? Read this first article in a series from the National Institute of Nursing Research.
Improving patient education with Health Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Learn how this tool helped an ICU analyze and correct flaws in its patient-education process
Improving patient safety with a modified early warning scoring system
The modified early warning system (MEWS) is a physiologic scoring system for bedside assessment of medical-surgical patients. Early detection of…
Improving posthospital medication management for chronically ill older adults
For chronically ill older adults who take multiple medications, a hospital stay can result in various medication-related changes. Nurses administer…
In praise of nursing residency programs
The author explains how a residency can take the nurse beyond
doing nursing to being a nurse in the fullest sense.
In pursuit of a good night’s rest
Good sleep quality is essential for overall health and well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), via the Sleep…
In with care boards, out with care plans
To promote patient-centered care, healthcare professionals are striving to find new ways to respond to individual patient preferences, needs, and…
Incivility and bullying
Let’s all work together to solve this workplace hazard. (more…)
Increasing electronic health literacy: A three-pronged approach
Use assessment, education, and support to create informed healthcare consumers. By Meigan Robb, PhD, RN, and Teresa Shellenbarger, PhD, RN, CNE,…
Infection control for lifts and slings
Your guide to keeping lifts and slings free from infection.
Infection prevention and control is for every nurse
Refresh your knowledge through ANA Project Firstline. Nurses have always played an important role in infection prevention and control (IPC).…
Influenza prevention
Immunization options offer coverage across the population. Last year, the incidence of influenza worldwide was unprecedentedly low. For example, less…
Influenza update 2019-2020
Protect yourself and your patients with timely vaccinations. (more…)
Informed consent for foreign-educated health professionals
Divina Gunito* was the first in her family to graduate from college, and now it was her turn to help her…
Initiative on the Future of Nursing
Dear American Nurse Today readers: Here’s your chance to help shape the future. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Initiative on…
Innovating during a pandemic
An on-site makerspace leads to quick solution experimentation and implementation. Takeaways: Nurses have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in inventive…
Innovation central
Resources and recognition for advancing nurses’ ideas and ingenuity. Ernest J. Grant Innovation—creating something new or improving on an existing…
Innovation in action
Harnessing the power of nurse-led innovation. The American Nurses Association (ANA) embarked on a journey of innovation as a part of…
Innovation on the move
Update on 2022 award winner progress The American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Awards, sponsored by Stryker, recognize nurse-led innovation that…
Inspire, innovate, and influence
Let’s work together to tackle public health issues. With National Nurses Weekcoming soon, we’ll be publicly recognized for our many…
Interpreting statistical significance in nursing research
Improper interpretation of statistical analysis can lead to abuse or misuse of results. We draw valid interpretations when data meet fundamental assumptions and when we evaluate the probability of errors.
Introducing the quantum patient
The quantum patient is an indivisible human being whose health
problems might not be healed through traditional specialization.
Investing in nursing retention is a smart move in today’s economy
Residency programs help new graduates make the transition from school to practice.
Investing in ourselves
Self-care boosts nurses personally and professionally. Nurses nationwide have performed arduous and impeccable work during the COVID-19 pandemic, now in…
Is nursing a stigmatizing label that needs to go?
Read the perspective of a “nonnurse”.
Is there a nurse in the House? Or the Senate?
Nurses can help heal the political divide. Imagine you’re on a break with work colleagues and the conversation turns to…
Is there a right to medical care?
Bridging gaps through familiarity, kindness, and acceptance To even begin to answer the question—“Is there a right to medical care?”—one…
Is this quality improvement or research?
Imagine you’re a nurse working in the emergency department (ED) of a small hospital who wants to reduce medication errors…
Is your patient on a clinical trial?
One simple question can make all the difference. Takeaways: The billions of prescriptions filled by Americans every year demonstrate the…
It’s time for data-driven, patient-centered workforce management
How to transform data into effective staffing. Takeaways: Many sources of healthcare system data influence staffing outcomes. Nurses—especially nurse executives—can…
It’s who we are.
Nurses are part of high-performing teams during disasters. By Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN In the past few…
Just culture promotes a partnership for patient safety
The authors explain how workplaces can move toward just culture,
which recognizes that errors may be systemic rather than personal.
Kangaroo care: Making the leap to an evidence-based practice
The authors explain how they used an evidence-based practice model to establish a new nursing practice – kangaroo care for healthy newborns.
Keeping genetic information confidential
What you should know about the new federal law.
Keeping watch: Enhancing fall prevention through targeted video surveillance
Nurses who work in hospitals are challenged to identify patients at risk for falling and implement initiatives to keep them…
Key competencies for nursing
To innovate is to put new ideas into practice or existing ideas into practice in new ways. Innovation isn’t new, but its prominence and need in health care continues to increase. Addressing the complexities of healthcare delivery requires creative solutions and approaches that challenge the status quo. Building a culture of innovation necessitates developing skills that allow for ongoing innovation. For this reason, the American Nurses Association (ANA) is focused on nurse-led innovation for healthcare improvement as a part of its strategic goals.
Key components for optimal staffing
New principles help make this complex goal attainable. (more…)
Key concepts in patient-centered care
Respect, communication, and comfort are essential to ensuring that care focuses on the patient first.
Killing for profit
Reinforcing hospice’s valuable services after disturbing court case (more…)
Knowing you can make it
They were the darkest days of World War II. Ships—even those sailing far to the north, above the Arctic Circle—were…
Leadership: A conversation with Joanne Disch, AARP Board Chair
Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, always knew she’d be a leader, but she didn’t envision chairing the board of the…
Leadership: Making things better
According to the Huffington Post, “A recent survey by the World Economic Forum found that 86 percent of respondents believe we are suffering a global leadership crisis…. The world is in crisis mode and there are few effective leaders to be seen.” One of the gifts of aging is that one has a great deal of hindsight, which improves insight, and gives one just a tad of foresight. All of which leads me to ruminate on leadership, especially in health care.
Leadership: What the books don’t tell you
They’ve been there, done that-and told Dr. Curtin all about it. She shares advice collected from nursing leaders across the country.
Let’s take the lead in educating the public about nursing
Editor’s note: The authors are the executive director and senior advisor, respectively, of The Truth About Nursing, a nonprofit organization that seeks to…
Lies and the lying liars who tell them
The impact of lying on individuals and society. By Leah Curtin, RN, ScD(h), FAAN While human history is rife with…
Listening with compassion
Nurses’ experiences of racism in nursing. “Many Black girls don’t make it through this nursing education program.” Have you ever…
Long-term cancer survivorship nurse practitioner care model promotes patient quality of life
It’s not uncommon for cancer patients to say they classify themselves as a cancer survivor by having lived at least…
Looking for signs of hope
Opportunities for nurses keep increasing.
Making and breaking a promise
Is it ever okay to break a promise? (more…)
Making prone positioning a priority
Perfecting protocols to support patients with COVID-19 Research on the benefits of prone positioning for acute respiratory distress syndrome—and now…
Making sense of statistical power
If you want to interpret nursing research outcomes, you need to understand statistical power.
Managing our fears to improve patient safety
Leaders must develop a structured process for team learning and communication.
Many shades of grey
Leah Curtin discusses the effects of ambiguity.
Meaningful Recognition: Make it happen!
We all want respect. Here’s how to go about getting it.
Medical device development
Things to know before you make the leap Takeaways: Nurses are perfectly positioned to engage in medical device development. The…
Medical futility: A nurse’s viewpoint
Caring for a medically futile patient can be a wrenching emotional experience. Learn how to cope with the complex medical, ethical, and legal issues and help patients and families make difficult decisions.
Medicare for all? Why not?
If President Trump really wants a healthcare plan that gives him a big win by covering all Americans, reducing insurance costs, and cutting the cost of healthcare, it could be done. And it would be far better than President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). Mr. Trump could push Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) bill that makes Medicare available to everyone. And wouldn’t it be a hoot? A Republican president, House, and Senate would finally make universal access a reality. And why not? A single-payer system offers cost-cutting strategies that have succeeded all over the globe.
Medication storage and disposal safety
Preventing the dangers of accidental or intentional prescription drug misuse. By Sharon A. Morgan, MSN, RN, NP-C One of the…
Medication titration
Meeting The Joint Commission standard. Takeaways: The Joint Commission Medication Management Standard states that hospitals are responsible for reducing medication…
Mentoring for success: Neurosurgery new hire RN mentorship program
This program enhances confidence. Takeaways: The Neurosurgery Mentorship Program at New York Presbyterian–Columbia University Irving Medical Center pairs novice nurses…
Mindful observation
Bring your full attention to the patient to gain perspective. “If you cannot get the habit of observation one way…
Minimize medication errors in urgent care clinics
Establish a culture of patient safety. Takeaways: The number of patients seen in urgent care clinics can present unique medication…
Minimize words, maximize impact with simple graphics
Capture your audience’s attention quickly by using visual images to show concepts and explain data in articles and presentations.
Modifying the Magnet model: The shape of things to come
Learn about the next-generation model for the Magnet Recognition Program.
Moral space
Understanding the problems of living and dying. (more…)
Motivational interviewing: A communication best practice
This collaborative approach can influence behavior change and improve healthcare literacy. Takeaways: Motivational interviewing (MI) is collaborative conversation style that…
Moving forward with nurse-led care coordination
Expert panel contributes to an ongoing body of work. By Sametria McCammon, MSPH, and Ruth Francis, MPH, MCHES RNs are…
Moving toward a restraint-free environment
Moving toward a restraint-free environment A behavioral health nurse provides guidance on how to eliminate the need for physical restraints…
Must nurses care for migrants?
Basic human rights apply to everyone. (more…)
National Magnet Nurse of the Year® 2013 Award Winners
Learn more about these outstanding award winners.
NICE Network: Nurses leading change in infection prevention
The power of RNs to effect change By Sametria McCammon, MSPH, and Sharon Morgan, MSN, RN, NP-C For 2 years,…
No time like the present to get healthy
This month, ANA rolls out a new yearlong initiative focused on helping every nurse be a healthy nurse. Why? Good…
Nurse advocacy and the power of the public’s trust
Like many of you, I celebrated the news that, for the 15th year in a row, the public ranked nurses as…
Nurse fatigue: A shared responsibility
RNs and employers can work together to promote healthy sleep. GETTING ADEQUATE REST is important for everyone, especially when fewer…
Nurse fatigue: The silent epidemic
Mitigating this serious threat to health and safety Are you getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep in…
Nurse innovators shine
NursePitch ™ reveals products for better care. The third annual NursePitch ™—held in collaboration with the American Nurses Association (ANA)…
Nurse suicide attempt survivors
Easing back safely to the work environment Frequently, suicide ideation is a manifestation of mental illness, such as depression or…
Nurses and assisted suicide
Should nurses have a role in this end-of-life choice? (more…)
Nurses and vaccine hesitancy
You’re too important not to get vaccinated. Editor’s note: This is an early release of an article that will appear…
Nurses are nurses—unless they’re not
The key message of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 report “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” is…
Nurses during COVID-19’s next wave
We need to accept responsibility for our choices. I’m proud to be a nurse. You’ve made me prouder of my…
Nurses living mindfully—Over the holidays and always
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim is to improve population health, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce per-capita spending. The Quadruple Aim adds the goal of improving healthcare providers’ work life. This holiday season, “gift” yourself with self-care techniques to ensure the best care for patients and families and to promote effective interprofessional work environments.
Nurses rising
Recognizing, elevating, and caring for RNs during a pandemic As we celebrated the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President…
Nurses shaping the future of healthcare
The power of advocacy is in the voting booth. IN THE FACE of repeated threats from Congress and the administration, the…
Nurses’ health in the wake of COVID-19
Using HNHN survey data to examine trends, address needs The COVID-19 pandemic has put extraordinary strain on nurses, exacerbating the…
Nurses’ role in managing pain
ANA offers guidance to help address a national and global epidemic. ON MY WAY INTO WORK at the burn center…
Nursing informatics career opportunities
Healthcare decisions depend on data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. Nursing informatics leverages these concepts to support the design, development, testing, implementation, adoption, and optimization of digital health tools, which means informatics nurses have a role in many areas of healthcare.
Nursing needs a mental health makeover
Easy access to resources and erasing stigma are key. For too long, nurses have struggled quietly with mental health issues,…
Nursing research takes aim at chronic pain
The National Institute of Nursing Research is studying ways to promote better outcomes for patients with chronic pain.
Nursing—Built on a cornerstone of leadership
Editor’s note: In this month’s issue, ANA President Pamela Cipriano and National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) President Adam Tebben exchange…
Nursing’s role in healthcare reform
The 2010 healthcare reform act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA) gives nurses new opportunities to deliver care…
Nursing’s memes: Ideas that mold the profession
We need to pay attention to the memes that are catching and spreading within our profession.
Obesity in nurses
Occupational challenges contribute to weight gain. Research shows that about half of American nurses are living with obesity or are…
Of artichokes and angry patients
How is an artichoke like an angry patient? What can you do to diffuse anger.
On the CUSP: How to implement a comprehensive unit-based safety program
This five-step program empowers staff to change unit culture and improve patient safety.
On the power of one
The actions of a single person can be incalculable. That’s why it’s crucial that each of us instill “habits of virtue” in children.
One country, one people, one government
Let’s expect more from our country, our politicians—and each other. By the time this article is published, the holidays will…
Opioids: Follow the evidence
To ensure safety and effective care, nurses must maintain their knowledge and understanding of opioid pharmacologic properties and best practices when caring for patients with acute and chronic non-cancer pain.
Our future through my review mirror
Turn the troubling events of 2020 into opportunities in 2021. 2020 is finally over! It was a meaningful year because…
Outreach score identifies care coordination needs
Save time, increase intervention efficiency and effectiveness, and enhance patient safety. Takeaways: Care managers spend hours cross referencing multiple sources…
Pandemics and ‘One Health’
The intertwining of nature, wildlife, and humans increases the risk of disease spread. With the world’s attention gripped by vaccinating…
Partner with interpreters to prepare patients for discharge
Interpreters are valuable partners when you need to teach a patient who speaks a language you don’t speak. Here’s how to achieve an effective collaboration.
Passion with purpose
Looking back on ANA’s work and presidency. THE PRESIDENCY of the American Nurses Association (ANA) is one of the most exciting,…
Pathological individualism
Our rights come with responsibilities. They call it a “pandemic,” meaning the disease has spread all around the globe. Horrible.…
Patient acuity tool on a medical-surgical unit
Use a tool for consistent, objective, and quantifiable patient assignments. Takeaways: Patient assignments can lead to dissatisfaction among nursing staff,…
Patient and family tele-education
Remote education is an effective teaching tool. Takeaways: Tele-education can serve as an alternative to in-person subcutaneous injection training for…
Patient Nutrition
Do you routinely talk to patient’s about nutrition and their health? Please click here to participate in a very short…
Patients need more sleep
By Leah Curtin, RN, ScD(h), FAAN “Sleep, gentle sleep that…knits up the raveled sleave of care.” —Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act II,…
Perspective: Mental illness and the right to bear arms
Nurses have a role to play in assessing, educating, intervening, and advocating. Takeaways: Whether a history of mental illness caused…
Physician and nurse engagement: From concept to collaboration
In today’s complex healthcare environment, it’s crucial for all members of the healthcare team to work together in a collaborative,…
Pick up some research to go!
Find out how to grab the latest research on the run, decide of the findings are ready to use in practice, and plan practice changes accordingly.
Pilot studies: Helmsman on the ship of research design
Pilot studies lay the groundwork for major research studies.
Pooling the power of goodness to create change
Commitment and compassion can do more to transform health care
than any competitive business model can.
Preoperative education for patients undergoing total laryngectomy
Patients undergoing a total laryngectomy can expect to experience significant lifestyle changes after surgery. Preoperative education is essential in helping…
Preventing blood and body fluid splashes and splatters
Editor’s note: This article is the second in a three-part series brought to you in partnership with the International Safety…
Preventing injuries from disposable syringes
Editor’s note: This article is the last in a three-part series brought to you in partnership with the International Safety…
Preventing needlestick and sharps injuries
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a three-part series brought to you in partnership with the International Safety…
Preventing preceptor burnout
New graduate nurses are vital to the success of healthcare organizations. We need their “new blood” to fill workforce gaps.…
Preventing workplace violence
Analyze, report, and educate to ensure staff and patient safety The stress and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has…
Problem of psychiatric patient ED boarding
Leaders can advocate for changes to reduce ED boarding and crowding. IN SEPTEMBER 2012, in Update 2 to the Comprehensive Accreditation…
Problems with Privacy
Leah Curtin discusses how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been misinterpreted to the detriment of patients.
Professional governance and staff engagement
A new medical unit establishes an engaged nursing workforce. Takeaways: A culture grounded in teamwork, shared governance, and accountability is…
Professional prioritization
Remember all the good we do. Marla J. Weston Nurses repeatedly confront overwhelming workloads and the need to make extraordinarily…
Program transformation through evaluation
Assess program effectiveness using the CDC framework. Takeaways: Nurses can drive change through program evaluation to improve patient outcomes. The…