DiversityNursing Blog

Nurses play a crucial role in healthcare innovation. Innovation in Nursing requires a creative approach to develop and implement new technologies, streamline workflows, improve patient care, and enhance overall healthcare outcomes. Nurses are uniquely qualified to contribute to Nursing innovations due to their frontline experience, patient interactions, and in-depth understanding of the healthcare process. Here are some attributes, qualities, and competencies Nurses need to be an innovator.

Clinical Expertise: Nurses have an in-depth understanding of patient needs, treatment plans, and healthcare procedures. This first-hand experience allows you to identify areas of healthcare where innovation may be needed to enhance patient safety and healthcare outcomes. Clinical expertise is the first step of innovation in Nursing.

Patient-Centered Care: The #1 focus of Nurses is to provide patient-centered care. It is often the top motivator of Nurse innovators. Nurses spend a significant amount of time with patients, making them expertly qualified to contribute ideas to personalize care plans, enhance communication, and improve the overall patient experience.

Thinking Outside the Box: All innovation in Nursing is born from thinking outside the box and exploring many possibilities to create a solution. Nurses are natural problem solvers who use creativity and curiosity to continually investigate problems and develop practical solutions that are easy to implement and understand.  

Risk Taking: Although risk taking can often be viewed as a negative term, no Nursing innovation was ever successful without taking a risk. Nurse innovators interweave evidence-based practice with practical solutions to change how we care for our patients and ultimately improve their health outcomes.

Innovation in Nursing starts with a need for change, a desire to help, and an idea that changes the face of healthcare and positively impacts patient care. Here are several fantastic Nurse innovators took their ideas and turned them into reality.  

The Crash Cart: Anita Door, a Registered Nurse, created the first-ever crash cart in 1968 after years of watching Doctors and Nurses run around Nursing units looking for essential equipment in the face of emergencies. She developed the first crash cart prototype in her basement, and now, crash carts are a staple of any healthcare facility and are used worldwide.

Lumify uNight Light: The Lumify uNight Light was developed by Anthony Scaropone-Lambert, a then Nursing student and NICU Nurse, Jennifer Mancillas. While working together, they realized a need for light they could use to light their workspace without disrupting their patients with bright overhead lighting in the middle of the night. This is how the idea for a portable, battery-operated, clip-on light was born. Now, the Lumify uNight Light is a must-have accessory for any Nurse.

Stink Balm Odor Blocker: Created by an Emergency Room Nurse who wanted to find a way to cover foul odors often inconspicuously encountered on the job. The Stink Balm Odor Blocker is a must-have for all Nurses. The Balm comes in a discrete, lip balm-like container and can be quickly and easily applied under the nose so you can enjoy a fresh scent while taking care of your patients. The company is 100% Nurse-owned and operated out of Long Island, New York.

The N95 Mask Preserver: The COVID-19 pandemic inspired Nurse innovators to push the limits and invent practical solutions to everyday problems. Timothy Aurelio, an Emergency Room Nurse who worked during the pandemic, was forced to reuse his N95 mask due to a short supply of PPE. He invented the N95 Mask preserver as a convenient and clean place to store his mask between his shifts. The preserver is made of antimicrobial, medical-grade plastic, allowing Nurses to preserve PPE while keeping themselves and their patients safe.

The Beata Clasp: Nurses who work at the bedside know all too well how easily IV tubing, drains, and other medical lines can get tangled up throughout the shift. Lennor Henning, an experienced bedside Nurse, developed the Beata Clasp, a latex-free appliance to be applied to the bedrail to keep lines organized easily.

The Neo-Slip: The Neo-Slip was developed by a Registered Nurse who realized how tough it was for older people to apply compression stockings to prevent leg blood clots. The Neo-Slip provides a smooth base with a lubricated effect to help slide stockings into place.

Nurses everywhere continue to utilize their knowledge and experience to create practical solutions to solve problems and streamline processes. As healthcare grows and evolves, new innovative opportunities will continuously emerge. If you have an idea, there is no better time to put that idea into motion and change the face of Nursing.

The growth of telehealth holds significant promise for the future of the Nursing profession. Patients and healthcare professionals have embraced the potential of the service, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, to improve patient care, patient outcomes, and make healthcare more convenient and cost-effective.

As telehealth services continue to evolve and expand, Nurses can expect to incorporate various telehealth systems into their daily practice. Here are just some of the fantastic benefits of telehealth and how the growth of the service could impact the future of Nursing.

Telehealth Will Become The Standard

As technology becomes more accessible and user-friendly, telehealth will likely become a standard part of the healthcare delivery process for Nurses. Telehealth services have proven to be as effective as in-person care for managing specific chronic diseases and treating behavioral health.

Telehealth provides patients and healthcare professionals with a more convenient and efficient way to access and deliver care. As telehealth services continue to broaden their reach, it can be expected that Nurses will incorporate more and more telehealth services into their daily work.  

Chronic Disease Management with Remote Monitoring Devices

Remote monitoring technology has completely changed how patients and Nurses manage chronic diseases. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension require strict medication adherence and healthy lifestyle habits.

Remote monitoring devices such as blood glucose monitors, ECG monitors, and wearable blood pressure cuffs allow patients to easily share their health information with healthcare professionals. Nurses can then work to educate their patients or implement interventions to help patients remain healthy and out of the hospital.

More Convenient and Flexible Healthcare Delivery

One of the most significant benefits of telehealth services is the convenience and flexibility it provides both the patient and healthcare provider. Telehealth allows patients to receive quality Nursing care without traveling to a physical clinic or hospital, which is especially beneficial for patients who may be homebound or live in rural communities and do not have immediate access to care.

Nurses can quickly provide advice, educate patients, relay medication changes, and so much more, all while never actually being in the exact location as the patient.

Increased Mental Health Support

Mental health support through telehealth services has emerged as a valuable and practical approach to providing accessible and convenient mental health services. There is a significant lack of mental health professionals across the country. Telehealth platforms allow mental health providers to reach patients who may not be able to access in-person mental health services.

Telehealth mental health support has many benefits, including increased accessibility, convenience, flexibility, and reduced patient stigma. Telehealth allows Nurses to conduct virtual therapy sessions, provide emotional support, and monitor a patient's mental health and well-being through phone calls, secure text messaging, or video chat, all within the comfort of the patient's home.

Access to Education and Training

Nurses must continue to broaden their knowledge and seek continuing education. With telehealth, information can be quickly and easily accessed from any laptop or smartphone.

Virtual workshops, continuing education courses and training, and professional mentorship are just a few ways telehealth can help Nurses improve their skills and knowledge. Continuing education is essential for Nurses across any specialty. With telehealth, keeping up with new and emerging health information has never been easier.

Telehealth and Our Future

There is a bright future in telehealth for Nurses. As resources and technology evolve, telehealth will empower Nurses to deliver patient-centered care, extend their reach beyond the traditional hospital or clinic setting and contribute to more efficient, accessible, and effective healthcare.

Although technology could never replace compassion and human interaction, it can significantly improve and streamline processes and procedures to ensure patients receive the best quality care. Healthcare technologies can make patient care better, easier, and more efficient, especially with a large patient load. Here are some current healthcare technologies you should get to know to help better provide Nursing care to your patients.

Telehealth

Telehealth has become a buzzworthy topic in the healthcare community. Telehealth has been gaining popularity for years but was significantly accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services enable Nurses to interact with patients, assess their symptoms and conditions, provide instructions for care, and offer support, all without being physically present with their patients.  

One of the many benefits of telehealth is it can enhance access to healthcare for individuals living in remote or rural communities or those with limited mobility. It also significantly reduces travel time and patient expenses, improves care coordination, and allows Nurses to reach a larger patient population.

Wearable Medical Devices

Wearable medical devices offer Nurses new tools to enhance patient care and monitoring. These devices can wirelessly transmit patient information such as vital signs, blood sugars, and ECG patterns to Nurses to quickly analyze and interpret the data. Wearable medical devices offer valuable data in real-time, enhance the patient experience, and help Nurses deliver quality patient care to all patients regardless of their geographical location.  

Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have revolutionized how Nurses manage patient information and care. EHRs are digital versions of patient medical records containing comprehensive information about medical and health history, current diagnoses, medications, treatments, and other relevant medical data to help you provide better patient care.  

EHRs have streamlined documentation for Nurses to document patient information which, as a result, reduces the need for physical storage space, eliminates handwriting legibility issues, and provides a structured documentation format.

Point of Care Technology

Point-of-care technology (POCT) refers to medical devices and technologies that enable Nurses to access and utilize patient information and perform diagnostic testing while providing care directly at the bedside or point of care. Point-of-care technologies used by Nurses can include mobile devices like smartphones and tablets that allow access to EHRs, medication databases, clinical references, and communication platforms to communicate with healthcare team members.

Nurses often utilize other hand health point-of-care technologies like digital thermometers, pulse oximeters, portable EKG machines, portable ultrasound, and blood sugar monitors. POCT improves efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes by enabling Nurses to access important information, perform testing and get rapid results, and deliver care directly at the bedside, which promotes patient engagement.  

Patient Portals

Patient portals are online platforms that allow patients to access their health information, communicate with healthcare providers, and engage in their care. Nurses can use patient portals to educate patients, communicate with patients, and coordinate care. We can foster a collaborative and patient-centered approach when Nurses utilize patient portals and other mobile health apps to connect with patients.

The Impact of Technology on the Nursing Profession

As technological advancements evolve, Nurses must continuously learn to adapt and acquire new skills. There are numerous advantages for Nurses who utilize healthcare technology, including faster communication, increased efficiency, improved access to patient information, and reduced Nurse burnout. Nurses who stay informed and embrace developing technology can help lead the way toward a brighter future for the Nursing profession.

Nurses at the forefront of healthcare continue to face challenges that change how we provide Nursing care to our patients. As the Nursing field continues to evolve, here are some of the top Nursing trends to watch in 2023 and for the years to come.

Nursing Shortages

Nursing shortages across all aspects of healthcare will continue to increase in 2023 and for several years to come. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nurses have experienced higher rates of burnout which has led to an increased number of Nurses leaving bedside Nursing or even the Nursing profession altogether. Nurse burnout, coupled with the baby boomer generation of Nurses entering retirement, has left an increasing need for Nursing professionals across all aspects of healthcare.

To help combat the growing Nursing shortage, many Nursing programs offer rolling admissions and flexible online Nursing programs to help accommodate as many potential Nurses as possible. The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 6 million more healthcare jobs must be filled by 2030 to meet the growing healthcare needs. We can expect the demand for Nurses to remain high for many years.

Job Availability Increases

Job availability for Nurses has been rising for several years, and 2023 will be no different. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2031, job growth for Registered Nurses is expected to increase by 6% and Nurse Practitioners by 40%. Several factors will influence the increasing job availability, including the retirement of the baby boomer generation of Nurses, the growing demand for healthcare, and the inability of Nursing schools to keep up with the increasing demands of students. 

Online Nursing Programs

As the demand for Nursing professionals increases, online education programs will continue to grow in popularity. Online programs offer students scheduling flexibility to make it easier to attend classes while dealing with other responsibilities like work and family life. Online programs also create a new market for students living in rural areas who need help commuting to universities.

Travel Nursing

Travel Nursing has been a rising trend for some time, but it came into focus during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As thousands of Nurses traveled to care for the surging patient volumes in COVID-19 hot spots, it was realized how much value travel Nurses bring to the shifting demands of healthcare. Travel Nursing offers higher compensation, the opportunity to work in new environments, and travel opportunities Nurses otherwise would not be able to experience. More and more Nurses have discovered the endless perks of travel Nursing over the past few years, and there is no end in sight. We can expect travel Nursing to continue to grow in popularity.

Increased Salaries

As the Nursing shortage continues, it is expected that we will see an increase in salary for Nurses over the next few years. Adequate compensation is necessary to attract and retain qualified Nurses, recognize them for their expertise, and address their daily challenges. Although increasing salaries for Nurses involves much more than just a higher paycheck, many healthcare networks have been reconsidering healthcare budgets, government policies, and negotiations between employers and unions to help better compensate Nurses for their tireless work efforts.

Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is an essential aspect of well-being for everyone, including Nurses. The Nursing profession has always been one to carry a significant mental burden, and this can take a toll on mental health over time. Although it has been going on for decades, the pandemic revealed a devastating increase in Nurse burnout, stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression that can no longer be ignored. In the coming years, we can expect to see an increase in mental health awareness and services available to help Nurses better prioritize their mental health. It is anticipated that healthcare organizations will start to implement initiatives to help promote self-care and work-life balance, like mental health services, stress reduction programs, and peer support networks.

Telehealth Services

Telehealth and virtual care services have exponentially increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are now providing remote care, conducting virtual health assessments, monitoring patients remotely and offering telephonic or video consultations to help bridge healthcare gaps and improve patient outcomes. Telehealth services allow for increased access to healthcare to patients who otherwise would not have available healthcare like people from rural or underserved areas. As healthcare continues to evolve and grow, we can expect the same from telehealth services over the next few years.

Nursing trends shape the Nursing progression and can significantly impact working environments and the roles and responsibilities of Nurses. As Nursing trends continue to evolve, one thing that will always remain true about the Nursing profession is it will remain a dynamic profession that must continue to grow and adapt to new medical research, technology, and healthcare challenges.

Nurses must always be prepared to care for patients from all backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community. Caring for the LGBTQ+ community requires an educated, compassionate, and inclusive approach. As Nurses, we ensure every patient receives the most personalized and competent care possible. Here are some tips to help you provide better care to the LGBTQ+ community.

Create a Welcoming, Warm, and Inclusive Environment

A crucial aspect of caring for the LGBTQ+ population is creating a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment. When people feel like they are being cared for without bias or judgment, they are more likely to seek preventative and immediate care. Healthcare professionals should educate themselves on LGBTQ+ terminology so that each patient can feel understood and respected.

Expand your Knowledge of the LGBTQ+ Community

Nurses must keep updated with training, reading, and learning from others on any healthcare topic. To provide better care to the LGBTQ+ community, educate yourself on current LGBTQ+ subjects such as sexual orientation and gender identity. Consider seeking a continuing education credit from a reputable source like lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/.

Use Inclusive Language

Not all people identify with their biological sex. Using inclusive language within the LGBTQ+ community is one of the most essential aspects of providing competent, patient-centered care. When caring for the LGBTQ+ community, use language like “currently nursing’ instead of ‘nursing mother’ or ‘menstruating person’ instead of ‘menstruating mother.’ These slight variations in how we speak to and about patients who identify in the LGBTQ+ spectrum can make all the difference in how we provide care. It is essential to address and approach each patient interaction with a nonjudgmental attitude and an open mind so that each patient can feel welcome and understood.

Use Correct Pronouns

Pronouns are incredibly important when addressing patients within the LGBTQ+ community. Feel free to ask your patient what their preferred pronouns are to ensure you are addressing them in a way they want to be addressed. Asking patients about their preferred pronouns and abiding by their requests shows respect. It signifies you are aware that not every person identifies with pronouns associated with their biological sex.

Familiarize Yourself with LGBTQ+ Health Disparities

It is important to build awareness around the specific health problems that affect the LGBTQ+ community so we can do our part in bridging healthcare gaps. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, suicide, cancer, violence, or bullying. Nurses should continually strive to further their educational knowledge of health disparities and interventions to make healthcare more accessible to the LGBTQ+ population.

Show Respect and Establish Trust

LGBTQ+ patients deserve the same respect as any other patient. For some LGBTQ+ patients, it can take a lot to seek care and disclose personal information about their lives. Many patients may feel judged if they reveal intimate details about their lives, so we must create a warm, judgment-free environment to collect all the information we need to provide the most competent care possible. Building a trusting nurse-patient relationship can help reduce health disparities and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

As Nurses, we are responsible for modifying how we provide healthcare and creating individualized care plans so every patient can feel comfortable in the healthcare setting regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. All any patient wants is to feel heard, validated, and respected when seeking medical care, and it is our job to do our part and remain educated on the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Health disparities are the health differences experienced between different groups based on race, ethnicity, disability, sex/gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, and more. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ+ community is no exception to health disparities.

Health differences in the LGBTQ+ community can include how many people contract a specific disease, how severe the condition becomes, the complications associated with the disease, how many people die from an illness, access to healthcare, and how many people can access preventative health screenings.

Health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community can affect every aspect of a person's life, including physical and mental health. As healthcare providers, we are responsible for identifying health disparities and continually working toward bridging these gaps so every person can receive quality healthcare and routine health screenings.

Barriers to Healthcare in the LGBTQ+ Community

Research has revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to have access to quality healthcare for a variety of reasons, including

• A lack of inclusive and competent healthcare providers with knowledge of LGBTQ+ health and health issues affecting transgender persons.
• The concern of stigma or discrimination from healthcare providers
• Prior negative experiences from LGBTQ+ persons
• The financial burden of affording health insurance or paying out of pocket for care
• Being refused care due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender presentation

Regardless of the reason behind healthcare barriers within the LGBTQ+ population, there are several health disparities that healthcare workers must educate themselves upon to help better serve the community. Here are some of the most prominent health conditions affecting LGBTQ+ people and what you can do to help better serve your patients.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are more affected by certain STIs, including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and HPV (human papillomavirus), than other individuals. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community hesitate to seek medical care due to the potential stigma and judgment they may receive about their lifestyle, which can lead to worse medical outcomes. As medical providers, we must create a safe, inclusive, and judgment-free space for people within the LGBTQ+ population to receive medical care.

To better serve the LGBTQ+ population, Nurses must educate themselves on the increased health risks of the LGBTQ+ community and ensure that every patient receives routine health screenings and health education. It can be difficult and embarrassing for any person to seek medical care for sexual health concerns or screenings, so it is essential to create a nonjudgmental, inclusive, and caring environment for patients to feel comfortable disclosing sexual information and receiving care.

Anxiety and Depression

It is estimated that up to 60% of the LGBTQ+ population deals with anxiety and depression at some point. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ people experience worse mental health outcomes than other communities. Factors behind anxiety and depression in LGBTQ+ people can range from discrimination, bullying, lack of acceptance from friends and family, lack of representation in school and media, lack of inclusive language, and less access to community support.

As a healthcare professional, you can better support the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community by creating and welcoming a safe environment free of judgment and stigma. We can also work to provide better mental health services. The Trevor Project is a fantastic resource for LGBTQ+ patients struggling with anxiety and depression. The Trevor Project offers trained counselors who can be reached 24/7 by phone or text. Every counselor is trained to understand the unique challenges of the LGBTQ+ community, and every conversation is 100% free and confidential.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Statistics show that people within the LGBTQ+ community are twice as likely to suffer from drug and alcohol abuse than other populations. This is mainly attributed to the fact that the LGBTQ+ community faces discrimination, social stigmas, and a general lack of support despite the growing acceptance from strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family. Drugs and alcohol are often used as a coping mechanism for those struggling with anxiety, depression, and other insecurities.

To better support the LGBTQ+ community struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, healthcare providers can use motivational interviewing and screening tools to better identify individuals who may be struggling so we can better provide care and support. Furthermore, healthcare professionals should approach these situations with kindness and understanding while using inclusive language to help patients navigate recovery.

There are many resources available to the LGBTQ+ community who are interested in living a sober life, including Gayandsober.org, where the LGBTQ+ community can connect with other LGBTQ+ people living a sober life, and Inspire Recovery, where the LGBTQ+ community can seek resources to achieve and maintain sobriety.  

Be an Advocate

Everyone, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, or race, should receive competent, compassionate, and inclusive medical care. As Nurses, we must always advocate for our patients and strive to provide every person with the best possible care. To help reduce health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community, Nurses should educate themselves on how to care for people within the community and advocate for health screenings and competent medical care for every individual.  

To learn more about how Nurses can better serve the LGBTQ+ community, consider checking out these resources.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: LGBTQ Health Services

Nurses(Heale)

GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality

U.S Department of Health and Human Services

A positive workplace culture is essential for Nurses to provide excellent patient care. In addition, a positive workplace culture on Nursing units can positively impact job satisfaction, staff retention, and patient outcomes.

Unfortunately, in some Nursing units, bullying is tolerated, silently condoned, or completely ignored. This leads to a toxic culture and an unhealthy workplace. There is an age-old phenomenon among some Nurses called “Nurses eating their young.” This form of bullying has been viewed as a rite of passage for new Nurses, but in the end, it has resulted in devastating effects on unit morale. It can have a long-lasting impact on the self-confidence of new Nurses.

The good news is most Nursing units offer a culture of support and positivity. And thankfully, the culture of “eating your young” is slowly dissolving. Nurses see coworkers more often than family due to working long hours, overnights, or holidays, so having support and camaraderie with your colleagues is very important.

Here are some ways you can help support Nurses on your unit to increase morale and create a positive Nursing culture.

Make Friends with Your Co-Workers

Nursing can be stressful, and Nurses often experience intense situations at work. Bonding with coworkers and developing friendships can reduce stress and create a more positive work environment. After all, only Nurses can understand what other Nurses go through. Why not make friends with your Nursing colleagues so you have someone to share all the joys and struggles of the job?

Be a Role Model

The best way to encourage a positive work culture in your unit is to model positive, encouraging behavior. For example, always lend a hand to a fellow Nurse with a heavier patient load or praise a co-worker for a job well done – it’s a great way to spread positivity.

Small acts of kindness are also great ways to role model good behavior on your Nursing units. Acts of service can be as simple as answering a call bell for a fellow Nurse or offering to cover your coworker's patients so they can take their lunch break. When Nurses choose to be positive, show compassion, and respect for their fellow Nurses, we can experience a happier work environment and improve the culture of our units. 

Acknowledge Strengths

Recognizing positive behavior and a job well done is the best way to motivate your colleagues and spread positivity. Feeling valued at work encourages staff members to perform their best and go the extra mile. Empowering Nurses by appreciating everything they do goes a long way. Say thank you to your co-workers when they help you out or compliment them when a job is done well.

Have Fun!

Nurses often deal with life and death circumstances, so saying ‘have fun’ can seem a little insensitive. However, having fun at work is excellent for your mental health and can help reduce stress both on and off the job. Finding humor and laughing with co-workers can lighten the stress Nurses carry on their shoulders throughout the day. Other ideas to try on your unit could be to plan a day to match scrubs, a theme day to celebrate a holiday, or plan a potluck so everyone can enjoy a snack on their lunch break. 

Nurses are kind and compassionate with their patients. They should act the same way to their coworkers. You have the power to create an encouraging, positive culture. So go out there and spread positivity because happy Nurses provide the best care to their patients.

Healthcare should be accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status, age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Unfortunately, many people across the nation struggle to access affordable and reliable healthcare. Health equity can only be achieved when every person, regardless of the situation, has a fair and equal opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

Many factors can influence health equity, including health disparities, social determinants of health, and cultural competence. Therefore, Nurses must understand these concepts strongly to identify health inequalities and implement changes so our patients can achieve optimal health.

Health Disparities

Unfortunately, health disparities in the United States are more common than you may realize. Health disparities are any barriers that limit a person's access to quality medical care. Population groups most affected by health disparities include ethnic minorities, immigrants, and low-income families. Common barriers that people may experience include socioeconomic status, geological location, sexual identity or orientation, ethnicity, race, age, or disability.

Health disparities can look different for everyone. For example, some people may live in rural areas where they cannot easily access routine health exams. Others may need help understanding health recommendations due to language barriers. Whatever the disadvantage, health disparities can lead to poor health outcomes that negatively contribute to health equity.  

Nurses have a unique advantage in identifying health disparities and implementing changes so that more people can access care. There are many ways Nurses can implement change, including:

• Supporting telehealth and mobile health units so people in rural areas can access medical services
• Ensuring patients have access to interpreter services so they fully understand medical recommendations
• Creating community health projects so those in under-educated populations can better access health education.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Social determinants of health can often be confused with health disparities. Although similar, SDOH refers to an individual's personal circumstances apart from medical care and genetics that can affect health outcomes.

Social determinants of health fall into 5 groups that define how people are born, grow, work, live, and age. These groups are interwoven, causing them all to overlap and relate to each other. The five groups include healthcare, economic stability, education, social life, and neighborhood.

• Healthcare encompasses a person's access and quality of medical care, including access to primary care services, health insurance coverage, and understanding of health literacy.
• Economic stability is the connection between finances and access to healthcare. Employment, poverty, food, and housing security can all affect economic stability and access to healthcare.
• Education focuses on the link between access to quality education and how it relates to health. People who do not have access to secondary or higher education may not have the necessary language and literacy to understand medical needs and care.
• Social life has contributed to learned behaviors around healthcare access. How people live, work, play, and learn within their communities can change how people feel about medical care.
• The neighborhood considers how a person's quality of housing, transportation, access to healthy foods and clean water, as well as exposure to crime and violence play a role in a person's health.

Nurses play a significant role in addressing social determinants of health. You can promote health equity by getting involved in public policies and decision making. Advocating for better care can help prevent illness in underserved populations and improve health equity for all.

Cultural Competence

A strong understanding of cultural competency is essential to achieve health equity. Cultural competency is when healthcare providers provide effective healthcare, even if there may be cultural differences between the provider and the patient.

Nurses can become more culturally competent by learning to engage with a wide range of patients with different cultural, religious, and societal backgrounds. Nurses can show cultural competency by speaking to patients in language and terms they understand or by respecting a patient's cultural or religious values or beliefs.

As a Nurse, providing culturally competent Nursing care can break down communication barriers and improve the health outcomes of our patients.

To better serve our communities, Nurses must be able to identify inequalities in healthcare and implement the necessary changes to improve patient experiences and outcomes. Nurses have a unique position on the frontlines of healthcare to positively improve health equity by helping to provide effective and accessible medical care to all.

As Nurses, death can be a regular, everyday occurrence. But just because we encounter death frequently does not mean that experiencing the loss of a patient won't impact us. In this profession, we care for people when they are at their most vulnerable, and we create meaningful relationships with many of our patients and their families.

When we lose a patient, it’s common for Nurses to experience grief and it can be challenging to navigate the grief you feel. Here are some ways to help you cope with the loss of a patient.

Acknowledge the Loss

Losing a patient is just as real as losing any other person in your life. Try not to minimize the impact the loss of a patient has made on your life. Allow yourself the time to feel your feelings and emotions.

It is normal to experience emotions of sadness, anger, shock, or even disbelief. Some Nurses may also experience physical changes in response to the loss, such as trouble sleeping, nausea and fatigue, anger, or poor concentration. Acknowledging the loss and honoring the person's life can help you move past your grief.

Find Support

Finding support from your peers, colleagues, friends, and family is essential for coping with the loss of a patient. Having a good support system allows you to express your feelings of grief and helps you get some of the emotions you are experiencing off your chest.  

For example, many facilities offer briefings after a patient is lost so that all healthcare team members can express their thoughts and feelings and discuss how to improve patient care in the future. In addition, some Nurses may find that speaking with a therapist or grief counselor can help them navigate feelings and offer support after experiencing the loss of a patient.

Practice Self-Care

Grief can often manifest itself physically, so it is essential to prioritize your physical health after losing a patient. Nurses should get adequate sleep, eat healthy, and exercise regularly to maintain their physical well-being. In addition, some Nurses find that meditating or practicing yoga can help heal the mind and body.  

Take a Break

Death is an emotional experience, and as Nurses, we are only human. It is not unreasonable to feel all the emotions surrounding the loss of a patient. It is OK to take a break when things get tough. If you are overwhelmed with emotions after losing a patient on the job, it’s ok to take a break to cry, take a walk, or call a friend to talk. It is important to care for your personal needs so you can get back to taking the best care of your patients.

Coping with the loss of a patient can be challenging, but the first step in learning to cope is acknowledging that grief is a normal reaction to any loss. Acknowledging your feelings, seeking support, practicing self-care, and knowing when you need to take a break can help prevent Nurses from experiencing burnout and get you back to providing your patients with excellent patient care.

Patients become difficult for many different reasons. They sometimes become challenging due to diseases that affect their reasoning, like dementia or Alzheimer’s. Other times, patients can become verbally or physically abusive due to high-stress situations or unmet wants or needs. Regardless of why some patients become difficult, Nurses can help handle and diffuse difficult patient interactions with these 5 helpful tips.

Stay Calm

It may be challenging to stay calm when dealing with a problematic or irrational patient, but controlling your emotions is one of the most important things you can do during a confrontation. Reacting to a patient with anger can only escalate the situation and make it worse.  

When dealing with a difficult patient, remember in most cases, they are only being difficult to get their needs met and not to cause trouble. However, other times, patients may be misdirecting their feelings of fear or uncertainty onto you, and it is our job to help them navigate their feelings and de-escalate the situation. Some Nurses have found practicing meditation and yoga helps to develop healthy coping methods and strategies to navigate stressful patient interactions.  

Control Your Body Language

It is only natural to become defensive during a controversial situation. Your body language can often speak louder than spoken words. When interacting with difficult patients, it is important to evaluate your nonverbal communication and ensure it is portraying the right message. You should also avoid standing with your arms crossed, as it can be interpreted as rude or standoffish. Learn to control your facial expressions, gestures, and posture during difficult interactions to help diffuse the situation.  

Listen

When a patient becomes loud or argumentative, it’s natural to respond with anger and defensiveness. In these times, it is essential to remember that the patient is coming from a place of needing to be heard. Whether their request is reasonable or not, we as Nurses must listen to their concerns or complaints.

If you set aside your own feelings about the situation and listen to what the patient is saying, you may be able to get more insight into the situation and come up with a better solution to the conflict. Many times, you may not need to come up with a solution for the patient. They just need someone to listen to them and feel heard. We have to remember, patients are usually in a vulnerable state when being cared for and can be scared, frustrated, or hurt. Listening is one of the easiest ways we can connect with our patients and help them to heal both physically and mentally.  

Have Empathy

Empathy is one of the most important traits of a Nurse. When dealing with difficult patients, it is important to remember they are going through a tough time, and they may be displacing their anger onto you as their Nurse. Make sure you always try to put yourself in your patient’s shoes to better understand where they’re coming from. Patients are only human. They want to be heard and understood. If we connect with them through empathy, it will help to diffuse many uncomfortable situations.  

Set Boundaries

As Nurses, it is our job to provide for the wants and needs of our patients, but it is important to do so within your set boundaries. Sometimes, patients demand things that are unreasonable. Make sure they understand the limitations of your role. As a Nurse, it is important to find the balance between meeting your patient's needs and also standing your ground and not letting a patient push you around. Some patients may try to take advantage of your kindness so it is important to set boundaries and stick to them.

Unfortunately, every Nurse has had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a difficult patient. Next time you find yourself in a challenging situation with a patient, keep these helpful tips in mind so you can get back to providing your patients with exceptional Nursing care.