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Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratio Laws and Regulations by State

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratio Laws and Regulations by State

Healthy nurse-to-patient staffing ratios are key for any successful hospital operation. Too many patients lead to overworked and stretched-thin nurses, while too many nurses result in redundancies and needless labor costs. This is why a number of states have their staffing ratio laws and regulations in place– to strike that balance and ensure improved patient outcomes, across the board. Today, we will go over a couple of these laws, the states that implement them, and how they achieve their goals in different ways.

How hospitals determine the workload

Hospitals have different standards for determining how many patients a nurse can take care of, at once. They judge their nurses’ skill sets, the patients’ locations in the facility, and their conditions, and assign the workload accordingly. Understaffed hospitals commonly exceed recommended ratios to compensate for a lack of manpower. This was a common sight during the pandemic when hospitals were underprepared to address the sudden spike in COVID-related hospitalizations. This approach is a short-term solution that can backfire quickly. Appropriate staffing ratios have a direct link to improved patient outcomes. Overworked nurses eventually become more prone to clinical errors, infections, and medical complications of their own. This is why a number of states have legislations in place to push hospitals toward observing recommended staffing ratios.

These laws can be broken down into three main categories: legally-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios, public reporting systems, and hospital-based staffing committees.

Legal staffing mandates

Currently, there are only two states with strictly-enforced staffing ratio policies. Staffing mandates are currently a contentious topic with no clear consensus. Of the two, California is the only state that has legally-mandated ratios for every single hospital unit. Just as an example, every pediatrics unit must observe a 1:4 RN to Patient ratio, while psychiatric departments observe a 1:6 ratio. Massachusetts only enforces a 1:1 ratio for the Intensive Care Unit.

Publicly-disclosed staffing ratios

Public reporting is a compromise for states who do not observe strict staffing ratio policies. Instead, hospitals must publicly disclose their staffing ratios so that patients can make educated decisions on where to receive their healthcare. At the time of writing, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Vermont, and New Jersey are the only states with public reporting laws in place. The frequency of these reports differs. Vermont hospitals only need to report their ratios once a quarter while Rhode Island facilities report themselves once a year. Illinois and New Jersey are made to report their ratios more frequently, at least once a month. Lastly, hospitals in New York must disclose their staffing situation at the state’s request.

Hospital-based staffing committees

Nurse-driven staffing communities are another avenue meant to hold hospitals accountable for their staffing situations. Hospital stakeholders convene to evaluate staffing issues and how they can be resolved. The idea is to connect the stakeholders with their staff while coming up with solutions specific to their facility’s needs and resources. There are a number of states with these kinds of staffing committees in place: Connecticut, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington. To get a worker’s perspective, every state mandates that these committees must be made of at least 50% clinical nurses.

A proper plan of attack

Currently, not every state has staffing ratio laws and regulations in place. Ultimately, however, this is an issue that every area eventually needs to address. The pandemic did not introduce the nursing shortage or turnover, but it accelerated a long-running trend to dramatic levels. If hospitals are to weather the storm, then legislation must be put in place to ensure a healthy staffing ratio situation that places them in the best possible position for success. There is no one true solution to the current nurse staffing problem. What works best for your area will depend on several variables and factors.

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Facilities HCP

Why There Are More Per Diem Employees In Healthcare: Perks and Advantages

  • Vitawerks • February 8, 2023

Why There Are More Per Diem Employees In Healthcare: Perks and Advantages

What is Per diem?

Per diem nursing has skyrocketed into prominence in recent years. For the uninitiated, “per diem” entails on-boarding employees for single assignments or a limited time, as opposed to a long-term full time contract. The practice rose in prominence thanks to COVID-19 and fluctuating staffing needs for big healthcare facilities. Accounting for as much as 30% of all total nursing hours in the United states, it is safe to say that per diem nurses form the foundation for the current state of the healthcare industry. As of 2020, the industry is valued at 7.6 billion USD. Between 2021 and 2028, there is projected to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4.9 percent. This will skyrocket the market size to a staggering 11.1 billion USD.

For veterans in the healthcare industry who are used to systems and routine, entering the per diem work space may initially be an intimidating prospect. The advantages for employers are obvious, but more and more nurses are gravitating towards this model for different reasons. Per-diem nursing comes with a host of benefits and advantages that traditional employment can only hope to match. It is an exciting new frontier that has made healthcare more accessible and flexible than ever before. Some will see it as a useful supplement to their full time responsibilities, while others may prefer it outright. If you are still on the fence about per diem nursing, consider the following outrageous benefits:

Per diem employees in healthcare work when they want

Work life balance is an important part of professional living that can be easy to take for granted. Career mobility is fine and all, but time for yourself is important to rest, recuperate, and continue growing as a person. Despite the benefits of stability, achieving this work life balance with a full time schedule can be a challenge. It is not impossible, but you certainly have limited time to spend with either family and loved ones or pursue personal hobbies and side-hustles of your own. Per diem nursing returns control over your time to the employees, as nurses can set their own hours on their own terms. You can take up shifts while allowing free time between certain gaps. You no longer have to opt for unpaid overtime, for fear of losing your job. In fact, you can turn down shifts at your discretion, if you feel that it is best for you.

It lets you keep your license active

To maintain your nursing license, nurses have to log a minimum amount of clinical hours within a given year. For full time nurses who are between jobs, it can be difficult to stay active while you are hunting for new opportunities. Per diem employees in healthcare luckily have no such problem. You can take hours as needed, in order to fulfill the nursing licensure renewal requirements for your local State Board of Nursing. Even if you are a full time nurse who is not on schedule to meet the hour quota, for whatever reason, picking up a few per diem shifts with VitaWerks will help immensely in this regard.

Per diem nursing pays better

You may think that per diem employees in healthcare must sacrifice their bottom line for the flexibility provided. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. It has been found that per diem nurses earn as much as 30% more than their full time counterparts. The reasoning behind this is quite obvious: demand is simultaneously sky high and immediate. Hospitals are looking for high quality nursing professionals who will help fill critical vacancies as soon as possible, and they will pay a premium in order to accomplish this. States are paying millions of dollars to travel nurse agencies, in order to keep their healthcare facilities alive and running. To find the highest paying facilities in your area and get paid what you are worth, consider signing up with VitaWerks. Our technology-based staffing solutions will find you the highest rates with the best facilities in your area at the fraction of the time and cost.

Choose where you work

No two nursing facilities are alike. Between the systems in place, the specializations, and the workplace culture, your working environment will differ drastically depending on where you land. What works for someone else may not work for you, and that is completely natural. Full time employees who prize stability may eventually find dissatisfaction with their work, because they do not know how else to operate. Per diem nurses have the freedom to choose the facilities that they work with, on a per-shift basis. Per diem employees in healthcare can experience different work environments and facilities. In doing so, they eventually get a better understanding of what they are looking for in a workplace and the conditions that they work best in. Whether it is a huge facility in a busy urban city or a humbler facility in more rural states, any HCP will benefit from such a diverse range of looks.

Enjoy more career flexibility

This is related to the freedom to choose where you work. Many nurses want to advance their careers for higher earning opportunities and higher positions with greater responsibilities. The only problem is that they do not know exactly what speciality they want to focus and hone their skills on. As a result, they either end up stagnating career-wise or they find themselves working in a line-of–work they feel no passion towards. Per diem shifts will allow you to take on various positions from various facilities with wildly different specialties. One day you are working at a cardiac hospital, the next you are taking shifts with pediatricians. Working per diem allows you to gain a lot of experience with a diverse range of fields and expertises. You no longer have to commit to a career path, without knowing the alternatives or whether or not you will gel with the field in the long term. Not only can per diem employees in healthcare get an idea of what each speciality has to offer, they are also gaining important work experience that will reflect well on your portfolio.

Go out there!

The healthcare industry is currently in a state of flux. Though the pandemic has settled and the vaccine has mitigated things somewhat, cases can always spike up at any given time. Now more than ever, hospitals need to be flexible as they adapt to ever changing conditions. There will always be a place for fully employed nurses, but per diem nursing has risen as a powerful and tantalizing alternative for both facilities and HCPs alike. They provide nurses with more flexibility with regards to their time and career. Despite what you might initially think, they provide nurses more spending power than ever before, thanks to higher pay across the board. As the industry continues to grow and the benefits stack up, it is hard not to see why more and more nurses are moving towards temporary staffing solutions. While the initial spike will eventually die down, it is safe to say that per diem nursing has established itself as an industry staple, both in the short term and the bigger picture. No doubt becoming a per diem employee in healthcare can seem initially intimidating, for the uninitiated. Those who open their minds, however, will find professional opportunities and a liberating freedom that most full time staff could only dream of.

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HCP Facilities

Why On Demand Nurses Have Changed the Healthcare Industry

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Why On Demand Nurses Have Changed the Healthcare Industry

In recent years, on-demand staffing has risen to great promises with healthcare in particular. Even before the gig-economy boom, hospitals and other facilities leaned on per-diem nursing agencies to account for labor shortages and vacancies that must be filled at short notice. Whenever full time employees were on paid leave, sick leave or maternity leave, these agencies have been relied on to cover for their absences. In some regards, healthcare has been notably ahead of the curve with its staffing solutions, compared to other industries.

Though always prominent, the pandemic has pushed per diem nursing into the forefront. Workplace stress and conditions at the height of COVID-19 has pushed nurses, physicians and other HCPs to their absolute limits. As a result, said nurses have begun to leave the industry at a record-shattering rate. Per diem nursing agencies are now being heavily relied upon to handle short-term gaps while travel nurses are on-boarded to carry out long term needs. Despite this, agencies can be a slow, cumbersome and costly way to fill in vacant positions. On-boarding alone can take weeks to accomplish, at the best of times. This is why technology-based staffing solutions have become a powerful and preferred alternative as of late. With platforms like VitaWerks, healthcare organizations can account for higher demand and sudden patient spike counts, without sacrificing quality or timeliness. These staffing solutions are not only here to stay, but they are revolutionizing healthcare as we know it.

On demand nurse staffing adjust to changing market trends

Demand and supply for an industry like healthcare can be incredibly volatile. It is true that hospitals were woefully understaffed for the COVID-19 pandemic, but demand changes all the time in healthcare. To a lesser extent, events like flu season, massive accidents or natural disasters will flood hospitals with more than their expected daily patient case volumes. Accidents in particular tend to stress-test trauma centers. Taking account the severity of these cases, facilities must fill each vacancy with highly-qualified HCPs who have the training and experience to handle difficult and time sensitive operations.

Simply on-boarding more full time employees seems like a good solution. However, this would not be a sustainable business model, once the case numbers drop and the healthcare market returns to normal. Facilities will become overstaffed and they will be forced to shoulder unnecessary labor costs for very little return. Eventually, hospitals will have no choice but to make difficult and costly staff cuts in order to save their bottom line. This is not free of cost, either— hospitals often have to provide severance pay for any employees that they separate themselves from, in this manner. Leaving a facility understaffed is not a viable option, either. It is widely known that skewed patient-to-nurse ratios inevitably produce measurably worse patient outcomes. At the same time, they often lack the resources to hire more full time staff at all.

Fortunately, this is where technology-based on demand nurse appsstaffing comecomes in. Instead of choosing between two equally-bad extremes, facilities can flexibly adjust their staffing based on their current situation and context. Whenever cases rise or more specialized HCPs are required, hospitals can simply hire per diem nursestalent to handle the sudden increased workload, until that particular wave subsides and patient case volumes return to normal. For anyone hesitant to hire per diemthese kinds of HCPs with mobile services, platforms like VitaWerks go through thorough background checks and evaluation processes to ensure that their nurses are qualified to handle such complex cases. More and more facilities are starting to operate at a 60 percent staffing capacity, while hiring on demand HCP staff as needed. Healthcare facilities no longer have to contend with brutal labor shortages nor do they have to shoulder unnecessary labor costs. Instead, they can maintain the right amount of manpower for their situation, without compromising on quality whatsoever.

Striking the perfect balance

Maintaining that perfect nurse-to-patient ratio is more difficult now than it has ever been. Much of this can be attributed to the dramatic exodus of nurses the healthcare industry has seen in recent years. With the increased stress of acute care facilities, nurses are now turning to less-stressful healthcare environments or are leaving the industry altogether. In 2020, the average turnover rate for registered nurses in American hospitals rose to a staggering 18.7%. Retaining full-time talent with sound internal strategies while filling shortages with on demand nurse staffing as needed will ultimately be the key to avoiding understaffing. VitaWerks in particular will let you cover for vacant positions as soon as possible, with the most qualified per diem healthcare professionals on the market. More and more facilities are choosing to partner with this effective and innovative platform, as VitaWerks continues to expand its operations nationwide.

These offerings compare highly favorably to travel agency contracts that lock facilities to nurses for months on end. Not only that, but their on-boarding process can take at least a week, which is not good for facilities in an urgent situation. VitaWerks lets you truly hire spontaneously, on the spot and as-needed, at a fraction of the time and cost. With advanced AI-matching technology and an intuitive one-click platform, hospitals can find highly qualified and thoroughly-vetted nurses in just a matter of hours. If ever you run into any trouble at all, throughout the process, the app also provides you with high quality, 24/7 customer support. Connect to one of our expert nurse champions whenever you need any clarifications or assistance. For comparison, some agencies do not even offer weekend or night assistance at all. Finding professionals with VitaWerks is not only effective, it is a completely painless on demand nurse staffing process from start to finish.

Embracing the digital age

The world is changing at a shocking pace. Digitization has flipped several industries upside down and healthcare is no exception. The pandemic completely changed our perception of staffing and accounting for sudden unexpected changes in supply and demand. Travel agencies have always been there, as a way for hospitals to acquire much needed manpower whenever market trends started to shift right under them. More than anything, the pandemic showed the populace that that alone is sometimes not enough. Facilities require faster, more efficient staffing solutions without skimping on quality. That extra time spent waiting can mean the difference between a successful operation and a sinking ship that is simply delaying the inevitable.

On-demand staffing platforms like VitaWerks provide everything that the new age facility is looking for. The company is not content with sitting on its laurels either. With every passing day, its team of engineers and forward-thinkers are looking for new ways to improve on the AI and customer experience. Over time, these technology-based solutions are sure to eclipse traditional nurse staffing agencies in terms of prominence. Hospitals who made the transition to these advanced staffing solutions have already found immediate dividends. Filling vacancies has never been less-hassle free and more convenient than it is right now. As on-demand nurse staffing continues to improve, one can only imagine what lies ahead in this exciting new technological frontier. No matter what happens, you can count on VitaWerks to remain right at the forefront of innovative staffing solutions.

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Facilities HCP

Techniques for Nurses to De-escalate Situations at Work

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Techniques for Nurses to De-escalate Situations at Work

Establish communications

When the tensions are high, communication is easily muddled. It is more than possible that your patient does not want to talk with anyone. Before you proceed at all, it is important to make it so that they are willing to speak. You want to ask them if they are willing to talk with you. Be persistent with your request, while being as kind as possible at the same time. No matter how difficult or upset it is for them to recall the inciting incident, they must be open to the prospect before anyone can move forward. Finally, you have to recognize the potential communication barriers ahead of you. This could be cultural barriers such as language or religion, or it could just be emotions at the heat of the moment like anger or embarrassment. Be open to the prospect that you have to tailor your message and approach to these factors.

Take the time to listen

Even in high pressure scenarios, you need to make sure that you are listening to your patients. Not only does listening gives you a better understanding of the situation at hand, it helps patients open up to you and feel valued. Put yourself in their shoes: You are probably in the hospital for ailments or bodily issues that are outside of your control. All you can do is wait for the medical staff to deliver a verdict or present you with a difficult choice. That overwhelming sense of helplessness and dread is often the spark for many emotional blowups. Lending an ear while making it clear that you are invested and engaged in what they have to say returns a sense of agency and control, while establishing a relationship between you and the patient.

Ask smart questions

Being an active listener goes a long way in de-escalating situations both before and during their boiling point. You can even take it a step further by actively asking questions, regarding the patients. You can ask “how they are doing” or “how are things going” to show that you are invested in their problems. If a patient is already upset, ask them what happened before the situation escalated or whether or not they need any assistance. It is also important to ask if they hurt themselves. Patients can wind up inadvertently hurting themselves further in the middle of an episode, and this is often masked by the adrenaline in the moment. When they answer, be sure to also give ample time for patients to respond. Talking over them too much will make them feel drowned out. Give them the space to let out whatever they have on their mind.

Empathize with your patients

Hospitalization can be a mentally draining experience. The uncertainty regarding your health situation, disruption of your daily routine and prolonged isolation from your friends and loved ones are just a few of the problems that patients have to deal with. The frustration only grows when it feels like no one truly understands what they are going through. Listening is important but it is only half the battle– you need to show that you truly care about a patient’s situation. Just recognizing the weight of their situation, and the strength it takes to continue on can mean a surprising amount. By reassuring them that their experiences are valid, you make their hospital visit feel far less isolating.

Work closely with other staff

As with any hospital problem, remember that you are working within a team. Working together with your fellow HCPs can make the most terrifying meltdowns feel manageable. For example: if you feel like you are not getting through to a patient, you can reach out to a co-worker who has already built a connection with them. They can assist you with de-escalating the situation and you can learn from their experiences and approach towards connecting with others. This arrangement goes both ways of course— you have to be willing to lend a helping hand, whenever someone else is struggling with a difficult situation. If a patient is tiring a staff member, offer your services and take over for them for a short period of time. This can even be a team-wide apporach, if the rest of the staff is amenable to this arrangement.

Establish boundaries

While it is your responsibility to do what you can, everyone has their limits. Patients could very well make irrational and aggressive demands that you cannot reasonably meet, in the current circumstances. Provide non-committal answers to avoid further conflict or escalations. “I will check with my supervisors but I cannot guarantee anything” is an example of such a response. Instead of outright telling them no or making a promise you cannot keep, you are striking an ambiguous middle-ground that cannot be held against you.

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HCP Facilities

Tips for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals to Stay Organized

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Tips for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals to Stay Organized

By its nature, nursing can be a chaotic affair. Emotional patient outbursts, emergency cases, and other factors beyond your control can suddenly disrupt your workflow. You cannot account for everything, but nurses must control what they can. One way to do this is to get organized. You become less stressed and distracted, and more productive when you know where everything is. As long as you follow these tips for nurses and commit to excellence, anyone can become a properly organized nurse!

Have a plan ahead of time

Some advice for new nurses: Some direction may be what you need to bring order to your day. Instead of completing tasks as they go, planning ahead will reduce stress long term. Make a to-do list by going over your tasks and arranging them by priority. This can be accomplished with a planner or a digital application. You can even plan things the day before if you review patient information. One last CNA tip: do not make your plans so rigid, since anything can change at a moment’s notice.

Set big picture goals

A common tip for new nurses is setting big picture goals. Whether it is gaining work experience at a specific department or logging in a certain amount of extra hours, this will give your work more purpose and forward momentum. These goals could be accomplished in 1 month, 2 months or even free months. When you give yourself something to work towards, you become more motivated and driven. Ask your supervisor for help with crafting these goals and creating a plan of attack. With their experience, they can provide valuable tips for nurses and much needed perspective. From there, you can plan your work weeks and work days with clear benchmarks, action items and progress trackers in mind.

Make use of technology

This is the digital age. Things are faster, more streamlined and easily accessible than they have ever been. Adopting technology into your work routine is great advice for new nurses who want to get organized. As we mentioned earlier, planner apps can help with scheduling appointments, in order to reduce confusion and lost time. Depending on your facility, you may be able to use apps which let patients submit crucial health data in real-time or communicate with their doctors in a HIPAA-compliant manner. This is just a couple of CNA tips for incorporating technology into your workflow.

Know your limits

This is not only a good tip for new nurses, but some veterans as well. When someone asks you to help with tasks that do not require a physician, you do not always have to say yes. Help when you can, but it may be better to delegate if you are already dealing with numerous patients. Ask medical assistants, interns, volunteers or administrative staff if they can handle those tasks for you. Another tip for nurses: As respectfully as possible, explain that your time is limited yet these tasks must be completed.

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Facilities HCP

Making The Perfect Nursing Portfolio: A Comprehensive Guide

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Making The Perfect Nursing Portfolio: A Comprehensive Guide

You only have one chance to make the first impression that lasts a lifetime. Before even your initial interview, your nursing portfolio will be the first impression that hiring managers have of you. Whether you are a fresh graduate hunting your first job or you are shopping for greater opportunities elsewhere, you want that portfolio to be as good as it can possibly be. What does a “good” professional portfolio in nursing entail exactly? And how can you make one, with what you have? We will go over all these and more in this guide.

What exactly is a Nurse Portfolio?

Put simply, a nursing portfolio is a collection of relevant documents and materials that serves as credible evidence of previous nursing experience, employment history and education. Good portfolios waste no space whatsoever. Every document is organized and structured in such a way that captures the nurse’s professional journey, capabilities and character. Nursing portfolios for new grads shows employers why you deserve special consideration over applicants who are technically more qualified.

Why does my portfolio matter?

Most professionals know just how important a nurse practitioner portfolio is for a compelling and convincing application. More than just a compilation of credentials, portfolios are proof that you are invested in your continued growth. Healthcare is a dynamic and ever-shifting industry, so hospitals are looking for nurses who want to invest in a lifelong learning approach.

Even less talked about is how your portfolio benefits you, personally. It allows you to reflect and review your career plans. By laying out your entire work history and credentials, you can identify both strengths and deficiencies, note experience gaps you can work on and truly ponder on whether or not this career path is what you want.

Nursing portfolio items

What you can and should include in your professional nursing portfolio may depend on your circumstances, as well as the company you are applying to. Good nursing portfolio examples include the following:

  • Front Page and Table of Contents
  • Name, address, contact details
  • CV/Resume copy
  • Registered Nursing certification
  • Degree history and transcripts
  • Certification for Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and more
  • Certification from other specialty courses and training
  • CEU certification
  • Nursing work history
  • Proof of participation in community outreach and volunteer activities
  • “Thank yous” or other personal notes from patients and patient families
  • Character references
  • Posters for professional presentations
  • Evaluations from co-workers or managers
  • Performance evaluations and career development goals
  • Memberships in professional organizations
  • Medical writing samples (Research projects, professional articles, etc)

Organizing your portfolio

There is no “one size fits all” solution for new grad nursing portfolios. What matters is that you arrange items in an organized and professional manner. To get you started, collating your materials in a 3-ring binder is a common practice. Using labeled tabs makes finding specific documents easier for both you and your prospective employer. Finally, you want to break things down into sections. Keep similar documents like certifications or academic papers in one section, to make things organized. Six sections is the sweet spot, as more may leave readers overwhelmed. You can also arrange them in chronological order, to bring a sense of flow and progression to your portfolio.

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Facilities HCP

All You Need To Know About the Monkeypox and Vaccine Rollout

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

All You Need To Know About the Monkeypox and Vaccine Rollout

Monkeypox first arrived in the US on May 18, 2022, when it was detected in a US citizen returning from Canada. The disease has spread at a rapid rate, globally. Early in June, the World Health Organization reported 550 monkeypox cases outside of Africa. America alone accounted for 20 cases filed across 11 different states, both possible and confirmed. To contain its spread, the government sent out 1,200 monkeypox treatment doses to populations at high exposure risk. Before you do anything drastic, here is everything you must know about Monkeypox and the government response.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is of the same family as the variola virus which causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are actually similar to that of smallpox, albeit milder and rarely fatal. Originally, the disease was observed in monkeys and african rodents in 1958. The first cases of human monkeypox infections were traced in 1970 and the virus was largely endemic to the West and Central African regions before the current monkeypox outbreak in 2022.

Symptoms and Protocol

If you expose yourself to the virus, the CDC recommends that you observe yourself for potential symptoms, over a 21 day period. According to the CDC, monkeypox greatly resembles the flu. Patients may experience muscle aches, fever, headache, chills, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion. Following this, lesions can possibly form on the body which can spread monkeypox with direct contact. If they form in your mouth or throat, it is possible to transmit the disease through respiratory droplets, though this is rarer.

If you develop any of these monkeypox symptoms, you are highly advised to contact your state/local health department and self isolate. You will know that you are fully healed when the lesions disappear and your skin has fully healed.

Transmissibility

Previously, monkeypox cases were endemic to the West and Central African regions, and only transmissible between rats and people. It is suspected that monkeypox can now be transmitted through “‘intimate contact and skin-to-skin transmission” and has returned due to globally waning immunities. Once the monkeypox outbreak was first declared “eradicated,” all vaccination efforts ceased. Initially, the CDC believed that the virus is not spreading rapidly and can still be contained. Now, however, clinics are struggling to cope with rising monkeypox numbers and the window to control it “has closed.”

Vaccine variants and side effects

In current monkeypox news, the US is providing two kinds of vaccines: Jynneos and ACAM2000. Though the latter has a respectable 85% efficacy rate, Jynneos is still reliable and seen as the preferred form of monkeypox treatment. This is mainly because of ACAM2000’s unfortunate potential side effects.

Due to the mild strain used as the base of the virus, there is a small chance that it will infect you. ACAM2000 is administered with a two-pronged needle that scratches your upper arm. If left untreated, a virus will infect the area in the form of a blister. You can spread this disease if it touches other people or damage your sight if you touch your eyes after touching your blister. Disinfect the injection side to avoid this. ACAM2000 should also be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women as taking the vaccine could cause stillbirth. Patients with skin conditions like eczema or atopic dermatitis are at risk of a devastating full body infection.

Jynneos has none of these side effects, since its strain is irreplaceable in humans. As a result, it is the best currently available form of monkeypox treatment. If you exhibit any monkeypox symptoms or live in an area with an outbreak, Jynneos is what you want.

Vaccine Supply Problems

At the time of writing, the situation is quickly escalating. D.C. reported the largest monkeypox outbreak per capita, with 122. Mass vaccination sites in places like New York are filled to capacity. Federal health officials want to increase available dosage to prepare for a potential case spike in August. An additional 131,000 doses were provided to states, while 7 million ordered doses will not arrive for months. For now, supply is clearly not meeting with demand.

Prevention

If you live in an area with monkeypox cases, there are a number of measures you must observe to prevent infection:

  • Do not touch your nose, mouth or eyes
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Avoid physical contact with infected individuals
  • No kissing, hugging or sharing utensils or cups.
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Facilities HCP

COVID cases could be higher than you think: Here’s why

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

COVID cases could be higher than you think: Here’s why

America is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Depending on the trackers that you use, there are around 94,000 to 100,000 known daily infections. Complementing this are hospitalization rates that are lower than the peaks of April, but still steadily trending upwards. As concerning as these numbers already are, the situation may be more serious than it already looks.

Per Dennis Nash, the professor of epidemiology at the City University of New York Public Health, COVID case counts may be inaccurate by a factor as large as 30. It is very likely that as much as one in five adults–roughly 22% or 1.5 million– have contracted COVID between April and May. There is a significant chance that reports nationwide have been just as inaccurate, as well.

What is the reason behind this dramatic discrepancy? Experts have partially attributed things to the rise of home testing. Patients can see whether or not they have COVID-19 and self-quarantine, instead of going to a hospital and thus being included in official case counts. On top of this, there has been a widespread ‘fatigue’ with COVID and the pandemic. According to a poll from Axios/Ipsos, one in three Americans believe that we have moved past COVID-19. Many Americans are ready to leave the masks at home and “go back to normal.” They want to walk to work or school without any concerns or anxieties regarding infection.

It is true that we are better equipped to handle COVID cases than we were at the start of the pandemic. The vaccines have been proven to reduce the rates of hospitalization and death among even people with prior infections. That being said, there are still certain risks that need to be considered. It is still somewhat random as to whether or not you are affected by long-term COVID symptoms, even with the vaccine. There are also immunocompromised individuals who are still susceptible to deadly COVID episodes. Not helping matters is The rise of newer, more infectious strains like BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2. At the time of writing, these strains make up 8.3%, 13.3% and 14.2% of all US cases. There is a possibility that BA.4 and BA.5 will become the most prominent variants, though they at least lack the respiratory-related symptoms that have made COVID-19 so deadly.

Profession Dennis Nash posits that more accurate COVID information figures would help people make “informed decisions” as to the kinds of precautionary measures they should take. It is on local and public state and national figures to present these more representative numbers. Leaving the public in the dark might engender a greater sense of security, but the consequences could prove to be damaging in the long run.

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Facilities HCP

10 important tips that all graduate nurses should know

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

10 important tips that all graduate nurses should know

Job hunting and working as a fresh graduate nurse can be difficult, to say the least. Nursing is a dynamic and high pressure profession with an increasingly competitive job market. You can have the highest marks in a classroom setting, yet there are some things that school cannot prepare you for. Before you set out on an exciting new chapter in your life, here are a few key considerations that every new grad RN should know.

Tailor your CV to specific facilities

Sending the same documents to multiple employees may seem efficient but you are only making things harder for yourself. Instead of sending the same CV and cover letter repeatedly, create documents that can serve as base templates. From there, you can edit to suit the specific facility, specialization or position you are applying for. For example, new graduate nurses looking for pediatrician roles should stress communicating with children, patience, empathy and other similarly relevant attributes. By doing this, employees will see how you are a unique and perfect fit for the role. This lets you stand out amidst a sea of applicants for new grad nurse jobs.

Establish a support network

Between the unique challenges, stressful nature and advanced knowledge and training needed for base competency, nursing can overwhelm anyone. Building a support network lets you get in touch with fellow graduate nurses who understand your struggles. Talking to people who understand your experiences can lift some of the burden. Your friends can also provide invaluable professional advice and even nurse job leads if you are lucky. Do not be afraid to open up and ask help from your peers, provided that you are willing to do the same. Nurses who are still in school can build this network early by staying in touch with their classmates, professors and mentors. Social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn help a lot in this regard. Facebook in particular is rich with new grad RN communities.

Do not be afraid to be discerning

You may end up going through dozens, if not hundreds of applications before your first graduate nursing job offer. Be that as it may, you should not accept the very first job offer that comes to your table. Every offer deserves consideration but if possible, you want to find jobs that fit your desired career path, personality and priorities. Even if you do not know where you want your career to go, you definitely have a good idea of what you dislike. If you have a strong aversion to the ER or the ICU, you do not need to accept an opening or offering immediately. Conversely, if you are interested in telehealth or physician’s offices, then you can give priority to those nursing job openings.

Be ready for anything

Healthcare can be a volatile line of work. No one can predict every sudden patient behavioral shift or flattening heart rate perfectly. Even graduate nurses need to be prepared for the worst when the time comes. All nurse jobs demand composure and adaptability from HCPs. ER nurses make a living off of getting quick, high pressure cases and quickly identifying the problem, before starting treatment in order to stabilize their patient conditions. Not every department is as high pressure but all nurses will be expected to deal with sudden adversity, when the time comes.

Do not be too hard on yourself

New grad RNs are not expected to be experts in their field on day one. Even with years of top education and clinical rotation experience, there will be times where you make mistakes. Acclimating yourself to your facility or profession’s workflow while providing lifesaving care is difficult for even the best new graduate nurses. Instead of beating yourself up after every little fumble, use this as an opportunity to learn. Forgiving yourself is the first step in learning from your mistakes.

Learn from your peers

If ever you find yourself unsure about something, do not hesitate to ask a question to your superiors or peers. Even if it seems obvious, your bosses are responsible for giving clarifications to freshly-graduated nurses who just entered the workforce. You will also gain a lot from simply observing the professionals around you. There is a lot of value to their wisdom and insights.

Build winning habits

A certificate in nursing alone does not prepare you for how unpredictable nursing can be. Establishing a good routine and positive working habits lets you gain some control over your surroundings. For example: regularly getting up and going to work early helps you avoid any tardiness and subsequent complications. Making sure you have all your supplies and double checking your itinerary is also helpful. When excellence becomes a habit, even the most difficult nursing jobs get a little easier.

Work on your time management

Nurses are usually trusted to complete a number of tasks within a single shift. For the uninitiated, juggling all these priorities can be a daunting task. New grad RNs need to learn how to manage their time by setting their priorities straight. Determine what tasks need to be completed more urgently than others. From there you can create a list that can lend some structure and direction to your working day.

Take care of yourself

Sometimes a little self-care is all you need to decompress and new graduate nurses are no exception. Treating yourself comes in many different forms. Sometimes this can mean indulging in the finer things in life: buying clothes, watching movies and eating a good meal can do wonders for your psyche. Self care can be going on a diet, regularly exercising or even taking deep breaths Though not immediately gratifying, over time they will pay their dividends. A graduate nurse who is physically and mentally fit is better prepared for the rigors of hospital work.

Consider continuing education

When you pursue further learning, you are moving towards higher and better paying nursing positions. Alumni from entry level MSN programs can take on advanced practice roles as nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and more. You can even find roles in non-clinical spaces such as nurse education, informatics and research. Graduate nursing programs are often considerably expensive and require a certain amount of bedside experience, so you do not need to start immediately. Once you can pool the resources and can study while you work, this is a route well worth considering down the line.

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Facilities HCP

WHO: For top-quality patient care, we must invest in nurses

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

WHO: For top-quality patient care, we must invest in nurses

In 2020, the World Health Organization projected that a serious global nursing shortage of 4.6 million nurses will ravage healthcare, if left unchecked. Turnover was already an issue—mostly due to the aging patient populations and workforce—but COVID-19 undoubtedly exacerbated it. During the pandemic, hospitals were filled to maximum capacity, hired HCPs worked grueling hours and facilities contended with supply and labor shortages. Unsurprisingly, countless nurses dealt with burnout, fatigue and planned to retire earlier than expected.

Registered nurses make up 30% of American healthcare staffing. They are the backbone of the healthcare system and they are irreplaceable in making the world a better, healthier place. A long and sustained nursing shortage would kneecap both the industry and public safety at large. If we expect them to provide care under historic circumstances, then governments have to start investing in nurses and nurse staffing.

What does this investment entail, exactly? Luckily, this WHO report provides a list of key suggestions. One of the biggest priorities on this list is investing in nurse education and job creation. By developing aspiring nursing students and providing enticing nursing job opportunities, hiring HCPs to fill shortages will be far easier. The WHO also stresses the importance of analytics. With more resources, nurse organizations can better collect, analyze and interpret data from the healthcare world. Using this information, companies can have a clearer picture of the current state of healthcare and how to improve nursing outcomes.

Legislation that promotes safe and productive work environments will also be important for investing in nurses. Safe healthcare staffing, adequate salaries and gender-based workplace policies are just a few pertinent examples. In particular, legal maximum patient-to-nurse staffing ratios have historically been effective in improving patient outcomes and increasing mutual satisfaction between patients and staff. Policies that address gender discrimination will also be crucial in protecting and retaining talent, especially considering that 90% of nurses are women.

In the bigger picture, investment also entails enacting policies related to the globalization of healthcare staffing. Responsibly and ethically monitoring nurse migration, for instance, will make sure international HCPs get hired safely and securely. International harmonization of education and training standards also allows governing bodies to accept nursing credentials across different countries. Implementing these laws will not be easy, but it would give nurses more freedom, mobility and incentives to stay.

Nurses of all kinds play an invaluable role of containing epidemics and maintaining our collective health. Failing to retain and develop the nursing workforce would put the safety of mankind at risk and that is in no way hyperbolic. For the future of healthcare staffing, governments and facilities alike have no choice but to pour resources into nurse education, creating nursing jobs and promoting positive work environments. In doing so, they will ensure a sustainable, satisfactory and productive healthcare system.

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