HUDDLE

Good Morning, Readers!

Today, we're shining a spotlight on leadership that begins with nurses and builds the future of healthcare with our presenting sponsor, AONL. As the demands on our profession grow, so does the need for nurse leaders who are equipped, connected, and ready to drive meaningful change.

That’s why we’re excited to highlight the upcoming Professional Governance Leadership Conference. Ready to spark new ideas, strengthen your leadership toolkit, and surround yourself with changemakers?

Keep reading to learn more, lock in your Early Bird spot, AND get a special discount on us.

Today's Top Beats

🦶 Foot Exercises
😑 Mind Blanking
📝 Bethesda Declaration

HANDOFF

Life-Saving Foot Exercises

When you spend all day on your feet, wearing comfortable, supportive shoes is necessary—but it’s not the only way to stave off the chronic foot pain that’s common among nurses. Experts say strengthening foot muscles through massage and mobility work can reduce pain, improve balance, and prevent injury. Exercises include: foot doming, wall stretches, toe spreads, toe yoga, calf raises, and “holding hands” with your feet. Try these simple movements daily or every other day to improve foot health and stability.

What Is Mind Blanking?

Mind blanking—having no reportable thoughts—is surprisingly common, occurring up to 20% of the time. It’s also a common feature in conditions like ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder. What causes it? Research suggests mind blanking involves temporary brain network deactivation, similar to what happens during sleep or anesthesia. Low arousal levels make these episodes more likely, while high arousal can lead to racing thoughts that blur ideas, creating another form of blankness. But these brief cognitive “rest stops” may help the brain recover and maintain function throughout wakefulness.

Truth About America’s Health Past

Health secretary RFK Jr. often idealizes the 1950s and ’60s as a healthier era, but experts argue this view ignores key context. Though chronic illness and processed foods have increased since then, life expectancy has also risen, medical innovations have advanced, and public health reforms—from seatbelts to anti-smoking laws—have saved numerous lives. In contrast, Kennedy’s policy choices—like cutting federal health staff, slashing scientific research funding, and shuttering key public health offices—undermine efforts to address chronic disease and life expectancy gaps, they say.

TOGETHER WITH AONL

The Ivy League of Leadership

Ever wish there was a space where nurse leaders—from every level and setting—could come together, spark ideas, and actually change the way we lead in health care? 

Enter: the Professional Governance Leadership Conference (PGLC). ✨ Hosted by AONL, this isn’t your average conference—it’s a high-energy, brain-igniting, people-connecting experience built for nurses, by nurses.

Expect immersive sessions, hands-on workshops, and conversations that stick with you long after you’ve headed home. Whether you're leading a council, mentoring the next generation, or driving change across your organization or the nursing community as a whole—this is where transformation in professional nursing begins.

Grab your crew. Bring your curiosity. And get ready to grow—together.

🧠 Learn more & lock in your Early Bird spot now AND get an extra $100 off with code TNB25.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

92

The number of NIH scientists who’ve signed the “Bethesda Declaration.” Click here to learn how this act of dissension is putting their careers on the line.

NURSE ON-CALL

MAP OF THE MODERN NURSE WITH DEBRIEFING THE FRONT LINES

Debriefing Training for Healthcare Workers

Trauma becomes cumulative in the absence of support. This directly influences the ability to cope effectively and may result in leaving the nursing profession. Several studies have shown that nurses and healthcare providers desire support after a serious event, yet organizations often offer inadequate emotional support. 

Debriefing invites you to be a part of the solution, serving as a bridge between the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event and the implementation of concrete policy changes. 

Effective debriefing isn't solely about identifying system error, procedural breakdowns, or asking the outdated question, “What could we have done better?” 

Debriefing acknowledges the emotional responses and understanding of not only physical safety, but the psychological well-being of healthcare workers and patients to create a more holistic and supportive environment for all. 

Learn more about becoming a Debriefing Facilitator by clicking here.

Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.

NURSE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

SUPPLY ROOM

Teach It

Nurse educators will love this glittery badge reel!

BREAK ROOM

Anti-Aging Hack

Working in healthcare is the best anti-aging regimen. You won’t be able to guess how.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Think you can effectively manage a patient with advanced COPD? Test your skills here!

YOUR BEAT. YOUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.