4 minute read

HUDDLE

Good Morning, Readers!

I’m baaack! After welcoming my second child in February, I took some much-needed time off to soak up the newborn bliss. A big thank you to Abby McCoy, interim editor extraordinaire, for keeping things running so smoothly in my absence. 

Also, while on maternity leave, I binge-watched The Pitt and St. Denis Medical. Have you seen them? Let me know what you thought of them here!

Today's Top Beats

☕️ Coffee-Medication Interactions to Know
🆘 How to Build Your Emergency Bag

🤩 Welcome Back, Ayla!

HANDOFF

Nurses Top the VA’s Resignation Applications

Over 11,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees have applied for deferred resignation under the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative. Around 1,300 of them are nurses, the top position applying for resignation followed by medical support assistants (~800) and social workers (~300). The VA suggests most of these health care-related resignations won’t be approved—some people may, however, choose to otherwise retire or leave the agency. VA nurses are already feeling the squeeze, taking on additional responsibilities normally handled by terminated aides like bringing patients meal trays.

Coffee-Medication Interactions to Know

Each day, the number of Americans who drink coffee surpasses the number who drink any other beverage, including bottled water. But this generally health-improving drink can interfere with certain medications by affecting how they’re absorbed, metabolized, or removed from the body. Antidepressants, thyroid meds, osteoporosis drugs, cold and allergy treatments, antipsychotics, asthma bronchodilators, and blood thinners may all interact negatively with coffee, either reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects. Giving the meds some time in your system before drinking coffee can help prevent some of these issues.

How to Build Your Emergency Bag

Preparing a go bag—which only about half of Americans say they have—can feel overwhelming and costly, but there are ways to counter this. Experts suggest starting small, using what you have, and buying used or bulk items to save money. Resources like the American Red Cross and Ready.gov have their own handy checklists, which typically include water, food, first-aid, hygiene supplies, key documents, basic tools, a flashlight, power bank, and some cash. Use a sturdy bag and focus on what fits your needs like prescriptions or comfort items.

TOGETHER WITH SUBWAY

Fuel Your Shift

Long hours, nonstop patients, and saving lives—nurses, you do it all!

Let Subway® help take one thing off your plate by putting something delicious on it! Whether it's a team lunch, night shift pick-me-up, or Nurses Month celebration, Subway® Catering brings you tasty, craveable, and better-for-you meals that keep you energized through every shift. 

With a variety of options that are convenient, budget-friendly and customizable, there’s something for everyone—because heroes deserve to eat well. Order Subway® Catering now and treat your team to something they’ll actually look forward to.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

1 in 4

The number of the US’s 19 million children who have a parent with a substance use disorder. Click here to learn the shocking number whose addiction is moderate to severe.

NURSE ON-CALL

THAT REMOTE LIFE WITH NURSE FERN

Wanna Know the Two Most Popular Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs?

“I just want something I can do where I don’t have to talk to anyone.” 

Sound familiar?

It’s no secret: most nurses who are itching to leave the bedside are looking for a nice mental holiday from the current stimulation and overwhelm of patient care. 

Introverted non-bedside nursing jobs have officially entered the chat, the two most popular being:

💡 Clinical Documentation Integrity

💡 Utilization Review & Management

These roles often require that you quietly review clinical records and compare the information you’ve found to established guidelines and processes. Typically, the only contact you make with the outside world is talking to other healthcare professionals.

Sounds great, right? Time for the bad news—the desirability of these roles makes them very competitive to get into. 

In the current job market, I recommend starting your job search with a strong, focused resume, LinkedIn profile, and willingness to build and leverage industry connections.

Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.

TODAY IN THE CHART

BULLETIN BOARD

SUPPLY ROOM

Write On

This badge reel set comes with every writing utensil you may need in a pinch, plus a mini LED light!

BREAK ROOM

Nurses Week Planning

Nurses Week just passed, and we all got perks of a wide variety from our workplaces. If you need a laugh, watch how Nurse Blake thinks hospital executives plan Nurses Week. Did you get anything special?

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Guess which one of our fantastic nurse contributors spent some time as TNB’s managing editor? Find out here!

YOUR BEAT. YOUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.