The article reminisces about how Christmas was celebrated in West Midlands hospitals, highlighting traditions like nurses having Christmas dinners on operating tables, decorating wards, and sharing alcohol and gifts with patients, which have gradually faded over the years due to safety and policy changes.
A Reddit survey and expert opinions reveal common activities like ATV riding, riding in pickup beds, and not wearing seat belts as significant risks, highlighting the importance of awareness and caution in everyday behaviors to prevent injuries or fatalities.
Katherine LaNasa won her first Emmy for supporting actress in a drama for her role as nurse Dana Evans in HBO Max's 'The Pitt,' thanking nurses who inspired her character and expressing pride in her achievement during her acceptance speech.
Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood Hospital in Gresham voted to authorize a strike after 21 months of unsuccessful negotiations over pay, healthcare, and shift protections, with 93% participation and an overwhelming majority in favor, amid ongoing contract disputes with Legacy Health.
This week's top health stories include insights on women's dental health challenges, the surprising kidney benefits of Ozempic, nurses sharing key lessons from their careers, safety guidelines for eating wild game, an inspiring message from the first NBA player with MS, a young mother's stroke warning signs, and foods that could improve sleep quality.
Nurses at a neonatal unit in Taipei were captured on video protecting newborns during the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, scrambling to gather cots and shield the babies from potential harm as the building shook. The nurses' heroic actions garnered praise on social media, with many commending their efforts to safeguard the most vulnerable. The earthquake has left over 1,000 people injured and nine dead, with rescue efforts ongoing to reach those trapped, particularly in the Taroko National Park area.
Two nurses were assaulted in separate incidents at Miriam Hospital in Providence. In the first incident, a male nurse was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a female patient. In the second incident, a female nurse was racially berated and slapped by a patient who was trying to leave the hospital. These incidents highlight the ongoing issue of violence against healthcare workers in Rhode Island.
Two nurses and a medical resident were stabbed by a visitor during a domestic dispute at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. The 37-year-old woman responsible for the attack has been charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession. The victims sustained minor injuries and the hospital was briefly on divert status in the emergency department. The motive behind the attack is still unknown.
A woman visiting a patient in a pediatric ICU at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in New Jersey allegedly slashed two nurses and a doctor in the face after an argument. The motive for the attack is unclear, but all three medical staff members are expected to recover. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Firdousi Abdul-Hakim, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault and weapon possession. The investigation is ongoing.
Nurses at two Ascension hospitals in Wichita and one in Austin have announced a one-day strike on December 6 to protest unsafe conditions and staffing issues. The National Nurses Organizing Committee stated that management has failed to address concerns regarding equipment shortages and floating policies that assign nurses to unfamiliar units. Despite Ascension's substantial resources, nurses report struggling to provide adequate care. The strike aims to bring attention to these issues and urge management to prioritize patient safety.
Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center, along with nurses at two Ascension-owned hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, will hold a one-day strike on December 6 to address ongoing issues with equipment and staffing. The National Nurses United (NNU) union is calling attention to shortages of equipment and supplies, such as IV pumps, hospital gowns, blankets, and thermometers, as well as problems with hospital-issued phones. The union is also concerned about short staffing and nurse retention, with inexperienced nurses being pushed into leadership roles. Ascension Seton representatives expressed disappointment with the strike decision but stated that patient care would not be disrupted.
Tristin Kate Smith, a 28-year-old emergency room nurse from Ohio, wrote a letter to her "abuser," referring to the U.S. healthcare system, before taking her own life. The letter, which has gone viral among nurses, highlights the disillusionment many healthcare workers feel with the system. Smith's father discovered the letter after her death and published it in an effort to raise awareness. Nurses face mental health struggles but often fear seeking help due to potential professional repercussions. The American Nurses Association acknowledges the broken healthcare system and the negative impact it has on nurses' mental health and well-being. Nurses are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population, and workplace safety concerns and blame for assaults are also prevalent issues. The ANA calls for action to prioritize nurses and address the systemic problems in the healthcare system.
NICU nurses at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Henrico County, Virginia, have handmade Halloween costumes for the babies in their care, allowing them to celebrate the holiday despite not being able to go trick-or-treating. The costumes range from peacocks to astronauts, mermaids to basketball players, bringing joy to the tiny patients in the NICU.
Nurses from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey testified during a U.S. Senate committee hearing, warning that the hospital is becoming increasingly unsafe due to understaffing. The nurses expressed concerns about insufficient staffing levels and the impact it has on patient care. The testimony took place during a field hearing held by Senator Bernie Sanders.
In her book "Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and its Power to Change the World," author Sarah DiGregorio explores the history of nursing and how nurses were once revered as experts and authority figures in ancient civilizations. However, the opening of new medical schools in Europe during the Middle Ages pushed women out of medicine and healthcare. Florence Nightingale, while credited with reviving the importance of nurses, also perpetuated the idea of nurses as subordinate to physicians. Racism in nursing has persisted throughout history, with racial disparities and discrimination still affecting non-white nurses today.