Safety

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of healthcare professionals  to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination.

Racism is harming nurses, and it’s an ongoing problem. January results from a survey of over 5,600 nurses found that almost half of nurses say there’s a great deal of racism in nursing. Sixty-three percent of nurses surveyed have personally experienced an act of racism in the workplace, with the wrongdoers being either a peer (66%), a patient (63%), or a ...

For nurses, infection control practices are nothing new. Nurses first learn about these policies and procedures in nursing school. And they routinely follow the practices at work. But that doesn’t mean every nurse follows infection control procedures consistently and confidently. The COVID-19 pandemic raised the level of concern for infection ...

In the last couple of years, you’ve been busy. You’ve probably worked longer hours while juggling more tasks at home. Some routine tasks, like preventive medical appointments and immunizations, may have fallen to the bottom of your to-do list. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 4 in 10 American adults avoided ...

FLU SHOT FRIDAYS IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION (ANA) AND SANOFI PASTEUR* TO IGNITE URGENCY AROUND FLU VACCINATION, ESPECIALLY AMONG THOSE 50+ AND THOSE AT THE HIGHEST RISK FOR FLU COMPLICATIONS. Learn more about the FLUSHOTFRIDAYS campaign here . Despite the low incidence of influenza last season, we know that the flu ...

Times are stressful (to say the least) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many routine tasks have gotten pushed to the backburner. Nurses are working even longer hours under excruciatingly stressful circumstances. At home, many nurses also have to deal with virtual schooling or daycare closings for their kids. Loved ones who once worked outside of ...

DISCLAIMER: The content provided on this webpage is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice.  This webpage is for reference only.  Always consult with a qualified health care provider for any questions you may have regarding your health. Now more than ever, there’s a new level of respect for immunity. Your immune system is what keeps ...

ANA is excited to share that we are a lead partner on a new educational campaign supported by Sanofi Pasteur focused on driving flu vaccinations this flu season called  The Race to 200M . See the press release here .  As nurses, we know the importance of flu vaccination. This year – given the intersection with COVID-19 – it is more important than ever ...

From the moment a person enters nursing school, they’re trained to work in tandem with patients, family members, and loved ones. A patient’s recovery is always a team effort. Yet the coronavirus pandemic threw a curveball at the way nurses must handle communication with patients and their loved ones. Gone are the days when nurses and doctors could ...

DISCLAIMER:   The content provided on this webpage is general in nature and does not constitute legal or medical advice.  This webpage is for reference only.   Laws vary by jurisdiction, locality, state, or country; please follow the laws of your specific jurisdiction and consult with an attorney if you have any questions regarding the laws of your ...

By Joelle T. Fathi, DNP, RN, ARNP, ANP-BC, CTTS, NCTTP Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shone a spotlight on the egregious reality of risk and racial inequities, particularly in current and former smokers and has amplified the opportunity to address these racial inequities through effective treatment of tobacco use disorder and nicotine ...

HNHN's Strength through Resiliency Committee, via the behest of the American Nurses Association's 2019 Membership Assembly, is examining, developing, collecting mental health resources for nurses, including those for suicide prevention.  The Strength through Resiliency Committee is comprised of a Work Group and Review Committee and is ...

By Nursing@Georgetown One in three women and one in four men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes, External link  according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This type of trauma necessitates urgent medical attention from trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs),  yet ...

By Elizabeth Monsees Nurses are natural partners in antibiotic stewardship efforts.  Aside from interacting with an array of disciplines and having the privilege to spend time with patients, our daily work promotes appropriate antibiotic use.   Nurses support the process of antibiotic optimization through a number of clinical practices such as: ...

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 27-May 4, 2019.  This is the 25 th anniversary of NIIW, an annual observance to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children. Healthcare professionals are on the front lines of the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.  According to CDC research, parents ...

How to prevent and handle 5 winter weather dangers. The approach of the holidays and the onset of winter bring a lot to look forward to. However, it’s important to be prepared safety-wise for colder weather. Although some winter injuries may involve bad luck (like a slip on ice), there are tactics you can use to keep yourself, your family, and your ...

It’s the holiday season. Time for family, friend, and co-worker get-togethers. Time for shopping wrapping, and giving gifts. Time for holiday traditions. Maybe there will be some traveling.  For many people, alcohol is a part of the holidays…a cup of eggnog at the company party, a glass of wine to relax after a long day of shopping, a new year’s toast ...

By Melissa Harvey, Director of the Hospital Preparedness Program  With the nation still recovering from Hurricane Florence and wildfires in the west, it is critical that the U.S. health care system be ready. Fortunately, The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) prepares the health care system to save lives during emergencies and disasters. ...

Marilyn Pierce-Bulger, APRN, Owner/Manager, FASDx Services LLC and Board of Director member, Alaska Center for FASDs, Anchorage, AK Beth Kelsey, EdD, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, Director of Publications, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health Catherine Ruhl, MS, CNM, Director, Women’s Health Programs, Association of ...

Why distracted driving is a problem — and what you can do to prevent it.  

8 ways nurses who work nights can stay healthy and happy.

Cynthia Coleman, RN, and Donna M. Fountain, PhD, RN share their experiences of workplace violence against nurses.  

Use Your Role as a Nurse to Get Engaged in Your Community and Beyond. Three of ANA’s advocacy experts share their tips for getting involved, even when you’re crunched for time.  (Editor's note:  This blog was published in 2018.  Janet Haebler, John Richter, and Matthew Fittings are no longer with government affairs at ANA.)  

ANA’s Senior Policy Advisor Ruth Francis, MPH, MCHES, explains why nurse fatigue is a dangerous issue for nurses and what we can do about it.   

Preventing the spread of infection within a hospital takes a concerted team effort in which nurses are critical. “Nurses are at every level of patient care, whether within an institution, community, or home.  It’s the nurse who is the patient advocate, educator, and facilitator of care. They’re the individuals who are most likely to ensure patient ...

ANA’s Senior Policy Advisor, Sharon Morgan, explains the impact staffing has on nurse and patient safety.  

ANA’s Senior Policy Advisor Ruth Francis, MPH, MCHES, shares strategies for keeping nurses safe from sharps.  

Cynthia Clark, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, explains how nurses can foster collegial relationships with one another, move past incivility and bullying, and promote healthy work environments.   

 Over the course of a year, 35,800 nurse workdays are lost due to musculoskeletal injury, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and according to the American Nurses Association’s 2016 Health Risk Appraisal , seven out of 10 nurses report pain resulting from their work.   “Nurses are the heart of health care, yet they are the most injured ...

Nurses understand the dangers of spending too much time in the sun and many of us practice sun safety measures to protect against skin cancer, but protecting against skin cancer is a topic that should stay top of mind. Check out these Sun Safety Tips for Nurses.