HUDDLE

Hey-O Nursing Beat Friends!

Let’s be honest; hay fever season is the absolute worst. As someone who suffers with a runny nose, red and itchy eyes, and constant sneezing, I’m reaching for my Flonase every morning for relief. Did you know that in the late 1800s, hay fever was treated with cocaine? The drug was noted to stop the spasms in the mucous membranes, not to mention, making the patient incredibly high. 

Today's Top Beats

⭐ Making History  
⬇️ A Modest Decrease
😠 Ageism At Work  

Photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah M. McClanahan

HANDOFF

She’s Made History!

Colonel Linda A. Rohatsch, MBA, BSN, RN, is making history as the first nurse in Air National Guard history to become director of the ANG Medical Service Office of the Air Surgeon at the Joint Base Andrews ANG Readiness Center in Maryland. Historically, only physicians or flight doctors have led the office, but Rohatsch took command in late 2022 and oversees a $60 million budget responsible for the mission readiness of 108,000 military and civilian personnel.

New School In Town

According to The Providence Journal, Providence College in Rhode Island started a new nursing education program last year and is about to build the $80 million, 100,000-square foot facility where the program will live. Rev. Kenneth Sicard, who became the school’s president in 2021, pushed for the new program partly because he was inspired by the work he saw nurses doing during the pandemic. The school’s first class of 50 freshmen were selected from more than 1,300 applications. 

A Modest Decrease

Though the national nursing shortage remains a concern, at least one state is starting to see a shift, with a 9% drop in nurse vacancies over the past year. A survey of over 200 hospitals by the Florida Hospital Association revealed that the nurse turnover rate fell from 32% in 2022 to 20% this year. Becker’s notes several reasons for the change, including increased training and increased pay, signing, and retention bonuses for nurses taking permanent positions. 

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

$6,000

The amount of tuition reimbursement that Mississippi will pay each year toward student loans of new nurses who qualify for a new state loan forgiveness program.

PRN

YOUR NEW THING STRATEGY WITH NEW THING NURSE

Ageism

Ageism is an unfortunate phenomenon in healthcare today. Managing ageism is essential to foster an inclusive and supportive work environment. Consider these strategies to combat ageism in your workplace:

•  Education and awareness: Seek out training that raises awareness about ageism, its consequences, and its impact on staff and patient care.

• Encourage open communication: Foster a culture of open discussions where employees feel comfortable discussing age-related issues. 

• Promote diversity and inclusion: Emphasize the value of a diverse workforce and support recruiting and retaining employees of all ages. 

• Evaluate policies and practices: Regularly review workplace policies to ensure they are fair and unbiased, avoiding age-related discrimination.

• Recognize and celebrate contributions: Appreciate the unique strengths that employees of all ages bring to the team.

With these practices, you can help create a workplace that respects and values all team members, fostering a positive environment where everyone feels welcomed.

STAT

National Nonprofit Day

It’s National Nonprofit Day! TNB is celebrating the extraordinary mental health contributions of three nurse-led nonprofits Debriefing the Front Lines, Don’t Clock Out and Operation Happy Nurse.

Debriefing the Front Lines provides nurses debriefing of single incident and cumulative care taking trauma.

Don't Clock Out offers weekly peer support groups to nurses and healthcare workers and is working to build a national peer support network.

Operation Happy Nurse helps nurses struggling with stress, anxiety, and depression by offering a free, online, stress-relief community focused on improving mental health and physical well-being.

Join us in appreciating their efforts and impact!

SUPPLY ROOM

Heart of Glass…or Resin

This beautiful anatomical heart pin is hand-made by a nurse using resin and real flowers.

BREAK ROOM

NurseTok’s Before and After

Check out this viral TikTok of nurses before and after their 12-hour shift!

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Do nurses need financial advisors? Find out tomorrow in Networth Nurse’s column!

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