A drug has been shown to extend the lifespan of laboratory mice by nearly 25%, offering promising implications for human aging. Treated mice, nicknamed “supermodel grannies” for their youthful appearance, were healthier, stronger, and developed fewer cancers than their untreated peers. Researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School focused on interleukin-11, a protein that increases with age and contributes to inflammation. Human trials are underway to evaluate the drug’s safety and potential anti-aging effects.
The quest for longevity is an age-old pursuit, and recent advances in aging research have uncovered promising strategies to manipulate the aging process. Scientists have known that reducing food intake can extend the lifespan of laboratory animals, but new research is delving into the molecular mechanisms behind aging.
Researchers performed two key experiments. In the first, mice were genetically engineered to lack interleukin-11. In the second, 75-week-old mice (equivalent to 55-year-old humans) were treated with a drug to remove interleukin-11 from their bodies. The results, published in Nature, showed a lifespan increase of 20-25%, with treated mice exhibiting improved muscle function, healthier fur, and reduced frailty.
Professor Stuart Cook, one of the researchers, expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the strength of the data despite the potential skepticism. He believes the drug could have transformative effects if successful in humans and is willing to try it himself.
However, the big unanswered questions remain whether the drug will have the same effect in humans and if any side effects will be tolerable. Interleukin-11 plays a role in early human development, and its absence can lead to issues requiring surgical correction. Despite these concerns, the researchers believe interleukin-11 drives aging later in life and are hopeful about the drug’s potential.
The drug, a manufactured antibody targeting interleukin-11, is also being tested in patients with lung fibrosis. Preliminary data suggests it is safe to take. This research is part of a broader effort to find anti-aging treatments, alongside studies on metformin and rapamycin.
Professor Cook argues that a drug-based approach to extending life is more practical than severe calorie restriction, which is challenging to maintain long-term. Professor Anissa Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School highlights the potential relevance of these findings to human health, noting similar effects observed in human cells and tissues.
While the research shows promise, there are challenges, including the lack of patient data and the high cost of producing such drugs. Nonetheless, these findings mark a significant step towards understanding and potentially extending healthy human aging.
San Diego, CA — Nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital have voted to authorize a strike from July 22 to July 24, following months of unsuccessful contract negotiations. The decision comes after the United Nurses of Children’s Hospital (UNOCH), the Teamsters union representing over 1,500 nurses, announced the vote on July 11. The union’s leadership delivered a 10-day notice to the hospital, as required by federal labor law, signaling their intent to walk off the job
Reasons for the Strike
The primary issues at the heart of the dispute include demands for fair wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. Union leaders argue that despite Rady Children’s Hospital’s operating revenue reaching $1.6 billion in 2023, the hospital continues to underpay its nurses. Many nurses reportedly struggle with the high cost of living in San Diego and have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.Katie Langenstrass, Executive Director of UNOCH Teamsters Local 1699, stated, “Rady Children’s Hospital has forced our hand. Our members are passionate about their work and their patients. However, the hospital’s persistent undervaluation of their dedication and skill has left us no choice”.
Impact on Patient Care
The strike is expected to have significant implications for patient care at San Diego County’s only pediatric hospital. Union officials have highlighted that the high turnover rate among nurses, driven by better-paying opportunities elsewhere, disrupts patient care and places undue strain on the remaining staff. Marie Wahl, a registered nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital, emphasized that the strike is about more than wages; it is about ensuring consistent and quality patient care.
Hospital’s Response
Rady Children’s Hospital administration had proposed a three-year contract that would increase the average nurse’s salary by 22% over the period, but this offer was rejected by the union. The hospital has yet to comment on the impending strike, but it will likely lead to longer wait times, rescheduled appointments, and potential disruptions in critical care services.
Next Steps
With the strike date set, both the union and hospital administration have a limited window to negotiate and potentially avert the walkout. Previous last-minute negotiations in similar situations have sometimes resulted in breakthroughs, preventing strikes from taking place.As the strike date approaches, the San Diego community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that balances the needs of the nurses with the imperative of providing uninterrupted, high-quality care for the children who depend on Rady Children’s Hospital.
For hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair.
By the time an aide finally responded, he’d been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again.
“It was degrading,” said Pernorio, 79. “I spent 21 hours a day in bed.”
Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasn’t in trouble with the state, because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule.
An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nation’s nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing shortfalls in care for the 1.2 million Americans who live in them, including many of the nation’s frailest old people.
California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have sought to improve nursing home quality by mandating the highest minimum hours of care per resident among states. But an examination of records in those states revealed that putting a law on the books was no guarantee of better staffing. Instead, many nursing homes operated with fewer workers than required, often with the permission of regulators or with no consequences at all.
“Just setting a number doesn’t mean anything if you’re not going to enforce it,” said Mark Miller, former president of the national organization of long-term care ombudsmen, advocates in each state who help residents resolve problems in their nursing homes. “What’s the point?”
Now the Biden administration is trying to guarantee adequate staffing the same way states have, unsuccessfully, for years: with tougher standards. Federal rules issued in April are expected to require 4 out of 5 homes to boost staffing.
The administration’s plan also has some of the same weaknesses that have hampered states. It relies on underfunded health inspectors for enforcement, lacks explicit penalties for violations, and offers broad exemptions for nursing homes in areas with labor shortages. And the administration isn’t providing more money for homes that can’t afford additional employees.
Jason Travers says his 87-year-old father, George, who lived in a Rhode Island nursing home, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button.(JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Pay remains so low — nursing assistants earn $19 an hour on average — that homes frequently lose workers to retail stores and fast-food restaurants that pay as well or better and offer jobs that are far less grueling. Average turnover in nursing homes is extraordinarily high: Federal records show half of employees leave their jobs each year.
Even the most passionate nurses and aides are burning out in short-staffed homes because they are stretched too thin to provide the quality care they believe residents deserve. “It was impossible,” said Shirley Lomba, a medication aide from Providence, Rhode Island. She left her job at a nursing home that paid $18.50 an hour for one at an assisted living facility that paid $4 more per hour and involved residents with fewer needs.
The mostly for-profit nursing home industry argues that staffing problems stem from low rates of reimbursement by Medicaid, the program funded by states and the federal government that covers most people in nursing homes. Yet a growing body of research and court evidence shows that owners and investors often extract hefty profits that could be used for care.
Nursing home trade groups have complained about the tougher state standards and have sued to block the new federal standards, which they say are unworkable given how much trouble nursing homes already have filling jobs. “It’s a really tough business right now,” said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of one trade group, the American Health Care Association.
And federal enforcement of those rules is still years off. Nursing homes have as long as five years to comply with the new regulations; for some, that means enforcement would fully kick in only at the tail end of a second Biden administration, if the president wins reelection. Former President Donald Trump’s campaign declined to comment on what Trump would do if elected.
“I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed,” Travers says. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home. (JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Persistent Shortages
Nursing home payroll records submitted to the federal government for the most recent quarter available, October to December 2023, and state regulatory records show that homes in states with tougher standards frequently did not meet them.
In more than two-thirds of nursing homes in New York and more than half of those in Massachusetts, staffing was below the state’s required minimums. Even California, which passed the nation’s first minimum staffing law two decades ago, has not achieved universal compliance with its requirements: at least 3½ hours of care for the average resident each day, including two hours and 24 minutes of care from nursing assistants, who help residents eat and get to the bathroom.
During inspections since 2021, state regulators cited a third of California homes — more than 400 of them — for inadequate staffing. Regulators also granted waivers to 236 homes that said workforce shortages prevented them from recruiting enough nurse aides to meet the state minimum, exempting them from fines as high as $50,000.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an acute labor shortage, which allows homes to petition for reduced or waived fines. The state health department said it had cited more than 400 of the state’s 600-odd homes for understaffing but declined to say how many of them had appealed for leniency.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2022 to loosen the staffing rules for all homes. The law allows homes to count almost any employee who engages with residents, instead of just nurses and aides, toward their overall staffing. Florida also reduced the daily minimum of nurse aide time for each resident by 30 minutes, to two hours.
Now only 1 in 20 Florida nursing homes are staffed below the minimum — but if the former, more rigorous rules were still in place, 4 in 5 homes would not meet them, an analysis of payroll records shows.
“Staffing is the most important part of providing high-quality nursing home care,” said David Stevenson, chair of the health policy department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It comes down to political will to enforce staffing.”
Linn Health & Rehabilitation, a well-regarded nonprofit nursing home in East Providence, Rhode Island, closed this summer because its Medicaid payments did not cover its costs. It has been converted into an assisted living facility.(JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
The Human Toll
There is a yawning gap between law and practice in Rhode Island. In the last three months of 2023, only 12 of 74 homes met the state’s minimum of three hours and 49 minutes of care per resident, including at least two hours and 36 minutes of care from certified nursing assistants, payroll records show. One of the homes below the minimum was Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, where Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, went last October after a stint in a hospital.
“From the minute the ambulance took me in there, it was downhill,” he said in an interview.
Sometimes, after waiting an hour, he would telephone the home’s main office for help. A nurse would come, turn off his call light, and walk right back out, and he would push the button again, Pernorio reported in his weekly e-newsletter.
While he praised some workers’ dedication, he said others frequently did not show up for their shifts. He said staff members told him they could earn more flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s than they could cleaning soiled patients in a nursing home.
In a written statement, Heritage Hills did not dispute that its staffing, while higher than that of many homes, was below the minimum under state law.
Heritage Hills said that after Pernorio complained, state inspectors visited the home and did not cite it for violations. “We take every resident concern seriously,” it said in the statement. Pernorio said inspectors never interviewed him after he called in his complaint.
In interviews, residents of other nursing homes in the state and their relatives reported neglect by overwhelmed nurses and aides.
Jason Travers said his 87-year-old father, George, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button.
“I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed,” Travers said. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home.
Lori DiBiasio (right) found her mother, Mary, who had a hip fracture, sitting on the toilet unattended at her nursing home, hanging onto the grab bar. Mary’s granddaughter Keri Rossi-D’entremont (left) was her health care power of attorney.(JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Relatives of Mary DiBiasio, 92, who had a hip fracture, said they once found her sitting on the toilet unattended, hanging on to the grab bar with both hands. “I don’t need to be a medical professional to know you don’t leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture,” said her granddaughter Keri Rossi-D’entremont.
When DiBiasio died in January 2022, Rhode Island was preparing to enact a law with nurse and aide staffing requirements higher than anywhere else in the country except Washington, D.C. But Gov. Daniel McKee suspended enforcement, saying the industry was in poor financial shape and nursing homes couldn’t even fill existing jobs. The governor’s executive order noted that several homes had closed because of problems finding workers.
Yet Rhode Island inspectors continue to find serious problems with care. Since January 2023, regulators have found deficiencies of the highest severity, known as immediate jeopardy, at 23 of the state’s 74 nursing homes.
“I don’t need to be a medical professional to know you don’t leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture,” Rossi-D’entremont says.(JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Homes have been cited for failing to get a dialysis patient to treatment and for giving one resident a roommate’s methadone, causing an overdose. They have also been cited for violent behavior by unsupervised residents, including one who shoved pillow stuffing into a resident’s mouth and another who turned a roommate’s oxygen off because it was too noisy. Both the resident who was attacked and the one who lost oxygen died.
Bottom Lines
Even some of the nonprofit nursing homes, which don’t have to pay investors, are having trouble meeting the state minimums — or simply staying open.
Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit Aldersbridge Communities, which owns Linn Health & Rehabilitation in East Providence, said Rhode Island’s Medicaid program paid too little for the home to keep operating — about $292 per bed, when the daily cost was $411. Aldersbridge closed Linn this summer and converted it into an assisted living facility.
“We’re seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America,” Gamache said.
Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit that owned Linn Health & Rehabilitation, visits with a resident, Elsie Linde, when the nursing home was still in operation. (JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
Many nursing homes are owned by for-profit chains, and some researchers, lawyers, and state authorities argue that they could reinvest more of the money they make into their facilities.
Bannister Center, a Providence nursing home that payroll records show is staffed 10% below the state minimum, is part of Centers Health Care, a New York-based private chain that owns or operates 31 skilled nursing homes, according to Medicare records. Bannister lost $430,524 in 2021, according to a financial statement it filed with Rhode Island regulators.
Last year, the New York attorney general sued the chain’s owners and investors and their relatives, accusing them of improperly siphoning $83 million in Medicaid funds out of their New York nursing homes by paying salaries for “no-show” jobs, profits above what state law allowed, and inflated rents and fees to other companies they owned. For instance, one of those companies, which purported to provide staff to the homes, paid $5 million to the wife of Kenny Rozenberg, the chain’s chief executive, from 2019 to 2021, the lawsuit said.
The defendants argued in court papers that the payments to investors and owners were legal and that the state could not prove they were Medicaid funds. They have asked for much of the lawsuit to be dismissed.
Jeff Jacomowitz, a Centers Health Care spokesperson, declined to answer questions about Bannister, Centers’ operations, or the chain’s owners.
Miller, the District of Columbia’s long-term care ombudsman, said many nursing home owners could pay better wages if they didn’t demand such high profits. In D.C., 7 in 10 nursing homes meet minimum standards, payroll records show.
“There’s no staffing shortage — there’s a shortage of good-paying jobs,” he said. “I’ve been doing this since 1984 and they’ve been going broke all the time. If it really is that bad of an investment, there wouldn’t be any nursing homes left.”
The new federal rules call for a minimum of three hours and 29 minutes of care each day per resident, including two hours and 27 minutes from nurse aides and 33 minutes from registered nurses, and an RN on-site at all times.
Homes in areas with worker shortages can apply to be exempted from the rules. Dora Hughes, acting chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that those waivers would be “time-limited” and that having a clear national staffing minimum “will facilitate strengthened oversight and enforcement.”
David Grabowski, a health policy professor at Harvard Medical School, said federal health authorities have a “terrible” track record of policing nursing homes. “If they don’t enforce this,” he said, “I don’t imagine it’s going to really move the needle a lot.”
Only 12 of Linn Health & Rehabilitation’s 47 residents could stay after it became an assisted living facility. The other 35 had to move to other nursing homes.(JOSEPHINE SITTENFELD FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)
METHODOLOGY FOR ANALYSIS OF NURSING HOME STAFFING
The KFF Health News data analysis focused on five states with the most rigorous staffing requirements: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
To determine staffing levels, the analysis used the daily payroll journals that each nursing home is required to submit to the federal government. These publicly available records include the number of hours each category of nursing home employee, including registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, worked each day and the number of residents in each home. We used the most recent data, which included a combined 1.3 million records covering the final three months of 2023.
We calculated staffing levels by following each state’s rules, which specify which occupations are counted and what minimums homes must meet. The analysis differed for each state. Massachusetts, for instance, has a separate requirement for the minimum number of hours of care registered nurses must provide each day.
In California, we used state enforcement action records to identify homes that had been fined for not meeting its law. We also tallied how many California homes had been granted waivers from the law because they couldn’t find enough workers to hire.
For each state and Washington, D.C., we calculated what proportion of homes complied with state or district law. We shared our conclusions with each state’s nursing home regulatory agency and gave them an opportunity to respond.
This analysis was performed by senior correspondent Jordan Rau and data editor Holly K. Hacker.
As a nurse, you’ve honed your skills in patient care, communication, and critical thinking—assets that are highly valued across many sectors. But have you ever considered how these capabilities could catapult you into a thriving career in the biotechnology industry? This burgeoning field is not just for scientists with PhDs; nurses have a distinct skill set that can be incredibly beneficial in biotech. Whether you’re looking to make a direct shift or gradually integrate into this sector, understanding the pathways and opportunities available can significantly shape your career trajectory. Let’s explore how you can leverage your nursing background to grow and succeed in the dynamic world of biotechnology.
Enhance Your Educational Foundation
Transitioning from nursing to biotechnology starts with building on your existing knowledge. While your nursing degree has given you a solid foundation in many relevant areas, additional education specific to biotech can set you apart. Consider enrolling in a postgraduate program, such as a Master’s in Biotechnology or a related field like Bioinformatics or Biomedical Engineering.
These programs are designed not only to deepen your understanding of biological processes but also to equip you with necessary technical skills such as data analysis and genetic engineering which are in high demand in the biotech industry. Many institutions now offer part-time and online options, allowing you to balance further education with ongoing work commitments.
Network and Position Yourself as a Biotech Leader
As you pursue further education, start positioning yourself to become a leader in nursing and biotech. Engaging with professional networks plays a crucial role in this. Joining biotech or life sciences associations can provide valuable networking opportunities. Attending conferences, seminars, and workshops not only keeps you abreast of industry trends but also puts you in the same room as potential mentors and employers.
Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals. Share insights and articles related to biotech, contributing to discussions and showcasing your growing expertise in the field. This visibility can be instrumental in making the leap from nursing into biotech roles that require leadership and extensive knowledge of healthcare technologies.
Explore Roles in Pharmaceutical Consulting
One of the most exciting avenues for nurses in biotech is pharmaceutical consulting. In this role, you can advise companies on drug development processes, leveraging your nursing experience to enhance patient-centric drug trials and safety evaluations. Your firsthand understanding of patient care and clinical environments is invaluable, particularly when it comes to ensuring that new treatments are both effective and user-friendly. Additionally, you can seek out recruiting firms that are dedicated to placing people in these roles. They can be an invaluable resource to help you make the switch from nursing into a consulting role.
For those with a flair for combining clinical expertise with business acumen, pharmaceutical consulting offers a unique chance to influence the next generation of medical innovations. The intersection of nursing insight and biotech processes in pharmaceutical consulting could be likened to finding the perfect pair of shoes; it’s all about combining comfort with functionality, a balance that is highly sought after and greatly appreciated, just like great shoe options that women love.
Gain Hands-On Experience in Clinical Research
To truly excel in biotech, consider diving into clinical research roles. The biotech industry often seeks professionals who can manage and oversee clinical trials, an area where nurses can significantly contribute due to their medical background and patient management skills. Start by seeking positions as a clinical research coordinator or nurse consultant within biotech companies, focusing on trials for new drugs or medical devices.
This type of role will allow you to apply your nursing skills in a new context, ensuring the safety and efficacy of innovations directly affecting patient care. Plus, experience in clinical trials makes you incredibly valuable to biotech firms looking to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications.
Specialize in Genetic Counseling
With the rapid advancements in genetic technology, there’s a growing need for healthcare professionals who can interpret genetic data and counsel patients accordingly. Nurses with a specialization in genetic counseling are well-positioned to take on roles in biotech companies that focus on genetic testing, personalized medicine, and therapeutic interventions.
This specialization typically requires additional certification but offers a unique niche where clinical skills and biotechnological knowledge meet. Genetic counselors play a critical role in educating patients about their genetic health, guiding them through complex medical decisions, and providing emotional support—a profoundly impactful area blending nursing compassion with biotech innovation.
Embrace Entrepreneurial Ventures
Finally, for those nurses with an entrepreneurial spirit, the biotech industry offers fertile ground for innovative ventures. From starting a biotech consultancy to developing health tech solutions, nurses can use their frontline experience to identify healthcare gaps and create solutions that leverage biotechnological advancements.
Whether it’s through developing new medical devices or creating software that improves patient care management, nurse-led startups can transform significant aspects of healthcare. Engaging in startup incubators, seeking venture capital, and participating in healthcare innovation hubs are excellent ways for nurse entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground.
The success of any healthcare institution or private practitioner depends largely on the competence and work ethic of nurses. Ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients won’t be possible when providers lack expert support. However, more than expertise, it also matters to invest in nursing staff that can produce quality work.
Then again, this is the sort of challenge that continues to hound healthcare providers for ages. Considering the complexity of their job descriptions, you should know the strategies that can push nurses to work harder, smarter, and with a passion. For this, here’s a basic guide that’s guaranteed to tap into the productive potential of your nursing staff:
1. Streamline workflows to free up more time
Nursing burnout is real and it affects your patients more than your bottom line. Giving your nurses too much work that can otherwise be automated distracts them from the work that matters the most.
Consider leaving purely administrative work to a separate team that exclusively handles back-office work such as scheduling appointments, equipment maintenance, and housekeeping. Many of these tasks can be outsourced to independent contractors or offshore companies that supply you with virtual medical assistants so your nursing staff can focus on their core responsibilities.
2. Invest in quality medical equipment
When your practice is still using outdated tools, your nursing staff could waste time trying to make the most out of what they have. What’s more, older tools can affect work quality and could lead to costly complications. To ensure your nursing staff works faster without sacrificing accuracy and quality, you must think about equipping them with better facilities. Aside from acquiring software for managing patient records, give nurses access to tools like portable ultrasound machines, PCA pumps, and other equipment that align with your practice.
3. Provide staff training and enhanced education
Noting the constant evolution of medical technology, it’s not enough to simply put money on the latest tools. Without a nursing staff that’s equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to operate these tools, you may as well be wasting time and money.
For this reason, consider upskilling your nurses. Provide them with opportunities to learn the latest technologies and approaches in your field. Encourage them to take part in seminars, conferences, and training programs that not only improve their clinical skills but also equip them with leadership skills crucial to their career advancement.
4. Create a positive work environment
Even if your nursing staff is highly competent and has ready access to the latest tools, your institution or practice will only go so far when they lack motivation. This would mean fostering a work environment that lets them realize they have a greater purpose. Central to this is creating a culture where collaboration and trust are crucial to ensuring cohesiveness.
Your nursing staff consists of individuals with different attitudes and aspirations and finding common ground will empower them to do better. You can achieve this by setting annual team-building activities and coming up with an effective employee engagement program that rewards nurses for doing good work, fosters teamwork and empathy, and provides everyone space to contribute to the institution’s success.
Endnote
If your goal is to grow your healthcare practice or organization, you shouldn’t push your nursing staff to the sidelines. Place them front and center by keeping these tips in mind.
What usually comes to mind when you hear the term nursing is bedside nursing, whereby a registered nurse working in medical fertility handles multiple patients. However, that is not the only career path for aspiring and current nurses. Here are the six careers you can pursue with a BSN beyond bedside nursing.
Nurse Recruiter
Nurse recruiters’ work includes recruiting registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing students for available positions. These professionals use their nursing background to examine the candidate’s qualifications and clinical skills to ensure competent selection of the nursing staff. They also attend job fairs, conduct interviews, post advertisements, and link qualified applicants to ideal programs. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll for accelerated BSN online programs to gain a competitive advantage for this role and get hired faster.
Nurse Health Coach
A BSN gives you a better understanding and more knowledge of the human body, enabling you to operate a personal health coach. Your primary duties may include educating patients on the need for wellness and a healthy lifestyle, as well as helping them to work towards achieving their health goals. You also have to advise clients on dietary changes that can lead to healthier well-being. Through health coaching, you can bridge the gap between those who have brought a cycle of suffering upon themselves and the patient’s ability to take control of their lives.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators help train and educate nurses in clinical and classroom settings. These professionals often work in nursing schools and teaching hospitals. The role may include providing lectures to diploma and undergraduate students, grading assignments, and assigning projects. On top of earning a BSN, you must gather proven work experience as a registered nurse to qualify for this role. The job outlook for nurse educators is promising. Based on the projection of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of these health experts will rise by 13% by 2029. This is way faster compared to other careers.
Nurse Informaticist
Informatics, technology, and medical data are the backbone of an effective healthcare system. Nursing informatics is an analytical science which empowers nurse professionals to communicate and manage data. As a nurse informaticist, you are responsible for upholding the integrity of all electronic health records(EHRs) in the facility to improve patient outcomes. A BSN from an accredited program can give you a solid chance to win this role.
Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses collaborate with law enforcement agencies to collect evidence for aiding criminal investigations and caring for victims of violent crimes. They inspect wounds and other injuries as well as help determine the cause of death. Besides that, forensic nurses help legal experts build strong cases against criminals and act as expert witnesses in legal proceedings. You need to earn a BSN and MSN in forensic nursing or a certificate to qualify for this role.
Health Policy Nurse
As a health policy nurse, you are responsible for developing healthcare policies that impact public health and nursing. Health policy nurses work hand-in-hand with healthcare organizations and government policymakers to improve various aspects of healthcare, including improving accessibility to healthcare services.
A BSN degree empowers health policy nurses with broad knowledge of public health and leadership skills. You must start your career as a registered nurse to acquire hands-on experience in the field, learn about the issues that affect healthcare workers, and get firsthand information on patients’ needs to avoid making mistakes.
There is no need to limit yourself to bedside nursing if it is not working for you. You can still pursue numerous other lucrative careers with your BSN degree and enjoy competitive pay. Elevate your career today and find better ways to meet patient’s needs.
Preparing for the IBPS RRB Clerk exam can be a challenging task. This is especially true given the test’s competitive nature and its vast syllabus. One of the most crucial tools in this preparation arsenal is taking a clerk mock test. Let’s understand how such exams can significantly enhance your chances of taking the examination.
Why Are Mock Tests Essential?
You might wonder why you should invest time in an IBPS RRB clerk mock test. Mock exams are a mirror of your preparation. They simulate the exam environment, helping you get accustomed to the pressure and time constraints. By regularly taking such tests, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses. This allows you to focus your efforts on areas that need improvement.
These are also an excellent way to practice and perfect your exam-taking strategies. They help you manage your time effectively, enabling you to allocate the right amount of time to each section. This is particularly important for the IBPS RRB Clerk examination, where time management can make or break your performance.
The Benefits of IBPS RRB Clerk Mock Tests
Using it to prepare for your studies is an excellent way to score good marks. Here are some reasons why you should consider it:
Real Exam Experience: These replicate the actual exam conditions. This familiarity can decrease anxiety and boost confidence on exam day.
Time Management Skills: Regular practice with mock tests teaches you how to allocate your time efficiently across different exam sections.
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: These help pinpoint the areas where you excel and the topics that need more attention. This focused approach ensures a more efficient study plan.
Improvement in Speed and Accuracy: Consistent practice through mock tests enhances your speed and accuracy. This is essential for scoring high in the competitive examination.
Adaptive Learning: Many mock test series offer detailed performance analysis, providing insights into your progress and areas that require improvement.
How to Incorporate Mock Tests into Your Study Routine
Integrating these into your study schedule can be highly beneficial if done correctly. Here’s how you can make the most of your practice:
Start Early: Begin taking them early in your preparation. This will give you ample time to identify and work on your weak areas.
Regular Practice: Make them a regular part of your study routine. Aim to take at least one test every week initially, increasing the frequency as the exam date approaches.
Analyze Your Performance: After each test, spend time reviewing your performance. Look at the questions you got wrong and understand why you made those mistakes. This analysis is crucial for improving your performance.
Simulate Exam Conditions: Try to recreate the environment while taking such tests. Sit in a quiet place, time yourself, and avoid any interruptions.
Focus on Time Management: Pay attention to how much time you spend on each section. Practice managing your time to complete the entire exam within the allotted time.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While mock tests are incredibly beneficial, it’s essential to approach them correctly to reap the full benefits. Don’t just focus on the questions you got right. Spend more time understanding your mistakes and working on your weak areas. Also, taking the exam is only half the battle. Analyzing your performance is equally important.
Without proper analysis, you won’t know where you need to improve. Most importantly, sporadic practice won’t yield the desired results. Consistency is vital when it comes to mock tests.
The IBPS RRB Clerk mock test is an indispensable tool for anyone preparing for the exam. It provides a realistic exam experience and helps you to develop practical time management skills. Incorporating these into your study routine can enhance your preparation and increase your chances of success. Practice makes perfect, and mock tests are your practice ground for achieving excellence.
Leadership is not just a position but a pivotal attribute that can significantly influence patient care and team dynamics. For nurses, stepping into leadership roles is about much more than holding titles; it’s about inspiring change, advocating for patients, and guiding peers even in the most tumultuous times. Here, we uncover six effective strategies for nurses aspiring to develop into exemplary leaders.
Develop Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is the cornerstone of nursing leadership. As a nurse looking to lead, your ability to clearly and compassionately convey information can set the tone for your entire team. Leadership in nursing requires more than just direct communication with patients and staff; it involves active listening, which is the ability to give and receive feedback constructively, and the skill to mediate conflicts. By enhancing your communication skills, you position yourself not only as a manager but as a reliable advocate for your team’s and patients’ needs.
To cultivate these skills, engage regularly in workshops and training focused on interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. These areas are crucial for a leader who must often navigate complex interactions and manage sensitive situations.
Understand the Crucial Role of Nurse Leaders
Nurse leaders hold a pivotal position in healthcare settings. They are not only responsible for managing a team of nurses but also play a critical role in shaping healthcare policies, improving patient care standards, and implementing new procedures. Understanding thecrucial role of nurse leaders helps you appreciate the breadth of influence you can have beyond the bedside.
Embrace opportunities to lead projects or committees within your institution. This exposure can provide a deeper insight into the strategic operations of healthcare and allow you to contribute meaningfully to policy development and implementation. Leadership in these areas requires a solid understanding of healthcare systems, the ability to foresee potential impacts of changes, and the competence to advocate for effective solutions.
Gain Experience in Various Nursing Areas
Diverse experience in different nursing specialties can enhance your adaptability and provide you with a broad perspective on patient care. Leadership often calls for a holistic view of healthcare, and having first hand experience in multiple areas can give you the knowledge and empathy needed to make strategic and aligned decisions that benefit the entire organization.
Seek out rotational programs in your institution or volunteer for assignments in different departments. Each new setting brings unique challenges and learning opportunities, which can enrich your understanding of the field and improve your problem-solving skills. Being well-versed in various aspects of nursing not only makes you a more competent leader but also increases your credibility among your peers.
Explore Leadership Styles in Nursing
Leadership styles in nursing vary significantly and understanding which style aligns with your personality and goals is key to effective leadership. Some leaders are transformational, inspiring and motivating their team through vision and enthusiasm. Others may adopt a more democratic style, where decision-making is shared and team input is highly valued. Alternatively, a situational leader adapts their style to meet the needs of the team or the specific circumstances at hand.
To become a proficient leader in nursing, it’s essential to assess and adapt your leadership style to align with the needs of your team and the specific situations you face. Engage in introspection, self-reflection, and seek feedback from peers and mentors to identify your natural leadership style and areas for improvement.
Participate in leadership workshops and seminars that help you understand and practice various styles. By being flexible and adaptive in your leadership approach, you can more effectively lead diverse teams and handle the dynamic challenges of the healthcare environment.
Foster a Positive Team Environment
As a nurse leader you get to create a positive work environment. This involves not only managing the day-to-day operations efficiently but also fostering a culture of mutual respect, support, and continuous improvement. Encourage open communication, celebrate team successes, and address challenges constructively. A positive environment enhances team morale and can lead to improved patient care and satisfaction.
As a leader, your attitude and behavior set the tone for the team. Be approachable and available to support your staff with their professional needs and personal concerns. Develop team-building activities that not only aim to enhance professional skills but also boost team spirit and cooperation.
Commit to Ongoing Professional Development
The field of nursing is continually evolving, and a good leader must stay informed about the latest developments in healthcare practices, technologies, and regulations. Committing to yourongoing professional development is crucial. It not only enhances your knowledge and skills but also positions you as a credible and authoritative figure in your field.
Attend conferences, enroll in advanced courses, and pursue higher education opportunities. These activities will not only update your clinical skills but also enhance your leadership abilities. Plus, being involved in professional nursing organizations can provide networking opportunities that give you access to valuable resources that support both personal and professional growth.
Patient happiness is a very huge concern in healthcare, and it’s not only about keeping people pleased during their doctor visits. Patient satisfaction forms a central part of the standard of healthcare, affecting various facets from how many patients continue to come back for treatment to the total effectiveness of care given.
Several factors can influence the feelings patients have about their care, ranging from the experience in the waiting room to how well healthcare providers communicate with them. Also, through online reviews and social media, the unhappiness or appreciation of a patient can be seen by hundreds or thousands of people instantly. This is why patient satisfaction has become crucial for healthcare facilities that wish to maintain their reputation.
1. Wait Times
Long waiting times are a common complaint among patients. Waiting several weeks for an appointment or sitting in the waiting room for hours can greatly affect how a patient views their doctor. Elongated wait times can also increase worry and impatience, as well as worsen health issues.
Consequently, several healthcare locations are using state-of-the-art scheduling methods and employing more workers to handle patient movement. This guarantees that visits begin and conclude as planned while also ensuring every patient feels appreciated and regarded highly by the facility.
2. Quality of Communication
Communication that is clear and caring forms the basis for good patient experiences. Patients desire to be listened to and comprehended by their health care providers, appreciating honesty about treatments or processes. Conversely, if communication is poor, it may lead to patients feeling lost and lacking confidence in their caregivers.
Healthcare settings that are future-driven are now investing money into training their personnel in areas like empathy, clarity of expression and listening skills because these soft abilities hold similar importance as technical medical knowledge imparted in DNP programs online. Having workers who know more than one language can also help overcome communication barriers with those who do not speak the native tongue, making healthcare more inclusive.
3. Environment and Facilities
The physical environment of healthcare settings is very important for patient satisfaction. A facility that is clean, well-kept and friendly can greatly impact how comfortable a patient feels and their trust in the people offering them care.
This covers everything, from the neatness of the waiting area and patient rooms to having modern medical equipment. Making improvements in facilities, promoting regular maintenance work, and setting up a pleasant waiting zone with conveniences like Wi-Fi and refreshments can turn a typical clinical atmosphere into one that is more friendly towards patients.
4. Personalization of Care
Patients value it when care providers dedicate time to comprehend their specific health requirements and choices. This could involve carefully reviewing the past health records of a patient, taking into account their way of life, and adjusting treatments accordingly.
With advanced data analytics and digital health records, it becomes easier for healthcare providers to get hold of and utilize this information for providing care that not just cures the illness but also matches with exact patient situations.
Regular follow-up calls or messages, asking about a patient’s progress following treatment makes individuals feel more confident about the service they received from the health care provider. Follow-ups can also be very important for identifying any possible problems early on, which in turn improves health results and helps build trust between the patient and healthcare system.
Endnote
By concentrating on reducing waiting times, improving communication, upgrading facilities, tailoring individual needs and providing complete aftercare follow ups, health care providers can greatly improve the experience for patients. A healthcare facility that makes each patient feel esteemed, comprehended and taken care of at every point in their journey leads to more loyalty and attracts new clients easily.
Do you work in mental health care or a related field? Perhaps you’ve recently completed an online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or another mental health qualification. You might be working as a psychiatric nurse, peer support worker, or social worker specializing in mental health. Whatever your role, it’s an important one. With so many people in this day and age experiencing ill mental health, workers like you are vital to their care and wellbeing. But you can’t look after anyone if your wellbeing isn’t proactively managed. Self-care, or looking after yourself, is vital in any caring or helping professional. This helpful article will go through a handy checklist for managing your wellbeing while working in this sector. So, read on to learn more.
Workload Management
The amount of work that you do, otherwise called workload, is a vital part of managing your wellbeing at and away from the workplace. People are all different, and some people can manage more work than others. If you find that you’re often coming home from work stressed, worn out, angry, or incredibly tired, this may be a sign that your workload is too high. This can have a significant impact on your wellbeing. If this is the case, consider approaching your supervisor to discuss a reduced workload or some time away from work so you can rest and recoup. Speaking of time off…
Take Regular Time Off
One way to actively manage your wellbeing is to use your paid time off, or PTO, to rest and rejuvenate yourself and your spirit. We all need a break once in a while, regardless of our workplace setting. This is significantly more important for mental health workers, who deal with some incredibly vulnerable, traumatized people who need intensive support and care. Use your time off to connect with friends and family and foster other relationships, or go away for a holiday in the sun.
The other side of this is about overtime or working extra shifts. You might need the money or want it, but you have to ask yourself if it is worth the extra risk or added burden on yourself and your wellbeing. Maybe decline overtime or an extra shift here or there so you’re achieving a good work-life balance.
Engage in a Hobby
Engaging in a hobby or creative endeavor is a great way to manage your wellbeing as a mental health worker. A wide variety of hobbies are available to match a wide variety of humans and their interests, so you should be able to choose one that matches your unique vibe. Some people enjoy playing board or card games, which makes for a great social connection if you play them with friends. Evidence also demonstrates that puzzles and games help our brains stay healthy and can stave off dementia as we age. Or, if you’re the more active, outdoorsy type, consider joining a hiking or walking club – this will combine exercise with a social outlet.
Other hobbies include scale modeling and painting, keeping fish, reptiles or insects, painting, drawing, fishing, hunting, graphic design or needlework and knitting. The great thing about a hobby is there is usually a rapidly active online community related to that niche hobby, with message boards, Facebook groups and more available for people to connect. You can chat with others who share an interest and partake in the social connection while online, which will also help to manage your wellbeing.
Talk to a Professional
Just because you work in mental health care doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from talking to a qualified counselor, psychologist, or therapist. It can sometimes be of benefit to talk about how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and the impacts that work is having on you. This can be a proactive step to manage wellbeing before you get to the stage of burnout or mental distress due to your work.
Talk to a Friend
Sometimes, an excellent old venting session with a close and trusted friend is enough to let off some steam. Reaching out to friends to catch up for a coffee or meal is a tried and trusted way to connect with a close person and talk to them about your life, your work and what’s happening for you. Ensure this is a two-way street, though, as you don’t want to burden your friend with all of your baggage. Listen to them, too, and offer advice – this is a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Regular Exercise
To manage wellbeing, you must engage in regular exercise. Enough to get your blood pumping and work up a sweat – this will release those lovely endorphins that make you feel fantastic. Some people like to join a gym, as they feel motivated to get out and go somewhere where they can work out. Others are happy to exercise at home using a machine or some weights. Others still like to go for a jog, run or brisk walk. Ideally, you should exercise a few times a week.
A Wellbeing Summary
This helpful and informative article has covered the wellbeing checklist for mental health professionals and how you can stay engaged, happy and healthy while working in the sector. Follow this checklist, and ensure you’ve ticked off each one, and they become regular occurrences in your monthly schedule.
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