Each year, the Oklahoma Nurses Association proudly recognizes outstanding nurses and nursing advocates whose dedication, compassion, and leadership elevate the nursing profession. This year’s award recipients embody the very best of what it means to be a nurse and an…

Nurse-Led weaning is a meaningful evidence-based direction for weaning as opposed to traditional physician-led weaning programs. Our evidence-based project addresses the issue of mechanical ventilation weaning protocols, particularly focusing on the comparison between physician-led and nurse-led approaches. Mechanical ventilation is…

TB is caused by the bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is still considered a worldwide pandemic. In 2022, 10.6 million people became ill with tuberculosis worldwide. (WHO, 2023) That includes 1.3 million children.  About 30% of the people who become…

Cassy Abbott EngPhD, RN, LCN, CNEONA President At the heart of nursing, we find an intricate tapestry of personal inspiring stories along professional aspiring journeys. Your journey and impact are significant. I encourage you to share. As nurses, we stand…

In previous columns, we reminded readers about the four branches of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), with the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) being one of them. CNSs have advanced clinical expertise in a specialized area where they work to improve…

In recent years, new healthcare policies introduced by state governments have sparked discussions about their ethical implications for healthcare providers. Recently, both Texas (2024) and Florida (2023) introduced mandates requiring hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status (Associated Press,…

Problem Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) accounts for 42% of infant deaths (Templet et al., 2023). As the primary educators at discharge, nurses are tasked with teaching parents about safe sleep practices and SIDS prevention. Unfortunately, a gap persists between…

The ethical landscape of nursing is rapidly evolving. For nurses practicing in Oklahoma, these changes are especially salient given the state’s unique healthcare environment, marked by rural health inequities, a strong presence of Indigenous populations, and persistent workforce shortages. These…

Faith community nurses are licensed, registered nurses who practice wholistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. Faith Community Nursing is recognized as a specialty by the American Nurses Association and American Nurses…

During my 25 years as a Faith Community Nurse, I have observed the connection between health and spirituality and especially appreciate the focus on behavioral health.

Every nurse, no matter the area of practice, will encounter a forensic patient making it important that the care of these patients not only adhere to the standards of nursing care but also the important aspects of the forensic and…

Cassy Abbott EngPhD, RN, LCN, CNEONA PresidentIn today’s evolving healthcare environment, collaboration among nurses is more essential than ever to improve patient outcomes across Oklahoma. From statewide events to daily workplace initiatives, nurses are coming together to share knowledge, influence…

Immigration policy in the United States (US) continues to evolve, often presenting complex challenges for both nurses and patients. In January 2025, Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, rescinded prior guidelines that had restricted immigration enforcement actions…

The magic of being a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is in the numerous opportunities and expanse of influence the role provides. Especially for those nurses who find themselves passionate about specialized or niche patient populations, the CNS role provides an…

Entering the nursing profession is both an exciting and challenging journey. As a new nurse, you’re not only tasked with providing quality patient care but also with integrating into a healthcare system that is often in need of innovation and…

Nurse burnout was studied for years before COVID-19, and the pandemic brought nurse burnout to the public eye. Burnout is associated with workload and lack of support that nurses experience in critical care areas such as ICUs (Buckley et al.,…

The Critical Role of Preceptors in APRN Education Preceptors are the cornerstone of clinical education for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). These experienced clinicians bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, guiding students through complex patient care scenarios…

OKLAHOMA NURSE LEADERSHIP COLUMN It has become evident as you talk with colleagues in healthcare, we are in need of some changes. There continues to be a focus on staffing challenges, adjusting to a generational workforce, and shrinking resources, among…

Leaders rarely pause to express gratitude for the delays and roadblocks that interrupt their days. Most of us have mastered the art of being “GPS navigators”, constantly rerouting, problem-solving, and finding new paths around obstacles that threaten to slow us…

Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to non-primate mammalian meat and products that contain components derived from red meat, such as medications or skin care products. It is associated with the bite of ticks, most commonly the Lone Star tick, and…

In the NICU, preterm newborns are subject to 7.5-17.3 invasive procedures per day – causing extensive and long-lasting stress (Palazzi, et al., 2021). This can be reflected in unstable vital signs, increased crying, decreased engagement, and many other signs of…

Faith Community Nurses (FCNs) promote the physical, mental, and spiritual health of people in religious congregations and other faith-based communities. Often, these groups include people who are lonely because to the death of a loved one or experiencing angst due…

Nurses are at the center of all patient care and as a result are consistently at the patient bedside. Nurses influence patient care while also having an opportunity to influence the cost of care through efficient care. Though healthcare costs…

For the past several years I have represented ONA as a committee member of the Nursing Scholarship Advisory Committee (NSAC) with the Health Care Workforce Training Commission (HCWTC). This Commission was formerly known as the Physician Manpower Training Commission (PMTC).…

Overview The Oklahoma Indigenous Nurses Association (OINA) has made remarkable strides in 2024, showcasing a year filled with advocacy, education, and community engagement focused on Indigenous healthcare and representation. This report summarizes the key events and accomplishments that have defined…

The Oklahoma Workforce Innovations in Nursing (OK-WINs) initiative at the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing addresses one of the state’s most urgent healthcare challenges: the shortage of advanced practice nurses (APNs), particularly in rural and underserved communities. Funded…

The Oklahoma Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (OACNS) is the state’s sole affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are one of the four recognized roles within advanced practice registered nursing (APRN). Like…

October 2024 – September 2025 It is my honor to represent the Oklahoma Nurses Association on the OBN Nursing Education and Nursing Practice Advisory Committee (NENPAC). NENPAC meets three times a year to review the Board’s rules and practice guidelines…

Introduction The purpose of the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board1 is to reduce the number of domestic violence related deaths by identifying gaps in the domestic violence prevention and protection system and proposing recommendations aimed at improving the coordinated…

This year, the Oklahoma Nurses Student Association (ONSA) continued its focus on growth, sustainability, and outreach. The ONSA Board worked closely with the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) to strengthen our knowledge of operations and to advance ONSA into a…

Jane Nelson, CAE, Chief Executive Officer There is no question about the impact that nurses have on the lives of millions of people. Working on the frontline of healthcare, nurses encounter firsthand the struggles and needs of patients. This position…

In a unique partnership with the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA), Oklahoma State University will provide advanced education in business, management and leadership skills designed for emerging and experienced nurse leaders. Set to launch in Fall 2025, this visionary program leverages…

It is with great honor and privilege that I have served as President of the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA) over the past two years. I am immensely grateful for the trust and support you all have shown me.

This is sponsored content and is supplied by Nurses Service Organization. The content has been reviewed by our HCM internal editorial staff but is not peer-reviewed. In today’s digital world, social media is a vital tool for connection and communication.…

Jane Nelson, CAE, Chief Executive OfficerPreviously, I talked about nurses’ power and how nurses are the backbone of healthcare. Well, that hasn’t changed. There is still no substitute for nurses. However, we have work to do! We must remember that…

In nursing, especially in leadership roles, the responsibilities can be a balancing act between professional duties and personal care for patients, team members, and self. For nurse leaders, professional responsibilities mean overseeing patient care quality, managing teams, and ensuring compliance…

What is it going to take to raise the leadership ability of your staff to the next level? One of the many roles you play for your staff is encouraging their professional development. Clinically, we look after their hands-on skills,…

Cassy Abbott EngPhD, RN, LCN, CNEONA President It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve as the next president of the Oklahoma Nurses Association. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude that you chose the nursing profession, for being…

Jane Nelson, CAE, Chief Executive Officer “Every great dream begins with a dreamer…”These powerful words by Harriett Tubman remind us of the passion and determination that drive change. In the nursing profession, change is constant — and essential. The Oklahoma…

Jane Nelson, CAE, Chief Executive OfficerThis year, during the Legislative Session, we saw the Power of Nurses with the passage of HB 2298! While APRNs in Oklahoma have long advocated working at the top of their license, it was finally…

Domestic violence, often referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), is categorized as abuse or aggression that occurs in romantic relationships or families. “Intimate partner” is identified as current and former spouses or dating partners. IPV can vary in how…

Cassy Abbott EngPhD, RN, LCN, CNEONA PresidentWhat a year it has been! As I reflect on the past months, I am filled with pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of hope for the road ahead. This year, we witnessed the…

Nurses are in high demand now more than ever due to the escalating trend of nurse burnout and diminishing nurse retention. These have created a critical need for more nurses and have led to challenges in providing optimal patient care.

Nurse Colleagues: please be aware that Oklahoma’s population of people over 65 continues to increase at an estimated 150 people each day! Oklahoma’s population 65+ has grown more than 16% since 2017 and it is projected that by 2030 one…

OR nursing is a high-pressure, high-reward profession. It involves holding your patient’s hand and providing comfort as they fall into a drug-induced sleep before intubation. It’s about quickly anticipating the surgeon’s needs when they snap their fingers. It may require…

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, home health care has emerged as one of the most essential and effective ways to deliver quality care to patients in the comfort and safety of their own homes. With an aging population,…

Medical gaslighting is a relatively new phrase in healthcare, and it can have profound implications on medical outcomes. According to the article, Medical Gaslighting: A New Colloquialism, “medical gaslighting is defined as an act that invalidates a patient’s genuine clinical…

In the whirlwind of hospital alarms, rapid responses, and medical procedures, it is easy to forget that healing is not just about science, it is also about human connection. As bedside nurses, we are more than caregivers. It is our…

Jane Nelson, CAE, Chief Executive Officer This year, we are focusing on the incredible power of nurses, and the vital role storytelling plays in advocacy. Sharing your lived experiences is a powerful way to connect with legislators and influence decisions…

Nursing professionals carry a great deal of responsibility – and with that comes potential risk. If you’re named in a lawsuit, the impact can be devastating: legal costs, stress, financial strain and even damage to your professional reputation. Some nurses…

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) play a pivotal role in transforming healthcare delivery, especially in primary care and specialized areas such as stroke care, heart failure management, and mental health services.

The medical setting from hospitals to clinics can be an emotionally charged one, which means nurses can be placed in volatile situations when dealing with upset or confused patients and their family members. Just about every nursing setting can experience…

This content is sponsored and supplied to American Nurse Journal by Nurses Service Organization. Content has been reviewed by ANJ editorial staff but is not peer-reviewed. What nurses need to know about metadata, documentation, and legal liability Metadata analysis of…