HUDDLE
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Good Morning, Readers! |
Over the past few years, many discussions have been on the healthcare workforce shortage. The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at my alma mater, University of Pennsylvania, is hosting a virtual discussion, What happened to the nursing workforce? this Friday, December 1, at 9 am PST/12 EST. Register here. This should be a lively discussion. Hope to “see” you all there!
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Today's Top Beats |
🇨🇦 NPs & MDs at Odds
🪧 Strike Updates
🍎 No More Applesauce
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Alberta NPs & Doctors at Odds |
Alberta recently announced that nurse practitioners can set up their own publicly funded independent practices in 2024 — and Alberta family doctors aren’t happy. Family doctors and the provincial government have been on rocky grounds since the latter shook up fee schedules in early 2020. Nurse associations say the opposing healthcare professionals are fighting over “a word,” while doctors say it’s a “false equivalency to think that a nurse practitioner is a family physician.”
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Hard-Fought Win |
After a year of negotiations, healthcare workers at Mass General Brigham’s Cooley Dickinson Hospital have finally reached a new contract agreement. The 600 workers — including unit secretaries, respiratory therapists, ultrasound technicians, surgical technologists, food service assistants, radiologic technologists, and others — will receive an average 21% wage
increase over 20 months, according to 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Other benefits include a $1,000 ratification bonus, a 43% weekend differential increase, a 44% increased call in rate, and four additional holidays.
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Ascension Strikes Ascend |
According to National Nurses United, some 2,000 nurses at three Ascension hospitals in Texas and Kansas are planning a 1-day strike on Dec. 6. The union stresses persistent problems with equipment shortages (functional IV pumps, hospital gowns, blankets, and thermometers) and hospital-issued phones. Another point of contention is staffing problems, including an unsafe
“floating” policy that assigns nurses to units for which they’re not trained and charge role assignments for nurses with 18 months of experience.
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL
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52 |
The number of reported illnesses in children under four years old who recently ate cinnamon applesauce pouches contaminated with high lead levels.
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TOGETHER WITH SMöLTAP
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Spinal Tap Failures No More |
With approximately 350,000 infant spinal taps are needed annually, and a 38% unsuccessful tap rate, SMöLTAP is a game-changer in infant healthcare.
SMöLTAP, created by doctors at Brown University & Hasbro Children's, is a device designed to revolutionize infant lumbar punctures that positions febrile infants in an upright and stable position, while simultaneously negating the need for an experienced "holder" (or two).
SMöLTAP reduces costs, enhances patient care, boosts tap success rates, while minimizes unnecessary hospital admissions. The current lumbar puncture procedure which involves awkward positioning, causes distress to babies and high failure rates. SMöLTAP aims to reduce these failures to zero percent, ultimately preventing deaths from Meningitis. Its benefits include reduced variability, increased consistency, and repeatability, while aligning the spine with shoulders and hips.
Are you ready to join them on their mission to zero deaths from Meningitis, globally? Contact them today.
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PRN
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THE BREAK ROOM WITH SELF-CARE CATALYST
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Three Reasons You’re Bored in Your Job and What To Do About It |
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😒 Lack of Professional Growth: It’s natural to lose interest if opportunities for advancement or skill development are limited. Take charge! Identify areas where you’d like to expand your skills and seek out training or educational programs. Discuss your career goals with leadership and explore opportunities for more challenging responsibilities.
🤯 Routine Overload: Performing repetitive tasks can lead to boredom and lack of fulfillment.
Seek opportunities to diversify your tasks. Volunteer for different responsibilities or projects, cross-train in new areas or explore professional development opportunities to mix it up.
🔥 You Aren’t Bored, You’re Burned Out: If you’re feeling apathetic, disinterested, or disconnected, you may be burned out.
Not sure if this is you? Take my free quiz here to assess your level of burnout and get targeted tips to help you feel better now.
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Need New Scrubs? |
connectRN is offering 30% on all Care+Wear scrubs so you can look fresh for this holiday season. Use code 30CONNECTRN at checkout.
Code valid on full scrubs collection inclusive of fleeces, caps, and underscrubs; not valid on patient-wear.
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If I had $100... |
The holidays are here and we think YOU deserve a gift. If you could treat yourself to something of $100 value, what would it be?
Tell us and be automatically entered to win one of ten $5 Starbucks cards!
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SUPPLY ROOM
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A good lip balm in your pocket can be as essential as a great pen. These holiday flavors from Burt’s Bees include “Let it Snow” and “Sip Hot Cocoa.”
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BREAK ROOM
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Take Five Everyone! |
Have you ever wondered about the chaos that goes behind producing dramatic medical scenes? If you need a laugh, check out this hilarious clip of what goes on behind the scenes!
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
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We’ll see you tomorrow with great ideas on how to prepare for 2024 with Sarah at New Thing Nurse! |
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