Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1495475
27 NURSING SPOTLIGHT e AACN takes a strong stance on violence against healthcare workers; we have a "zero tolerance" policy. We support hospitals having a zero tolerance for violence against their workers. I think it's sad that I have to say that out loud. If I'm a nurse in a hospital and my patient assaults me in any kind of way, I would expect that my hospital would support me in that encounter. But it is very oen the case that the patient is the one who is supported and the nurse is expected to assume that the risk of verbal, physical and even sexual assault comes with the job. It's not acceptable. It is not okay for a nurse to come into work every day and have to expect to be hit, slapped, bitten, verbally assaulted or sexually assaulted. ese are not things that should happen, but they do. It's very demoralizing if something like this happens and hospitals don't support their nurses. Q: Are hospitals doing enough to communicate "zero tolerance" policies regarding violence against nurses? AB: It certainly has to be more than a message on a poster. I've heard recently from one of our members about a hospital where patients have to watch a video of the CEO of the hospital saying that violence against our workers will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave if you don't comply. Other hospitals have done publicity campaigns online and [on] social media, through print and TV. Doing campaigns like this can speak volumes to the clinicians who are worried for their health and safety. I think these things can go really far to help. But the question, then, is: Will hospitals follow through? Hospital response absolutely must be authentic. e policy has to be enforced. Q: Can you describe a time when, as a critical care nurse, you felt truly valued? AB: I took a travel assignment in a place (Shriners Children's Boston) that has been, to this day, the healthiest work environment I've ever worked in. On my very first day, I went into a very sick child's room and saw the team was having problems getting the child comfortable on a ventilator. e attending physician turned to me, introduced himself, and said, "Amanda, have you seen anything in the other places you've worked that might actually help this patient?" He had just met me and valued my expertise right away. I gave a suggestion and we tried it! And it was much better for the patient. at physician made me feel like a valued person on the team on my very first day there. Knowing my input mattered, that everyone respected each other's clinical backgrounds and that the culture was one where everyone has something to learn from each other made all the difference to me. Q: How can hospitals focus on culture when they are so short-staffed? AB: Everyone focuses on their staffing these days because there's absolutely a number of nurses needed or safe care can't be delivered. But healthcare is about more than numbers, and hospitals have to realize that. Excellent patient care requires other things — culture, the work environment, collaboration, leadership and not only communication but the right kind of communication. Sure, nurses might want better pay or better benefits. at's a part of it. But, also, nurses really want to be respected partners in the care of patients. We want to be respected by administration and have a voice in the changes being made with regard to patient care. e way to create that culture starts by listening to nurses, caring about what we say. Respect us as clinical partners. is is not an initiative that comes only from the administration. It has to come from the team deciding that they want to change and work toward a healthier environment for everyone. If all hospitals committed to implementing the six standards of care, we would transform healthcare. Q: Are these standards of care difficult to put in place to create the necessary culture? AB: You know, the solutions we are suggesting seem simple on paper: communication, collaboration, decision-making, respect, trust — these are all things we want from our employers. Again, it has to be part of the culture. ese things can't be ignored when we are stressed because turnover is high. at's when hospitals have to put in more effort to meet the standards. We all know communication matters and that collaboration is important. But we need to make sure that it happens across all the teams, across the whole organization. I saw it firsthand. I decided to stop being a travel nurse and took a full-time staff position [at Shriners Children's Boston]. I realized I had never felt like I could make my optimal contribution as a nurse until I landed in a place with a healthy work environment. And that's what every nurse is looking for. n Oregon community colleges could offer traditional BSN degrees, but some groups are wary By Ashleigh Hollowell A bill passed in Oregon in 2019 may soon make it so community colleges can offer four-year traditional baccalaureate degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in nursing — but despite a national nursing shortage, some are not sure this effort is worthwhile or will be effective. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities, a group of leaders from the state's nonprofit private institutions, "does not think giving the community colleges the ability to award BSNs will address the nursing shortage." Others, including John Wykoff, the deputy director of the Oregon Community College Association, told OPB that while this may draw some concerns from state public and private four-year institutions, overall this will likely not affect them too much. "Whether it's the cost of a four-year degree or the fact that they're more comfortable in the community college atmosphere where you're going to have smaller courses and a lot of wraparound supports — a lot of students will do better in these programs, and it really gives them an educational pathway to higher earnings and more lifelong career opportunities," Mr. Wykoff told OPB. OPB said the Oregon Legislature is set to have further talks about the option for community colleges to issue BSNs via Senate Bill 523, but there currently are not any set hearings scheduled to do so. n