HUDDLE

Good morning, readers!

Have you ever thought about changing nursing specialties how daunting it can be? When I transitioned from adult to pediatrics, I was terrified, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I recently authored an article on how leaders can support their employees during these transitions given my own experience. Read it here.

If you are contemplating a specialty shift, remember: it's okay to step outside your comfort zone. Embrace the challenges, savor the victories, and never underestimate the impact you can make on a a patient’s life.

Today's Top Beats

👴 Grass for Grandpa? 

💰 Overcoming Overspending

🦸 Six More Nurses

HANDOFF

Grass for Grandpa? 

More than 8% of Americans aged 65 and older reported in 2022 that they’d used cannabis in the past year, almost triple the 3% who reported using it in 2016, and it was only 0.4% in 2007. Though addiction remains a risk, more and more older adults are turning to cannabis when available medications simply aren’t effective for conditions ranging from Parkinson’s to dementia, according to an in-depth feature from the New York Times. 

Tribe Saving Lives

Tribe members of the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin have succeeded where hundreds of other communities have not: in slowing down deaths from opioid overdoses. They’ve done it by following standard principles and practices of harm reduction: passing out sterile syringes and pipes, distributing naloxone, and encouraging the use of test strips to detect fantail or xylazine (“tranq”) in drugs, STAT reports. Advocates hope they can become a model for other communities.

Beating the Odds

For cardiac nurse Jennifer Harlan, the third time wasn’t a “charm” exactly, but she did survive, thanks to her husband and the paramedics at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado, who responded to her third heart attack. Harlan was diagnosed with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a rare heart condition, after her first heart attack five years ago. When her husband recognized her having another, he called 911 and began CPR until paramedics arrived to take over.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

37

The number of countries that experienced an outbreak of measles in 2022, resulting in 18% more cases and 43% more measles deaths due to missed vaccinations during the pandemic. 

TOGETHER WITH SUNNYSIDE

What would Drinking 30% Less Do For You?

As healthcare providers, you have first-hand experience the trauma and stress on an unimaginable level due to the pandemic, internal workplace struggles, and a mass exodus of caregivers leaving bedside care. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of providers who are turning to alcohol to cope. In a recent study of 1170 nurses, 65% of the cohort tested positive for substance abuse problems.

It’s hard to say no to a martini after a stressful shift, especially when your entire unit is heading out together. This makes it incredibly hard to cut down on alcohol consumption. But what if there was a way you could still have a drink, but do it mindfully?

Sunnyside is revolutionizing the approach to mindful drinking through a two-way SMS platform that allows you to create a drinking intention for your week ahead, based on your shift schedule. Track your drinks through texts and emojis and receive instant support through coaches ready to chat. A 3-minute quiz is all it takes to get started and as a TNB reader, you get 20% off your first year!

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TECH TUESDAY WITH NURSE MANNY

Swallow your Vital Signs

Fellow nurses, as we approach Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for innovations that could enhance patient care - like an ingestible pill that monitors vital signs! This vitamin-sized pill swallowed by a patient can track heart rate, breathing, temperature and more, for up to a week.

Initial human trials showed the sensors in the pill can detect sleep apnea and opioid overdose by monitoring respiratory status. The pill wirelessly transmits data to a patch on the skin. This would allow continuous, non-invasive monitoring without interrupting patients' rest. We could detect patient decline faster and intervene quicker without needles or machines.

While more testing is underway, I'm excited by the possibilities of this technology to improve nursing care. We could focus more time on patients knowing vitals are continuously tracked to catch issues early. This pill could revolutionize care by shifting to more convenient, patient-friendly health monitoring. As nurses, we have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, including innovations like this that can enhance how we care for our patients.

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FINANCIAL VITALS WITH NURSEMONEYDATE™

Overcoming Overspending 

Nurse Leah skillfully maneuvers through the whirlwind of Black Friday shopping—her understanding of marketing strategies and consumer psychology acting as her compass against overspending.

• Doorbuster Deals: Leah recognizes the strategy of luring consumers with a few spectacular deals, only to expose them to numerous other tempting items. She counters this by strictly sticking to her planned purchases.

• Anchoring Effect: Understanding that initial high prices (anchors) manipulate the perception of subsequent sale prices as bargains, Leah critically assesses whether the “deals” truly represent good value.

• Decoy Pricing: She spots decoy pricing, where a higher-priced item is introduced to make other options seem cheaper, and weighs her options against her actual needs and budget.

Empowered by this knowledge, Nurse Leah ensured that Black Friday was dictated by informed choices, not deceptive marketing maneuvers. Explore how Leah applies these principles during her shopping experiences here.

BREAK ROOM

From Homeless to Nurses x6

Six sisters who were once homeless are now studying to become nurses together. Find out how their strong bond helped them to pursue their lifelong dream.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Tis’ the season to give! Come back tomorrow to learn what “Radical Generosity” is from Debriefing the Front Lines!

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