HUDDLE

Hello Readers,

Happy first day of Hanukkah to all my nurse friends! I found the cutest crew shirts to wear on shift here for the eight days of Hanukkah. This gives me FOMO from all the department themed days we used to have at the hospital.

Today's Top Beats

🚫 Appeal Denied 

☀️ 2024 Career Intentions

🧖 Promoting Wellbeing and Preventing Burnout

HANDOFF

Appeal Denied

RaDonda Vaught, the nurse sentenced to three years of probation last May after a medication error led a jury to find her guilty of criminally negligent homicide and abuse of an impaired adult, just lost her appeal to reinstate her nursing license. Vaught has also been speaking up about her experience. Listen to a recent podcast episode of “Nurses Uncorked” in which Vaught talks about her life and time as healing since the verdict

Unequal Survival

Chronic health issues can be common after surviving cancer, but that’s especially true for LGBTQ+ survivors, according to a study in the journal, Cancer. While 59% of straight cancer survivors reported having at least one chronic health condition, more than 70% of queer survivors reported one. One reason may be that LGBTQ survivors are less likely to live with a partner, which increases the risk of loneliness, plus marriage increases the likelihood of survival and better long-term outcomes.

Gradual Progress

It’s not a lot, but every little bit counts: Kentucky has slightly improved its nursing shortage with a nurse vacancy rate two percentage points lower than last year, according to the 2023 Workforce Survey Report from the Kentucky Hospital Association. The nurse vacancy rate was 19.7% for the 89 hospitals that reported their rates, down from 21.9% in 2022. The highest vacancy rates were in medical-surgical, critical care, the operating room/pediatric intensive care unit, and the emergency department.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

77.5 Years

The average life expectancy of US residents. The number is higher than it was last year, but still well below what it was before the pandemic.

PRN

YOUR NEW THING STRATEGY WITH NEW THING NURSE

How to Set 2024 Career Intentions

Setting intentions in our careers helps us set goals, focus our behaviors, and begin to create a path forward to achieve them. 

How do I set 2024 career intentions? 

•  What is #mywhy?: Spend some time considering what fuels your nursing fire. Your “why” may be the goal of your intentions.

• It’s the journey instead of the destination: Focus on the steps to reach the goal and write down those action items. 

•  Make it action-oriented: Intentions can be physical actions or something that supports your mental or physical well-being that will help you achieve your goals. 

•  Refer back: Carry your intentions on a piece of paper or in a note on your phone. Look at them frequently to guide your actions over time. 

Celebrate your success! Occasionally, consider your fulfilled intentions and be proud of your work.

PRN

MANAGER'S MEMO

Promoting Wellbeing and Preventing Burnout

Taking care of ourselves is as important as caring for our staff – yet as nurses, we often focus all our energy on others while neglecting our own needs. As nurse managers, we must lead by example when it comes to self-care. Start by openly discussing wellness strategies that work for you, whether taking a quick walk outdoors, enjoying a hobby, or practicing meditation. When your team sees you prioritizing renewal, they’ll feel empowered to do the same.

Additionally, check in regularly with staff about how they are coping with demands and stressors. Before people feel overwhelmed, have candid conversations about challenges and provide resources early. And encourage staffers to watch out for signs of burnout in themselves and others. Together, we can build a culture focused on sustaining wellbeing long-term.

Our patients deserve wholesome care from fulfilled caregivers. As nurse leaders, we must walk the walk when it comes to living balanced, restored lives. Our example can light the path for others to follow.

BREAK ROOM

Hanukkah Sameach!

Happy first day of Hanukkah, TNB Besties! In celebration of this holiday, read the sweet story of how Jewish residents in an assisted living community celebrated with a latke cooking demonstration. Try making latkes of your own with this recipe!

NURSE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

TNB IN THE PRESS

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Come back tomorrow when Savannah at Networth Nurse gives us tips on setting financial goals in 2024!

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