Monday | March 27, 2023

Healthcare starts with you. This is your beat.

Hello Readers!

Today on the blog, I thank Emma Geiser, founder of Nurse Fern, whom I met through Instagram and who would later become a contributor, colleague, and friend. I wrote this article because Emma has gone above and beyond to help our new organization in ways I never expected. As I’ve navigated a new frontier in business, I cannot say I’ve done it alone. Suppose you are interested in starting a business or side hustle. In that case, I urge you to find the right team to surround yourself with because every nurse entrepreneur has a genius waiting to erupt, but you have to find the right people to unlock it.

Stay safe. Be healthy. Be kind. 

Tamara AL-Yassin (aka Nurse T)

CEO | The Nursing Beat 

🤩 TNB REFERRAL ROCKSTAR: Nurse Fern!

Emma Geiser, the founder of Nurse Fern, supports the nursing profession at large through her support of the nursing community. She’s been one of TNB’s biggest supporters since inception, with over 140 referrals to the newsletter! Read CEO Tamara AL-Yassin’s reflection on Emma's unwavering support of TNB on the blog today.

MORNING BRIEF 🍳 ☕️

GW Hospital in DC Gets Five Unfair Labor Practice Complaints

The District of Columbia Nurses Association has filed five unfair labor practice complaints against GW Hospital concerning unionization efforts. After 750 nurses filed a union election petition, the hospital suspended nurse Angelo Estrellas in retaliation for his involvement in unionization efforts, according to one of the complaints. Other complaints allege the hospital discouraged union participation in private meetings with nurses and surveilled staff in break and meeting rooms with cameras. 

The nurses’ union petition arose because of poor staffing and retention, according to DCNA. After the petition was filed last month, a GW Hospital spokesperson acknowledged the federal right to unionize but argued that nurses have more “flexibility” and “individual empowerment” without a union. As for nurse Estrellas, a petition to have him reinstated has amassed more than 2,000 signatures.

Should We Leave Weight Out of Diabetes Screening?

The US Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends screening adults ages 35 to 70 who are considered overweight or obese for diabetes. But doing so may miss millions of diabetes cases, especially among Asian people considering that they tend to develop diabetes at lower BMIs, according to a new study. The solution? Screen all adults ages 35 to 70 for diabetes, regardless of weight. 

The researchers compared the number of diabetes cases that would be detected under current and proposed guidelines. They found that when BMI is considered, the percentage of diabetes cases identified among Asian people is much lower than for other racial and ethnic groups. Conversely, leaving BMI out of the equation led to more equal percentages of diabetes across racial groups. The study, however, did not analyze the cost-benefit ratio associated with expanded screening. 

Nurse Strike Averted at MarinHealth Medical Center 

Members of the California Nurses Association had planned to strike tomorrow (March 28) at MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, CA. But members of the association, representing some 600 nurses, have reached a tentative three-year deal with the medical center, just in time to avert the strike. They are slated to vote to approve the new contract today. 

The nurses had been in negotiations with MarinHealth since June 2022. The new contract will ensure that the nurses receive the highest quality PPE and be able to participate in a new Infectious Disease Subcommittee. In addition, to help with burnout, nurses in most units at the medical center will receive additional breaks. The nurses will also receive a 16.5% wage increase over three years, along with other economic and health benefits intended to help retain and recruit nurses. 

COMMUNITY PICKS 🌼 

We love to promote amazing nurse-founded companies, so next time you need a new pair of work kicks, check out Üni. These functional and fashionable shoes were created by two nurses who saw the need for shoes that could keep up with the nursing lifestyle. 

🧑‍💻 THAT REMOTE LIFE powered by

What Happens If You Miss Bedside Nursing? 

Have you ever encountered a mind-boggling message like this in your quest for your remote nursing job?: “I just left my remote nursing job to return to the bedside and feel much better.” How can it be? Is remote nursing so bad that it chases nurses back into the loving arms of chronically understaffed hospitals? Remote nursing jobs are like any job; they don’t work for everyone. Here are four things to consider if a remote nursing job search will be worthwhile: 

1. Social Climate: Will you be happy without co-workers nearby?

2. Schedule Changes: Are you excited about a predictable schedule?

3. Boredom: Will you miss the adrenaline of bedside?

4. Unmet Expectations: What if it isn’t what you expected?

Learn more about each consideration and tips to survive the transition into remote nursing here. 

Ready to find your remote nursing role? Nurse Fern caters to remote job postings to nurses leaving the bedside. Check out our daily remote nurse job postings on Nurse Fern.

DAILY DIVERSION 💊

Do you enjoy cruises? Would you want to be on one for three years? Life at Sea Cruises is launching a “Cruise the World” trip that will cover 130,000 miles and visit all seven continents and 135 countries, with some 375 destinations. Read more about the cost and details here. 

🤯 ONE BIG NUMBER

Thanks for reading! 🤓