St. Jude Children's Research Hospital’s Post

Congratulations The Ohio State University, for your approach to the nursing crisis! Wexner Medical Center, "is in the middle of an analysis to see whether a shift to a sole RN model where nurses could expect a standard patient load of three patients, with an occasional flex of up to four or five, would be comparable to the current model, which involves a lot of agency nurses and patient care assistants." Too many nurses wear too many hats, which prevents them from performing their jobs to the best of their ability. The solution lies with RN /nurse assistant teams managing a smaller patient group. When organizations turn to their nurses for answers and are prepared to work with them by giving them the support they need to perform their RN-specific roles, everyone wins: nurses, patients, and their organization.  

During one of our pillow talks, my husband asked me if I missed nursing. My immediate response was a firm “no!” Then, I felt terrible for my reaction. I found it necessary to elaborate on what I meant by no. After nursing for 20 years, I resigned from bedside nursing in January 2023. Nursing care did not sway this choice. I experienced burnout from the administration’s extra demand on us nurses. I soon learned that we live in a capitalist society where institutions focus on profit over safety. I explained to my husband that I still loved nursing, at least what it used to be. The bureaucratic red tape and staffing shortages had become a problem. Patient safety became compromised as nurses struggled to balance competing priorities. My greatest wish was to see my patients get the care they needed to recover. This was my pride and purpose. As the years passed, I saw a profound shift in the nursing landscape. The profession once prided itself on patients’ well-being. The focus has shifted towards profit margins and cost-cutting. Along with this shift, there was a shortage of human resources. Nurses refused to work under extreme pressure, leading to a high turnover rate. The need for more human resources causes the nurse-to-patient ratio to rise. This, combined with patient acuity, is a significant safety issue. One solution that we asked for was reducing the nurse-to-patient ratio. They should implement a policy that disallows nurses from having more than four patients. Here is a list of benefits we can benefit from if this is implemented. Having a smaller number of patients to focus on enables the practice of critical thinking and allows for adequate time and energy for patient advocacy. Adequate staffing allows nurses to prioritize safety through policy adherence. Nurses will adhere to doctors’ orders on time. It is unacceptable to postpone immediate care for the patient until the next shift. That is a delay in care. This is a patient safety issue. In conclusion, I said “no” when asked if I missed nursing. I did not just decide to leave bedside nursing after two decades. The administration’s focus on profit over safety caused burnout. We must focus on our well-being and make choices that fit our values, even if they may bring mixed emotions. Nursing will forever have a special place in my heart. Caring for myself and my family is just as important.

Nursing is a challenging profession that demands a lot from the courageous people who choose this field. Many nurses will find themselves delivering care in high-stress environments where they’re under-resourced, under-appreciated and overworked. Yet it’s nurses who support the entire field of healthcare; it’s nurses who bear witness to the structural issues affecting patient care; and it’s nurses who are best positioned to help transform the system. We’d like to introduce you to some of the talented, inspiring nurses whose nursing career paths brought them to Outset Medical, and hear – in their own words – why they took the leap to join this mission: https://lnkd.in/gxwarXqY #BetterBeginsNow #NursesMonth

While few U.S. baccalaureate nursing programs prepare graduates for perioperative nursing, resulting in a deep shortage of that specialty, the UTHSC College of Nursing has started a new perioperative program to help offset the shortage. How is your organization affected by too-few perioperative nurses? https://lnkd.in/eUQDCxSD #perioperative #nurses #nursingshortage HealthLeaders

Incredibly proud of the AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) Blog Team! Check out our recent publications that are FREE to all readers : Why We Celebrate Certified Nurses by Lindsey Green, DNP, APRN-CNS, CCNS, RNC-NIC (she/her) with Denise Buonocore and Cindi Noe >> https://lnkd.in/gs6XeeEn On March 19 and throughout the rest of the year, AACN joins in celebrating nurses who have made the commitment and demonstrated their dedication to lifelong learning and clinical excellence by achieving and renewing specialty nursing certifications. Supporting nursing professionals on their journey to pursue and maintain certification is of utmost importance to AACN. No Scare Chest Tube Care by Citadel Rafols >> https://lnkd.in/gguPbCN8 The nursing care of patients with chest tubes does not have to be intimidating. Just-in-time training offers flexibility and enables nurses to learn new skills when needed. Checklists provide a step-by-step guide that makes complex chest tube care easier to manage. Consider these educational approaches to support your nurses. Do’s and Don’ts of Social Media Use for Nursing Professionals by Sarah Wells (she/her) >> https://lnkd.in/grfpP-nZ Nurses can and should use social media for professional purposes if they want to. Benefits exist for healthcare professionals who use social media platforms. However, always proceed cautiously and consider the potential consequences of content shared or engaged in. The internet never forgets. Charge Nurses: It’s Not What You Do, but How You Do It! by Kelly Medero DNP, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC >> https://lnkd.in/g6Pe2tCH Probably the most important introduction to a leadership role is being a charge nurse. It is imperative that they start off right in their first leadership role. Most of us already know how difficult the role can be. Based on our experience in developing a charge nurse leadership development program, we can make it easier to transition to this role with the best support. Beneath the Surface: Navigating Abdominal Compartment Syndrome and the Open Belly Dilemma by Eleanor Fitzpatrick (she/her) >> https://lnkd.in/g4FPWahe Patients experiencing ACS who require an open abdomen will need intensive nursing assessments and interventions. Other essential components in the care of patients with ACS and an open abdomen include the provision of early, aggressive, goal-directed nutritional support to decrease the extreme morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions. #nursesonlinkedin #freelearning #education

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a nurse is like? From hospital settings to clinic routines, nursing roles can vary widely. Whether it's a new grad starting in acute care or a seasoned pro in a specialty like med-surg, ICU, or the OR, each day brings unique challenges and tasks. Nurses perform head-to-toe assessments, administer medications, and support patients and their families. Curious about the differences in nursing roles and daily routines? Dive into the varied and rewarding world of nursing with insights from our nurse writers.  https://lnkd.in/ect6qn_U

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a nurse is like? From hospital settings to clinic routines, nursing roles can vary widely. Whether it's a new grad starting in acute care or a seasoned pro in a specialty like med-surg, ICU, or the OR, each day brings unique challenges and tasks. Nurses perform head-to-toe assessments, administer medications, and support patients and their families. Curious about the differences in nursing roles and daily routines? Dive into the varied and rewarding world of nursing with insights from our nurse writers.  https://lnkd.in/eKjYSEBz

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a nurse is like? From hospital settings to clinic routines, nursing roles can vary widely. Whether it's a new grad starting in acute care or a seasoned pro in a specialty like med-surg, ICU, or the OR, each day brings unique challenges and tasks. Nurses perform head-to-toe assessments, administer medications, and support patients and their families. Curious about the differences in nursing roles and daily routines? Dive into the varied and rewarding world of nursing with insights from our nurse writers.  https://lnkd.in/evbfpHqx