DiversityNursing Blog

Working in healthcare can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Self-care is very important and sometimes curling up with a comfy blanket and a good book is the perfect antidote! 

If you’re looking for book ideas, you came to the right place! Check out this list of books recommended for Nurses, and maybe you'll discover a new favorite.

I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse

This collection of true narratives reflects the dynamism and diversity of Nurses, who provide the first vital line of patient care. Here, Nurses remember their first “sticks,” first births, and first deaths, and reflect on what gets them though long, demanding shifts, and keeps them in the profession.

Nurse: The Art of Caring

This book is a collection of the most memorable moments from the careers of over sixty Nurses. It covers nearly seventy years of practice from World War II to the present day. The extraordinary situations described here are the result of more than 1,000 years of hands-on bedside knowledge.

The Language of Kindness: A Nurse's Story

Through the smallest of actions, Nurses provide vital care and kindness. All of us will experience illness in our lifetime, and we will all depend on the support and dignity that Nurses offer us; yet the women and men who form the vanguard of our health care remain unsung. In this age of fear, hate, and division, Christie Watson has written a book that reminds us of all that we share, and of the urgency of compassion.

The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients' Lives

The Shift gives an unprecedented view into the individual struggles as well as the larger truths about medicine in this country. By shift’s end, we have witnessed something profound about hope and humanity.

Inspired Nurse

In this thought-provoking workbook, Rich Bluni, RN reminds Nurses and all healthcare employees why we chose this profession. He provides a wealth of action-oriented "spiritual stretches" that help us more fully integrate the gifts of Nursing- joy, wonder, gratitude, insight and grief - into our daily lives.

Cooked: An Inner City Nursing Memoir

In May 1971, Look magazine featured an article entitled "Chicago's Cook County Hospital: A Terrible Place." The article provided an in-depth look at the largest public hospital in the country, one located on Chicago's dangerous gang-controlled and drug-infested West Side. Months later, the author, then a naïve suburban teen, and one hundred other Nursing students, began their training there, despite newspaper articles that warned that the hospital might close any day.

Bedlam Among the Bedpans: Humor in Nursing

A must-read for Nursing professionals, Bedlam Among the Bedpans: Humor in Nursing, includes over 100 of the funniest and most creative stories about Nursing collected from Nursing journals, books, and the internet that highlight the humor in the situations Nurses face every day. Inspired by the experiences of real Nurses, the stories relate situations with insights that only Nurses who have "been there" in the field could have.

Becoming Nursey: From Code Blues to Code Browns, How to Care for Your Patients and Yourself

Nursing isn't a career; it's a calling. Learning how to be a great Nurse at the bedside while maintaining your sanity at home is no easy task. This book discusses about how to realistically live as a Nurse, both at home and at the bedside - with a little humor and some shenanigans along the way.

Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession

You'll laugh and cry along with these stories from all types of Nurses - about the patients who affected them most deeply, their personal ups and downs as Nurses, their funniest moments, their most heartwarming experiences, and lots of great tips that will help you make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.  

The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital

Alexandra Robbins peers behind the staff-only door to write a lively, fast-paced story and a riveting work of investigative journalism. Robbins followed real-life Nurses in four hospitals and interviewed hundreds of others in a captivating book filled with joy and violence, miracles and heartbreak, dark humor and narrow victories, gripping drama and unsung heroism.

We hope you find time to take care of you whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, visiting with friends and family, or whatever is best for your self-care. We value and appreciate you!

For many years, the healthcare field has struggled with staffing issues, including the Nursing shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these issues front and center. Everyone including Patients, Nurses, and Health Systems benefit from higher staffing rates.

Improved staffing levels reduce:

• Mortality rates
• Length of stay
• Readmission rates
• Preventable health care associated injuries and illnesses such as falls, infections, and pressure injuries

According to research:

• Higher numbers of patients per Nurse was strongly associated with the administration of the wrong medication or dose, pressure ulcers, and patient falls with injury.
• Short-staffing increases patients’ risk of death by between 4% and 6%. This risk is higher within the first five days of admission.

Five organizations came together in 2018 to form the Partners for Nurse Staffing in a collaborative effort to explore new solutions for Nurse staffing issues. In early 2022, they launched the National Nurse Staffing Think Tank. 

The Partners for Nurse Staffing includes:

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

The think tank made recommendations to address the Nurse staffing crisis within a 12-18 month implementation timeframe.

The recommendations include: 

Healthy Work Environment

• Elevate clinician psychological and physical safety to equal importance with patient safety through federal regulation.
• Specialty Nursing organizations should investigate evidence related to scope of practice and minimum safe staffing levels for patients in their specialty.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

• Implement Inclusive Excellence, a change-focused iterative planning process whereby there is deliberate integration of DEI ideals into leadership practices, daily operations, strategic planning, decision-making, resource allocation and priorities.

Work Schedule Flexibility

• Build a flexible workforce with flexible scheduling, flexible shifts and flexible roles.

Stress Injury Continuum

• Address burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue as barriers to Nurse retention.
• Incorporate well-being of Nurses as an organizational value.

Innovative Care Delivery Models

• Implement tribrid care delivery models that offer a holistic approach with three components, including onsite care delivery, IT integration of patient monitoring equipment, and ambulatory access and virtual/remote care delivery. This approach will improve access, patient and staff experience, and resource management, with continuous measurement for improvement and adjustment for sustainability and support.

Total Compensation

• Develop an organization-wide formalized and customizable total compensation program for nurses that is stratified based on market intelligence, generational needs and an innovative and transparent pay philosophy that is inclusive of benefits such as paid time off for self-care and wellness and wealth planning for all generations.

The time for action is Now. Nurses, and their patients, must have proper staffing levels in order to provide the best care possible! 

Each year during Nurses Week we take the time to show our appreciation for Nurses and all of the amazing hard work they do. Companies have also taken this opportunity to show their appreciation by offering special discounts and freebies for healthcare heroes. 

To save Nurses some time, we compiled a list of companies who are participating in special offers. 

Applebee’s is offering Nurses with a verifiable ID a free appetizer with any entree purchase through May 15. However, each Applebee’s franchise may offer something different or extra. Call toll-free at 888-592-7753 to see.

Chipotle is giving 2,000 health care professionals free burritos for a year. Until May 6th, people can nominate healthcare heroes by tagging them on Chipotle’s official social channels, and give a brief description of the amazing work they do.

Texas de Brazil is offering a 15% discount with a valid badge or ID.

ASICS is providing Nurses with 40% off ASICS products. When you verify your healthcare worker status using SheerID, you will receive a one-time-use promo code.

Great American Cookies is giving a free Original Chocolate Chip Cookie through Friday, May 6, with any purchase and valid ID.

Amazon is offering four free medical drama books, specially curated to celebrate Nurses.

Outback Steakhouse is offering 10% off your bill when you show your industry identification. The discount is not available via online ordering.

Adidas has offers of 30% off in-store and on the Adidas website, and 20% off at factory outlet stores, when you verify your status as a Nurse with ID.me.

Ring is offering 20% savings on select Ring Doorbell products.

Brooklyn Bedding wants you to get the best sleep possible with 25% off and free shipping on your entire order of mattresses, pillows, sheets and/or foundations. Verify your eligibility via ID.me during checkout.

Lululemon is giving 15% off in-store or online purchases.

Budget is offering a discount of up to 25% for Nurses. Create an ID.me account, or sign in to enjoy this offer.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is also offering 25% off their rental car costs. An ID.me account is required to access this discount.

National another car rental company, “lets you choose any car in the aisle and go” with up to 25% off.

Thank you Nurses for all you do! We hope you enjoy your special week! 

As a Nurse, you always have essentials in your pockets or bag to help you get through a shift and day-to-day life as you never know when your experience and skills will be needed. Here are some of the essential items Nurses have on hand.

IIPHONE & CHARGER

Your iphone is a useful tool especially when you fill it with apps such as Eponyms, Nursing Dictionaries and Drug Handbooks. You can also use it to set alarms for important reminders.

LOTION & SANITIZER

Nurses are constantly washing their hands throughout the day, leaving their skin dry. That's why having lotion in their bags is important to keep skin in good condition. Meanwhile, the sanitizer helps them steer clear of those pesky germs.

STETHOSCOPE & CLEANER

Every Nurse needs their stethoscope! It's important to keep your stethoscope sanitized, so it's a good idea to keep stethoscope cleaner in your bag. It's an even better idea to have a cleaner with a rubber protecting agent to prevent cracking, keeping it in tip top shape.

EXTRA MASKS

You can never have enough masks and gloves!

FACE CREAM, CHAPSTICK AND MINTS

Wearing face PPE can cause skin irritation, acne and cracked lips. You can use face creams and lip balms to keep skin healthy. Wearing masks all day can sometimes cause bad breath, try keeping mints or a travel size mouth wash in your bag.

SCISSORS & TAPE

Nurses need to have these in their pockets for emergency use, especially for wound care. Micropore tape is also important and should be readily available, for example, when your patient accidentally pulls his/her IV.

SALINE FLUSHES

Nurses are frequently administering medications via IV so having saline flushes on hand is a smart move. 

SMALL NOTEBOOK

Mini notebooks are great for taking notes from Doctors and writing down important observations of your patients to remember for charting.

WATER BOTTLE & SNACKS

Staying hydrated is super important as well as eating healthy during your shift. Have a reusable bottle to keep your favorite beverage nearby and toss easy to eat and healthy snacks in your bag.

RETRACTABLE PEN HOLDER

No more losing your pens and markers. The retractable holder keeps badges, IDs, pens, markers and more attached to you for easy access and safe keeping.

What are some of your favorite items you keep nearby?

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reported more than 355,000 Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are licensed to practice in the U.S. This is up 9% from the estimated 325,000 reported in May 2021.

This increase in NPs will help aid the healthcare provider shortages and ease burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Nurse Practitioners are answering the call to provide vital health care services to all Americans,” said AANP President, April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN. “With the challenges of the pandemic and the demand for more accessible and equitable care, NPs continue to enhance health care delivery across all settings. Today’s Nurse Practitioner count indicates that demand for these highly-qualified clinicians continues to be on the rise — and for good reason.”

Nurse Practitioner holds the first spot on U.S. News and World Report's 2022 Best Health Care Jobs list and second on the 2022 100 Best Jobs list. 

Kapu said, “These rankings highlight what we have known for some time: the NP role is not just a job, it’s a calling for more than 325,000 NPs who are working tirelessly on the front lines of health care, from hospitals to primary care clinics, in patients’ homes and via telehealth. NPs are highly trained and committed health care providers improving the health of their patients and communities. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s NPs will continue delivering high-quality care in every health care setting and expanding access to care in vulnerable and underserved communities. Their dedication makes me proud to be an NP.”

As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists these 5 states as having the highest employment levels for Nurse Practitioners:

• California
• New York
• Texas
• Florida
• Tennessee 

Nurse Practitioners in the U.S. make an average of $118,040 annually, according to the BLS. 

Currently, more than 25 states allow NPs to practice independently. This means they can open their own clinics and treat their own patients without needing a Physician to oversee the practice.

A career as an NP is very rewarding and allows more freedom and flexibility than many other types of Nursing positions. 

There is a dire need for healthcare professionals to care for America's incarcerated patient population. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, according to the World Prison Brief. With approximately 2.1 million people behind bars. 

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who work as Registered Nurses, including Correctional Nurses, could rise by 9% from 2020 to 2030.

Correctional health care requires a compassion that sees beyond a person's criminal record and can provide quality care in a unique setting.

According to Indeed, some of the skills a Correctional Nurse should have are similar to a Nurse in any professional environment, with 1 additional skill:

• Critical thinking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Emergency response
• Knowledge of how to interact with inmates

As a Correctional Nurse, you provide a wide variety of care including intake and testing, treating preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, chronic illnesses ranging from influenza to AIDS, and emergency injuries such as broken bones and puncture wounds. 

Some patients may need to be taken through detox due to substance abuse and others may have symptoms of mental illness. With such a range of health issues, it's important to have a broad set of skills and be able to act quickly. 

Dodge Correctional Institution's Nursing Supervisor, Paula Stelsel said, "Working here, I’ve touched on everything from dialysis to post-op to hospice care. You’re getting a little bit of everything, and if you enjoy patient education, what a great place to come and work." 

Many people have the notion that working in a correctional facility would be unsafe, however these facilities follow strict security protocols to ensure safety. In any hospital or healthcare setting, Nurses face safety risks. 

“There’s a perception out there that prisons are like people seen on TV, dirty and dangerous. But that’s not the case. They’re really not that far from a regular clinic that everyone and anyone goes to. The clientele is just a bit different. A lot of inmates haven’t had care, so you can enact meaningful change just by providing your compassionate care as a Nurse. Their health literacy is pretty low, and a lot of them are very appreciative of the help that you give them, the compassion that you show them, the empathy. They’ve just never experienced those things." said, Registered Nurse Robert Frank.  

According to PayScale, the average annual base salary for Correctional Nurses is $54,000 and total pay ranges from $38,000 to $78,000. Correctional Nurse salaries are determined by many factors such as experience, credentials, and location.

Overall, Correctional Nursing is an interesting healthcare option that provides a different, rewarding experience each day. 

Check out the video below to see a day in the life of a Correctional Nurse.

In the United States, drug overdose deaths have reached historical rates. From September 2020 to September 2021, more than 104,000 Americans died due to a drug overdose. 

Harm reduction services play a key role in preventing death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse or disorder.

According to DrugPolicy.org, harm reduction is based on acknowledging the dignity and humanity of people who use substances and bringing them into a community of care in order to minimize negative consequences and promote optimal health.

Nurses can assist with different types of harm reduction programs. Some of these programs are:

Needle Exchange Programs

People who inject drugs face a greater risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis C. Research shows that 1 in 23 women and 1 in 36 men who use drugs intravenously will contract HIV at some point during their lifetimes, according to American Addiction Centers.

Sterile syringe access programs, also known as needle exchange programs, help lower these risks by limiting syringe sharing and providing safe disposal options.

These programs also provide disease testing, referrals to drug treatment, detoxification, social services, and primary health care.

According to the CDC, nearly 30 years of research has shown that comprehensive Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) are safe, effective, cost-saving, and do not increase illegal drug use or crime. Research also shows that new users of SSPs are 5x more likely to enter drug treatment and about 3x more likely to stop using drugs than those who don’t use the programs.

Supervised Injection Facilities

Also known as overdose prevention centers, these facilities offer a safe space for people to consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of medically trained professionals.

Facility staff members do not assist in consumption or handle any drugs brought in by clients.

Healthcare providers are there to offer sterile injection supplies, test for the presence of fentanyl in drugs, answer questions on safe injection practices, administer first aid if needed, and monitor for overdose.

Years ago, the American Medical Association vouched for these facilities stating, studies from other countries have shown that supervised injection facilities reduce the number of overdose deaths, reduce transmission rates of infectious disease, and increase the number of individuals initiating treatment for substance use disorders without increasing drug trafficking or crime in the areas where the facilities are located.

In 2021, New York City became the first in the nation to open an overdose prevention center.

Some community-based harm reduction examples are:

Naloxone Distribution Programs

Naloxone (also called Narcan®) is an inexpensive, FDA-approved generic drug that works to reverse an opioid overdose, including fentanyl overdose, by restoring breath to unconscious overdose victims. It is simple to administer, making it safe and easy for laypeople to use.

Good Samaritan Laws

The chance of surviving an overdose can depend heavily on how fast medical services are provided. Often, witnesses of an overdose are hesitant to call 911 due to fear of police involvement.

In an effort to prevent this from happening, the majority of US states have passed Good Samaritan laws. Many of these laws provide protection from prosecution for low-level drug offenses, like the sale or use of a controlled substance or paraphernalia, for the person seeking medical assistance as well as the person who overdosed. 

With rising cases of overdoses and drug-related diseases, the US continues to search for new and innovative approaches to drug use, drug treatment, and drug policy based on science and research.

A key tool to reducing health disparities in patient care involves diversifying the Nursing field. The Nursing population should be as diverse as the patient population they serve.

According to research, the majority of Nurses in the US are White/Caucasian at 73.3% and only 7.8% are African American. 

Jennifer Coleman, a Samford University Professor and Pediatric Nurse, is one of several National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) members working toward increasing diversity in Nursing. To help accomplish this goal, the association created a program called NBNA Mini Nurse Academies, which encourages elementary school students of color to consider a career in Nursing. 

"The purpose of this innovative program is to increase student awareness of Nursing as a career option and to provide students with knowledge and skills related to professional Nursing practice," said UAB School of Nursing Associate Professor Loretta Lee, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, CNE. "In these academies, students in third through sixth grades from school districts where there are large communities of color will be introduced to the Nursing profession by professional Nurses who share similar backgrounds and lived experiences."

The NBNA represents approximately 200,000 African American Nurses from the USA, Canada, Eastern Caribbean, and Africa, with 115 chartered chapters nationwide. They recognize the need to increase diversity within the Nursing field and are being proactive to do something about it.

The Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity awarded the NBNA with a $248,000 grant for the Mini Nurse Academy. The Fund was created to increase access to health care and improve health outcomes for marginalized communities. 

With this grant more mini academies will be able to offer learning modules that include class discussions, guest presentations, interactive hands-on activities and ongoing mentorship. It will also address social determinants of health by educating students about healthy lifestyles, according to the, University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

In a Direct Relief article Lee said, “Students in our communities probably don’t see people who look like them very often as Nurses. I believe you have to role model, meaning if a Black student or Brown student sees a Registered Nurse, has interactions with a Registered Nurse throughout their youth, then they are more apt to become a Registered Nurse if they can get information, if they can know what that profession is about. And they’re more apt to want to emulate what they see.” 

New programs will begin in the Fall of 2022 in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, Connecticut, Oregon, and South Carolina. 

The National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing defines racism as "Assaults on the human spirit in the form of biases, prejudices, and an ideology of superiority that persistently cause moral suffering and perpetuate injustices and inequities."

The Commission surveyed over 5,600 Nurses and found racism to be a significant problem in the field. Results show:

63% of Nurses personally experienced an act of racism in the workplace with the transgressors being either a peer (66%), patients (63%), or a manager or supervisor (60%).

56% of Nurses say racism in the workplace has negatively impacted their professional well-being.

“We are still living through the structural racism that is embedded in America,” says Quanna Batiste-Brown, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer in Ambulatory Care at UCLA Health. “I think addressing it in Nursing is one of the things we can do to move forward.”

Along with addressing the issue, health systems are using various strategies to help eradicate Racism in Nursing.  

Establishing A Task Force

A task force or Council is usually a group consisting of healthcare leaders such as Chief Nursing Officers (CNO), Chief Diversity Officers (CDO), clinical and non clinical staff.

Seattle Children's task force is comprised of Nurses, coaches, Inclusion Network members, Physicians, support staff, scientists and leaders who developed the Health Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan. 

Nurses at UCLA Health established a council called Unity in Diversity (UID). The primary purpose of UID is to assess, plan, implement and continuously improve actions toward establishing an authentic environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion for patients, trainees, and Nursing staff. 

Karen Grimley, PhD, MBA, RN, Chief Nursing Executive for UCLA Health told Becker's Hospital Review, "That group dovetails into the health system steering committee that's been created by our Chief health, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer. So, we've tried to put a system in place that's going to identify and begin to address cultural norms that may be contributing to systemic bias and racism."

Education And Training

Mount Sinai Health System created the United in Solidarity Resource Guide. This guide is a catalogue of educational articles and resources to learn about racism, prejudice, and bias in America as well as causes to support the fight against injustice. 

Mass General Brigham launched its first system-wide anti-racism educational program, titled Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones was designed to allow viewers to understand how racism exists and functions in our society - and how they can combat it.

RWJ Barnabas Health compiled a list of educational anti-racism resources such as implicit bias tests, white privilege checklist, and a systemic racism video series. 

Diverse Leadership

Hiring Nurses that represent diverse communities is essential. They provide opportunities to administer quality care because of their understanding of various cultures, languages, gender identities, ethnicities, etc. Having diverse Nurses in leadership positions can play a crucial role in breaking down barriers such as discrimination in Nursing.

Staff from diverse backgrounds with histories of discrimination in healthcare may feel reassured when they see people who look like them in leadership positions. They may also feel more comfortable coming forward and reporting an incident of racism or discrimination.

No matter which initiatives a hospital implements, it must start with awareness and identifying any structural biases or barriers.

Marcus Henderson, MSN, RN, lecturer from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Family and Community Health, said “To adequately and effectively address health inequities and social determinants of health, Nursing must first look inward to address the inequity, lack of diversity, discrimination, and racism that lies within the profession. It’s not hiding. It has always been in plain sight.”

Men become Nurses for the same reason women do, to take care of people. And even though Male Nurses are becoming more common, they still face constant stereotyping on the job.

In order to provide optimum care and reduce health disparities, our healthcare professionals should be as diverse as the patient population they serve. This means Men must become equally represented in the Nursing field.

Increasing the number of Men in Nursing is seen as difficult because of social stigmas and stereotypes. Some common stereotypes that must be crushed are:

Women's Work

Nursing is viewed as a female dominated profession, but that is changing. Back in the 1960's Men made up about 2% of Nurses in the United States. In 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is closer to 13%. 

People tend to associate caregiving and nurturing with women's roles and simply because of their gender, Men are believed to be lacking these things and can't be a good Nurse. This of course isn't true. 

This misconception can dissuade skilled and caring men from entering the field, preventing them from truly helping people.

“In my neighborhood, especially my old friends, they always thought that being a Nurse was a job for females,” said Geovany Ruiz, who plans to work as an Oncology Nurse. “So, I put off being a Nurse for a long time. But when it comes down to doing the job, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. We can both do the job.”

Sexual Orientation

Other stereotypes that branch from the field being female dominated is Men's sexual orientation, including the belief that male Nurses are Gay. Or the opposite belief that Men join the profession with a higher female to male ratio with the idea that they have a better chance to achieve relationships.

"It's important to note this stereotype is often fueled by a patient's own insecurities and fears. Don't take it personally; keep calm and be patient with them. Again, educating patients on the evolving role of Nursing and how it's not a gender-specific role can help combat this stereotype," advises George Zangaro, RN, FAAN, Associate Dean at Walden University School of Nursing.

Doctor or Failed Doctor

Some people see a Man in scrubs or with a stethoscope and assume he is a Doctor. Other people assume that when a Male Nurse isn't a Doctor it's because he failed to become one. This harmful stereotype is rooted in the belief that Nurses are inferior to Physicians and that Nurses are Women and Doctors are Men.

Television and movies have a strong influence on society’s perception of Men and Women in healthcare.

Mark Gustin, RN, at Brandon Regional Hospital said, “The worst thing for Men in Nursing was 'Meet the Parents' because it emphasized the social stigma that Women are Nurses and Men are Doctors, Directors, and CEOs.”

A great way to combat these stereotypes is by educating patients that Nursing is not gender-specific and that Women are also entering a number of typically male-dominated fields.