MHA's Organization of Nurse Executives

3 Charge Nurse Success Tips

Leadership development is an oft-overlooked issue in nursing, so it's no surprise that charge nurses rarely receive the training they need. Many organizations promote nurses into the charge position simply because they are good nurses and no one else wants to do it. But the charge nurse is crucial to the smooth operation of a patient care unit—check out these tips charge nurses should keep in mind.

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Commentary: Nurses Say They Need A Break; Why Leadership Should Listen

There has been a spate of news articles in the last few months about nurse protests and threats of strikes. A frayed work environment lies at the heart of many of these confrontations, with a workforce that feels it is stretched too thin. Nurses are speaking up about overwork and short staffing and the effect they feel it has on patient care.

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FDA approves drug to treat pediatric poisoning by nerve agents

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved for pediatric use a drug used to treat poisoning from organophosphate pesticides and chemicals, such as bioterrorist nerve agents. The drug, Protopam Chloride, can be administered by intravenous or intramuscular injections.

It was approved for use in adults in 1964. Organophosphate pesticides are typically used in the farm setting and by professional exterminators.

"We know this drug has been widely used for many years to treat poisoning in pediatric patients in emergency situations," said Russell Katz, M.D., director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Improving the drug's label with new dosing information for children will give health care professionals better guidance on how to use this drug safely and effectively."

[ via AHA News Now ]

Organizations need to "onboard" nurses to increase retention

New nurses undergo different phases of adjustment, from the honeymoon phase to shock, recovery and resolution stages, to fully adapt to their work environment, experts say. A process called "onboarding," which borrows principles from business management, can help nurses absorb the culture of their work organization and makes them emotionally invested and attached to their job.

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