The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is calling for all healthcare and long-term care employers to require members of the healthcare team to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A nurse has co-authored a study that details a burn intensive care unit’s success in reducing alarms on the floor. The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an increase in funding for federal nursing education and research programs. A nursing podcast helps nurses to create fulfilling careers and lives. Read on for more nursing news and insights.
AACN calls for mandated vaccinations among healthcare workers
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is calling for all healthcare and long-term care employers to require members of the healthcare team, including employees, credentialed, and contracted providers, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a recently released statement, the organization asked for mandatory vaccination, except when medically contraindicated, as a necessary response to the virus and the burden it creates for acute and critical care units as well as local communities.
“AACN has previously held that vaccination decisions are best left up to the individual,” the statement reads. “In this unique case, we believe mandated vaccination is the best path to support the physical safety of patients, nurses, their colleagues, and their families, and a means to prevent further trauma and moral injury imposed by the pandemic on our healthcare workforce.”
The call for mandatory vaccination aligns with the decisions of more than 80 major healthcare organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the American Medical Association, which have recently called for similar action.
The full statement can be read online.
Want to learn more about COVID-19? Explore essential learning for nurses.
Nurse co-authors study on alarm reduction
Rayna Gorisek, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNL, has co-authored a study that details the success that a burn intensive care unit (BICU) experienced in reducing the ringing of alarms on the floor.
“An Evidence-Based Initiative to Reduce Alarm Fatigue in a Burn Intensive Care Unit” details an alarm safety improvement initiative, including changes to skin preparation practices and caregiver education strategies. Gorisek was reportedly responsible for the education of all BICU nurses, nursing assistants, and respiratory therapists.
“We were able to build on institution-wide efforts and make changes to improve patient monitoring and alarm management strategies specific to the BICU environment,” Gorisek said in a prepared statement. “Even in a highly specialized BICU, the goal of reducing harm associated with clinical alarm systems is achievable and sustainable by using current evidence-based practice recommendations.”
The study reportedly led to a sustained decrease in non-actionable alarms and an improved alarm management strategy in the BICU at North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at University of North Carolina Medical Center.
More study results are available here.
Funds for nursing education and research approved by U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a “minibus” that will lead to an increase in funding for federal nursing education and research programs.
As part of $119.8 billion in appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services, the measure reportedly provides a $50 million increase in funding for nursing workforce development programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, which is almost 19% above current funding levels and will bring total funding for the programs to $314.47 million.
Additionally, funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research is increased by nearly 15% in the legislation, a $26 million boost to a total of $200.78 million.
The legislation also addresses the impact of the coronavirus public health emergency on the nursing workforce and other healthcare practitioners, as well as funding initiatives to expand mental health care, opioid and substance use treatment, and addressing health equity.
The National League for Nursing (NLN) recently shared support of the legislation. “The funding increases in this legislation are vitally important to help ensure that our education programs can meet the growing demand for nurses and address shortages that the coronavirus pandemic has made even more severe, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” said Dr. Beverly Malone, president and chief executive officer of the NLN.
“The House has taken an important first step in addressing these priorities, and the National League for Nursing will work with the Senate to maintain and hopefully increase this funding as the fiscal 2022 appropriations bills move forward.”
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Podcast spotlight: Thriving Nurse
Hosted by Abby Sanchez, RN, the Thriving Nurse podcast helps nurses to create fulfilling careers and lives. Two years into her nursing career, Abby found herself with a new home, a loving husband, and a head spinning with exhaustion and resentment. She dreaded going to work and longed for days off, but when they came, she was too drained to enjoy them. This wasn’t the fulfilling career and life she’d imagined.
With this podcast, she utilizes her degree in psychology and her experiences to discuss what has helped her to overcome challenges and conquer goals. Recent episodes include “Feeling Underappreciated,” “Charge Nurse Challenges,” and “A Gift to Future You.”
Listen to the podcast on Apple.
Views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Elite Learning or Colibri Group. Media referenced in this news round-up does not constitute an endorsement.
