Literature Review

Innovative program reduces nurse turnover and fosters development Oncology Nursing News; by Heather Wood, RN, OCN and Marie Garcia, RN, OCN; 9/12/24 Cancer incidence is on the rise in the US, especially among the growing older population. ... Unfortunately, the current shortage of oncology nurses is expected to worsen, as fewer people enter the profession while aging nurses retire. By 2025, a shortage of 200,000 to 450,000 oncology nurses is predicted in the US. ... In response, The US Oncology Network (The Network) has developed one of the most comprehensive programs in the nation to support the professional development and retention of new oncology nurses. ... Designed to enhance their knowledge of fundamental oncology, OCEAN is a collaborative effort bringing together a multidisciplinary team of experts and speakers from across The Network. The program provides fundamental oncology knowledge around 12 core areas delivered over 22.5 hours of live virtual learning. Content ranges from ... various treatment modalities ... to palliative care and advanced care planning. OCEAN’s impact extends beyond skill development, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among participating nurses. ... Early results from the program are promising, such as increased retention rates [12% better than the national average] and cost savings. 

Nursing students learning to respect culture, tradition at the end of life St. Cloud Live, St. Joseph, MN; by Stephanie Dickrell; 9/6/24  It is called the golden hour — the hour before someone’s death. It’s a time of grief, but it’s also a sacred space. Two nursing instructors at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are trying to make that time better for patients and their loved ones by better preparing their students who will be with them in their final moments. While the rituals surrounding death may vary by time, geography and culture, the program wants to make sure all cultures are respected. ... Julie Keller Dornbusch and Mary Pesch, both trained as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses ... received a prestigious grant from the Morgan Family Foundation of nearly $100,000 to create and test nursing simulations using culturally specific care for the Catholic community, Somali Muslims and Ojibwe people.Editor's note: This article indicates that "training material on culturally specific end-of-life care" is non-existent. This statement is misleading. Examine:

Inclusive leadership: Fostering diversity and inclusion Forbes; by Lynda Silsbee and the Forbes Coaches Council; 9/5/24 In today's work world, diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they are essential components of a successful and innovative organization. Inclusive leadership, which actively seeks to embrace diversity and create an environment where all individuals feel valued and empowered, is critical to fostering this philosophy. Leaders who prioritize inclusion can harness the full potential of their teams, driving creativity, engagement and productivity. ... A study by Bersin by Deloitte shows that inclusive and diverse companies have "2.3 times higher cash flow per employee" and smaller businesses enjoyed 13 times higher cash flow. In addition, these companies had greater readiness for change and innovation. Inclusive leadership goes beyond the representation of different demographics within an organization. It involves creating a culture where diverse perspectives are actively sought out, respected and integrated into decision-making processes. Such leadership fosters a sense of belonging, where everyone feels valued for their unique contributions.

This was the year advanced practice nurses thought they’d get full practice authority in NC. They were wrong.NC Health News - NC Board of Nursing; by TwumasiD-Mensah; 8/29/24 Every so often, Megan Conner, a nurse anesthetist in Greenville said she sees a patient who’s driven for hours to come for a screening colonoscopy but who instead has to be sent to the emergency department. ... It frustrates Conner that so many patients, who have to travel sometimes hours for care in eastern North Carolina, end up not getting it because of common ailments they can’t get treated closer to home.That’s why Conner is a big believer in the Safe, Accessible, Value-directed and Excellent Health Care Act (SAVE Act), which would give advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) like her full practice authority. She argues the data show that more nurse practitioners would provide primary care in rural North Carolina if the state would give them autonomy to practice, bringing care to small burgs that often go without. And now, the demands for care are being driven by hundreds of thousands of patients newly eligible for care because of Medicaid expansion. Along with a growing number of lawmakers who believe the legislation is overdue, advanced practice nurses thought this would be the year that the SAVE Act finally passed. They were wrong. [Click on the title's link to continue reading.]

CareXM and Enhabit increase clinician capacity by 250% using virtual visits amid staffing shortages GlobeNewswire; by CareXM; 8/27/24 CareXM ... is proud to announce  some of the exciting results with Enhabit in their quick connect Virtual Visits platform. ... “We saw an increase in clinician capacity, allowing us to do more with less,” says Vice President of Care Management Shelley Baker of Enhabit, which provides care annually to 228,000 patients. “Completing visits virtually, when appropriate, has freed up our clinicians to better manage their schedules so they can be with patients who need hands-on care.” "While virtual visits do not replace the need for in-home visits, they do offer the ability to connect with patients more frequently, supplementing the visits that do need to be in-person,” said Si Luo, CEO at CareXM, “We see a growing need not just for visit utilization but for visit prioritization- let’s save our field nurses for those visits that truly do need to be in-person. ..."

Palliative care graduates undertake noble mission to impact lives of patients University of Maryland School of Pharmacy; by Andrew Tie; 8/20/24 The University of Maryland, Baltimore celebrated 43 graduates of the online Graduate Studies in Palliative Care in a summer ceremony at Pharmacy Hall on Aug. 9. Of the Class of 2024, 36 received their Master of Science degree and seven received a graduate certificate. Two members of the class completed a dual degree along with their Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which they received in May from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. ... The program attracts a diverse range of disciplines in health care, such as physicians, nurses, and chaplains.

Future trends in aged care careers Intelligent Living; by Jennifer Barns; 8/21/24Medical advances have increased the average life expectancy. By 2050, older people—or those above 60 years—are expected to comprise 22% of the global population, almost twice compared to 2015, according to the World Health Organization. As the population ages, the demand for skilled professionals in the aged care sector is also going through the roof. ... Editor's Note: This article provides statistics and user-friendly language that might be helpful for your employee recruitment strategies.

Integration of palliative pharmacists to elevate oncologic care Pharmacy Times; by Alexis Beachy, PharmD and Jessica Geiger, PharmD, MS, BCPS; 8/20/24... Conclusion: This case demonstrates several aspects of care palliative pharmacists can assist with, though it is certainly not all-encompassing. All things considered, pharmacists are an essential asset of the palliative team. Their experience further enriches the interdisciplinary team and grants all patients and families many benefits. Specifically, patients receiving oncologic care benefit from collaboration with a palliative care pharmacist. In addition to offering a more individualized and holistic approach to care, palliative pharmacists can also provide patients with quicker and improved symptom management, which often improves quality of life and may also increase survival rates.Editor's Note: This article provides excellent history, definitions, and descriptions of the pharmacist's significant role in providing expert palliative and hospice care.

How Texas healthcare facilities can prepare for new workplace violence prevention standards for healthcare workers JW News; by Jeffrey H. Frost; 8/14/24 ... On May 15, 2023, Governor Abbott signed SB 240, relating to workplace violence prevention in certain healthcare facilities. ... Texas healthcare facilities must meet Chapter 331 workplace violence prevention requirements by September 1, 2024. ... Covered facilities [which includes hospice] must establish a workplace violence prevention committee, prevention plan, and policy. ... At a minimum, the prevention plan must: (i) be tailored to the practice setting; (ii) define “workplace violence”; (iii) provide for annual training; (iv) review physical security and safety; (v) create a reporting system; and (vi) adjust the care assignments (if possible) of employees and providers who have been assaulted or threatened. Editor's Note: For non-Texas hospice and palliative providers, what Workplace Violence Prevention Plan do you have in place, or not? This article provides excellent information and action plans for you to use.

15 Employee engagement examples to inspire you in 2024 Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR); by Andrea Boatman; 8/14/24 Employers should heed Apple’s former Senior VP Angela Ahrendts’ words: “Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer. I think you build one with your employees first.” But how can HR help foster this relationship? ... Incorporate the examples in this article into your company’s employee engagement plan for positive long-term results. ...

Age bias declines in the workplace, but work remains McKnights Senior Living; by Lois A. Bowers; 8/12/24 Some good news, according to the results of a recent survey by the Age-Friendly Institute, is that it appears that fewer Americans aged 50 or more years believe that “age bias is a fact of life in the workplace” compared with 15 years ago, according to the institute. The organization has been conducting research involving a nationally representative sample of this age group for more than a decade, and the percentage of people answering yes about the existence of age bias at work has decreased over time, going from 96% in 2009 to 83% in 2019 to 65% in 2024. ... But the decrease doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do. “In a society that is increasingly focused on equality and inclusivity, ageism lurks in the shadows,” the institute notes.

How Olympic success can offer leadership lessons The CEO Magazine; by Craig Johns; 8/12/24 As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games wrap up, the extraordinary performances of athletes offer valuable insights into leadership. High performance in both arenas hinges on precision, focus and constant improvement – lessons that can transform leadership strategies and drive success. ...