Some Nurses Still Resist Vaccination Against COVID-19.

Vaccine safety is their main concern.

Alternative Approaches to Ensuring Adequate Nurse Staffing: The Effect of State Legislation on Hospital Nurse Staffing.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to addresses the basic question of whether alternative legislative approaches are effective in encouraging hospitals to increase nurse staffing. METHODS: Using 16 years of nationally representative hospital-level data from the American Hospital Association (AHA) annual survey, we employed a difference-in-difference design to compare changes in productive hours per patient day for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs), and nursing assistive personnel (NAP) in the state that mandated staffing ratios, states that legislated staffing committees, and states that legislated public reporting, to changes in states that did not implement any nurse staffing legislation before and after the legislation was implemented. We constructed multivariate linear regression models to assess the effects with hospital and year fixed effects, controlling for hospital-level characteristics and state-level factors. RESULTS: Compared with states with no legislation, the state that legislated minimum staffing ratios had an 0.996 (P<0.01) increase in RN hours per patient day and 0.224 (P<0.01) increase in NAP hours after the legislation was implemented, but no statistically significant changes in RN or NAP hours were found in states that legislated a staffing committee or public reporting. The staffing committee approach had a negative effect on LPN hours (difference-in-difference=-0.076, P<0.01), while the public reporting approach had a positive effect on LPN hours (difference-in-difference=0.115, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant effect of staffing mandate on LPN hours. CONCLUSIONS: When we included California in the comparison, our model suggests that neither the staffing committee nor the public reporting approach alone are effective in increasing hospital RN staffing, although the public reporting approach appeared to have a positive effect on LPN staffing. When we excluded California form the model, public reporting also had a positive effect on RN staffing. Future research should examine patient outcomes associated with these policies, as well as potential cost savings for hospitals from reduced nurse turnover rates.

Advocating for Change in Board of Nursing Continuing Education Rules.

Some state boards of nursing have administrative rules related to continuing education. These may relate to requirements for providing continuing education and/or using evidence of continuing education to meet licensure renewal requirements. As the world of nursing professional development (NPD) continues to evolve, administrative rules often become outdated. One of the accountabilities of an NPD practitioner is to facilitate change in advocating for professional development. This column describes the process for working with state boards of nursing to change rules related to continuing education. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(5):208-210.].

Should the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine be mandatory for nurses? An ethical debate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the UK, as well as many other countries around the world, affecting all aspects of society. Nurses and other health and care professionals are a group particularly exposed to the virus through their work. Evidence suggests that vaccines form the most promising strategy for fighting this pandemic. Should vaccination against be mandatory for nurses and other health professionals? This article explores this question using an ethical framework.

Marijuana and Nurses: Career Risks Remain.

As laws change, workplace rules often don't.

Telemedicine services in the work of a doctor, dentist, nurse and midwife - analysis of legal regulations in Poland and the possibility of their implementation on the example of selected European countries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to discuss the legal framework for telemedicine services in Poland, and to present telemedicine solutions used in selected European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of legal cts was chosen as a research method in order to determine legal possibilities for medical professionals to use telemedicine services. A literature review was undertaken to demonstrate the possibilities of telemedicine as used in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands and Sweden. RESULTS: The Act on the professions of a doctor and a dentist states that the doctor and the dentist can perform their profession via ICT systems or communication systems. The doctor is obliged to practice in accordance with current medical knowledge and available methods. 'Available methods' include considering information and communication measures that may allow prevention, recognition or treatment. The Act on the profession of a nurse and a midwife states that the nurse and midwife perform the professions using current medical knowledge and the mediation of ICT systems or communication systems. Thus, the legislator has clearly authorized persons performing these professions to provide services in the field of telemedicine. However, despite the existence of a legal basis for using telemedicine, its development in Poland is not as high as in the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands or Sweden. CONCLUSIONS: The legislator gradually introduces legal solutions necessary for the development of telemedicine services, although the pace of these changes, as well as building the technical infrastructure that is the basis for the proper provision of telemedicine services, are too slow.

Nurse prescribing in New Zealand-the difference in levels of prescribing explained.

This article discusses the three types of nurse prescriber currently registered in New Zealand (nurse practitioners, registered nurse prescribers (RNP) in primary health and specialty teams and registered nurse prescribers (RNPCH) in community health). It also provides an overview of the evolution of each group, as well as a summary of the current legislation, prescribing restrictions and models of supervision required for each type of prescriber.

The relationship of nursing practice laws to suicide and homicide rates: a longitudinal analysis of US states from 2012 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Nursing resources can have a protective effect on patient outcomes, but nurses and nursing scope of practice have not been studied in relation to injury outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether scope of practice and ease of practice laws for nurse practitioners and registered nurses are associated with suicide and homicide rates in the United States. METHODS: This state-level analysis used data from 2012 to 2016. The outcome variables were age-adjusted suicide and homicide rates. The predictor variables were NP scope of practice by state (limited, partial, or full) and RN ease of practice (state RN licensure compact membership status). Covariates were state sociodemographic, healthcare, and firearm/firearm policy context variables that have a known relationship with the outcomes. RESULTS: Full scope of practice for NPs was associated with lower rates of suicide and homicide, with stronger associations for suicide. Likewise, greater ease of practice for RNs was associated with lower suicide and homicide rates. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that nurses are an important component of the healthcare ecosystem as it relates to injury outcomes. Laws supporting full nursing practice may have a protective effect on population health in the area of injuries and future studies should explore this relationship further.

Regulatory justice following gross negligence manslaughter verdicts: Nurse/doctor differences.

Two professionals who treated Jack Adcock before his death were convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, receiving 24-month suspended sentences. His nurse, Isabel Amaro, was erased from the nursing register; but after reviews in the High Court and Court of Appeal, his doctor, Hadiza Bawa-Garba, was merely suspended. This article explores the proposition that nurses are at greater risk of erasure than doctors after gross negligence manslaughter through a close reading of the guidance for medical and nursing tribunals informed by analysis from the High Court and Court of Appeal in the Bawa-Garba cases. Examination of the relevant sections of the guidance for medical and nursing tribunals reveals no significant differences. An outline of the conduct that amounted to breach of duty of care by Amaro and Bawa-Garba shows that their conduct could satisfy the thresholds for erasure given in their professions' respective guidelines for tribunals. Both presented similar mitigating evidence, although this cannot be weighed heavily in a professional tribunal setting. Thus, Amaro was treated more harshly than Bawa-Garba without a simple explanation. However, I suggest that the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Conduct and Competence Committee made a mistaken 'presumption of erasure' for gross negligence manslaughter and misinterpreted the sway that sentencing remarks should hold over tribunals. Both of these types of error were criticised by the Court of Appeal in Bawa-Garba. Furthermore, the Conduct and Competence Committee did not flesh out its analysis of 'public confidence' or acknowledge Lord Hoffmann's caution against ending 'useful' careers for the sake of public confidence, but Bawa-Garba's legal team ensured these arguments were taken into account by the Medical Professional Tribunal. The Conduct and Competence Committee's failures are not inherent to Nursing and Midwifery Council procedure or policy. Rather Amaro's self-representation appears to have impaired her access to justice. Tribunals must accept their right, and responsibility, to reach their own conclusions.

Regulación de la Enfermería Española: incorporación a la profesión sanitaria (1850-1950) / Regulation of Spanish Nursing: incorporation into the health profession (1850-1950) / Regulation of Spanish Nursing: incorporation into the health profession (1850-1950)

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Conocer la evolución de la formación académica de la enfermería española (1850-1950), describiendo los cambios que la transformaron en profesión sanitaria. MÉTODO Investigación histórica en la modalidad exploratoria-descriptiva, con análisis e interpretación de información obtenida en bases de datos electrónicas, archivos nacionales, provinciales y municipales, Boletines Oficiales y Bibliotecas. RESULTADOS En 1850 coexistían diferentes categorías sanitarias, sin embargo, el título de enfermera no surgió hasta 1915. Con el auge que alcanzó la Salud Comunitaria durante esa época, en 1924, se funda la Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, creándose en 1932 las especialidades de Enfermero Psiquiátrico, Enfermeras Pediátricas y Enfermeras Visitadoras. CONCLUSIONES E IMPLICACIÓN PARA LA PRÁCTICA Entre 1915 y 1950 los profesionales de enfermería poseían formación universitaria, por tanto, a través del conocimiento científico estos sanitarios adquirieron una identidad propia dentro de las profesiones de la salud. Se logró proporcionar una asistencia especializada para el cuidado de personas.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To know the evolution of the academic formation of the Spanish infirmary (1850-1950), describing the changes that transformed it into sanitary profession. METHOD Historical research in the exploratory-descriptive modality, with analysis and interpretation of information obtained from electronic databases, national, provincial and municipal archives, official gazettes and libraries. RESULTS In 1850 different health categories coexisted, however, the title of nurse did not emerge until 1915. With the boom that Community Health reached during that time, in 1924, the National School of Health was founded, creating in 1932 the specialties of Psychiatric Nurse, Pediatric Nurse and Visiting Nurse of Mental Hygiene. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Between 1915 and 1950 all nursing professionals had university training, therefore, through scientific knowledge these health professionals acquired their own identity within the health professions and they were able to provide specialized assistance for the care of people.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To know the evolution of the academic formation of the Spanish infirmary (1850-1950), describing the changes that transformed it into sanitary profession. METHOD Historical research in the exploratory-descriptive modality, with analysis and interpretation of information obtained from electronic databases, national, provincial and municipal archives, official gazettes and libraries. RESULTS In 1850 different health categories coexisted, however, the title of nurse did not emerge until 1915. With the boom that Community Health reached during that time, in 1924, the National School of Health was founded, creating in 1932 the specialties of Psychiatric Nurse, Pediatric Nurse and Visiting Nurse of Mental Hygiene. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Between 1915 and 1950 all nursing professionals had university training, therefore, through scientific knowledge these health professionals acquired their own identity within the health professions and they were able to provide specialized assistance for the care of people.

Nurse prescribing of medicines in 13 European countries.

BACKGROUND: Nurse prescribing of medicines is increasing worldwide, but there is limited research in Europe. The objective of this study was to analyse which countries in Europe have adopted laws on nurse prescribing. METHODS: Cross-country comparative analysis of reforms on nurse prescribing, based on an expert survey (TaskShift2Nurses Survey) and an OECD study. Country experts provided country-specific information, which was complemented with the peer-reviewed and grey literature. The analysis was based on policy and thematic analyses. RESULTS: In Europe, as of 2019, a total of 13 countries have adopted laws on nurse prescribing, of which 12 apply nationwide (Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom (UK)) and one regionally, to the Canton Vaud (Switzerland). Eight countries adopted laws since 2010. The extent of prescribing rights ranged from nearly all medicines within nurses' specialisations (Ireland for nurse prescribers, Netherlands for nurse specialists, UK for independent nurse prescribers) to a limited set of medicines (Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden). All countries have regulatory and minimum educational requirements in place to ensure patient safety; the majority require some form of physician oversight. CONCLUSIONS: The role of nurses has expanded in Europe over the last decade, as demonstrated by the adoption of new laws on prescribing rights.

Regulations for using semiautomatic external defibrillators outside health care settings in Spain: a review and comparison of the current situation across autonomous communities. / Regulación de la desfibrilación externa semiautomática fuera del entorno sanitario en las comunidades autónomas de España: situación actual.

ABSTRACT: We compared Spanish autonomous communities' regulations affecting the use of semiautomatic external defibrillators (semi-AEDs), including requirements for training and providing devices outside health care settings. We analyzed differences in the development of regulations across the different geographic areas. Regulations published in the official bulletins of Spain's 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities in effect in May 2019 were reviewed to extract directives affecting training, authorized use, and the provision of semi-AEDs outside health care centers. We found that both doctors and nurses are authorized to use the devices in most communities, with the exception of Murcia, where only doctors may use them. Fourteen communities also authorize emergency responders to operate semi-AEDs. Other individuals must call for emergency help before using one, and specific rules vary by community. In the Basque Country anyone may use them, but in other communities, only individuals who have taken a training course on how to use a semi-AED may. The duration of training programs varies from 4 to 9 hours in different parts of Spain, and retraining is required at intervals that vary from 1 to 3 years. However, in 11 communities any citizen may use a semi-AED in an emergency in which authorized persons are not present (after first calling for emergency responders). Eleven autonomous communities regulate the required provision of semi-AEDs outside health care centers. We conclude that although Spain's autonomous communities have regulations in place for the use of these devices, the regulatory map is highly diverse. Therefore, we think that harmonization is desirable in the interest of unifying criteria and encouraging the use of semi-AEDs when they are needed.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar las legislaciones autonómicas españolas en materia de formación, utilización y obligatoriedad de la instalación de desfibriladores externos automatizados (DEA) fuera del ámbito sanitario y analizar la variabilidad territorial con que se han desarrollado las regulaciones. Llevamos a cabo una revisión de las normativas publicadas en los boletines oficiales de las 17 comunidades autónomas y las 2 ciudades autónomas de España hasta mayo de 2019, extrayendo datos referidos a la regulación de la formación, el uso y la instalación de los DEA fuera del ámbito sanitario. Observamos que médicos y enfermeros están autorizados a utilizar los DEA, salvo en Murcia, donde únicamente tienen autorizado su uso los médicos. En 14 comunidades autónomas también se consideran habilitados los técnicos en emergencias sanitarias. Excepto en el País Vasco, donde cualquier ciudadano puede utilizar un DEA previa alerta a los servicios de emergencia, es necesario realizar un curso inicial acreditado para estar habilitado en el uso de estos dispositivos (cuya duración varía, según la comunidad, entre 4 y 9 horas) y debe ser renovado con una periodicidad que oscila entre uno y 3 años. Sin embargo, 11 comunidades permiten que, en caso de emergencia y en ausencia de personal habilitado, cualquier ciudadano pueda utilizar un DEA, previa alerta a los servicios de emergencia. Once autonomías regulan la obligación de instalar DEA fuera del ámbito sanitario. Se concluye que si bien todas las comunidades autónomas de España disponen de una normativa reguladora del uso y la acreditación de DEA, el mapa legislativo es muy diverso, por lo que sería deseable una política armonizadora para unificar criterios e incentivar el uso de estos dispositivos en caso de necesidad.

Integrative review of studies about nurses who have been disciplined by their professional regulatory bodies.

AIM: To synthesize knowledge in studies about nurses who had been disciplined by their professional regulatory bodies. BACKGROUND: Unprofessional conduct that violates patient safety, nursing standards or legislation can result in disciplinary action that affects nurse's professional rights to practice. However, research on disciplinary procedures in nursing is fragmented. METHODS: An integrative review was carried out with systematic searches between January 2006 and November 2018, using the CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases and manual searches. The quality of the 17 included studies was evaluated with the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: The evidence in the included studies focused on various databases. Disciplined nurses were described in relation to their characteristics and disciplined because of numerous patients, practice and behaviour related violations. Similar disciplinary actions against nurses were reported. CONCLUSION: This review provides knowledge on contributory risk factors that can be used to develop professional standards and early interventions in nursing management. More systematic research is needed, together with clear definitions of disciplinary procedures. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: This knowledge could strengthen the abilities of nurse managers to recognize and prevent events that seldom occur but seriously threaten the safety of patients and nurses when they do.

'Our work was in the service of the suffering of mankind': a case study of the motives of the Easternfront Ambulance nurses, 1941-1944.

During World War Two, a group of Dutch nurses chose to join the Nederlandse Ambulance ('Easternfront Ambulance'), a controversial though currently relatively unknown field hospital for the eastern front. In doing so, they supported the German war effort. This case study elaborates on the motives of these women to make a choice that was ultimately determined as 'wrong', by emphasising their unique gender role of nurse in the public sphere. By providing an insight into a relatively small group of 'wrong' women, this article aims to act as a call for further research into the gender context of limitations and opportunities of Dutch women during the German occupation. These nurses appear to have had various intentional and unintentional motives for enlisting. Nearly all of them later claimed they had pursued a 'calling'. They had all been Nazi or Nationalist Socialist Movement in the Netherlands sympathisers and they had all enjoyed material benefits due to their position with the field hospital. In a few cases, it seems they had longed for interaction with soldiers, or men in general, and sometimes they had simply craved for an adventurous life far from home.

Non-medical prescribing in the United Kingdom National Health Service: A systematic policy review.

INTRODUCTION: Non-medical prescribing was introduced into the United Kingdom (UK) to improve patient care, through extending healthcare professionals' roles. More recent government health service policy focuses on the increased demand and the need for efficiency. This systematic policy review aimed to describe any changes in government policy position and the role that non-medical prescribing plays in healthcare provision. METHOD: The systematic policy review included policy and consultation documents that describe independent non-medical prescribing. A pre-defined protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42015019786). Professional body websites, other relevant websites and the following databases were searched to identify relevant documents: HMIC, Lexis Nexis, UK Government Web Archive, UKOP, UK Parliamentary Papers and Web of Science. Documents published between 2006 and February 2018 were included. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Following exclusions, 45 documents were selected for review; 23 relating to policy or strategy and 22 to consultations. Of the former, 13/23 were published 2006-2010 and the remainder since 2013. Two main themes were identified: chronological aspects and healthcare provision. In the former, a publication gap for policy documents resulted from a change in government and associated major healthcare service reorganisation. In the later, the role of non-medical prescribing was found to have evolved to support efficient service delivery, and cost reduction. For many professions, prescribing appears embedded into practice; however, the pharmacy profession continues to produce policy documents, suggesting that prescribing is not yet perceived as normal practice. CONCLUSION: Prescribing appears to be more easily adopted into practice where it can form part of the overall care of the patient. Where new roles are required to be established, then prescribing takes longer to be universally adopted. While this review concerns policy and practice in the UK, the aspect of role adoption has wider potential implications.

A duty of care to the nurse as well.

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, reflects on the responsibility employers have to ensure that disciplinary procedures and processes are fit for purpose.