American Nurses Association

Our panel of nurses and healthcare professionals consider a topical nursing issue and share their views in a personal capacity only

Making up over 80% of the global health workforce, nurses are essential for meeting public health goals like Healthy People 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite this, nurses remain underrepresented in leadership and policy development. The program was created to equip pre-licensure, master's entry into nursing students with foundational policy skills through a two-semester extracurricular enrichment program. It combines classroom learning with mentored policy projects, offering practical experience on key health policy issues like HIV prevention and end-of-life care. Early student feedback led to program adjustments, emphasizing peer learning. This paper describes the policy mentorship program and corresponding seminar. It provides a detailed description of the program so that other nursing schools can adopt components or design similar programs to help students hone the critical competencies required to navigate the sociopolitical systems that define our healthcare approach and mediate disease and wellness.

Sarah Hardwell, Nursery Director at Little Peanuts Day Nursery and Forest School, discusses the experience of being a mentor, and shares tips for anyone considering taking up the role

BackgroundCISC is a valuable procedure for survivors of Spinal Cord Injury to use in managing urinary incontinence, which can cause complications like reinfection by Urinary Tract Infections and problems with the bladder. Nevertheless, many patients with an SCI are still challenged to master CISC; hence, it is essential to identify adequate training strategies.AimThe purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of using skill demonstration on the overall effectiveness of CISC in increasing technical proficiency, assertiveness, and self-sufficiency among SCI survivors.MethodsQuasi-experimental research was used in this study, which was carried out at the Paraplegic Centre Hayatabad Peshawar with a sample of 54 participants selected through a convenient sampling technique. Information was obtained with a translated and cross-culturally adapted 12-item checklist of CISC performance that evaluated the performance before and after an intervention with the teaching of hands-on skills. To compare the pre and post-experimental data, the results of the paired sample t-tests and the Chi-square test were obtained to check the efficacy of the behavioral intervention.ResultsThe results showed a positive shift in mean practice scores from pre-intervention (70.25%) to post-intervention (94.52%) in CISC skills, Wilcoxon test p < 0.0001. Concerning the intervention proposal, there was a significant improvement in good practice, with the number rising from 18.5% pre-intervention to 74.1% post-intervention. While receptiveness to change was influenced by education level and previous training in CISC, age and marital status did not impact the results.ConclusionImplementation of skills has demonstrated a positive impact on improving the CISC among SCI survivors and controlling complications. These results indicate the need to include practical cases in the training methods used to teach SCIs to become more self-sufficient in their everyday lives.

As staffing shortages and ongoing cost-containment measures continue to challenge organizations, the use of assistive personnel (AP) for patient care activities increases. Emphasis on safe and effective care delivery remains crucial when RNs delegate certain tasks and aspects of patient care. The principles of delegation according to American Nurses Association and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing include the responsibility and accountability of the registered nurse (RN) for patient care outcomes. Authority for delegation of clinical tasks in the chronic hemodialysis setting and home dialysis therapies varies greatly by state. The responsibility remains with the RN to oversee complex tasks despite the staff skill mix. While specific information from several states, although limited, was interpreted by this team as delegation, it remains the responsibility of each RN to know their individual state Nurse Practice Acts. This article provides an updated review of the states' current available positions on delegation of clinical tasks in hemodialysis with the addition of information on dialysis technicians or licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses in home therapy when available.

Background: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals, including managers and advisors, often face exclusion from key organizational decision-making processes, limiting their influence on workplace safety improvements. While prior research highlights the technical aspects of OHS roles, little attention has been given to the strategic approaches professionals use to navigate organizational challenges and influence safety systems effectively. Methods:This study was conducted through in-depth interviews with twelve OHS professionals from public and private sector organizations. Participants, comprising six OHS managers and six OHS advisors, had at least six years of experience. Data collection involved semi-structured and structured interviews, where participants provided insights into their responsibilities, strategic approaches, and organizational positioning. Thematic analysis using NVIVO software categorized strategies based on existing frameworks while identifying new approaches. An impact evaluation framework with seven levels was applied to assess the effectiveness of these strategies. Results: OHS professionals were motivated by personal experiences, a commitment to workplace safety, and the desire to drive organizational change. Their primary responsibilities included advising management, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining OHS management systems. While most professionals operated at both strategic and operational levels, their focus was primarily on organizational and human-centered dimensions rather than technical aspects. Strategic approaches varied, with some relying on traditional compliance-based strategies, while others employed adaptive tactics, such as the “political reflective navigator” model, to influence workplace safety culture. Conclusion: The study highlights the diverse roles and strategies employed by OHS professionals to enhance workplace safety. Despite their marginalization in decision-making, those who adopt flexible, advocacy-driven strategies can exert significant influence on organizational safety practices. Future research should explore additional contextual factors affecting OHS professionals' strategic efficacy, particularly in different industry settings.

Healthcare professionals across various disciplines face a broad spectrum of occupational hazards that can significantly impact their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These hazards differ based on specific work environments, job responsibilities, and levels of exposure to biological, chemical, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks. Nursing professionals are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, needlestick injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders due to the physical demands of patient care. Pharmacists, on the other hand, face risks associated with prolonged exposure to hazardous drugs and chemicals. In the field of optics, ergonomic strain from repetitive tasks and prolonged screen exposure can lead to musculoskeletal issues and visual fatigue. Social scientists conducting healthcare research frequently experience psychological stress and burnout, especially when addressing sensitive public health issues. Epidemiologists, particularly those involved in infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response, are exposed to biological hazards and mental strain due to the high-stakes nature of their work. This review provides a comprehensive multilingual assessment of workplace hazards across these five healthcare-related disciplines. By drawing on research published in different languages, we aim to present a global perspective on occupational risks and safety practices. This interdisciplinary approach highlights the importance of international collaboration in developing effective workplace safety policies and preventive measures. Key strategies for mitigating these hazards include ergonomic interventions, improved infection control measures, mental health support programs, and regulatory frameworks to protect healthcare workers. Understanding these diverse workplace challenges is crucial for improving occupational health standards and fostering a safer working environment for healthcare professionals worldwide.

Veterans Day provides the opportunity to acknowledge the service of our nurse colleagues who have served or currently serve in the US military. It is a moment to reflect on their leadership and experiences as military nurses.