HUDDLE
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Good Morning Readers, |
Happy New Year! This past weekend, I got to escape to the desert and reset for the New Year in Joshua Tree, California. Taking personal time away is so important for my creativity and mental health, and I am grateful to have had time away. If you worked the holidays, I hope you take some off-season time for yourself to reset and rejuvenate. I have a newfound appreciation for National Parks, and now that I've purchased a yearlong membership, give me some recommendations on your favorite parks to
visit here.
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Today's Top Beats |
🛋️ Get Thee to a Therapist
🌵 Dry January Kicks Off
👽 Where is Nursing Going?
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Photo by Tamara AL-Yassin, Joshua Tree California
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HANDOFF
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Get Thee to a Therapist! |
An estimated one in five Americans over age 55 has some kind of mental health issue, but many older Americans struggle to get appropriate or adequate treatment. Fortunately, a new law taking effect expands mental health coverage under Medicare, which covers more than 65 million Americans. Medicare now covers therapy with licensed marriage and family counselors and licensed professional counselors—who make up about 40% of the nation’s mental health providers with at least a master’s degree.
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Dry January Kicks Off |
Are you “sober curious”—someone who’s interested in abstaining permanently from alcohol but not quite ready to give it all up? Or maybe you’re a gray-area drinker—consuming perhaps just a little more than you think you should, but not a problem drinker. As Dry January kicks off, familiarize yourself with common terms of the movement, the benefits of reducing alcohol intake, and the reasons that more and more Americans are deciding to skip drinks in the new year.
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Nurses Reunited |
We’ve shared plenty of stories of nurses saving strangers’ lives off-duty, but sometimes it even changes the course of a nurse’s career. That was the case for Mina Emmons, a North Carolina nursing student who met nurse and clinical educator Rio Ratermanis when the two worked together to save a man on a flight from Charlotte to Palm Beach, Florida. They reunited
months later when Emmons came to work under Ratermanis at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital.
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL
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39% |
The proportion of Americans who view even moderate drinking as unhealthy; 11 points higher than in 2018.
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PRN
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MANAGER'S MEMO
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Delegate, Delegate, Delegate |
In a bustling healthcare setting, the significance of wise delegation can’t be overstated. As nurses, we have varying levels of experience and skill sets. Knowing who is good at what can help assign tasks effectively and aid in evolving workflows that ensure that patients receive the best care possible. The most experienced nurses may be best for handling complex patient cases or mentoring new nurses. Meanwhile, newer team members can focus on routine tasks like patient intake and discharge preparations.
Effective delegation is a skill that elevates the whole nursing team. By understanding each other’s strengths, we can assign duties accordingly. This fosters trust between team members and leadership. When I can confidently hand off tasks to my reliable colleagues, I can better focus on high-level responsibilities. Whether it’s taking time to support a stressed colleague emotionally or catching up on managerial paperwork, I know things are under control.
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Manager's Memo is written by a real-life nurse manager of a busy hospital department. Have questions for TNB's resident manager? Email TNB's resident manager here.
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