The Future of Nursing: Trends and Predictions for 2024 and Beyond

Posted on June 10, 2024 by Luke Hewitt

A confident, happy healthcare professional working remotely

What If Nurses Could Predict Patient Needs Before Symptoms Appear?

Artificial intelligence, remote nursing and increased specialization in nursing jobs. These are all hot topics in the healthcare industry that will change the way we care for patient in the coming years. Read on to discover how cutting-edge trends and predictions are reshaping the nursing landscape.

The Rise of Telehealth Nurse Jobs

Telehealth nurse jobs are not just a trend—they’re changing patient care. From part-time remote nursing jobs to remote triage registered nurse jobs, nurses now have the flexibility to work from anywhere. These roles enhance access to care in underserved areas and are now an integral part of nursing practice. However, they also present challenges, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and ensuring a high level of care quality remotely.

Nurse AI: Your New Colleague in Patient Care

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are no longer futuristic concepts. They’re here now and making significant impacts in nursing practice. AI is helping nurses with diagnostics, patient monitoring and administrative tasks. This allows nurses and healthcare facilities to work more efficiently and make data driven decisions.

Did you know that researchers used early forms of AI in healthcare as far back as the 1960s? Today’s technology is light years ahead, and we are hopeful for a future where AI and nurses can work hand-in-hand.

The Evolution of EHR Systems

Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems are becoming more user-friendly and integrated. EHRs essentially act as a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. Authorized users can update them in real time and access them instantly and securely.

Improved systems means nurses can spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. It also facilitates better communication across healthcare teams and facilities, leading to better patient outcomes. The goal is a smoother, more efficient workflow, that supports patient care.

Continuous Learning: The Heartbeat of Nursing

In an ever-evolving field, continued education is non-negotiable. From online learning platforms to simulation-based learning, opportunities for growth are almost endless. EmpowerCare offers free access to EmpowerCare Academy for all employees. All nurses working with EmpowerCare can benefit from access to the online learning platform.

Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of excellence in nursing. Not only does it ensure continued high quality patient care, but it also opens doors for specialties and promotion. Whether it is through EmpowerCare Academy, remote nurse educator jobs, or a traditional nursing school, continued education is pivotal in the evolving healthcare industry.

Nurse using a laptop to learn

Addressing the Nursing Shortage: A Growing Crisis

The current nursing shortage is a critical issue that demands innovative solutions. An aging population, burnout and increased healthcare demands have contributed to this crisis. Address the crisis requires strategic efforts in recruitment, retention and education.

EmpowerCare is committed to supporting our healthcare professionals through this crisis by offering per diem nursing jobs. This allows our nurses to have more freedom and flexibility, avoiding burnout and encouraging them to stay in the industry. We’re committed to ensuring that every nurse has the resources and support they need to thrive.

Diverse Workforce: The Key to Inclusive Care

A diverse nursing workforce is essential for providing culturally competent care. Embracing diversity means better meeting the needs of a varied patient population. EmpowerCare champions inclusivity, creating a workplace where every nurse feels valued and respected.

Policy and Healthcare Reforms: Navigating Change

Policy changes at the local state and national level can have great effects on nursing practice. Ensuring that nurses understand any policy changes at the local, state, or national level, is vital. From staffing ratios to scope of practice, staying informed about policy changes help shape better working conditions and patient care.

Value-Based Care: The New Standard

The shift towards value-based care emphasizes outcomes over volume, rewarding healthcare providers for positive patient outcomes. Nurses are integral to this model, focusing on care coordination, prevention, and health promotion. This approach aligns with the future of nursing, where the emphasis is on delivering high-quality, efficient care.

Emerging Nursing Roles: Opportunities Abound

Specialized roles such as oncology nurse jobs and pediatric oncology nurse positions are in high demand. These roles require deep knowledge and specialized skills, offering nurses the chance to make a significant impact. At EmpowerCare, we support our nurses in pursuing these vital specializations, ensuring they have the tools to excel.

Leadership Opportunities

Nursing leadership is more important than ever. Nurses are stepping into executive roles, influencing healthcare policy, and leading teams. Leadership opportunities abound for those ready to take on the challenge.

The future of healthcare is bright and full of opportunities. Embracing technological advancements, enhancing education, and addressing workforce challenges are key to navigating this exciting landscape. At EmpowerCare, we are committed to supporting our nurses every step of the way. Together, we will shape a healthier, more compassionate world.

A CNA accepting a job offer

Visit EmpowerCare.us to see what opportunities we have to make a difference in healthcare.

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Hiring Healthcare Professionals? Let Us Do The Work

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Luke Hewitt

Finding the healthcare professionals can be challenging, especially when the responsibility falls on staff already managing multiple tasks. Hiring internally limits the time and resources available for a thorough search, often confining efforts to the local area. This process is time-consuming, frustrating, and can take a long time to find the right candidates, particularly when filling multiple positions simultaneously. Partnering with a medical staffing agency like EmpowerCare simplifies this process. With their award-winning team, you gain access to a broader pool of qualified candidates and can expedite the hiring process. EmpowerCare provides a more efficient and effective solution for healthcare professionals and staffing, ensuring you find the right fit for your team without the usual stress and limitations.

More Candidates

When working with EmpowerCare, we do the hard work for you and that includes finding the right people for the job. We have a large amount of healthcare professionals that routinely work with us that we can quickly look at for your specific needs and see if any of them would be a good fit. We can also search multiple platforms for possible new candidates looking for a change. You wouldn’t have to weed out the underqualified workers as we do that for you, and we come to you with choices that would be the best-fitting for the position you are wanting to fill. If your facility is looking for someone with particular experience or a part-time worker, we can easily search through our database along with others at our disposal to find the person you’ve been looking for.

Getting Your Time Back

Gone will be the days that you spend hours looking into resumes that don’t make sense or searching all the job boards when you work with EmpowerCare. Sourcing, screening, and interviewing candidates can require more time and energy than you and your employees have to provide. We do the work for you so you can get back to all your other daily responsibilities. Along with that, we are trained to look for the right information and ask the right questions in order to figure out if that particular person will be a good match for you and your facility needs. What would take you multiple contacts to figure out might take us one phone call. We can get you what you’re looking for and we can get it for you fast.

Prevent Sudden Issues

Unfilled positions and sudden staff shortages can have detrimental effects on a healthcare organization and leave the employees stressed and possibly wanting to look for work elsewhere. With our large database of candidates, we can help fill needs fast and efficiently before it starts to become a problem for your organization. Instead of starting at the beginning of the hiring process like your company would need to do when something like this arises, we can immediately look at the people we have available and send you the ones that would fit your needs best. We can really help avoid major issues within your organization.

At the end of the day, having a staffing agencies for healthcare in your corner will always be a benefit for you and your company. I would suggest working with a staffing agency before a major issue happens with your staffing. That way we will already have a plan of attack set in place for your facility and when the time comes, we know what you’re looking for and we can help mitigate that worry by providing you the right people for the job. Don’t wait for your administration to break down under the stress of it all, take advantage of EmpowerCare’s vast knowledge of healthcare hiring today.

The Art of Effective Nurse-Patient Communication

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Luke Hewitt

Nurse communicating with a patient

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, nurses stand as the frontline warriors, tirelessly working to ensure the well-being of their patients. While medical knowledge and technical skills are undoubtedly essential, there’s another, often underestimated, skill that can make a world of difference in patient care: effective nurse-patient communication.

The Art of Effective Nurse-Patient Communication

Why Nurse-Patient Communication Matters

Imagine being in a vulnerable position, facing illness or uncertainty. Now, picture having a care giver who not only tends to your physical needs but also communicates with empathy, compassion, and clarity. Therapeutic communication in nursing has an amazing impact. It can alleviate anxiety, foster trust, and even expedite the healing process.

Real-Life Stories of Impactful Communication

Let’s delve into a few real-life stories that illustrate the profound effects of effective nurse-patient communication:

Sarah’s Comforting Words: Sarah, an ICU nurse, had a patient in critical condition. Instead of just relaying medical information, she took a moment to sit beside the patient’s bed, held their hand, and listened. Her presence and soothing words offered solace during a challenging time.
John’s Clarity: John, a pediatric nurse, understood the importance of communication with young patients. He used simple language, humor, and visual aids to explain procedures, turning potentially frightening experiences into manageable ones.
Maria’s Empathy: Maria, a cna agency staff member, showed remarkable empathy while caring for a terminally ill patient. She not only addressed physical symptoms but also provided emotional support, making the patient’s final days more peaceful.

Tips for Building Strong Nurse-Patient Relationships

Effective communication is a skill that can be honed and perfected. Here are some valuable tips for nurses to strengthen their nurse-patient relationships:

Active Listening: Give your full attention to patients, validate their feelings, and ask open-ended questions to understand their concerns better.
Empathy in nursing: Put yourself in your patient’s shoes and express understanding and compassion. Sometimes, a reassuring word or a simple touch can make a significant impact.
Clear and Simple Language: Avoid medical jargon and use plain language to explain diagnoses, treatments, and procedures.
Non-Verbal Communication: Pay attention to your body language and facial expressions, as they can convey warmth and reassurance.
Cultural Competency: Be sensitive to cultural differences and adapt your communication style accordingly. Respect patients’ beliefs and practices.

Take the Next Step

Effective communication is not just a skill; it’s a lifeline that can transform the healthcare experience for patients and nurses alike. If you’re interested in improving your communication skills, don’t hesitate to contact EmpowerCare. We’re here to support you on your journey to becoming an even more compassionate and effective healthcare professional. Together, we can make a positive difference in patient care.

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Bilingual Nurses & Why They Mean The World

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Luke Hewitt

A depiction of two people conversing in different languages.

Have you noticed the increased number of bilingual nurse jobs? Imagine being the key that bridges communication gaps in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, and communities. Bilingual nurses are becoming invaluable in healthcare, making daily processes smoother and more efficient. Curious why this trend is skyrocketing? Let’s dive in and uncover the reasons together.

No need to wait for information.

Many hospitals and medical offices have access to translators they can request help from when needed, but bilingual nurses can communicate as the needs arise without having to schedule and wait for a translator to be available. This can take longer to arrange than the actual care that is needed from the patient. So having a bilingual nurse is a great solution to this problem that many facilities face on a day-to-day basis.

Puts patients at ease.

Nurses are usually the ones that the patients feel most comfortable with, and they go to them with their concerns, questions, or just normal conversating back and forth. Nurses who are able to speak to the patient in their native language can help them communicate their wants and needs even more efficiently, which can help the patient feel more confutable and at ease.

Admission process.

During the admission process, bilingual nurses can place a crucial role in ensuring that patients and families provide and receive the correct information. When patients are not comfortable speaking in a different language, vital details can be easily lost in translation. Having a bilingual nurse on hand helps bridge this gap ensuring a more accurate admission process.

Consent.

Just like in the admission process, obtaining consent is another area where bilingual nurses make a significant impact. it is essential for patients and their families to understand their rights and give consent in their preferred language. This is especially true for rapidly changing situations, where waiting for a translator could cause critical delays. Bilingual nurses ensure that information is accurately conveyed, allowing for timely and informed decisions.

Discharge process.

Unlock opportunities in healthcare with EmpowerCare. Bilingual nurses bridge the language gap, making it easier for patients to grasp their care plans. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a small town, diversity matters. As the U.S. grows more diverse, bilingual nurses play a pivotal role in our healthcare system. Explore exceptional career prospects in New England through EmpowerCare. Contact us today to discover the path that can take your nursing career to new heights.

This is a great chance for patients to understand their care plan better. Bilingual nurses can quickly answer their questions.

Diversity is valuable, and we need bilingual nurses in small towns too. The U.S. is becoming more diverse, and bilingual nurses are crucial in healthcare. EmpowerCare offers opportunities for bilingual nurses in New England. Contact us to learn more.

Need A Change Of Pace? Try Behavioral Health!

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

Behavioral health nurses discussing notes

If you’re starting to feel burned out in your current work setting, or want to open yourself up to rewarding opportunities in a different aspect of your career, it may be time to check out Behavioral Health!

TL;DR

Nurses who work in Behavioral Health jobs are typically more admired and respected by patients than other fields of nursing.
It is easier than ever to work in this field thanks to temporarily reduced certification requirements
EmpowerCare can help you experience the rewards of working in Behavioral Health on a short term assignment so you can decide if the field suits you.

Valued For Your Service

Sometimes in nursing it can feel like your efforts are taken for granted, which can be a catalyst for burnout. Anyone who has worked in a medical surgical setting knows this can be especially true.

Behavioral Health settings—which can be in a hospital psychiatric unit, but also in an outpatient or community setting—are however quite different in regards to patient appreciation.

Patients remember the nurses who care for them in these settings. This is largely due to the sense of entitlement that has accompanied the advances in western medicine. When people get hurt or sick, many expect to get better. This mindset views nurses as a means to an end on their path to healing.

People who struggle with mental or emotional issues usually don’t see things this way. Many know they are sick, and have tried to get better on their own. There isn’t always a clear path or pill to get them well again, which can leave them without hope.

When hope is harder to come by, people are incredibly grateful to anyone who can provide it.

A Rare Opportunity

As of this writing (March 2022), nurses have a rare opportunity to “try before you buy” so to speak when it comes to pursuing careers in Behavioral Health settings.

Typically, one would need additional certifications to work in these types of settings. However, many of those restrictions have been temporarily lifted.

This is due in part to the nursing shortage that’s currently taking place, but it’s also for a more uplifting reason. The stigma that surrounded mental health issues in the past is steadily fading. People feel much more comfortable seeking help than they used to.

On the flip side of this coin, the work can be more demanding. More patients + less nurses = a problem on the surface. Deep down however the fulfillment you’re looking for may be through that open door right in front of you.

A Day In The Life

Working hours is an important factor in the quest to achieve a favorable work-life balance. Most (certainly not all) assignments or jobs in a Behavioral Health setting are provided in a community setting with hours that mirror typical business hours.

The nurse’s role is to walk alongside patients on their road to recovery, which involves you in every aspect of care. This also means you would work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. This can include doctors, OTs, PTs, social works, and psychiatrists.

On a typical day, you will care for some of the most vulnerable people you’re likely to encounter. The people receiving your love and care will be suffering from things like anxiety and depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, mental or psychiatric disorders, etc. It is highly unlikely that two patients will be exactly the same.

Your job will revolve around making connections and building relationships with your patients, and their family, friends, and other support systems. You don’t always get to do that in other nursing disciplines.

A Growing Field

United States mental health & substance abuse centers have grown 3.8% on average per year between 2017 and 2022.

It’s not that people are getting sicker, it’s that people are finally receiving care. Federal funding for Medicaid and Medicare has increased during this time, and it’s estimated that reimbursements pay for 51.5% of all care in the industry. Best we can tell, it looks like this trend is likely to continue.

The point is this: working in a Behavioral Health setting may just be the change of pace you’re looking for. High levels of job satisfaction and personal fulfillment are usually discovered when we learn what we’re made of; when we find ourselves in challenging scenarios that on the surface may even look like adversity.

If you don’t know if a move into Behavioral Health nursing is for you, EmpowerCare can help. Reach out to your recruiter and ask about our travel contracts and local per-diem assignments in the field.

Who knows, you might just find exactly what you’ve been looking for.

The Truth About The Congressional Pay-Caps for Travel Nurses

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Luke Hewitt

TL;DR

Rumors are speculating that congress proposed a pay cap on traveling nurse salaries
This misinformation stemmed from a letter written by congress, wanting to ensure staffing agencies aren’t unfairly profiting by inflating rates they charge hospitals during the pandemic.
Congress does not want to impose a pay cap for traveling nurses.

A Story Of Misinformation

Two congressmen, Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA), wrote a letter to the White House’s COVID-19 response team coordinator on January 24, 2022.

They were worried about rumors of staffing agencies taking advantage of the nursing shortage by increasing their rates to provide hospitals with desperately needed traveling nurses during the pandemic.

200 senators from both sides of the aisle signed the letter.

Then confusion hit. Facebook posts started to emerge and cause quite a stir. One post read:

“As of March 2020 the NFL’s minimum salary was $660,000.

The man who tattooed four letters on my wrist charged $80 for 15 minutes of time.

But according to Congress travel nurses need a pay cap.”

The post continued:

“If you support the cap, we probably can’t be friends.”

Comments like “according to Congress travel nurses need a pay cap” and “If you support the cap” imply a congressional pay cap is on the table, when in reality, it isn’t.

Misinformation is created when someone wrongly interprets what’s happening. A letter from 200 senators asking for a government official to look into rumors of illegal activity is very different from proposed legislation.

What Was Congress Really Asking About?

To fully answer that question we have to understand how staffing agencies make money.

When a hospital or healthcare facility doesn’t have enough nurses to care for patients, they turn to staffing agencies.

Staffing agencies find and hire nurses who are willing to travel usually for at least 13 weeks at a time.

The traveling nurses’ pay comes from an “hourly bill rate”, which is how much the hospital or facility pays the staffing agency for every hour worked by a traveling nurse.

The nurse’s pay isn’t the only thing that comes out of the bill rate. The staffing agency incurs additional costs, including:

Recruiting the traveling nurse
Orientation (which is sometimes unpaid by the facility or paid at a fraction of the bill rate)
Liability and insurance coverage
Credentialing
Your licensure reimbursement
The VMS/MSPs
Medical malpractice lawsuits (which are often fought by the staffing agency, not the hospital)
A Nurses Week or Christmas gift from your agency.
Your stipends and travel expenses to get to your contract.
etc.

Bill rate ≠ Nurse’s Pay

The Bill rate is a combination of three factors: 1) The nurse’s pay 2) The staffing agency’s expenses 3) The staffing agency’s profit.

Are Staffing Agencies Unfairly Profiting From The Pandemic?

Now we can address the real question congress was asking in their original letter:

Should there be a cap on how much profit a staffing agency can make on traveling nurses during the pandemic?

Commenting on the confusion from his letter, Congressman Griffith said:

“The bipartisan letter I sent to the White House asks about potential illegal practices by staffing agencies that charge high rates and then keep that money for themselves, not nurses. Rumors are that middleman staffing agencies keep as much as 40% of the money they charge for nurses instead of giving more of the money to the nurses,“

His next remarks are critically important:

“I do not and will not support legislation to cap nurses’ pay. Anything to the contrary is fake news.”

Do you see the twist?

Congress does NOT want to cap nurses’ pay. They want to make sure staffing agencies aren’t illegally lining their pockets off the risks taken by traveling nurses to provide care for patients during a pandemic.

Do Traveling Nurses Need To Worry About A Pay Cap?

In a word: no.

The demand for traveling nurses is not likely going away anytime soon. Some nurses have even commented that a pay cap would cause them to strike, or change careers.

Nobody wants there to be less traveling nurses.

What Congress wants is to ensure traveling nurses aren’t being taken advantage of. At EmpowerCare, we think that’s a good thing!

If you know of a traveling nurse worried about a pay cap, please reassure them not to worry, and share this article with them.

Making the Switch to Overnight Shifts

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Luke Hewitt

Without preparation, switching to an overnight position can be very hard for healthcare professionals. The sudden shift can take a toll on both your body and psyche, potentially leading to Shift Work Disorder (SWD), a condition that increases your risk of various health issues for those working overnight. This along with the added stress and change on your body makes it crucial to have a plan in place for tackling this transition. Whether it seems like a night owls dream or a daunting change in lifestyle, you should always have a plan in place to make this switch easier. Here we are going to give you five exciting tips and tricks to tackle overnight shifts.

Create a Routine

This is probably the most important step when making this change. Getting a planner and writing down when your day-to-day plan will help create a routine to stick with. Make sure to carve out time for yourself to relax and get some “me time” in when needed as well. Working night is all about having a routine and having it down, so when you find the routine that works for you, stick with it.

Finding Sleep

Everyone knows how important sleep is, there is no questioning that, but this is especially true in the healthcare world. You need to have the right amount of sleep so you can provide the best care to your patients, yourself, and your family. When you are about to transition, you need to take time in order to plan out when you will get your much needed rest, and everyone is different, so you need to research what approach works best for you and your needs. You also need to be sure that you don’t do a sudden change in your sleeping all at once as that can disrupt your body appetite, and energy.

Restful Sleep

A quality nights sleep is also super important when making the change to nightshift. There are many things that you can do to be sure the rest you do get is restful. Small changes that you can do is invest in a good pair of blackout curtains for the bedroom, put your phone on the do not disturb mode, by a white noise machine, and be sure the people in your life know that your sleeping schedule is changing so they are aware of it as well. Uninterrupted sleep is needed and taking these small steps will make huge improvements in your sleeping.

Hydration

Staying hydrated during a long night shift keeps you alert and energized. Aim for 8 glasses a day, both at work and throughout the day. Some tips can help you drink more water to combat night shift fatigue. Carry water, set timers, use a straw.

Think Positive

A positive attitude can go a long way and can greatly improve your time working night shifts. There are many benefits that working night shifts provides that you cannot get working the day shift. For example, getting more family time, running errands, or just being able to relax during the day. Always have a positive attitude and it will take you far.

EmpowerCare has the team in place to help you with the change. We are here to help you with any transition needed to get you into the position you’ve been wanting. We would love to help you make this overnight shift change easy and harmless. Call us to find a role that fits your needs with a team that will make it happen for you.

How to Avoid Nurse Burnout

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Luke Hewitt

Raise your hand if you have ever had a difficult day at work that causes you to rethink every decision you have ever made. Yes… we have all been there at one point or another. This happens especially in RN jobs as they are the backbone to our intricate healthcare system we have. With everything going on for the past few years, RNs have seen and dealt with some pretty intense situations. They are exhausted, tired, short staffed, and just over worked to say the least. So bad days are bound to happen occasionally. Long hours, lack of support and sleep, and working in a high stress environment are all factors that contribute to what we call nurse burnout. On order to stop this from happening to you, we’re giving you some tips to manage your workload and day to day life to cope with this irritating issue.

Take Care of #1

Number one meaning you. You are the only person who can make sure your mental and physical self is taken care of, so be sure to take time for yourself. I’m sure you have heard this time and time again, but there are simple things you can do to make sure you are taking time for yourself. Exercise, meditate, drink water, are the normal self-care regimens, but you can also pack your own food for work, do a self-care day, and wear compression socks while at work to take for of yourself.

Learn to Say “No”

Nurse burnout can happen when you take on too many responsibilities or feel an obligation to accept every task that is given to them. Most of us are guilty of doing this. Just learn to say “no” to things so you don’t take on more than you can handle.

Work for a Company you Enjoy

You need to be able to enjoy your company that you work for and have a good experience there. If for some reason you are having issues you should address them with your management team or look for a different company all together. Your happiness in your personal and work like matter, so be sure to be your own supporter in your happiness, always.

Seek Professional Help

At EmpowerCare we want you to know that seeking help is one of the bravest things you can do, and it will always put you on the road to recovery the fastest. There are so many different options when it comes to professional help, and you can decide what option works best for you and our needs.

Whatever you need to do to keep the nurse burnout away, make it a priority. RNs are the backbone that we all need in our lives, and we wouldn’t be able to function as a society without you doing what you do best. EmpowerCare can help you find the right facility that can keep you feeling happy and appreciated while providing you the benefits and schedule you need to keep it away or good.