Nursing Consortium Fall Conference attendance tops 300 despite more than 100 opting to attend virtually 

Attendees grateful for an informative and uplifting experience

In order to facilitate social distancing the Consortium rented all of the Signature Grand's ballroom space and reduced the number seated for lunch from eleven to eight per table.  "Masking was encouraged, and additional measures were taken to facilitate safe interaction while continuing to allow for the rich engagement that is such an important part of our conferences, remarked Ralph Egues, NCSF executive director, "We always want attendees to both renew old friendships and expand their professional network and that certainly happened." "Our conferences are about empowerment and we want learning to take place from the moment attendees arrive until they leave, not just during the sessions, but also during breaks, around posters, at lunch, with exhibitor and sponsor representatives, and with a growing network of colleagues," added Jean Seaver, the conference planning committee chair and Consortium president-elect.  "It had been two years since we'd convened nursing in person and the expressions of gratitude were overwhelming.  It felt like an early Thanksgiving," noted Egues "and then I spent the next morning reading thank-you-note emails from many of those that attended virtually.  Please click here for the conference brochure which contains links to speaker slides and CVs, poster abstracts, session learning objectives and more.    

New Individual Memberships to keep retiring leaders engaged

"There are numerous nurse leaders that though  retired wish to contribute to Consortium committee work, and I am pleased that our Board has approved a new Individual Member category to facilitate their continued engagement,” remarked Consortium president Maria Suarez.  Those wishing to learn more about the new membership category should click here.  Despite this change, the Consortium will continue to predominately be an organizational member driven organization.  "Membership at the organizational level has facilitated close relationships with executive nurse leaders and provided opportunities for all member entity nurse employees to engage as committee members and influence Consortium programming," noted Consortium executive director Ralph Egües, "That isn't changing, but we do want to also facilitate engagement by retired nurse leaders that want to continue advancing nursing."   

AACN launches “Hear Us Out” campaign to report nurses' COVID-19 reality and to encourage vaccination

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has launched Hear Us Out, a nationwide effort to report nurses’ reality from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and urge those who have yet to be vaccinated to reconsider. In response to the surge of the delta variant, an increase in younger Americans dying and the Food and Drug Administration’s first full approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, AACN is advocating on behalf of the acute and critical care nursing community, as the profession and healthcare systems are being pushed to a breaking point.  Beth Wathen, AACN president said, “We don’t want to scare the public, yet we are obligated to paint an accurate picture of life and death with COVID-19 in an ICU. COVID kills, and the death is a difficult, tragic and lonely one. By engaging in an honest dialogue, we hope to help Americans understand the consequences of what is now a preventable disease.” The Hear Us Out campaign includes videos of nurses sharing their experiences taking care of patients with COVID-19 and materials that guide those who have been vaccinated to engage in constructive conversations with family and friends who have yet to be vaccinated. Please click here to read more and click here to view the video.

FHA report finds Florida faces shortfall of 59,100 nurses by 2035

A new report from the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, reveals that the state of Florida faces a shortfall of more than 59,000 nurses by 2035. This includes a 12 percent shortfall, -37,400, in Registered Nurses (RN) and a 30 percent shortfall, -21,700, in Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association says, Florida needs nurses now and well into the future. A recent FHA study, prior to the current spike in COVID-19, showed an 11 percent vacancy rate for nurses this spring and that one in four nurses left their positions last year, As Florida’s population continues to grow, our healthcare system must be ready to meet the ever-increasing demand for services. A strong healthcare workforce and capacity in the education system to graduate needed nurses over the coming years are critical.” Please click here for the full report.

Study by Miami Cancer Institute helps identify patients at high risk after surgery for brain metastases

Researchers at Consortium member Miami Cancer Institute have defined factors that make patients more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of undergoing surgery for cancer that has spread to the brain. Better awareness of these risk factors could potentially reduce readmissions substantially, both improving patient care and outcomes and lowering healthcare costs. The results of the study, “Factors Associated with Unplanned Readmissions and Costs Following Resection of Brain Metastases in the United States,” was published recently in Nature Scientific Reports, a leading multidisciplinary science journal. The research team at Miami Cancer Institute was led by senior author Rupesh Kotecha, M.D., chief of Radiosurgery and director of CNS Metastasis at the Institute. More than 200,000 cases of brain metastases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and approximately one in six of those who go on to have brain surgery are hospitalized again within 30 days. In addition to prolonging care and patient discomfort, the extrapolated costs associated with the additional hospital days add up to more than $269 million a year nationally. Readmission could also delay further cancer treatment. Please click here to read more.

FAU seeks subjects for study on health effects of harmful algal blooms

Researchers from Consortium member Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute are currently seeking participants for a study evaluating potential impacts of exposure to harmful algal blooms. During these blooms, species of cyanobacteria release a variety of toxic compounds, including microcystins, a potent toxin, into local waterways. Human exposure comes from ingestion, direct skin contact or inhalation, and can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from gastroenteritis, nausea, allergic reactions and skin rashes to liver damage in severe cases. Despite multiple occurrences of red tide and blue green algae in Florida waters, our understanding of the long-term health effects of exposure to these blooms remains limited. The researchers have received a grant from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), to continue a first-of-its-kind evaluation of both the short-term and potential long-term health effects among Florida residents. The “Long-term Effects of Exposure to Harmful Algal Blooms” (LEE-HABs) study uses a collaborative, multisite approach, which includes researchers from Florida Gulf Coast University. “Despite the intensity and frequency of cyanobacterial blooms in South Florida, data on human exposure to these blooms and microcystin concentrations in tissues of people who have been exposed is limited,” said Shirley Gordon, Ph.D., principal investigator and a professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “Understanding thresholds for both short- and long-term health impacts is crucial to protect the health of Floridians. Please click here to read more 

NFIB reports small business optimism slips as labor shortages, inflation impact business operations

The latest Small Business Optimism Index from NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) shows a decrease of optimism compared to the previous month.  The uncertainty index increased five points to 74. Owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months decreased five points to a net negative 33%. Fifty-one percent of small business owners reported job openings that could not be filled, a 48-year record high for the third consecutive month. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said, “Small business owners are doing their best to meet the needs of customers, but are unable to hire workers or receive the needed supplies and inventories. The outlook for economic policy is not encouraging to owners, as lawmakers shift to talks about tax increases and additional regulations.”  Please click here to read more.

New survey shows hiring is a top priority for 84% of CEOs

A recent survey of over 1,000 C-suite executives and HR managers, commissioned by hiring software company Greenhouse, finds that 78% of organizations plan to increase hiring in H2 2021, yet almost 68% expect attrition to increase at the same time. More than half (53%) of employers cite the desire for a better work-life balance as the primary cause of turnover. This new wave of hiring goes beyond just making up for lost headcount and resignations. Over 60% of leaders surveyed said they plan to increase headcount by 50% or more in H2 2021. While 33% of new job postings aim to return staffing to pre-COVID levels, 60% will be for new roles as companies look to fuel their future growth. A large majority (84%) of respondents believe that hiring is a top priority for their CEO, but with demand for talent so high, the power is now in candidates' hands. Please click here to read more.

New research says more employers are prioritizing employee mental health

A new survey by TELUS International finds that 78% of American employees feel empowered to let someone at their company know when they aren't feeling physically or mentally well, up 40% from 2020. The majority of employees (71%) feel employers are genuinely concerned with their mental health. The survey results, compared to those reported in October 2020, indicate that employers have changed their approach toward supporting mental health in the workplace. The research suggests companies have heeded employees’ calls and are better supporting mental health needs, as fewer employees today say they would quit their job for another that better prioritized its employees’ mental health (57% in 2021 vs. 80% in 2020). The findings are based on a Pollfish survey of 1,000 employed Americans who have been working from home full time since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.  The survey ran on Sept. 10, 2021. Please click here to read more.

McKinsey advises transformative integration approach in large-deal healthcare M&A

FDA orders recall of all Eco-Med ultrasound gels and lotions due to risk of bacterial contamination

The FDA has issued a Class 1 recall of all Eco-Med ultrasound gels and lotions due to a high level of risk posed by the contaminated product. Class 1 is the most serious type of recall. This recall is an update of previous notification to healthcare providers and facilities to immediately stop using and discard all ultrasound gels and lotions manufactured by Eco-Med Pharmaceutical, Inc. due to risk of bacterial contamination with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). In early August Eco-Med initiated a voluntary recall to stop use of EcoGel 200 Ultrasound Gel due to risk of bacterial contamination. However, the FDA has determined that all ultrasound gels and lotions manufactured by Eco-Med are at risk for bacterial contamination.  Eco-Med products are distributed by a number of distributors under various product names, including MediChoice Ultrasound Gel External distributed by both Owens & Minor and Mac Medical Supply Co., Inc. Please click here to read more.

Keynote Donna Wright inspired all to heal, restore, dream & celebrate

Panel addressing strategies for preparing new grads for practice

Attendees took great interest in posters advancing novel strategies

Panel addressing strategies for stablizing nursing at the bedside

Panel addressing initiatives for forming and supporting nursing

A new attendance record set with a third more joining via live webcast

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