DiversityNursing Blog

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace is beneficial for employers, staff, and patients. More hospitals and health systems are recognizing the importance and are rolling out new DEI programs. 

Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Inclusion is an organizational effort and practice in which different groups or individuals having different backgrounds are culturally and socially accepted and welcomed.

The United States will continue to grow more diverse, so it is imperative the Nursing workforce reflects its patient demographic. 

Historically underrepresented groups, combined, are projected to account for the majority of the U.S. population by 2044.

The Nurse.com 2022 Nurse Salary Research Report findings display a lack of Diversity in the nation's Nursing workforce. 

The report found that although Hispanics make up 17% of the total population, only 3.5% out of the more than three million Registered Nurses in the U.S. are Hispanic.

Also only 2% of the survey’s respondents were Black or African American men, whereas Black or African American women made up 8% of female Nurses. By contrast, Asian men made up 10% of male Nurses, and Asian women made up only 5% of female Nurses.

Having a diverse Nurse population improves patient care and satisfaction while also reducing healthcare disparities. 

Research shows, when patients see themselves within the healthcare workforce, they are more likely to trust their provider, thus making the patient feel more comfortable. 

This also breaks down communication barriers. When patients can't easily communicate their needs or fully express their concerns and issues, dire mistakes can be made.

When a Nurse has a lot in common with their patients, they can better advocate for them. 

“Diversity in Nursing ultimately enhances the Nursing workforce,” says Lorrie Davis-Dick, Nursing faculty member at Purdue University Global. “Nursing education and Nurse leaders recognize there's a link between a culturally diverse workforce and the ability to provide quality, competent patient care."

DEI is beneficial for patients, but also for healthcare professionals. 

According to Built In, Diversity creates a stronger feeling of Inclusion and community for healthcare workers, which makes the workplace feel safer and more enjoyable. Surveys show that more than 3 out of 4 workers prefer diverse companies.

While Diversity is important, Diversity without Equity and Inclusion won't work. Healthcare teams must represent all backgrounds, while also giving each member a voice and the opportunities to grow.  

Increasing Diversity in Healthcare is vital. It won't happen overnight, but it's crucial to create an environment where everyone is celebrated and appreciated. It requires dedicated leadership and staff who are looking to better the Nursing field.

While physical health is undoubtedly important, so is Mental Health. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. Psychiatric Nurses have the specialized knowledge and skills needed to treat these illnesses. 

According to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), Psychiatric Nurses make up the second largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S.

In the United States, suicide is a leading cause of death and in 2020, about:

• 1 in 5 American adults experienced a Mental Health issue
• 1 in 6 young people experienced a major depressive episode
• 1 in 20 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

The pandemic has increased the need for Mental Health care. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder increased from 36.4% to 41.5% from August 2020 to February 2021.  

There is a dire need for more Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (PMHNs).

More than 75% of all U.S. counties have a shortage of Mental Health professionals and almost all counties have an unmet need for Psychiatrists.

Mental Health Nurses work in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient work settings, either as a specialty position or in primary care. Some job opportunities include military care, forensics, private practices, clinics, community health centers, public health facilities, schools, substance abuse centers, senior centers, hospice, rehabilitation services, telehealth and case management.

The day to day duties of PMHNs include:

• Conducting an assessment of a patient’s status
• Conducting intake screenings, initial evaluation, and triage
• Providing nursing care following a treatment plan
• Administering medication and/or other treatment regimens
• Teaching patients self-care activities
• Engaging in crisis intervention and situation stabilization (when necessary)
• Educating patients on how to manage their condition
• Providing education to patients’ families and communities
• Working efficiently alongside other members of an interdisciplinary team

“It’s a very rewarding field. As a Psychiatric health care provider, you may be the first person to talk to someone about why they are in crisis, and that can be a humbling experience," said Emma Mangano, DNP, PMHNP at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Some essential traits of a Mental Health Nurse include:

• Critical Thinking
• Good Communication
• Empathy
• Reliability 
• Confidence
• Compassion

The salary of a PMHN depends on their level of experience and the amount of specialized training they have undergone. According to Indeed, the average Mental Health Nurse's salary in the U.S. is $87,156.

A career in Mental Health Nursing can be demanding, but it is extremely rewarding.

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Windi Woods, says that the best part of the job is “knowing that this team is the end of the road for most of these patients and we give them hope." 

Art therapy is a growing trend throughout hospitals in the United States. Art therapy is an evidenced-based practice that supports the emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being of patients of all ages through the therapeutic use of art-making. 

These programs use a wide range of outlets such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, and photography as tools to:

• Process feelings about a new diagnosis 
• Provide a sense of control through normalizing activities to help them adjust to hospitalization and/or illness
• Cause relaxation and reduction of anxiety
• Rebuild self-esteem
• Help manage pain
• Support groups of patients with similar diagnosis
• Support siblings and family members in caring for their loved one in the hospital
• And more!

Childrens National Hospital uses trained art therapists who offer resources like nature art therapy in the Healing Garden and gallery displays to give children the opportunity to express themselves through creative activities. They are also a Beads of Courage member hospital.

The University of Florida Shands Hospital arts in medicine program started small back in 1990. Jill Sonke, an artist at the hospital said, "No one is suggesting in arts and health that the arts can replace medicine or health care or other therapies or interventions. But the arts have a place in the sphere of whole person care. There's so many ways in which the arts can address things like loneliness and social isolation."

Not every hospital has an in-house art program, many bring in outside help from organizations such as, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) or the Caring Arts Foundation Program.

MFA Artful Healing offers art-making activities for children, teens, young adults, and their families in Boston-area hospitals and healthcare centers. The MFA currently provides off-site workshops at Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

A Parent at Boston Children's Hospital said, "We’ve been here more than ten times in the last two weeks . . . but this is the first time I’ve seen my son smiling. Thank you for that!”

The Caring Arts Foundation Program uses professional photographers to take portraits of patients and their families at Lurie Children’s Hospital. They provide fun wardrobes and props. A common area in the hospital is transformed into a studio with lighting and backdrops. Parents are provided with a full set of photos of their child at no cost — a priceless keepsake. These photo sessions give patients and their families a break from cancer treatment while providing lasting memories. 

Even before the pandemic, Nurses have suffered the effects of workplace stress and burnout. The Nursing shortage is a key factor when it comes to burnout. The lack of staff demands Nurses to care for more patients, which results in Nurses being overtired, overwhelmed, and overall highly stressed. 

Hospitals are turning to robot technology to help ease the strain on healthcare workers. 

According to research from the Journal of Nursing Management, Nurses spend up to 33% of their shifts on simple yet time consuming tasks such as getting supplies or picking up medications.

Robots like Moxi can assist Nurses with these tasks so they are able to focus on patient care. Moxi, created by Diligent Robotics, is a point-to-point delivery robot, meaning it can make deliveries and perform other non-clinical tasks.

Some technical features include: 

• Social intelligence: opens elevators and doors on its own, won’t bump into people or objects in hallways, happily poses for selfies 

• Mobile manipulation: Moxi can grab, pull, open and guide objects, with no human assistance 

• Human-guided learning: The more your staff uses Moxi, the more Moxi learns and adapts to your environment and way of doing things

Abigail Hamilton, a former ICU and Emergency Room Nurse that manages Nursing staff support programs at Mary Washington Hospital said, "The simple things Moxi does can make a difference. It can save Nurses the 30 minutes it might take to go from the fifth floor to the basement to pick up medication that can’t go through the tube system from the pharmacy. And picking up after-hour meals for patients is one of Moxi’s most popular tasks."

According to Wired, Two Moxi robots began operating in the halls of Mary Washington Hospital in February, they’ve given workers back approximately 600 hours of time.

With a landmark $1.5 million grant from the American Nurses Foundation, ChristianaCare will deploy a total of five Moxi robots at Christiana Hospital. The hospital will be home to the largest number of Moxi robots in health care.

“Moxi is not a replacement for a Nurse or Nursing position — or any position. It is an additional resource for Nurses and their teams. Moxi will be doing those hunting and gathering tasks such as getting equipment and supplies, which Nurses are doing today but don’t need to be doing at all," said Ric Cuming, Ed.D., MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive and President, ChristianaCare HomeHealth.

Melanie Barone, RN, Associate Nursing Director at Cedars-Sinai who has acquired two Moxi robots said, "I think it's important to have Moxi be present because they not only provide an opportunity to improve workflows and be more efficient, but they're a fun thing to see around the halls. They feel very future forward."

In just its first six weeks at Cedars Sinai, Moxi saved 300 miles of walking for Nurses.

Ultimately, the Diligent Robotics team wants to build human-friendly robots for other industries as well, but for now healthcare is their main focus. 

On an average day, Nurses interact with many patients, their families and friends, and exchange information with numerous healthcare staff. It is critical to be a good communicator because medical errors will occur if providers aren't all on the same page about patients' diagnoses, treatment plans, etc.

Some effective communication skills every Nurse should possess:

VERBAL

Verbal communication is one of the most important skills in Nursing. The goal is to always speak clearly, in a professional tone, and with honesty. Be aware of your patient's level of health literacy and avoid complex medical jargon. Vocally make sure everyone on the medical staff is on the same page about any vital patient information. 

NON-VERBAL

Patient's pick up on body language and nonverbal cues just as much as verbal language. According to Indeed, some examples of nonverbal communication skills include:

• Maintaining eye contact when speaking or listening to someone
• Having a relaxed facial expression
• Smiling
• Nodding
• Keeping arms uncrossed
• Crouching when interacting with a bedridden patient
• Respecting the patient's personal space

CULTURAL AWARENESS 

Nurses care for patients from all different backgrounds and cultures. It is important to be sensitive to the needs of each individual. For example, when working with a deaf patient or someone who speaks a language you aren't fluent in, bring in a translator if necessary. Or if someone has a preferred name or pronoun, you should respect them and refer to them by what they prefer. 

WRITTEN

We understand how incredibly busy you are every minute of your shift. Transitioning patient information to the next caregiver is critical and you must be as clear and concise as possible. This includes creating and updating your patient’s medical record and whiteboard.

Try to jot down notes as soon after meeting with your patient as possible so you don't forget anything and write clearly so others don't get confused. Notebooks and charting books are great tools for every shift. You can write down any concerns or important information about patients and discuss them later on with other team members.

ACTIVE LISTENING

Active listening means you are listening to understand the other person’s experience and empathize with their situation. This requires your ultimate attention and engagement. Some active listening techniques include:

• Nodding your head, but never interrupting. 
• Leaning forward and maintaining eye contact to let the patient know you’re engaged.
• Include minimal verbal encouragement, such as “I understand,” and “go on.”
• Repeating back to them their main point or concern

COMPASSION

Compassionate communication is the ability to exchange your thoughts and ideas with someone, while being empathetic to their suffering and anxiety. Put yourself in their shoes and create a judgment free space for them.

You can demonstrate compassion by using the parroting response which is repeating back what the patient said, but be careful not to overuse this technique because it will inhibit the patient from saying more. It's also important to validate the patient's feelings with a response of understanding or sympathy. 

As you know, Nursing is challenging, but incredibly rewarding as well. Effective communication skills improves your patient’s well-being and puts you and your healthcare team on the same page

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.