Welcome to the ShiftMed blog where we discuss everything nursing, from professional insights to healthcare holidays to helpful hints for working with us.
I've experienced heat-related illnesses with patients on opposite ends of the spectrum. I worked as a critical care nurse in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 14 years. During the summer, we often admitted one or more heat stroke victims. Usually, these were young military men doing intensive training exercises during the heat of the day.
As an ICU nurse, you know the excessive stress of caring for critically ill patients. But did you know the litany of ethical dilemmas you face day in, day out put you at higher risk for moral distress than nurses in other specialties? It's true. And if you're not careful, your chance of experiencing burnout syndrome also increases.
As healthcare providers, we understand the deep importance of diversity in nursing, not just as a concept, but as a vital element shaping the quality of care we provide to our patients. As ShiftMed, a pioneer in healthcare workforce solutions, we recognize that our diverse nursing teams are integral to improving patient care. Embracing and enhancing diversity propels our focus of fostering cultural competence in nursing, resulting in heightened patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
Are you participating in a mentorship? Studies show that having a mentor increases job satisfaction, decreases burnout, and opens doors to career opportunities and promotions. Who wouldn't want a nurse mentor who provides support, goes out for coffee, and serves as a personal cheerleader?
As a society, we've become immune to how vaccinations have improved our world. It wasn't until I went to a third-world country in the late 1980s that I saw the effect of polio, cholera, and tuberculosis—diseases we seldom think about in North America.
Nurses are the heart of healthcare. Day and night, on weekends and holidays, nurses keep healthcare facilities running smoothly while providing the high-quality care patients need to improve their outcomes. Literally and figuratively, nurses save lives.
In the realm of workforce shortages, none are as keenly felt as in the healthcare industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a staggering 2.1 million job openings in healthcare, a number projected to reach 3.2 million by 2026. Compounding the challenge, a recent survey by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing indicates that almost 900,000 registered nurses plan to leave the workforce by 2027, exacerbating the strain on patient care.
