Tools for Healthcare Workers to Manage Physical and Mental Health

By using the right tools, healthcare workers are well-equipped to stay healthy

Today’s healthcare workers face unprecedented physical and mental health challenges. They must account for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and ensure they are administering care per proper health and safety protocols. In addition, many healthcare workers are forced to deal with bed shortages and limited access to critical supplies. At the same time, they are coping with patients who may be politically charged, leading to tense and stressful interactions. Healthcare personnel are also prone to working long hours, which can result in exhaustion and burnout.

Healthcare workers should not expect the aforementioned challenges to disappear on their own. If left unaddressed, these issues can have far-flung effects on these workers’ physical and mental wellbeing. Fortunately, tools are available to help healthcare workers take care of their health. By utilizing these tools, healthcare personnel can establish and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Now, let’s look at three tools that can help healthcare workers manage their physical and mental health.

1. Education

In a recent survey of 1,119 healthcare workers, 93% said they experience stress. Although stress is normal, it can become too much to handle at times. And those who cannot manage their stress levels may experience myriad physical and mental health problems.

 Stress can cause body aches and pains, headaches, high blood pressure, and other physical symptoms. Meanwhile, it can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

 Ultimately, stress management is paramount. Thanks to stress management training, healthcare workers can learn safe and effective ways to manage their stress levels.

 Healthcare workers can access online stress management training tools. Furthermore, they can enroll in web-based stress management training courses. These tutorials can teach healthcare workers how to identify stressors and minimize their impact.

2. Technology

Stress management technology is expanding. Healthcare workers can leverage this technology to reduce on-the-job stress. Plus, the technology can help healthcare personnel become more productive and efficient.

 For instance, many healthcare providers are implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Healthcare workers can use these technologies to eliminate repetitive tasks and the stress associated with them.

 Expect stress management technology to continue to evolve. The technology will keep getting better, and healthcare providers may become increasingly inclined to implement it. As a result, healthcare workers can leverage state-of-the-art stress management technologies to assist in the long game of physical and mental health.

 Let’s not forget about the use of fitness trackers in healthcare, either. Healthcare personnel can wear a fitness tracker to monitor their pulse and other health metrics. They can gain insights into their sleep patterns and other factors that can impact their physical and mental health. Then, healthcare personnel can use these insights to determine the best ways to manage their physical and mental wellbeing.

3. Lifestyle Changes

Healthcare workers can make lifestyle changes to enhance their physical and mental health and increase their energy for their days. For instance, healthcare personnel can choose nutrient-rich foods over fatty ones. By establishing a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods, healthcare workers can guard against obesity and related physical and mental health issues.

 Moreover, healthcare workers can incorporate exercise into their daily routine. They can go for walks, practice yoga, or perform other activities to stay active. These activities can help healthcare workers remain physically and mentally fit.

 Healthcare providers can help their workers establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle, too. For instance, they can offer free gym memberships and other incentives to encourage healthcare workers to take care of their health. Healthcare providers can also provide their workers with sufficient time off, so these employees have plenty of time to break away from the hustle and bustle of their jobs.

 Lastly, healthcare providers must do everything in their power to support their personnel. They should encourage healthcare workers to come forward to discuss any physical or mental health issues. In doing so, healthcare providers can ensure their workers get the support they need at all times. They can even partner with other healthcare providersto verify all healthcare personnel can get the help they need to optimize their physical and mental health.

Healthcare Workers Must Prioritize Their Physical and Mental Health

The aforementioned tools can help healthcare workers manage their physical and mental health. However, it is important to note that they do not offer a one-size-fits-all solution for all physical and mental health problems.

 Physical and mental health problems can affect any healthcare worker, at any time. Many healthcare workers try to “tough it out” in the hopes that their physical and mental health issues will eventually subside. But the longer these problems linger, the worse they can become. The issues can reach a point where they impact a healthcare worker both on the job and outside of it.

 Healthcare workers should not let physical and mental health issues develop and persist. At the first sign of physical or mental health problems, healthcare workers should consult with a doctor. From here, they can identify the root cause of any health issues and take appropriate steps to manage them.

      Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, activism-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter. 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Permanent or Travel: Registered Nurse Jobs Are Plentiful

Is it appropriate to say that the current nursing shortage is unprecedented? Perhaps. But even if it isn’t, there is one thing that cannot be argued: registered nurse jobs are plentiful. The latest estimate suggests more than half-a-million vacant jobs. That number could realistically exceed one million by the end of 2022.

 We could try to explain why that is, but the reasons are less important than the fact that hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices are hurting right now. The thing the industry has to focus on now is finding ways to recruit more nursing candidates. Simply put, America needs more people going into nursing than ever before.

 As for already licensed nurses, they really do have the pick of the litter. If there were ever a candidate’s market, we are in it now. There are so many registered nurse jobs waiting to be filled that candidates can pretty much write their own tickets.

 Permanent Placement Jobs

 Feel free to browse our job board and you will find thousands of unfilled registered nurse jobs. Search by state or city. Search by job type. Create your own custom search based on whatever criteria is most important to you. The point is that there will be no shortage of returns. Click the ‘search’ button and you will have tons of jobs to look through.

 These are mostly permanent placement jobs. Some are found at hospitals in major cities and rural towns alike. Some of the hospitals are big, others are small. Others are affiliated with medical schools while others are not. The point is that you have choices.

 You will also find job openings in local clinics and doctors’ offices. You’ll even find registered nurse positions involving education and training. Again, there is just so much for you to choose from.

 Travel Nursing Jobs

 If you prefer to go the travel nursing route, rest assured plenty of those jobs are available as well. Travel nursing was already taking off before the start of the COVID pandemic, but the pandemic sent things into overdrive. Healthcare facilities around the country are now using travel nurses to fill conventional positions because they cannot find enough candidates willing to be hired permanently.

 Travel nursing is obviously not for everybody. It is not just a job, it’s actually a lifestyle. For some, it is the perfect lifestyle that mixes work with a love for travel. Yet others find it too wearying and taxing. It’s really a matter of personal choice.

 A Job Board Is One Tool

 Your search for registered nurse jobs will probably take many forms. We get that. A job board is just one tool you will use to locate your next position. But definitely use it. Our job board can be your central location for searching. It is also a great tool for submitting applications and resumes. Because we put everything you need in one place, we think you’ll find Health Jobs Nationwide efficient and easy to use.

 When you do get a lead on a job, do not just submit your resume and hope for the best. Be proactive. Try to make a second or third contact with the employer outside of the jobs board. Meanwhile, research the facility so you know what you’re dealing with when you get called for an interview.

 Registered nurse jobs are plentiful. For you, it is really a matter of finding one that meets your needs. With tens of thousands of jobs waiting to be filled, you are bound to find something. So keep your head up and keep looking. Your next job is right around the corner.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Facts About a Career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Working as a registered nurse is an incredibly rewarding and challenging career. While the term “nurse” may be considered all encompassing for non medical professionals, any RN knows there are a wide range of specialties for a nurse to choose from. Some of these specialties are well known whereas others, such as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, aren’t as common.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) play a vital role in a patient’s anesthesia care. It’s a specialty that not as many people have heard of, yet remains important to the medical procedures that involve the administration of anesthesia.

Whether you’re looking to change your current specialty or you’re still in school and trying to decide on one, becoming a CRNA is a great option. As a lesser known specialty, though, you may not be as readily familiar with the work involved or the basic facts about CRNAs, so here’s a quick guide with facts about working as a CRNA.

What is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

CRNAs are nurses with a master’s degree, though sometimes even a doctorate, that provide anesthesia for any medical procedure. In a number of states, CRNAs work independently as the only anesthetist without a need for supervision. CRNAs do still collaborate and work with surgeons and other medical professionals, but there is no longer a requirement for direct supervision.

The training required to become a CRNA is more challenging and demanding than some other specialities and often puts CRNAs on a similar level as physicians.

In the past few decades, there have been updates to the regulations surrounding CRNA work. One such update in 1968 permits CRNAs to receive 100% direct reimbursement from Medicare. This was updated again in 2020 to prohibit discrimination based on licensure as well, so CRNAs are no less qualified for the reimbursement than anesthesiologists or other physicians.

What Do CRNAs Do?

CRNAs don’t only administer anesthesia. They do a number of things. Depending on where you work and the way your employer runs the workplace, the tasks a CRNA is expected to fulfill will vary.

Some non-anesthesia related tasks that CRNAs may perform include conducting physical assessments of a patient and looking into their medical history, creating and implementing a relevant patient anesthetic care plan, and discussing the side effects of such care with a patient and their family.

CRNAs work with a patient and their family just like any other nurse. As a CRNA, you’ll explain a procedure to a patient and/or their family prior to the operation. Once the operation is finished, you may also be responsible for providing them with the necessary information and protocol for after anesthesia care.

When it comes to anesthesia, CRNAs will administer various types of anesthesia, monitor the patient’s status and vitals, maintain the anesthesia throughout the procedure, administer additional fluids and medications, and perform epidural, spinal, or nerve blocks at any given time.

As a CRNA, you’ll work closely with surgeons and physicians to ensure that a patient is receiving optimal care.

CRNA Demographics

Many recent research studies have brought to life the changing demographics of the CRNA workforce. Zippia conducted one such research project that provides information on everything from the average age to sexuality to where CRNAs are most in demand. Here’s a quick run through of what Zippia covers:

Zippia CRNA Demographics Summary

As of 2021 within the United States, there are a little over 40,000 CRNAs that are currently working at a medical facility. From this number, Zippia reports just under 60% of CRNAs are female while 38% are male. 2.3% chose not to self identify as either male or female.

Most CRNAs are located on the east coast with the largest majority in Pittsburgh, PA and Raleigh, NC despite New York, NY having the highest demand for CRNAs. When it comes to the best state for CRNAs to live and work in, however, North Dakota came in first. Grand Forks, ND has the highest average salary, coming in at over $118,000 annually despite its relatively small size.

As with every career field, there is a gender pay gap for CRNAs. While men earn on average $116,000, women earn roughly 94% of this at $109,000. There were also wage gaps found depending on race with white CRNAs earning the most followed by black or African American CRNAs, hispanic and latino CRNAs, and Asian CRNAs earning the lowest.

Most CRNAs work in private practices, though a large number of them work in education or government facilities as well. Only 6% worked in public medical centers.

Just under 20% of CRNAs identified as LGBT which is considerably higher than other medical positions that were compared. Roughly 8% of child’s nurses and 13% of anesthesiology residents identified as LGBT.

CRNA Salary

Salary and pay gaps have been mentioned briefly above, but many people wonder about the average salary of A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. As can be expected, there are many factors that influence the actual salary of a CRNA so there is no perfect estimate as to how much you’ll end up making.

What Affects CRNA Salary?

Although not a complete list, here are a few things that will affect your salary as a CRNA.

Experience

As you gain more experience, you’ll have more opportunities to increase your salary. When you’re first starting out, expect to make much less than your senior CRNA colleagues that have been working for years. Some starting positions may pay as much as $120,000 annually. After you gain experience, you can expect to earn a higher salary, often closer to $220,000.

Location

Where you choose to live and work will have an impact on your salary. Large cities such as New York, NY pay so high because CRNAs are in high demand. In areas that provide a lot of acute care or teaching facilities, you may also find higher paying opportunities.

This being said, as of 2020, the highest paying states are Oregon, Wisconsin, and Wyoming respectively. Despite not having cities as large as California or the New York-New Jersey area, these states tend to pay over $230,000 annually. Nevada, the fourth highest paying state, pays an average of $223,000 annually.

Type of Employer

CRNAs are important for all types of medical employers, from outpatient centers to hospitals to medical education centers. While every type of employer will have slightly different workloads and challenges, you’ll also find they offer different salaries.

Most CRNAs choose to work in private facilities where the salary tends to be higher. Outpatient care facilities are one of the highest paying centers with an average salary of $225,000. Public hospitals, on the other hand, pay an average of $196,000. Surprisingly, medical education centers pay slightly more with an average of $197,000.

Depending on the type of employer you choose to work for, you can expect a different salary. If you work independently, you’ll be paid differently than if you collaborate with other medical professionals.

Ways to Increase Your Salary as a CRNA

Once you’re working as a CRNA, you may find there are a few ways to increase your salary. Looking into career opportunities at higher paying facilities is always a good start, but if you want to be in a certain place, there are a few things you can do.

Earning extra certifications can improve your chances at earning a higher salary. Additionally, you can earn a bit extra with a doctorate. This is only the case for those who are already in a CRNA school or who have finished and are looking to increase their salary. If you are entering a CRNA school starting in 2022, a doctorate will be a requirement by 2025, meaning you will need one in order to start your career.

How to Become a CRNA

To become a CRNA, you’ll need to first earn your bachelors of science in nursing (BSN). Next, you need to pass your registered nurses exam and complete a masters degree. If you enter a CRNA school during or after 2022, you will also need to plan on completing a doctorate program. 

Before you can attend a CRNA school, you should take time to get experience as an RN. This is a common entry requirement for nurse anesthesia programs. Some schools may additionally require a certain amount of experience working in acute care. As entry requirements vary from school to school, be sure to carefully check with your prospective school before applying.

The schooling costs for CRNAs are high, usually around $220,000 not including extra certification fees and the costs for your doctorate. If you go to an out-of-state school, you may have to pay extra fees.

Even with a loan, this is a lot of money which is why there are so few nurses that choose to go this route. With a salary of nearly $200,000+ in most states, many people consider it worthwhile. It’s up to you to make that decision on your own, though, as it is quite the commitment.

Best Traits in a CRNA

There are certain traits that make for a good CRNA just like there are certain traits that make for a good teacher or a good web designer. While you don’t need all of these traits in order to work as a CRNA or even be good at it, they will certainly help your in your work. You may even find that after a few years of experience, you develop these traits.

For some people, it’s easier to earn and grow your hard skills than it is to improve your soft skills, but every CRNA will need to demonstrate certain soft skills. Fortunately, you’ll have the opportunity to work on such skills during your schooling.

If you’re looking at improving your soft skills ahead of time or you simply want to know if you have the personality traits of a good CRNA, here are the best traits for a CRNA to have.

Attention to Details

Administering anesthesia is a very precise job and even the slightest miscalculation can cause complications during a procedure. Careful attention to detail will help a lot with your work.

Quick Thinking

As you probably already know, there is no such thing as a standard procedure. Every patient will present unique challenges which means that you need to be able to react quickly to anything no matter how unexpected it is.

Sometimes patients lie about their habits and when it comes to anesthesia, this can lead to sudden and catastrophic changes. To prevent a situation from escalating from bad to worse, you’ll need to be able to think on your feet and react quickly. Never assume that any procedure will be easy and without surprises.

Initiative

No matter where you work or what career you end up in, being able and ready to take initiative is a way to stand out from others. As a CRNA, being able to complete your work without someone guiding you or telling your what to do step by step is important. 

Team Player

Even though CRNAs aren’t supervised in many states, you’ll still need to be able to work with others and be a good team player. While you may not be the surgeon, you’ll still be working with them. The best CRNAs are eager to collaborate with colleagues and work with their coworkers no matter what the situation calls for. 

Communication

As with every career, CRNAs should be able to communicate with their team during any procedure. In the medical field, miscommunication can lead to major consequences so for the sake of your patient, it’s important that you are able to communicate clearly and professionally with your colleagues. 

Final Notes

Becoming a CRNA is a lot of work and requires a lot of schooling, but it’s a very rewarding career path that pays well and is in high demand. You can find job opportunities almost wherever you look and can expect competitive pay and benefits. If you’re interested in a career as a CRNA, the best place to start is with a BSN and the best time to start is now.

 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Is a Career in Allied Health Right for You?

Healthcare is one of those industries for which there will always be available jobs. Healthcare is a basic human need, so the demand for healthcare workers will always exist. But do not assume that the best careers in the healthcare sector are limited to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. There is an entire allied health category to consider.

Positions in allied health are still healthcare jobs. Many of them involve direct patient interaction. Others do not. Either way, careers in allied healthcare are every bit as important to patient health and well-being as clinical careers. To be clear, clinical careers are more or less the ‘big four’:

  • Medical doctor
  • Nurse (including advanced practice nurses)
  • Pharmacist
  • Dentist

Pretty much all other healthcare jobs fall under the allied health category. As it turns out, a majority of all healthcare jobs are in the allied category. Allied healthcare workers run the gamut from radiologists to technicians and dental hygienists.

3 Categories of Allied Health

There are no hard and fast rules for dividing up allied healthcare jobs into highly specific categories. However, there are three general categories that most healthcare facilities and hiring managers recognize:

  • Primary Care – Allied healthcare jobs in primary care are those related to providing day-to-day care in the GP’s office, community medical clinic, etc.
  • Diagnostic and Lab – Healthcare jobs in the diagnostic and lab category include things like lab technicians and phlebotomy technicians.
  • Admin, Rehab, and Promotion – This is the broadest category and includes administrative jobs, careers in marketing, and rehabilitative specialties.

We list literally thousands of allied healthcare jobs on the Health Jobs Nationwide jobs board. Take a few minutes to browse through them and you will see all three categories represented quite well. Needless to say, the healthcare sector has plenty of room for new allied health workers.

Choosing the Right Career

With so many possibilities in allied healthcare, choosing the right career may be a bit challenging. Ask yourself whether you are looking for a patient-facing career. That is the first dividing line. If you would prefer to not work directly with patients in a delivery setting, you can then take certain career choices off your list.

Next, what are your thoughts on education? Different allied health jobs require different levels of commitment in both time and financial resources. Some allied health jobs for example can be had with just a certification that can be obtained after taking a comparatively short training course. Other careers require many years of college education along with state licensing.

Finally, ask yourself where you actually want to work. Although allied healthcare jobs are available all across the country, some markets are stronger than others for specific types of jobs. The Health Jobs Nationwide jobs board can help to some degree in this respect. You can browse the board to see what types of jobs are available where you want to live.

Your Job Search Starts Here

Whether you are new to allied health or a seasoned pro, your search for a new job starts right here. Health Jobs Nationwide offers thousands of posts from employers looking to hire allied health workers. You can sort by job type, geographic location, and much more.

Is allied health right for you? Only you can decide that. But if it is, be confident in the fact that there are plenty of allied healthcare jobs available in the U.S. We can help you find the one you are looking for. If you are ready to get started, so are we. Your career in allied health is waiting.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Why the Search for the Perfect Physician Job Might Come up Empty

The world loves superlatives. Most of us think nothing of categorizing something as the ‘best’. And in fact, the introduction of digital marketing in the internet era has caused us to take superlatives to unprecedented levels. We even do it in the healthcare sector, particularly when it comes to discussing the ‘perfect job’.

How many of us have searched for the perfect physician job among the thousands that seem to always be listed? How many of us really believe the perfect job exists? It may or may not. The one thing we can say for sure is that the search for the perfect physician job sometimes comes up empty. But that is true for any career.

Physicians might be at a slight disadvantage here due to the high honor we attach to the profession. We assume that because becoming a physician requires so much time and effort, physician jobs are somehow superior to other career choices. And with that thinking comes the inevitable letdown when a doctor fails to find the perfect job promised in medical school.

3 Main Job Criteria

Your average job seeker searches for jobs based on their particular criteria. That criteria could be anything. But by and large, there are three things that dominate most job searches:

  • Salary
  • Location
  • Description

If you are like most people, your search for physician jobs is dominated by salary requirements. In other words, you look for the jobs that pay the most. You may be the kind of person who wants to work in a particular geographic location, so that might be just as important to you as salary. But what about job description?

Job seekers tend to look at descriptions to see if they qualify. Some go so far as to try to understand what a particular job entails by paying close attention to minute description details. But let’s be honest. When push comes to shove, job description takes a distant third place to salary and location.

Scoring the Trifecta

To use a horse betting analogy, finding a physician job that met all your requirements for salary, location, and job description would be like hitting the trifecta. Is it possible? Absolutely. Is it likely? Perhaps.

Conventional wisdom says that you can probably count on getting two of the three but getting all three is not likely. Does that mean you should not try for the trifecta? Absolutely not. You definitely will not get all three if you do not try. If you do try, you may or may not succeed.

This all boils down to the idea of pragmatism. One’s search for healthcare jobs can be supported by plenty of optimism and high hopes for the future. But it can also be tempered with the pragmatic reality that perfection is hard to come by. When one accepts the fact that the perfect job may either not exist or not be found on the first try, finding a job becomes easier.

Perfect Is a Matter of Perspective

Taking a pragmatic approach to physicians jobs does not automatically mean settling for whatever you can get. Rather, a better way to look at it is to acknowledge that perfection is a matter of perspective. A physician job that pays well, allows a good work-life balance, and gives you an opportunity to grow professionally may be exactly what you need. It may not be what you dreamed of, but so what?

Like any other job category, physician jobs are abundant. Whether or not you will find the perfect job remains to be seen.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Importance of Diversity in the Healthcare Community

Healthcare is, by definition, a person-focused industry. After all, a healthcare worker’s job is to help people through some of the most important moments of their life, from birth to death, from illness and injury to recovery. It is, in other words, a universal endeavor, packed with the eternal and timeless moments that comprise the human experience, no matter who you are or where you may be.

Yet, for all its universality, the healthcare community has been far too homogeneous, its practitioners rarely reflecting the diversity of the patient populations they serve. That’s a concern, because lack of diversity can not only significantly compromise patient care but it can also curtail opportunities for diverse healthcare providers today and into the future.

Forgotten Populations

One particularly dire effect of the lack of diversity in the healthcare community is the ease with which “diverse” populations, including women, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community may become “lost” in the system.

For instance, indigenous populations tend to suffer disproportionately from the lack of access to consistent and high-quality healthcare. And yet the consequences of this lack of healthcare access remain little understood due to the woeful underrepresentation of indigenous populations in medical research.

This has created, for example, significant health disparities within marginalized groups, such as the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander patient populations. Without a sufficient understanding of the specific needs of discrete patient populations, marginalized groups not only suffer from a lack of healthcare access but also from the increased risk of misdiagnosis and improper treatment.

Minding the (Gender) Gap

The lack of diversity in the healthcare community isn’t just taking its toll on minority and indigenous populations.

Studies show that female patients, regardless of ethnicity, are at a significantly higher risk of being misdiagnosed, experiencing improper or ineffective treatment, and enduring delayed diagnoses, often due to the subconscious gender biases that continue to inform healthcare.

These biases, indeed, appear not only to impact patients, but also practitioners, which serves to more deeply entrench these inequities in the system. For example, female physicians’ assistants (PA) continue to be paid less than their male counterparts.

Such pay inequities only serve to perpetuate the dearth of women at the highest echelons of the medical field. With fewer female healthcare providers, the scope of perspectives and experiences so conducive to the effective practice of medicine narrows.

Indeed, the relatively low number of women serving as doctors and PAs may well account, at least in part, for the disproportionate numbers of inaccurate or delayed diagnoses affecting female patients.

Rural and Low-Income Patient Populations

Patients who are at the lower end of the socio-economic stratum, particularly those who live in rural areas, are also more likely to be negatively impacted by the lack of diversity in healthcare.

For instance, healthcare providers from more affluent middle and upper-class backgrounds may be unable to identify or understand the unique health challenges that rural and impoverished persons often face.

Not only may these patients lack the transportation needed to travel often long distances for medical care — they may also be unable to adhere to clinicians’ recommendations and treatment plans. It will do little good, for example, if a physician instructs a diabetic patient to adhere to a renal diet when the patient has neither the money for nor access to the foods prescribed by this regimen.

These social determinants of health have a profound impact on patient care and outcomes, especially for marginalized patient populations, and are factors that are rarely discussed in medical schools. Healthcare providers who hail from diverse cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, however, can often offer a more nuanced, comprehensive, and actionable perspective on the effective care of rural and low-income patients.

The Takeaway

Diversity in the healthcare community is not simply a laudable talking point — it is a necessity if the healthcare system is to resolve the many inequities and disparities that still plague the system today. Increasing diversity within the healthcare community will not only enhance the quality of care for patients, but it will also open up immense opportunities for future generations of healthcare providers representing a wide array of perspectives and experiences across all walks of life.

      Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, activism-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter. 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Why America Needs Nurses Now More than Ever

It’s 2022 and COVID-19 and its variants still represent a massive threat to public health. At the same time, however, a nursing shortage threatens the effectiveness of healthcare solutions for the general public. Now, estimates suggest that 1.2 million more registered nurses (RNs) will be needed by 2030 to adequately serve the populace.

This flood of demand has made RNs America’s most wanted healthcare worker. Now, we need nurses more than ever. And yet, the causes of the nursing shortage continue to rage, limiting our ability to replace retiring nursing staff.

Facing major implications for public health, evaluating and solving these causes is essential. Understanding is the first step in a healthcare environment more inviting for professional nurses.

What is Causing the Nursing Shortage?

First, let’s look at some of the measurable causes of the nursing shortage. These are observed patterns in the data that reflect bottlenecks and challenges that may come to affect the way most of us receive care in the future, should the situation not improve. These causes include:

  1. The aging population. Lifespans, birthrates, and advancing medicine have all contributed to a changing demographic. By 2030, it’s estimated that one in five people will be a senior. This is an age group that requires more care and more nurses to care for them.
  2. Retiring nurses. Similarly, healthcare workers themselves are aging up. With one-third of the workforce age 50 or older, retirements are occurring faster than nursing staff can be replaced. This is a problem exacerbated by the next cause of the worsening nursing shortage.
  3. Limited newcomers. Nursing schools can only train so many people. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging on many learning institutions. The rate of new to retiring nurses isn’t enough to make up for lost workers, and patients are the worse for it.

All these causal factors were present in the healthcare industry even before the pandemic emerged, but COVID drove the shortage to new depths. That’s because pandemic conditions have redoubled our reliance on nursing staff and overburdened them to the point of frequent burnout.

In a survey of 6,500 critical care nurses, 66% said they were considering leaving their careers because of their COVID experiences. Meanwhile, 92% said that nurses at their hospitals had cut their careers short as a result of burnout. These numbers represent vital healthcare staff that we cannot afford to lose. And yet, the shortage is a looming threat impacting us all.

America is in desperate need of nurses but the conditions of the job as well as larger social factors make it exceptionally difficult to fill the gaps. Incentives and workloads have to be adjusted if we are to change these circumstances in the future.

In the meantime, what exactly are the implications of not enough nurses in our hospitals and care facilities? These will be the effects we’ll see play out unless this negative trend is disrupted.

The Effects of Not Enough Nurses

A world with too few nurses is a world in which no one should want to live. These care professionals fulfill many of the most important functions within a care institution. Without their work, being seen and treated for any and all health conditions would take longer and would be less effective. The consequences of such a reality would be negative for everyone involved — from the average patient to the doctor who would then have to take on a much greater burden.

As you explore the question of America’s nursing shortages, keep in mind the associated effects. These include:

  1. Longer care wait times and expenses. Nurses take care of just about all the care-related tasks that don’t require a doctor’s training to legally treat. This includes record-keeping and administrative functions. The fewer nurses available to check in with patients, move them along, and conduct vital care processes, the longer patients will have to wait for care. Meanwhile, relying on more highly trained medical staff for every procedure all but guarantees higher costs for patients.
  2. A lack of empathy in care. Empathy is essential to care. There is something healing in the simple act of a human being listening and being friendly, and nurses provide this empathy in heaps. Where it is applied in healthcare, empathy has been found to improve care satisfaction and even reduce burnout rates in hospital staff. However, human professionals are needed to practice empathy.
  3. A greater reliance on tech. Amidst nursing shortages, care practices are increasingly turning to tech to fill labor gaps. The implications of these tools are enormous. Chatbots, for instance, are taking down patient symptomsand computing diagnoses, sometimes with even greater efficiency than human workers. As these tools improve, some healthcare roles may even be automated out of existence.

A world with too few nurses presents too many challenges for society to accept. Instead, the industry looks to potential solutions for staffing and supporting care facilities while inspiring new generations of nurses. With a need this desperate, the healthcare industry must apply all the tools and tricks necessary to reduce nursing labor gaps.

A Life-Threatening Need

When it comes to healthcare, labor shortages present real risks to life and well-being. That’s why the 1.2 million nurses needed within the next eight years is a scary number. Without nurses, care is longer, worse, and more robotic. However, this last point may also be part of the solution.

Just as artificial intelligence presents certain risks to human workers (such as displacement), it can produce benefitsas well. Through automated data collection, chatbot interfaces, personal medical AI, and more, healthcare work is changing for the better. This means reduced workloads for nurses and potentially less-stressful work environments in which to care for patients.

The causes of the nursing shortage may be too widespread and human to fully correct. However, supportive technology may help to reduce the negative implications of this shortage and even encourage up-and-coming talent. Perhaps when nurses all have personal AIs to make the job easier, nursing schools won’t be able to handle the flood of compassionate individuals wanting to save lives and make a difference.

**Article Image Source: Pexels

         

      Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, activism-related content. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter. 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

6 Awesome Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Nursing

Nursing is a career where you can help save lives and provide necessary care for people of all ages during your daily work hours. There are few things that are as rewarding as a career in nursing and it doesn’t hurt that the pay is excellent as well.

If you have ever wanted to have a job where you could make a really big difference in people’s lives, you need to consider nursing. This is a career where you can help save lives and provide necessary care for people of all ages during your daily work hours. There are few things that are as rewarding as a career in nursing and it doesn’t hurt that the pay is excellent as well.

If you have been considering a career change to nursing, you might be wondering if there are other benefits that you can take advantage of. There are many reasons that nursing might be the career for you!

If you are ready to learn more about the benefits of pursuing a nursing career, you need to read on!

Awesome Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Nursing

1.       Helping People

Many nurses were originally attracted to the career due to the potential for their training to help save lives. Nurses are on the front line of medical care in every location that they are hired to work, from clinics to hospitals. Making a difference to the people that you care for is a daily occurrence for nurses.

If you value being able to help others and want to make this your life’s work, being a nurse is a great career choice for you to make!

2.       Earning Potential is High

Nurses are some of the best-paid professionals in the medical setting. The U.S. Bureau of Labors Statistics says that registered nurses can make around $75,000 a year. If you have specialized training or work night shifts or holidays, you might make even more.

This is a career that pays very well and offers a lot of room for continuing education with master’s degrees in nursing. If you have ever wanted to have a hands-on job that allowed you a lot of room to grow your income, this is the right career path for your needs!

3.       Demand is High

Nurses are always in demand. It is rare for any healthcare facility to have all the nurses that it needs on staff. This means that being a nurse will allow you job security that you would not have access to in many other fields and flexibility to choose when and where you work. You will also have the chance to work in many fields as a nurse, even with a basic nursing degree.

Traveling nurses are also very much in demand, so if you like to enjoy a change of pace throughout the year, you can become a traveling nurse and go where you are assigned. There are many exciting career styles within the nursing field so you can pick and choose where you work with ease.

4.       Flexible Schedules

Nursing is one of the most flexible careers in terms of scheduling. You will usually have the choice of various shifts that you want to work and once you have seniority you might be able to flex your time to work overtime for a month or so and then take a few weeks in a row off each year. There are many ways to make your nursing career suit your unique scheduling needs so that you can enjoy opportunities and trips that you would not have been able to take.

Many people are amazed at how flexible their schedule really can be and how much they can enjoy their vacation time when they are working in the nursing field. This is one of the few jobs that offers people this much control over their scheduled working hours and it is a big benefit to choosing a nursing career.

5.       Simple Wardrobe

If you have never wanted to have to buy work clothes and matching shoes and accessories, then this is the career for you! You will only need a few pairs of scrubs and you might even be provided these as part of your work contract when you are hired. Scrubs are simple to get into and out of and they are often cleaned by the laundry service at your place of employment.

This is one of the best careers for those who hate to buy work clothing and who do not want to have to dress in work slacks and polos every day. Having a simple set of shoes and your scrubs on hand can make dressing for your job easy every day!

6.       Trusted Professional

If you have always wanted to work in a job that comes with immediate trust and respect from most people, this is the right choice to make! Nurses are well-educated healthcare professionals and people think very highly of nurses for a whole variety of reasons. From inspiring kids to want to grow up to be like you to being well-thought-of in your community, this immediate bond of trust can be a very exciting part of choosing to be a nurse.

Many people can think of nurses and doctors that they have looked up to when they were younger or even consider them to be important advisors for their adult healthcare needs. You can join these professionals and work alongside them when you choose to get a nursing degree.

A Nursing Career Can be an Amazing Choice

There are many reasons that being a nurse might appeal to you. You will have access to great pay, really flexible work schedules, and a profession that is in high demand almost everywhere in the US. You will also be able to advance your career with ease through additional education. There are so many good reasons to be a nurse, and respect from your community might be a big factor in your considerations as well.

Choosing to be a nurse is often one of the most rewarding career changes that you can make. If you are ready to start making a difference in people’s lives while also earning a really good living, you need to start looking into getting your nursing degree today!

 

Gabe Nelson is a content specialist of over 7 years of experience, currently working with nurse.org. Just out of high school he set off crab fishing on the Bering sea in Alaska. From there he went back home to finish his college degree at the University of Montana. He has a passion and keen understanding when it comes to healthcare inside and out. He has written hundreds of content pieces in numerous niches.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Why Now Is a Great Time to Be a Chiropractor

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, you should know this is an exciting time to join the chiropractic profession.

Chiropractors today are becoming increasingly important in helping to improve people’s health and well-being. More specifically, they’re helping to meet a growing need for noninvasive healthcare treatments (more on that below).

I’ve been a chiropractor myself for 20 years and am also the dean of the College of Chiropractic at Northwestern Health Sciences University. I know firsthand how rewarding this career path can be. Below, I’ll share three major reasons to consider being a chiropractor.

1. Enjoy providing hands-on care and getting to know patients on a deeper level

There are few healthcare professions that are as hands-on as chiropractic care. You provide actual care during patient visits by adjusting and manually manipulating the spine and other joints, treating soft tissue with hands-on therapies, and using specialized instruments to assist in treatment.

Chiropractors also have the knowledge and training to provide health assessments and can make recommendations to their patients on diet, exercise, and other factors that can improve their health and well-being.

In the process of providing care, chiropractors also need to have empathy and patience, and an ability to put people at ease.

These factors exemplify the intimate, patient-focused nature of chiropractic care. Every day you’ll be reminded of just how worthwhile your career is.

2. Benefit from a profession with more options and more freedom

Chiropractors can enjoy a high degree of autonomy, especially compared to other healthcare practitioners. For example, being self-employed and owning your own practice is a popular choice. This option affords you the freedom to be your own boss and set your own hours of service.

But if having your own practice isn’t for you, that’s not a problem. More than ever before, chiropractors today can work in a wide range of settings. Here are some examples:

  • Group practice offices, where multiple chiropractors provide care
  • Integrative clinics, where chiropractors and other healthcare providers like massage therapists and acupuncturists provide care
  • Primary care clinics
  • Multidisciplinary clinics
  • Hospitals
  • VA Medical Centers
  • Corporate settings
  • Fitness centers
  • Sports team facilities

Note that you can also start preparing to treat specific types of patients while in chiropractic school. For instance, there are programs that provide a sports emphasis if you’re interested in focusing on athletes.

3. Join a profession with a bright future

People are becoming increasingly savvy about the healthcare choices they make. Both patients and healthcare practitioners, for example, are looking for alternatives to drugs and surgery when possible. This is becoming especially important in light of the opioid abuse epidemic.

This is just one reason why the non-invasive treatment strategies that chiropractors implement will have a growing role in the future of healthcare.

But there are actually a variety of reasons why chiropractors have a bright future. In fact, it’s not surprising to see the profession on two different “Best Jobs” jobs lists from U.S. News & World Report.

Here are some additional positive indicators:

More chiropractors are needed. The U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics estimates a promising job growth rate of 11% for the coming decade.

Timely treatment for an aging population. Closely related to the point above, Baby Boomers are not only the largest segment of the population; they’re living longer than prior generations. As they age, their need for musculoskeletal-related care will likely increase.

Wide insurance coverage. The American Chiropractic Association reports, “Chiropractic treatment is a covered benefit in virtually all traditional insurance policies.”

Growing acceptance within the overall healthcare system. It’s becoming more and more common for healthcare professionals like medical doctors, physical therapists, and clinical massage therapists to refer their patients to chiropractic doctors.

Prominent health systems are endorsing chiropractic care. For example, recent legislation has expanded Veteran Administration (VA) services to include chiropractic care for veterans. This development has deeper implications that can ultimately influence other health systems.

Take the next step and start exploring chiropractic programs

Healthcare today is evolving and chiropractors are poised to play a key role in its future. You’ve just gotten a glimpse of the career advantages to being a chiropractor. Can you see yourself helping people through chiropractic care?

If any of the points I’ve made above resonate with you, I encourage you to take the next step: Take control of your future and start researching chiropractic programs today.

Katie Burns Ryan, D.C., is a passionate advocate for chiropractic care. She is the Dean of the College of Chiropractic at Northwestern Health Sciences University.

 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Tips to Helping Your Office Succeed After Patients Go Home

Your medical office isn’t done when all the patients head home at the end of the day. Rather than just packing it in and calling it a day, this is actually a time to make sure your office pursues excellence all the time. Knowing some tips to help your office succeed after patients go home makes everything in your office better.

Note How Long Patients Are Around After Your Office ‘Closes’

There’s the time your office officially ‘closes’, and then there’s the time you actually send the last patient home. Some overage is to be expected, but if it’s a lot, then you might have issues on your hands. Is your team taking too long to deliver care? Are you seeing too many clients? Is it a mix of both? Analyze the data to see what’s going on.

Use Back Office Healthcare Operations Software

The right back office healthcare operations software can do many things for your business. First, it helps everyone stay organized. Second, it can eliminate quite a bit of physical paperwork by letting a lot of documents and communications go digital. Third, streamlining can improve the experience for both patients and employees alike. Fourth, it can actually reduce the operational costs involved with running your office.

Focus on Morale

Doctors in your office need their minds sharp for their clinical work, and nurses need to be supportive of their patients emotionally. Chat with as many of your staff as you can at the end of the day to see how everyone is doing. Their mood will be a lot more honest at the end of the day than at the start of their shift.

Care for Your Crew Just Like Your Patients

Your team gives your patients everything they can in terms of care and support. At the end of the day, they’re likely to be physically and emotionally exhausted. Anything you can do to take care of your personnel will go a long way to making sure they’re smiling and ready to do it all again the next day.

Clean Up Everywhere

Cleanliness should always be a priority in a medical setting, not just in between patients but even during a patient visit. Having said that, some things might slide and clutter appreciates over the course of a day. Cleaning up anything and everything, before everyone heads home, means that they all return the next workday to a serene and sterile office ready to go.

Rachelle Wilber
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?

 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.