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Good Morning, Readers!

To say that launching our newsletter redesign this week has been exciting is an understatement. We’ve been giddy for weeks at TNB, ready to show it to you! For me, our newsletter emulates what our nursing community deserves - receiving nothing but the highest quality, easily digestible news and resources.

Today's Top Beats

✉️ Erroneous Letters
🤖 Humans for AI
✍️ Misleading Contracts

Photo by: Cottonbro Studio

HANDOFF

Late Nurse Honored With Naming of New Perinatal Center

Trinity Health hosted a dedication ceremony for the naming of its new Ann Arbor perinatal center in honor of the late Lavone A. “Shorty” Witting, who served much of her 33-year nursing career as a Public Health Nurse Supervisor within the Division of Maternal and Child Health for the City of Toledo. The Lavone A. “Shorty” Witting, RN, Perinatal Wellness Center provides “fourth trimester” perinatal care, including follow-up visits, breastfeeding consultations, and behavioral care.

Eating Disorder Association Revokes Plans for AI Chatbot

The National Eating Disorder Association had plans to replace human helpline staff with an AI chatbot named Tessa, reportedly after the staff unionized due to pandemic-related burnout. But NEDA has now nixed its plans, at least temporarily, after Tessa started giving users potentially harmful information. “Every single thing Tessa suggested were things that led to the development of my eating disorder,” one user said. A psychologist specializing in eating disorders also recreated the user experience with Tessa.

Nurses from Abroad Trapped in Positions By Strict Contracts

According to an NBC investigation, nurses and other healthcare workers who have come to the US for the American dream are living a nightmare. They’re being placed in understaffed jobs, paid less than American colleagues, and misled about benefits. Worse yet, they’re trapped in their multi-year contracts — if they try to leave, they face paying tens of thousands of dollars (some more than $100,000!) in penalties and legal action. They’re now fighting the agencies’ bait-and-switch tactics in court.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

400

According to cancer screening company Grail, about 400 people received erroneous letters warning that they may have developed cancer following a software glitch at a third-party telemedicine vendor.

PRN

RAISING THE BAR WITH IRNISE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

Criminalizing Pregnant Mothers With Positive Drug Screenings Is Outdated and Dangerous 

The criminalization of pregnant women who test positive for drugs can vary depending on the jurisdiction. In some cases, certain actions may be considered criminal offenses, while in other instances, civil actions or child welfare proceedings may be initiated. Unfortunately, the fear that many women experience related to the healthcare and criminal justice system keeps many from seeking help, fueling the opioid epidemic and postpartum overdoses. 

Safe drug treatment options exist for pregnant mothers with a substance use disorder. When we remove the criminalization of substance use and treatment during pregnancy, we can approach the issue from a public health perspective and reduce the stigma and discrimination. In addition, nurses can help advocate for allocating more effective resources to promote public safety by providing a safe environment for mothers seeking treatment for their addiction during and after their pregnancy. 

TODAY IN THE CHART

Wise Word of the Month for June: Honor

This month’s Wise Word is honor, as used by Sharon Burch, MSN, APRN, PHCNS-BC, APHN-BC, HWNC-BC when she talks about the power of the nursing perspective. What does it mean to honor someone across their lifespan? And how is this related to ethics? Follow along as we unpack the history of the word honor and its application to nursing in healthcare in today’s blog, “Wise Word of the Month for June: Honor.”

THE SUPPLY ROOM

Fifth Window

The nurse-led team at Fifth Window consists of experts in entrepreneurship, academia, mental health, and nurse leadership and is well-positioned to accelerate the nursing wellness movement.

THE BREAK ROOM

Need some ear candy for your commute to work? Check out The Cellfie Show podcast, hosted by nurses Tori Meskin & Sam Manassero, as they tackle all things healthcare, from innovators and brands to providers to pop culture.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Ambulate with a dancing gait! See you q.d. M-F!

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