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Good Morning, Readers!
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Did you know that May not only celebrates Nurses Month, but it also signifies Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (along with a bunch of other observances)? One staunch advocate for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness is Miss America 2025, Abbie Stockard––the first nursing student crowned.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Abbie about her advocacy, the balance of juggling a public life while navigating nursing school, and her career aspirations post-Miss America. As someone who used to compete in the Miss America program myself (Miss Rhode Island 1st Runner-Up 😉), I was elated to learn of Abbie’s win as a representative of the new generation of nurses.
Keep reading to discover Abbie’s story! |
Today's Top Beats |
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💻 Med Error Prevention
🩸 Alzheimer’s Blood Test
😱 Post-Shift Scaries |
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HANDOFF |
Advocacy Groups Criticize MAHA Report
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The Center for Science in the Public Interest’s Dr. Peter Lurie has criticized the new MAHA Commission report as biased and harmful, echoing RFK Jr.’s personal views while ignoring real public health needs. He warns that Kennedy is cutting programs that help Americans access nutritious food. Meanwhile, PhRMA CEO Stephen Ubl acknowledges the report’s focus on chronic disease but defends the essential role of medicine and vaccines. He stresses that vaccines are safe, well-studied, and vital to public health, and warns against undermining America’s successful, collaborative medical innovation ecosystem. |
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How AI Can Help With Medication Errors
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Medication errors, often due to rushed decisions during emergencies, injure about 1.3 million people a year. So nurse anesthetist John Wiederspan and Dr. Kelly Michaelsen of UW Medicine are testing AI-powered smart glasses that detect mismatched drug labels on syringes and vials, aiming to prevent vial swap errors. Their system has shown 99.6% accuracy in trials and may expand to detect dosing errors. Experts continue to caution against over-reliance on AI and stress the need for privacy protections and thoughtful integration into clinical care. |
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FDA-Approved Alzheimer’s Blood Test
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A new FDA-approved blood test, the first of its kind, can detect amyloid plaques—a key marker of Alzheimer’s—in people 55 and older with memory issues. Offering faster, more accessible, and less invasive diagnosis than PET scans or spinal taps, the test could boost diagnostic accuracy to over 90% compared with specialty neurologists’ 70%–80% accuracy. Experts say this innovation will expand access, especially in underserved areas, and lead to earlier, more effective treatment. The Alzheimer’s Association is developing guidelines to help doctors counsel patients receiving results. |
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL |
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The number of consecutive nights of poor sleep you can have before it affects your health. Click here to learn what researchers recently found. |
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NURSE ON-CALL |
THE BREAK ROOM WITH SELF-CARE CATALYST |
This 47-Second Bathroom Reboot Might Just Save Your Sanity |
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Let’s not kid ourselves—peeing on shift is rarer than a fully staffed unit. On most days, it’s a luxury. A dream. A myth.
But when you do escape to the bathroom, make it a grounding moment. This isn’t just a break. It’s a micro-retreat if you want it.
Here’s your 3-step nervous system reset:
🧘♀️ Breathe in for 4, out for 6. Pretend you're at a spa, not dodging call bells.
📢 Say something grounding like: “I’m safe,” “It’s a bad shift, not a bad life,” or “this is temporary.”
🪞Look at yourself in the mirror. Make eye contact and say “You’re doing your best.” It may feel weird—but it works.
You don’t need anything extravagant when it’s hectic. You just need 47 seconds, a locked door, and a moment to remember you’re human.
If you peed? Iconic.
If not? Still counts. 😉 |
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Self-Care Catalyst helps healthcare professionals optimize their wellbeing and eliminate burnout through mentorship, education, and community. Connect here! |
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Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here. |
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Miss America 2025 |
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Read how Abbie Stockard manages her Miss America duties as the first nursing student crowned. |
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SUPPLY ROOM |
I'm With The Band |
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Keep your hair out of your face while at work with this adorable headband! |
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BREAK ROOM |
Post-Shift Scaries |
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Do you have those moments after a long shift where you have sudden post-shift jump scares? If you need a laugh, watch what Nurse John does with post-shift anxiety. Can you relate? |
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS |
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Wanna get your coffee fix and support aspiring nurses? Learn how one university is making it happen! ☕ |
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