HANDOFF
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Show Them The Money
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In 2022, the Nebraska legislature allocated $5 million in American Rescue Act funds for nursing scholarships. But so far, the state has only used a little over one-fifth of that money—and it all comes down to eligibility. The scholarship money has not gone to four-year RN programs but has been reserved for students in fast-tracked
nursing bachelor programs and those in one- to four-semester programs for Licensed Practical Nurses and Associate Degree Nurses. It has only helped about 400 nursing students thus far.
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Start From Scratch
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Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Jersey has launched a novel approach to deal with its nurse shortage. Instead of looking to hire new nurses, the hospital has enacted a “train from scratch” program that teaches hospital employees the roles of patient care technicians. These techs take care of basic clinical functions and administrative tasks, freeing nurses to care for patients. So far, 176 hospital employees have become PCTs able to take patients’ vital signs and handle patient hygiene, comfort, and safety.
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Who Is Responding?
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Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Friedrichs has been tapped to lead the White House’s new Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy. Friedrichs currently serves at the National Security Council and previously advised the Defense Department’s Covid-19 task force as the Pentagon’s joint staff surgeon. The new office will take over
the response to Covid-19 and address threats from Covid, polio, RSV, and other potential outbreaks. It is focused on preparing for and responding to pathogens that may cause a pandemic.
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