The Power Within REACH of Nurses

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Cari l i on Cl i ni c, 1906 Bel l evi ew A ve, R oanoke , VA 24014 h t t p s : / / w w w . i n s i d e c a r i l i o n . o r g / h u b / n u r s i n g - r e s e a r c h - e v i d e n c e - b a s e d - p r a c t i c e nur si ngresear ch@c ari li oncl i ni c.org (540)266 -6216

The Power Within Reach of Nurses

Deirdre Rea, DNP, MSNCNS, PMHRN-BC - Connect Director & Within REACH Editorial Board Member

The arrival of the novel Coronavirus-19 pandemic turned healthcare – and nursing- upside down. The spread seemed unstoppable. There were not enough beds, ventilators, PCR tests, PPE or nurses to care for the tsunami of patients arriving on our units daily. Every discharge was to be celebrated because we were unable to stop the rising death toll. If there was ever a time when we, as nurses, felt powerless to effect change, this was it. And the fallout has been an exodus of people from the nursing profession.1

While we may have felt powerless, I would strongly argue that we are not. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in its 2019 Nursing Fact Sheet2, there are more than 3.8 million registered nurses throughout the United States comprising the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. There is potential power in our numbers. Nurses again topped the Gallup Poll list of the most trusted professions in the country.3 There is potential power in being trusted. Abood4 identifies this as referent power and states this is an important asset that puts us in a position to foster change. As a Magnet© recognized organization with an emphasis on a nursing education, we are recognized for our knowledge and skill. Abood defines this as expert power. But this power remains in the realm of ‘potential’ if we do not employ those strengths.

The articles in this issue of WithinREACH offer different methods to turn that potential power into active power. When we search the literature, critically analyzing and comparing outcomes from multiple studies to identify best practices for our patients, we are utilizing our expertise. When we direct those 3.8 million, most -trusted healthcare voices – and votes- toward the legislative process, we are exercising our referent power and numbers. Fortunately, we can empower ourselves with exploring evidence-based practice at any time. Legislation is somewhat different. Longest 5 describes the opportune time for policy change as being in the ‘window of opportunity’ when problems, possible solutions and political circumstances come together at the same time. This year in Virginia, we are at just such a place. In November, the Commonwealth will vote for a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and for every seat in the House of Delegates. Use your power! Write, call or speak directly to the candidates. Ask their positions on healthcare. Educate them on the problems you see on the frontline and offer possible solutions. BE HEARD- and advocate for both our patients and our profession.

~ Deirdre

References

1. Kalter L. Survey: 2/3 of critical care nurses consider quitting due to Covid-19. https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210920/ survey-critical-care-nurses-consider-quitting-due-covid. Published September 20, 2021. Accessed October 6, 2021. 2. Nursing Fact Sheet. American Association of Colleges of Nursing website. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-Information/factsheets/nursing-fact-sheet Published April 1, 2019. Accessed October 6, 2021. 3. Nurses top list of most honest and ethical professionals: Gallup. Staffing Industry Analysts. https://www2.staffingindustry.com/ row/Editorial/Healthcare-Staffing-Report/Jan.-14-2021/Nurses-top-list-of-most-honest-and-ethical-professionals-Gallup Published January 14, 2021. Accessed October 6, 2021. 4. Abood S. Influencing Health Care in the Legislative Arena. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 2007; 12(1),

Manuscript 2. Accessed October 6, 2021. 5. Longest BB. Health policymaking in the United States. Ann Arbor, MI: Association of University Programs in Health

Administration (AUPHA) Press/Health Administration Press;2010.

ARTICLES/NOTIFICATIONS

1 The Power Within REACH of Nurses

Deirdre Rea, DNP, MSNCNS, PMHRN-BC

3 American Academy of Nursing - 2021 Class of New Fellows Announcement 4 Best Practice for Measuring Body Temperature

Kim Carter, PhD, RN, NEA-BC

9 Nursing Legislation Summary - Nurse Staffing for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality

Brittany Spence, BSN, RN, CEN

11 A Day in the Life of Diabetes: Perspectives from a Provider

Vanessa Hedge, MSN, CPNP-AC

RECOGNITION/EVENTS

12 Recognitions 16 Virtual Journal Club

Cindy Ward, DNP, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC

17 Carilion Nursing Research Classes - end of year update 18 Citations & Recognitions 20 Carilion Nursing Research Virtual Conference Information 23 Nursing Research Hub Information 24 See Where Our Nurses Have Presented Their Work 25 2021-2022 National Virtual Nursing Conference Information

**If you are interested in becoming a member of the Carilion Nursing Research Editorial Board, please email your CV or Resume to Chris Fish-Huson (cdhuson@carilionclinic.org) for review!**

Carilion Nursing Research Editorial Board: Deirdre Rea, DNP, RN-BC, PMH-CNS - Interim Editor-in-Chief

Reviewers

Nancy Altice, DNP, RN, CCNS, ACNS-BC Desiree Beasley, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS Ann Beheler, ADN, RN Sarah Browning, DNP, RN-BC Charles Bullins, DNP, RN, AGACNP-BC Monica Coles, DNP, RN-BC, ACNS -BC Sarah Dooley, MPH, BSN, RN Christine Fish-Huson, PhD, RN, CNE Donna Goyer, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA Cindy W. Hodges, BSHS, RNC, FCN James Ingrassia, MSN, RN Pam Lindsey, MSN, RN Margaret Perry, MSN, RN-BC Laura Reiter, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNRN Cindy Ward, DNP, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC