Healthcare Reform and Nurses: Challenges and Opportunities
Healthcare Reform and Nurses: Challenges and Opportunities The Affordable Care Act (ACA) promises a broader and more important role for nurses the health care system. After decades of advocating for meaningful reform, the American Nurses Association (ANA) joined others in celebrating the signing into law of the Affordable Care Act on Marc;h 23 2010. This is the most significant piece of social legislation since the creation of Medicare, with many provisions that build upon the traditional and current strengths of the nursing profession. The key features of the ACA states that “nurses have key roles to play as members and leaders for a reformed and better-integrated patient-centered health care system.” …
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Become a Breastfeeding Advocate
Education for professionals, or the lack of it, has been and continues to be a barrier to breastfeeding. A healthcare provider’s attitude, personal beliefs and values can greatly impact a mother’s ability to initiate or maintain breastfeeding. Certainly, the lack of support from healthcare providers is related to the difficulties healthy women experience with breastfeeding. Despite efforts to improve breastfeeding management, healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, continue to give poor advice on this matter. Poor advice has taken different forms; sometimes it actually has been no advice. Moreover, patients wholeheartedly trust their primary nurses and doctors. Healthcare providers who are not proficient in breastfeeding promotion, initiation and protection may advice patients to…
Patient-Family Centered Care
When a child becomes ill, the entire family needs care. In order to create a true healing environment, we must make every effort to keep families together, communicate fully and frequently, and make shared decisions. Patients and families are partners in care. This is referred to as Patient & Family Centered Care, or PFCC. The following principles provide a foundation for Patient and Family Centered Care: We treat patients and families with dignity and respect. We provide clear, comprehensive information in ways that are useful and empowering. We create opportunities for patients and families to participate in ways that enhance their control and independence. We ensure that collaboration is inherent…
Multi-disciplinary Care
Teamwork is important in nursing because it provides faster, safer and more efficient patient care. Teamwork in nursing care has a variety of benefits such as improved outcomes, effective communication, enhanced colleague knowledge and increased job satisfaction. Nurses do not only treat patients, they also offer information to patients and families and provide emotional support to those who may require it. In today’s health care market, the practice of teamwork has gained in popularity. This is especially true for professional nurses. When nurses function as part of a unit, and when they act as part of a team, the job itself is easier and more efficient. Moreover, overall patient care…
Chain of Command = The Line of Authority
I can almost guarantee that someone will give you a conflict resolution question at your interview and ask you how you would resolve this conflict. It is not the situation that is important. It is your answer to any conflict – which it goes through the “Chain of Command.” Know this chain of command for your interview. Every hospital, indeed, nearly every organization, has a chain of command. In most cases, this chain of command is delineated with a chart, often referred to as an organizational chart. The chain of command in its simplest definition is the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within the nursing…
Critical Thinking for Your Nursing Career
I remember in the beginning of my professional career. As a student nurse I was evaluated on tasks that needed to be done and done in a timely manner. At the end of my shift as a young student nurse I obediently sharpened the used needles, placed them in a glass container, stuffed some cotton at the end and sterilized the needles. I had all of the thermometers soaking in “green soap” to be rinsed and ready for the next shift. I had my charting done and ready for shift report. I gave compassionate nursing care. I was task-orientated. I believed I was a valued RN. Task-orientated nursing refers to…
Training for New Grad Nurses and the Impact of the Affordable Care Act
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act The effect of hospitals responding the Affordable Care Act has impacted hospital reimbursement, professional practice standard and hospital employment. Since 2010 hospitals have seen payment reduction upwards of $117 billion and more than $58 billion in Medicare sequestration cuts. Hospitals are scaling back!! Blah! 4800 jobs nationwide were lost in December 2030 3600 jobs nationwide were lost in January 2014 1200 jobs nationwide were lost in February 2014 For the new grad or reentry nurse this means he or she will now be responsible for his or her own education. The reimbursement from the hospital for educational hours is no longer affordable and…
Renew BLS, ACLS, and PALS in One Day
To complete ACLS, PALS, and BLS in one day, the AHA offers Heartcode courses online. After completing the Heartcode online course, you can complete your skills for all three classes in one day. Before you sign up for a Heartcode clas, read the Pros and Cons of Heartcode classes. Pros: The online exam offers convenience to take it from home, or during breaks at work. The skill sessions are abotu 2 hours long for each class. Cons: The online exam costs $135, and the skills are an additional $100 per class. The cost per class is approximately $235. That’s a lot more expensive than paying $155-$165 for a classroom based…
