DiversityNursing Blog

According to NEJM, Telehealth is defined as the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies.

Some types of telemedicine are store-and-forward telemedicine (asynchronous telemedicine), remote patient monitoring, and real-time telemedicine. 

A Rutgers article mentioned around half of the country’s hospitals use some sort of telehealth solution and recent surveys of health care executives discovered 90 percent of respondents had started the process of implementing telehealth programs at their organizations. Since Telehealth is growing rapidly here are some pros and cons to keep in mind. 

Pros

Better Access

Telemedicine improves patient's access to healthcare services. They don't have to miss work, find transportation or travel far to their nearest providers. It allows Nurses and Doctors to expand their reach to patients in distant locations or rural areas. 

Quality Care

The convenience of quick real-time consultations for non-emergency symptoms, frees up office appointments so healthcare professionals can spend more time with extreme case patients. 

Cost Efficiencies 

According to americantelemed.org, reducing or containing the cost of healthcare is one of the most important reasons for funding and adopting telehealth technologies. Telemedicine has been shown to reduce the cost of healthcare and increase efficiency through better management of chronic diseases, shared health professional staffing, reduced travel times, and fewer or shorter hospital stays.

Cons

Technology Barriers

Patients must have access to appropriate technology like a laptop or computer with video conferencing capability and internet or wifi. Some patients may not be tech-savvy and will need assistance with setting up. 

Also there are sometimes glitches. Technical difficulties, such as sound or video not working properly, can disrupt a telehealth visit. 

Privacy

There are some security concerns since the visit is done over the computer.

Regulatory attorney, Emily Wein said, "Your computer, your ipad, your iphone, or whatever interface or kiosk you have at your employer - these are all potential devices that could store or transmit your personal health information."

A telehealth patient's health information is being transmitted for "various modalities," increasing the potential that data might be misused, mistransmitted or accessed inappropriately, she says.

Payment

According to an article by Health Informatics, a big challenge for telehealth is reimbursement and coverage for services compared to those of in-person services. There is no guarantee of payment parity between telemedicine and in-person health care. Even in the 28 states in which payment parity laws have been passed, no apparatus exists to enforce it. This could potentially defeat the point of telemedicine to reduce health care costs and expand access to services , and could also discourage providers from offering telehealth because there is no guarantee of comparable payment.

Are you using telehealth services at your job? What are some advantages or disadvantages you've experienced? Comment below! 

A report by the U.S. Census Bureau shows nearly 1 in 5 people live with a disability. A common challenge many people with a disability face is getting dressed and undressed by themselves. Adaptive clothing can be a great help.  

According to caringvillage.com, adaptive clothing is designed with the dressing needs of the elderly and disabled in mind. Typically, the adapted features include:

• Velcro-type closures instead of buttons
• Open-back blouses, shirts, and dresses with Velcro-type closures that still retain the traditional button styling on the front
• Lap-over back-style garments with snaps for the individual who cannot raise their arms
• Zippers with easy-to-grasp pull tabs
• Pants with side zippers
• Seatless pants to help with incontinence
• Shoes with Velcro-type closures instead of shoelaces
• Slippers that adjust in width to accommodate swollen feet and ankles

A CBS news article discusses other innovative design elements that include adjustable hems on shirt sleeves and pant legs for individuals with limb differences. 

A Coherent Market Insights study predicts the global market for adaptive clothing will approach $393 billion by 2026. 

Popular brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Target, Nike and Zappos have launched clothing and shoe lines for these consumers. 

Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive

Target Children's Adaptive Line

Zappos Adaptive Line

Nike Adaptive Shoes

Only 10 days remain for you to apply for a Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association scholarship to support your college tuition, fees and books. This year we are pleased to be offering scholarships of up to $10,000 to diverse nursing students.  There’s still time, but you need to get started now.  For more details and for link to application, click here. The deadline is January 11, 2019.

The holiday season is here and we have a list of things Nurses will love! 

1. Stethoscope

MDF Instruments has a fun line of prints and colors you can choose from.

If you're looking for something more high tech, there is the Eko CORE digital stethoscope.

2. Personalized Water Bottle from Etsy.com

3. Dry Erase Board Wrist Band on amazon.com

4. New Pair of Shoes

Dansko is a top brand for Nursing shoes.

5. Nurse Shaped USB from allheart.com

6. Night Shift Nurse Sign from Etsy.com

7. Jewelry 

like this Nurse appreciation necklace from dearava.com

8. Massage Gift Card

You work a demanding and physically draining job and who doesn’t love a massage?! A massage provides a terrific opportunity to take some “me time” to unwind and relax. 

9. Car Decal from Etsy.com

10. Coloring Book For Nurses on amazon.com

According to a healthecareers.com article, Mental health Nurses are typically part of a healthcare team that includes Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists and other healthcare assistants. 

Psychiatric Nursing is a demanding profession but many Nurses find it rewarding and ideal for their qualifications. It can be a financially rewarding specialty as well.

An article by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association says, the Psychiatric Mental Health Registered Nurse develops a Nursing diagnosis and plan of care, implements the Nursing process, and evaluates it for effectiveness. Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMH-APRNs) offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population. PMH-APRNs assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy.

Colorado Technical University covers some of the skills Psychiatric Nurses should have:

• Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration – Psychiatric Nurses should have good one-on-one people skills since they help administer biopsychosocial assessments and work to educate clients and families on therapies and medications.
• Problem-Solving – Help assess patients by using the psychiatric diagnostic classification systems and observing and examining the patient's behaviors. 
• Attention to Detail – In addition to problem-solving, it is important that Psychiatric Nurses demonstrate care and meticulousness since their duties can include educating patients about psychopharmacologic drugs, administering such drugs, and monitoring patients taking psychopharmacologic drugs as well.

Allnursingschools.com discusses education and certification requirements. Psychiatric Nurses must be Registered Nurses. Although 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are preferred, you may choose to begin your career with a 2-year associate’s degree or a 2- to 3-year diploma through a hospital-based training program. To become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will need additional education at the graduate level, usually two-year Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who earn master’s degrees in psychiatric-mental health Nursing. 

The occupational outlook for Nurse Practitioners in the field of mental health Nursing is 31%, according to a NurseJournal.org article, which is much faster than other positions within the United States. This job has seen an increase in need for licensed Nurses as mental health awareness has begun to rise throughout the country. The average rate of pay for a mental health Nurse is $96,460 per year or $46.37 per hour.

Are you a Mental Health Nurse? Do you enjoy your career choice? We would love to hear about your experiences. Please comment below. Thank you!

The dictionary defines an advocate as someone who pleads the cause of another. An article from Loyola University Chicago says, in the Nursing profession, advocacy means preserving human dignity, promoting patient equality, and providing freedom from suffering. It’s also about ensuring that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes Nurses make great advocates because they provide essential services, are knowledgeable about client needs, and interact closely with health care consumers across a variety of care settings and social groups. This gives Nurses a broad appreciation of health needs and an understanding of the factors that affect health care delivery.

Here are several ways Nurses advocate for their patients:

• Nurses ensure their patient's safety while they’re being treated in a healthcare facility. When the patient is discharged, you communicate with case managers and other colleagues about the need for home health or assistance for when they go home. 
  
  
• While the doctor explains a patient's diagnosis and treatment options, you translate that information from medical jargon in to understandable directives and help them with any questions. 
  
  
• You educate your patients on how to manage their current or chronic condition as well as how to take their medications and any side effects they may experience. You help them improve the quality of their everyday life.
  
  
• An article from The University of Texas at Arlington states, Nurses can and should advocate for healthcare equality. They should encourage others not to discriminate and model this principle themselves. Everyone deserves access to the same level of attention and compassion. Race, religion, socioeconomic status or other criteria should not be a factor in healthcare. 
  
  
• Nurses help to prevent or manage their patient's suffering whether it’s physical, emotional or psychological. 
  
  
• Nurse patient advocacy also includes speaking up while serving on committees or councils to solve problems and ensure patients receive the best care possible.

According to Nursejournal.org, there is no certification specific for a Nurse advocate, although more and more programs are being developed. As such, certification is the same as it is for a Registered Nurse, which is set out in the NCLEX-RN.

Your job is challenging, but very rewarding. You learn a great deal from the patients themselves and not just medically. You also learn about their cultures, families, religions and personal beliefs.

At the beginning of your Nursing career, you have many decisions to make. One of the biggest is what shift works for you. When you’re first starting out, you may not have a choice. You have to take what is available. However, if you do have a choice, this information provides what each shift has to offer.

Day Shift 

More activity 

Day shift Nursing is more active. Patients are awake, phones are ringing, more call lights are going off and families are visiting patients. If you enjoy the fast paced environment then you should consider working the day shift. 

More staff present

According to an article by Nurse Blake, there is help and different opportunities for learning during day shift because more people work during the day. Have an urgent question for the physician, dietitian, wound care specialist, or physical therapist? No worries, most departments have staff available during the day to help assist with any questions. Also, numerous procedures/tests take place during the day which can provide opportunities to observe and learn new skills.

Fits in with regular daily schedules

It's easier to maintain a social life because you'll be able to attend more nightly or weekend activities with family and friends. You'll also be able to keep an ordinary sleep schedule. 

Cafeteria is open

Sometimes the cafeteria isn't open 24/7. So during the day shift you don't have to worry about forgetting a lunch! You can grab a snack whenever if you become hungry.

Team bonding 

It's nice to go out with your coworkers after a long shift and grab dinner or drinks to unwind, have a few laughs and get to know each other outside of the work environment. If you work night shift, you have less opportunities to go out somewhere besides a breakfast place. 

Night Shift 

More money

An article by Nursingjobs.com said, many hospitals offer shift differentials at hourly rates to help supplement a Nurse's income in return for working night shifts.

According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for an RN working the day shift is between $22.54 - $40.69/hour, depending on geographical location, experience level, and medical facility. A night Nurse, on the other hand, can expect to make up to $41.03/hour, which is slightly higher. The added night shift differential varies by facility type, but it can make a big difference over long-term periods.

Less traffic and better parking

You can get your errands done during the day while most people are at work. Your drive to work should be shorter because there are less people on the road at night. A shorter commute means more sleep! There will be less people parked at your job so that means better parking. 

Quieter

Usually during the night shift, patient volumes are generally lower. It can be busy during the first few hours of the shift but as the night goes on it settles down. So you'll have fewer distractions, less discharges to process, and fewer medications to administer. Also, you'll have more time to spend with each patient as there are limited visitors and family members present.

2 or 3 Days a Week

A Shorter Work Week

According to an article from Nurse.org, usually working three days a week means having four days off. This is a great option for Nurses with a long commute because it translates into less hours on the road. Also, those requiring child care prefer this option instead of the traditional 8-hour schedule.

Reducing Errors and Providing Better Care

Rather than having three Nurses in a 24-hour period, a patient will have two, a day Nurse and a night Nurse. Since only two Nurses are transferring information, there is less risk for miscommunication errors. The Joint Commission reported that at least 80% of serious medical errors result from a miscommunication between caregivers during handoff.

Flexible Schedule 

Most Nurses working 12-hour shifts group their work days together and have longer periods of time off. This leaves time for traveling, a side job, education, or time with family and friends. 

What is your current schedule? Have you worked different shifts? If so, which do you prefer and why? We would love to hear what you think! Please comment below! 

According to a U.S. News article, over 100 million Americans are dealing with some form of chronic pain, and is the leading cause of disability among adults in the U.S.

Opioid drugs are a safe and effective treatment for pain relief when used properly. However, many people have difficulty accessing medication and others have concerns about addiction so they seek alternative therapies. 

Below are some of the most popular alternative therapies for chronic pain.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

According to a health.com article, Daniel Clauw, MD, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, believes that CBD may have real benefits for people living with chronic pain. “I don’t think we have that many good drugs for pain, and we know that CBD has fewer side effects than opioids or even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can cause bleeding and cardiovascular problems,” he says.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been growing in popularity in the United States. This ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine involves thin needles being inserted into the skin. Research from the  National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests it can be used to manage certain pain conditions especially back and neck pain, osteoarthritis pain, and headaches.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation helps the individual gain psychological control over his or her pain. Stress and depression amplify pain. This therapy teaches you how to understand the different types of pain and how to control your body's reaction to the pain. A U.S. News article reported, mindfulness meditation has been shown in clinical trials to reduce chronic pain by 57 percent, and some experienced meditators can reduce it by over 90 percent.

Chiropractic Therapy

A Harvard Health article explains, Chiropractic therapy is focused on the structure of the body, particularly the spine. Chiropractors manipulate the body's alignment to relieve pain and improve function and to help the body heal itself. As one of the alternatives to pain-relieving drugs, the American College of Physicians recommends spinal manipulation along with heat, massage and acupuncture. 

Neuromodulation

According to an article by Jon Hagedorn, MD, Neuromodulation refers to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) when discussing chronic pain treatments. It consists of applying electrical current to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord in an attempt to block or decrease the pain signals to and from the brain. This is accomplished by placing stimulating electrodes in the epidural space, the implantable pulse generator (IPG) in the subcutaneous tissue of the lower back or abdomen, and wires to connect the IPG to the electrodes.

Physical Therapy 

Smart phones help Nurses stay on top of their game. You can download apps that help you study for an exam or find out information about a specific drug. Mobile apps have provided a variety of tools for Nurses. Below you will find some of the top mobile apps for Nurses. 

NCSBN flashcard 

This app is a medication library for your phone. Great for students studying for exams or Nurses who need a quick reference point.

iOS and Android

This app provides detailed information for all elements of patient care. Students gain a credible and complete resource guide for coursework, lab exercises, and clinical practice.

iOS and Android

Is a medical reference app that searches for information on prescription drugs, drug interactions, and a directory of providers.

iOS and Android

Provides access to a pill identifier, medical directory, continuing education, medical news, and clinical reference library.

iOS and Android

App version of WebMD website. You can research conditions, access drug and treatment information, get first aid essentials, check local health listings, and find the latest health news on the go.

iOS and Android

Over 1,500 acronyms, rhymes, and memory tricks to help Nurses learn medical conditions, symptoms, and other terminology.

iOS and Android

A mobile version of one of the best medical dictionaries. Includes photos, videos, audio pronunciations, and functionality to save favorite entries. This dictionary has 65,000 definitions to help Nursing students study for tests.

iOS and Android

Information and reference for diseases, drugs, and tests for Nurses, as well as a literature search function. Includes access to Davis’s Drug Guide, Taber’s Medical Dictionary, Diseases and Disorders, and MEDLINE Search and Journals, among other databases.

iOS and Android

NurseGrid

This app was developed by Nurses to help manage the scheduling process. The app lets you schedule across all worksites, view who you’re working shifts with, message other Nurses, and much more.

iOS and Android

Diseases Dictionary

This dictionary app is a great reference for medical disorders and diseases. Learn all information about symptoms, treatments, and medical terminology.

iOS and Android

Nurse’s Pocket Guide 

This app includes 440 medical conditions with associated Nursing diagnoses, care plan guides, and NIC and NOC labels for each diagnosis.

iOS and Android

Black’s Medical Dictionary 

This app has over 5,000 definitions. It also has a social media feature allowing you to share information with friends.

Android

Pill Identifier 

Provides a quick way to identify more than 12,000 medications. You'll be able to easily identify pills by imprint, shape, color, or drug name.

iOS

Pedi STAT 

A quick reference for RNs caring for patients in a pediatric, emergency, or critical care environment.

iOS and Android

IDdx: Infectious Disease

This app allows users to search by description and lists many infectious diseases that could relate to it. Currently, you can segment more than 250 illnesses by 39 epidemiological factors and 16 world regions.

iOS

MediBabble Translator

This translator app helps you communicate with patients and improve care. Currently 7 languages are available: English, Spanish, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian and Haitian Creole.

iOS

Eponyms

Hundreds of obscure medical eponyms (person after whom a discovery, invention, place, etc., is named or thought to be named) for easy searching.

iOS

Skyscape Medical Resources

Provides drug information, access to medical journals, and the latest industry news, Skyscape Medical Resources is an all-in-one resource.

iOS and Android

NCLEX Flashcards 

This app has over 2,400 premade flashcards that covers all aspects of the National Council Licensure Examination.

iOS and Android

Are you using an app that we didn't mention above? Please share with us in the comment section below! 

According to Gallup, for the last 16 years, Americans' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of 22 occupations found Nurses at the top of the list. Doctors and Pharmacists are also at the top of the list. 

The Gallup poll results showed more than eight in 10 (82%) Americans describe Nurses' ethics as "very high" or "high."

In an American Nurses Association (ANA) article, Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the ANA said,  “Nurses provide much more than bedside care. We advocate for patients, deliver primary care, meet the complex needs of patients with chronic conditions, volunteer for disaster relief efforts, and are a trusted voice in boardrooms across the country." 

This poll reflects the trust the population has for Nurses. Patients rely on Nurses during their most vulnerable times and year after year Nurses show us that they do deserve that trust. 

Doctors manage the overall healthcare plan but, Nurses are the ones who implement it and in doing so they spend the most time with patients. 

Since Nurses spend the most time with patients, and they know the health care system’s limitations, they're in the best position to speak up about their patients’ needs and safety concerns and advocate for them. 

Audrey Wirth, MSN, RN-BC, CVRN-BC, Nursing instructor at Aurora University told travelnursing.com, “In the Nurse-to-patient relationship, there is a fundamental trust that occurs. Nurses must serve as advocates for both their patients and for better health care in general.”

 In 1999 Gallup began asking about Nurses, and the profession has topped the list every year except for 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, firefighters topped the list that year.

We know you put your patients first every day. We’re delighted that you are recognized for the important and vital work you do. Pat yourself on the back that you continue to make Nursing the most trusted profession! To learn more about what it takes to be a great Nurse check out the blog, Traits Every Great Nurse Has