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Good Morning, Readers! |
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Today is the last day to enter our 2025 Nurses Week giveaway. Make sure to enter* here by 11:59 PM EST for the chance to win prizes from Subway, Eko, CeraVe, and more!
As we look towards the rest of Nurses Month, we’re excited to highlight amazing stories from nurses making a difference in our profession. Kicking us off, today’s feature––in partnership with B. Braun––highlights one nurse transforming patient care through medical equipment. Keep reading for the full story!
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Today's Top Beats |
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🍴 Microplastics
🤰 14
🎁 Giveaway |
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HANDOFF |
Scrap Your Plastic Kitchen Tools |
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Microplastics are increasingly found in our food, largely due to plastic kitchenware like utensils, cutting boards, and containers. While scientists are still studying their health effects, early evidence suggests potential cardiovascular risks from microplastics. Experts recommend minimizing plastic exposure by gradually switching to alternatives like glass containers, metal cooking utensils, wood cutting boards, cloth bags, and cellulose kitchen sponges. While you’re at it, consider using stainless steel or cast-iron cookware instead of the nonstick variety, which is often made with harmful PFAS. |
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At-Home Pap Smear Alternative Approved
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The FDA has approved the first at-home alternative to the Pap smear in the US—the Teal Wand by Teal Health. The device lets women collect a vaginal sample using a swab and mail it to a lab for HPV testing, an accurate method to check for cervical cancer risk. Studies show it’s as effective as in-office screening and preferred by most women, which could boost lagging screening rates. Teal Wand will be initially available by prescription in California for women aged 25–65 at average risk. |
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Take Pride (Not Relief) In Achievements |
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Many people feel relief instead of pride after completing goals or achievements. Driven by fear of failure and pressure to meet high standards, the relief mindset is often rooted in high childhood expectations or perfectionism, but it can lead to chronic dissatisfaction and low self-worth. Feeling pride in your successes, however small, can boost your mental health, self-esteem, and resiliency. Cultivate pride and well-being by reflecting on the meaning behind your goals, lowering the stakes of success, acknowledging your progress, journaling wins, and treating yourself after achievements. |
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TOGETHER WITH B. BRAUN |
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From Bedside to Breakthrough: Nurses Redefining Healthcare |
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This Nurses Month, B. Braun celebrates nurses who see beyond "how it's always been done" and dare to ask: "Could this be better?"
Timothy Kavanagh, MBA, RN, PMP, spent seven years in pediatric intensive care before joining B. Braun, where he now challenges longstanding clinical practices through equipment innovation. His team helps hospitals integrate new technologies that make meaningful differences in everyday patient care, from updating protocols to match advanced equipment capabilities to standardizing systems across multiple facilities.
This Nurses Month, B. Braun is proud to support nursing innovators like Tim who bring clinical expertise to every aspect of healthcare advancement. In his words: "We're still partners. We just work on different parts of the same mission." Read Tim's full story about transforming patient care through trusted medical equipment.
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL |
14 |
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The number of labor and delivery nurses currently pregnant at one US hospital. Click here to learn which lucky hospital is welcoming a host of new family members.
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NURSE ON-CALL |
THE BREAK ROOM WITH SELF-CARE CATALYST |
A Better Shift Starts with This 60-Second Reset
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You’re showing up. Crushing your shifts. Keeping it together. But let’s be honest. You’re not fine—you’re fried.
Flat? Annoyed at your partner for breathing? Scrolling job posts at 2 AM like it’s your side hustle…? Burnout isn’t always dramatic—it’s sneaky. And it thrives when you keep pushing through like nothing’s wrong. Start with this reset:
⏱️ Set a 60-second timer.
🤔 Ask yourself: What’s one thing I need today that doesn’t involve caffeine or quitting my job?
♥️ Now give yourself permission to make it happen. What is step one?
Takeaway: Feeling off doesn’t make you weak—it means your needs have been on the back burner for way too long. And great news! You get to decide what comes next to tend to YOU. Want more no-fluff tools to feel human again? Peep at my FREE ones HERE. You deserve more than survival mode.
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Self-Care Catalyst helps healthcare professionals optimize their wellbeing and eliminate burnout through mentorship, education, and community. Connect here! |
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Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here. |
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SUPPLY ROOM |
Caffeine Queen
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This personalized badge reel is perfect for the nurse who never misses their pre-shift Starbies run! |
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BREAK ROOM |
Bye Bye, Bedside!
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Are you a nurse looking to leave the bedside, but aren’t sure where to start? Check out these non-bedside nursing options that actually pay well, and launch that new career you have always wanted! |
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS |
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Remember to enter our Nurses Week giveaway—today’s your last day to grab your chance to win some incredible products! |
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*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Giveaway begins 5/6/25 at 0700 EST and ends 5/14/25 at 2359 EST. Open to legal U.S. residents age 18+ who are licensed nurses or nursing students.
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