Getting a Slice of the Pie: James Messenger Proves Working Hard Pays Off

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

James Messenger wants to show his 4-year-old niece that through perseverance and dedication, good things can happen. So far, the restaurant general manager has been a very good role model, moving up in his career with Pizza Hut over the past four years and completing an Associate in Applied Science in Administrative/Management Studies with Excelsior College (June 2018).

Messenger followed the traditional route of going to a community college after he graduated from high school but quickly discovered that wasn鈥檛 for him. So, he gave up on pursuing his higher education. That is, until he learned at a corporate meeting that he could attend college without having to pay any tuition. Messenger spoke to his area coach and mentor, who encouraged him to pursue his education, saying it would help him move up in the company.

Messenger found Excelsior鈥檚 online programs were perfect for him. 鈥淭o me, I learn better online; I always have. When I was doing the traditional classes, I didn鈥檛 want to get up and go, whereas online I can kind of do it at my own pace and pick my days that I want to do the schoolwork鈥攊t made it a lot easier,鈥� he says of Excelsior鈥檚 online, flexible programs.

Messenger works 50 hours a week and has an hour commute鈥攅ach way鈥攖o his Pizza Hut store. Excelsior鈥檚 course structure fit in with his busy schedule. Each course syllabus helpfully laid out all the assignments which helped him plan in advance. 鈥淎t one point when I was taking 2鈥�3 classes at once, I knew exactly when everything was due. I didn鈥檛 really have to think about it鈥t was straightforward. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be with the online,鈥� says Messenger.

The set-up suited Messenger just fine. With supervising 26 people at a store that sees roughly 25,000鈥�30,000 orders a week, he is busy and needs all the time he can get. The easiest way he discovered to balance his work and school was to make the store鈥檚 work schedule so his days off became the days his assignments for school were due. That way he could make sure he could get the work done and in on time. Sometimes he would try to complete all his schoolwork for the week in one day. He was careful not to wear himself out, though. Messenger explains, 鈥淚 managed my time so I wasn鈥檛 burning myself out. I would do an hour of work and then take a 30-minute break; kind of walk around, watch an episode of TV, and then go right back to school work.鈥�

He liked that Excelsior faculty staff were always there when he needed them. 鈥淓very time I needed help, you guys were always a phone call away,鈥� he says. When Hurricane Irma knocked out his internet for a week and a half, Excelsior instructors were understanding and gave him extensions.

Now, Messenger encourages his fellow Pizza Hut colleagues to pursue their education with Excelsior. He is trying to get one his fellow restaurant general managers to enroll in the College because she saw how easy it was for him.

As for Messenger? Pursuing more education might not be in his future. 鈥淚 like being a boss鈥he stuff I鈥檝e learned so far has actually helped me become a better boss at the store I work at,鈥� he says. He likes being with Pizza Hut, too. He cites that after his mentor passed away, Pizza Hut took care of his family, even putting away money into college savings accounts for his three children. Messenger enjoys working for a company that is loyal to its employees. He sees a future with the company. Someday he鈥檇 like to become an area coach, and follow the path of his late mentor. 鈥淚 like working with food, I like working with people鈥here鈥檚 no two days that are ever the same鈥 like different, I like surprises. It makes the job better; more fun,鈥� says Messenger.

Just four years ago, Messenger began his career as a Pizza Hut delivery driver. Many good things have happened since. The youngest of four children, he was the first to earn a college degree when he completed his associate degree at Excelsior. He can certainly be proud telling his niece that hard work does, indeed, pay off.

How to Survive Your First Job as a RN

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

You made it; you鈥檝e graduated with your associate degree in nursing. Congratulations! Now, what do you do as a newly minted registered nurse (RN)? Hopefully, some of you have found a RN position in a hospital that offers a for new graduates. If you have, you鈥檙e one of the lucky ones.

A hospital-based residency program is for new graduate RNs and RNs with less than 6 months of hospital experience. During this year-long program, you will be paired with a preceptor on the nursing unit where you were hired to work and participate in scheduled seminars. According to the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Nurse Residency Program, the intent of a nurse residency program is to develop 鈥溾�esidents鈥� leadership skills, analysis of evidence through reviews of literature, application of outcomes data to patient care improvements and professional development.鈥�

Whether or not you are participating in a nurse residency program, as a new RN you still need to take care of yourself. Why? It鈥檚 not easy to be an RN. As a student, your time in the clinical setting was limited to the hours designated by your nursing program to accommodate classroom work and the organizations where your clinical experience took place. It is聽very likely the nursing position you obtain following graduation may be anywhere from a seven- to a 12-hour day. The stress of learning the system in your new work environment, taking care of patients, and becoming a team player may have you feeling exhausted by the end of each day.

You may be anxious as you begin your new job. It鈥檚 not unusual for new graduates to feel anxious about being a RN because now the lives of individuals are in your hands and you no longer have the safety net of being a student. It鈥檚 important to learn how to manage the anxiety before it impacts your work and personal life. There are numerous ways to deal with anxiety and many of them do not cost anything. For example, you can practice deep breathing, exercise, meditate, alter your diet, engage in positive self-talk, or find another activity that promotes relaxation.

A part of anxiety is being afraid of what you don鈥檛 know. As a new graduate RN, it鈥檚 helpful to remember that caring for patients while in nursing school is not comparable to working as a staff RN in a busy hospital. A patient crisis does not include the simulation dummy and there may not be the luxury of a debriefing once the crisis is over because you have other patients needing your attention. The good news is that real-life nursing does not mean you must know everything there is to know about taking care of patients. Give yourself time to learn the specifics of what is required for the patient population you are caring for.

Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help. Your preceptor is your guide and teacher for a specified period and he/she will gladly answer your questions and provide help. It is always better to ask for assistance in verifying a medication dosage or repositioning a patient than completing the task and later discovering you made a mistake. Your preceptor is there to assure you have mastered the necessary skills for patient care as well as help you learn the culture of the nursing unit. As a new graduate RN, it is important to know that you do not have to do everything by yourself to prove to others you can do it.

You鈥檙e proud of yourself for having made it through nursing school and passed your RN-NCLEX鈥攁nd you should be! You may not be done with your educational journey, though. In health care, there鈥檚 always the opportunity to learn new skills. Medications are evolving, and newer surgical procedures and technological advances require you to learn new information. This means you may be attending continuing education classes or keeping up with the latest trends in journal articles. There may also be opportunities during your first year as a RN to transfer to a different nursing unit, which would also require learning new skills. Continuing education is a part of being a RN, and in many states, it is a requirement of licensure to achieve a specified number of hours of continuing education in every renewal cycle.

No matter what your first year holds, it is bound to be an exciting one. Remember to ask questions, remember what you鈥檝e learned, be mindful of your surroundings, and above all, enjoy your new career as a licensed RN!

 

Graduates Celebrate Commencement 2018

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Over 400 Graduates Attended Commencement on July 13, 2018

It was hot and humid on July 13, 2018, but that didn鈥檛 stop more than 400 graduates, their families, and their friends from celebrating Commencement 2018 in downtown Albany, New York. With their loved ones looking on, the graduates crossed the stage at the Empire State Plaza Convention Hall to celebrate the end of many months or years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, but even more so, the realization of a dream come true.

Graduates came from across the United States and the world to celebrate earning their degrees; from Louisiana and Georgia, to Australia and Japan. Thirty-three percent of our graduates were active military or veterans. The oldest graduate was Bachelor of Science in Business graduate Jon Anderson from Avondale, Arizona, at 72 years old, and our youngest graduate was Dorothy Jean Tillman from Chicago, Illinois, at 12 years old, who received a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. Four hundred聽 graduates came to Commencement, but the class of 2018 comprises 5,077 graduates with 5,137 degrees earned.

President Baldwin addressed the crowd, reminding everyone that at Excelsior, 鈥淲e have a unique contribution to the realization of the American promise that anyone regardless of their economic or social status should be free to earn their degree.鈥� Indeed, this year鈥檚 graduates came with unique backgrounds and fascinating stories, but one thing was certain: they all worked hard to earn their degree.

Veterans, Families and International Graduates Attended Commencement

Melinda Villena, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Technology, flew from Japan with her family to attend commencement. It took Villena, who is in the Navy, 17 years to earn her degree and she was excited to be the first of her siblings to earn a bachelor鈥檚 and be a role model for her daughter. Greg and Vonda Loats and their daughter, Faith Potter, earned their degrees this year and were happy to celebrate together as they all walked the stage on Friday. Lakeya Collins traveled from Georgia to celebrate receiving her associate degree in nursing in honor of her late son. She credited many late nights and practicing with other classmates as a way she persevered. She was determined to complete her degree and show her other two children that even when tragedy strikes, you can make it through and accomplish anything.

Graduates came together with friends, family, and Excelsior staff and faculty to celebrate this momentous occasion. It was only one day, but the degrees graduates earned and the memories they made will be a reminder of their accomplishments and dreams fulfilled.

Helping Veterans Transition: Troops to Energy Jobs

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Excelsior College is a Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD)-recognized school sponsored by Entergy and EPCE. CEWD supports Troops to Energy Jobs, an organization that works with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Labor, and Energy, and state agencies, as well as community colleges, unions, the American Council on Education, ACT Inc., and Kuder Inc., to create a unique partnership between the U.S. military and the energy industry.

Troops to Energy Jobs provides veterans with tools and information they need for entry into utility and engineering occupations within the energy industry. High-growth energy careers today include engineers, line workers, plant operators, technicians, pipefitters, and security officers. These jobs are both challenging and rewarding, and provide competitive compensation and growth opportunities. With their extensive military training and experience, many veterans already have the skills and knowledge required for energy careers; they just need a pathway to successful job placement.

 

Troops to Energy Jobs offers veterans the opportunity to easily enter the industry, regardless of their geographic location or desired company. Benefits include:

  • A customized approach for each individual veteran;
  • The opportunity to learn about careers that match their military training and experience;
  • College credit for their military training and experience;
  • Connection to other veterans who have transitioned to the energy industry;
  • Accelerated training opportunities;
  • Credentials that are transferable between companies; and
  • An availability of extensive resources.

Troops to Energy Jobs helps veterans obtain their degrees by applying their relevant military education and experience to college credit recommendations. The program also identifies and develops curriculum to bridge the gaps between veterans鈥� military education and experience and the required skills for energy jobs. The curriculum is based on industry-supported guidelines that leverage existing courses and best practices. A strong education network of post-secondary institutions, including community and technical colleges and four-year institutions, provides veterans with career pathway programs for the energy industry, as well as online, accelerated programs, and prior learning assessment options.

Troops to Energy Jobs provides a variety of employment entry points for veterans, including internships, to higher-skilled energy jobs, as well as workforce development programs. Companies that wish to be a selected Troops to Energy Jobs employer must meet specific criteria. They are required to designate experts who are versed in workforce development and the military to serve as career coaches to veterans in the first six months of employment, and veteran employees are asked to serve as mentors. Troops to Energy Jobs employers also need to provide financial support for veterans as they transition to the energy industry.

 

For more information, visit

Managing Conflict as a Nurse

Posted on by Ellen LaDieu

As a registered nurse, you have the potential to run into conflict every day in various ways, such as with a patient/client, a patient鈥檚/client鈥檚 family, a fellow RN, a supervisor, an employee reporting to you, an ordering health care provider (HCP), interprofessional team members, and even yourself. As RNs, our role is one carried out with and through others, so the potential to be challenged with conflict is high. Conflict can be avoided, mismanaged, or managed. We may avoid conflict by ignoring it, thinking of what we will say next, changing the subject, etc. We may mismanage conflict by insisting 鈥渨e are right,鈥� by blaming others, and by not listening. We can manage conflict and grow from the experience, leading to a win-win outcome.

Conflict management has long-been addressed in the nursing workforce with various views and recommendations. The basic principles of the recommendations focus on effective, respectful communication, openness, and willingness to collaborate. The recommendations remind me of Dr. Jean Watson鈥檚 Caring Science theory and her 鈥淭en Caritas Processes.鈥� Watson stresses listening from the perspective of the other person rather than our own perspective.

Watson鈥檚 Caritas processes can be guiding principles for us to follow in conflict situations. The Caritas processes and the key words that can be applied to conflict are:

#1 Practice compassion

#2 Honoring self and other

#4 Develop loving trusting relationships

#5 Encourage and express positive and negative

#6聽聽 Creative problem solving, 鈥渟olution seeking鈥�

Visit for more on Watson鈥檚 work.

鈥淚鈥� statements are also a recommendation for how to effectively communicate by being assertive and respectful. In her book Confident Voices, Beth Boynton suggests using this method and adding your own specific details to compose your message.:

鈥淚 feel [blank] when you[blank] because[blank] and I would like [blank].鈥�

This approach allows us to:

  • identify how we are feeling in a situation
  • state why we feel that way
  • indicate what change we are seeking

Using this guiding method can help us to create messages that will be heard more effectively. Creating the message in a respectful way is crucial. If we were to personalize this message in a blaming manner, it would likely not help.

For example, consider the three versions of statements/messages for one situation:

Message A: You never tell me of changes and you make it difficult for me to do my job. You drive me nuts.

Message B: I feel mad at you when you do not alert me to crucial changes because then I cannot do my job. I want you to make telling me of changes your No. 1 priority.

Message C: I feel anxious and unprepared when I am not aware of crucial changes because I then carry out my job without considering the changes and possible need to modify my work. I would like you to share knowledge of changes with me as soon as practical.

Message A is written from a blaming point of view, and the nurse is just sending out emotions and unfiltered thoughts. This message not likely to be heard or considered thoughtfully.

Message B is written using the 鈥淚鈥� message method, yet it is blaming in nature. It continues to focus on the other person and the 鈥渂ad鈥� action or inaction they did. It does not separate the person and action, and is not likely to be helpful.

Message C is written using the 鈥淚鈥� message method from a respectful, assertive point of view, valuing, and respecting both parties and seeking collaboration.

Being able to address conflict by clearly stating one鈥檚 feelings, listening to the other parties鈥� feelings, and collaborating can bring about healthy responses and win-win outcomes. Using this approach will help us personally and we can be a role model for others. It is reminiscent of the golden rule: 鈥淒o unto others as you would have them do unto you.鈥�

 

Disclaimer:聽The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

 

 

Course Feature: BUS 311: Organizational Behavior

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

BUS 311: Organizational Behavior offers an overview of human behavior in work organizations. Students study theoretical, empirical, and applications issues from individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational perspectives. Topics covered include the overview and history of the field, perceptions, attitudes, learning processes, personality, motivation, stress, performance appraisal, group dynamics, leadership, communication, decision making, job design, organizational structure and design, organizational change, and development.

The academic study of organizational behavior was not recognized by the until the 1970s, but the field goes back to the late 1920s when the Hawthorne Electric Company conducted experiments to see how changes in environment and design affected the productivity of its employees. Organizational behavior (OB) covers the study of human behavior in a work environment and determines its impact on job performance, culture, diversity, communication, motivation, power, change, management, and leadership.

It is widely held that companies should invest in OB because it provides recommendations for them to run effectively. In their school blog, the College of St. Scholastica agrees with this report, quoting Charina L. Flores, PHR, vice president of human resources for the Barbelo Group and adjunct professor at Bellevue College: 鈥淏usinesses excel when employees understand how their behaviors influence an organization’s performance and enable strategy execution.鈥� Benefits of OB include improved health and productivity, which translates to higher job satisfaction, increased productivity, and a better commitment to the company.

These ideas are covered in BUS 311: Organizational Behavior through a variety of topics from theories of organizational behavior and team building to ethical decision making to negotiation strategies. Faculty Program Director John Coy explains the course is important to human resources students and for anybody who plans to work or interact within organizations. 鈥淯nderstanding how people, groups, and structures affect organizations鈥� behaviors is critical to succeed professionally,鈥� he says.

Coy adds that when taking the course, 鈥渟tudents learn self-awareness and learn perspective of how they might affect and are affected by the people and environment that surrounds them. Moreover, students learn about individual and team behavior in organizations and opportunities to practice ethical decision making.鈥� Students have benefited, saying 鈥淚 have found this course helpful in my career as well as in my personal life.鈥�

Faculty have enjoyed teaching the course, too, with comments including, 鈥淚 enjoyed teaching BUS 311 because it is easy to engage the students. Everyone can relate their own experience at work or personal lives to the topics that we study in class. I like to see how my students apply theories to their experiences and make sense of situations in a totally new way. Several times, I have had students said, 鈥業 wish I have taken this course before.鈥欌��

If you鈥檇 like to learn more about organization behavior consider signing up for BUS 311 next term.

New Excelsior Policy Will Help FEMA Employees Complete Degrees Sooner, More Affordably

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Excelsior College leadership is always looking for ways to help Excelsior students complete their degrees while saving money. Its latest initiative: A policy that will allow employees and other trainees to pursue advanced college degrees at a lower cost by awarding college credit for FEMA Emergency Management Institute Independent Study coursework.

Under Excelsior鈥檚 new policy, students can now present their FEMA training record to the College鈥檚 admissions office to be evaluated for corresponding college credit. Excelsior鈥檚 ability to translate government and corporate training into college credit鈥攖hrough its extensive internal review process and evaluations by the American Council of Education (ACE) or accredited college institutions鈥攈as been often highlighted as one of its major strengths.

鈥淔irst-responders who have invested hours and hours into FEMA training and independent study courses will now have an accelerated pathway toward completing their degree at Excelsior College,鈥� said Lifang Shih, the dean of Excelsior鈥檚 School of Undergraduate Studies. 鈥淭his will enhance their credentials and bolster their expertise in responding to emergency situations across the country.鈥�

FEMA employees transfer in an average of 17 college credits from their training and independent study coursework. FEMA training credits, as well as additional credits earned during previous college experience, can be directed toward such options as a Bachelor of Science 聽in Homeland Security and Emergency Management or a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts, which can set students on the path toward pursuing a Master of Science in Public Administration or other graduate degrees.

However, this adjustment will not only help students complete their degrees sooner. The change will save thousands of dollars for FEMA employees, while also reducing the overall cost for the federal government. Savings will be earned from employees able to transfer in more credit for previous FEMA training, which means they will have fewer classes to take at Excelsior in order to complete their degree. Coupled with tuition remission and the Federal Academic Alliance tuition discount, this will allow these employees to earn a career-focused and flexible degree from Excelsior at a significantly lower cost to both students and the federal government.

鈥淚mportantly, this new academic policy at Excelsior College carries the potential to save the federal government and its employees millions of dollars in the years ahead,鈥� Shih said. 鈥淚n its work to strengthen workplace culture while supporting employee recruitment and retention, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management created the Federal Academic Alliance to combat workforce shortages and offer tuition savings for federal government employees, spouses, and domestic partners. Many federal agencies offer tuition reimbursement benefits to members of the federal workforce, adding to individual employee savings. Now, the federal government will have the opportunity to offer those benefits鈥攁nd strengthen the skills of their employees鈥攁t a lower cost to taxpayers and employees.鈥�

Learn more.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy 鈥� Lyme Disease

Posted on by lrocco

When I was told I had Lyme disease, the first question I had was, 鈥淲hy me?鈥� After all, I鈥檓 not the outdoors type; I don鈥檛 hike, camp, or anything like that. How did a tick find me? What I soon came to realize is that there were two important factors that made me vulnerable to falling prey to a tick. One was my lack of knowledge about staying safe outdoors. Because I don鈥檛 spend a lot of time outdoors, I didn鈥檛 pay attention to the serious threat of tick-borne diseases or how to prevent them. The second big factor, unknown to me, was that I had moved to a high-density tick zone in the northeastern United States. I want to share with you three questions that, if I had known their answers, may have prevented me from living with the consequences of a tick-borne disease.

  1. How do ticks hunt for prey? Ticks live in wood and leaf piles, high grass, on low-hanging branches, and in shrubs. Unknowing hosts transport them to different locations. Ticks feed on the blood of both warm-blooded and cold-blooded mammals. They sense exhaled carbon dioxide to target their prey. Most ticks are passive hunters, waiting and watching for prey to pass by and then extending a hooked front leg to latch on. They do not jump, fly, or drop down from trees. Once they latch on, they crawl higher up on the body to where skin is thinner and easier to feed, particularly around the head and neck. Other typical places to attach are the groin, armpits, and other places they can easily hide.
  2. Do ticks live in my neighborhood? The short answer is yes. Ticks can and do live everywhere in the contiguous United States and Hawaii. Different kinds of ticks bearing different strains of infection live in various parts of the country. The major infections include Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. A from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives a snapshot of which ticks can be found in your region and the diseases they carry.
  3. Can I get a tick–borne disease from my pet? Yes! Pets can bring ticks into your home, which can latch on to you and your family. Your pets can also be infected with a tick-borne disease and require treatment. The provides interactive maps for tickborne illnesses, guidelines for keeping pets and their owners safe, and resources for veterinarians and pet owners.

Once bitten by the tick, my lack of information led me to do all the wrong things. I improperly removed the tick, and I didn鈥檛 recognize the symptoms. Consequently, I did not provide my physician with enough information, so I was repeatedly misdiagnosed. This phenomenon is very common with tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme.

The CDC provides all the information you need to avoid making these mistakes. With tick-borne diseases on the rise and new infections being discovered, it is important to be tick-aware. Prevention is the best way to protect your family and pets, but if you are infected, taking the right actions is imperative to get immediate and appropriate treatment and avoid potential long-term suffering.

Here are two helpful resources so that you are armed with the information you need to stay safe:

 

  • 鈥� A good place to start for general information.
  • 鈥� Many resources including educational pamphlets for campers and hunters, videos for healthcare practitioners, and links to pages specifically addressing prevention, tick removal, diagnosis, and treatment for the major tickborne diseases.

 

Disclaimer:聽The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

The Benefits of Nursing Mnemonics

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

The word 鈥渕nemonic鈥� stems from the Greek words mneme (memory), mnemon (mindful), and Mnemosyne (the Greek goddess of memory). Mnemonics are tools that help us remember facts or large amounts of information. They help stimulate memory through songs, pictures, acronyms, rhymes, or other devices. Nurses use mnemonics to help remember the variety of complex medical knowledge they need to know to properly and sufficiently take care of their patients.

Nurses can use mnemonics to evaluate their patients. The acronym 鈥淪AMPLE鈥� can be used to remember the different information they must gather from a patient: Symptoms: What brought the person in for treatment? Allergies: Does he/she have any bad reactions to food or medication? Medications: Do they take any prescriptions, over the counter drugs, or herbal supplements? Past medical history: What kind of health problems, illnesses, diseases, or surgeries has he/she experienced? Last oral intake: When did they last eat or drink? Events preceding injury: How did the person get hurt?

After taking a patient鈥檚 health history and making a medical evaluation, nurses must make a nursing care plan. The steps can be remembered with the mnemonic 鈥淎DPIE鈥� (a delicious pie): assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Various diseases and ailments can be remembered with mnemonics, as well. For example, hypocalcemia symptoms can be recalled via the acronym 鈥淐ATS:鈥� convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, and spasms and stridor. The treatment for a myocardial infarction (heart-attack) can be remembered with 鈥淢OAN:鈥� morphine, oxygen, aspirin, and nitrates. Finally, the causes of a heart murmur can be recalled with 鈥淪PAMS:鈥� stenosis of a valve, partial obstruction, aneurysms, mitral regurgitation, and septal defect.

In a recent study, Luanne Linnard-Palmer, professor of pediatric nursing, and Cathy Cyr, professor of nursing, both at Dominican University of California, School of Health and Natural Sciences, Department of Nursing, discovered that using mnemonics can have a significant effect on retaining information. Their research findings showed a high level of recall in both information and in-order tasks, as well as higher confidence and higher skills performance as compared to pre-mnemonic usage.

Since 2015, Boston Medical Center has been using a mnemonics program to decrease the number of errors that occur due to communication failures. In an article in Healthcare IT News, it was reported that a group of physicians and researchers developed the I-PASS tool to bring some standardization to the 鈥渉and-off鈥� process of patient-to-caregiver transfers. I-PASS: Illness severity, patient summary, action list, situation awareness and contingency plans, and synthesis by receiver is meant to be a checklist that summarizes a patient鈥檚 care plan and uses 鈥渃losed-loop communication鈥� to ensure correct information is passed between clinicians. As a result of the program, 鈥渕edical errors decreased by 23 percent, preventable adverse events decreased by 30 percent, and critical information was included more frequently in written and verbal handoffs.鈥� Fifty hospitals nationwide now use the program.

The usage of mnemonics in nursing is a helpful way to remember the complex bounty of information necessary to perform day-to-day activities. Not only can mnemonics trigger a nurse to remember the causes of a disease, it can have a profound impact on the safety and success of a medical organization by making sure everyone operates under the same standards.

 

EPA鈥檚 Move to Reduce Lead Paint Exposure

Posted on by Lynda Holt

In December 2017, a federal appeals court, in an unusual move, ordered the (EPA) to revise within one year a nearly 17-year-old standard for dangerous levels of lead. The federal government banned the use of lead paint 40 years ago, but lead paint and its dangers to the brains of growing children remains a persistent problem.

The ruling mentioned that the EPA has acknowledged that lead paint poisoning was the No. 1 environmental health threat for kids under six and that the current safety standards were insufficient. The EPA鈥檚 Renovation, Repair and Painting Program requires that companies performing renovation and repair services that could disturb lead paint in homes, child care facilities, and pre-schools built before 1978 be certified by the EPA, or use certified renovators. According to Michelle DeGarmo of Flatley-Read LLC, a New York state-based compliance management company, 鈥淭he EPA Renovation, Remodeling, & Painting (RRP) Rule has done a lot to address lead safety outside of HUD programs, and has had the additional benefit of dispelling the persistent myth that only inner-city poor kids get lead poisoning by eating paint chips. While it has its flaws, the RRP rule has increased awareness of lead hazards in the non-HUD consumer population鈥�

Lead is a developmental neurotoxin, and children are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Children can be exposed to lead from lead paint in homes or from lead dust, and can contract it from toys and other household sources. There is no post-exposure treatment that can mitigate the long-term neurological effects of lead, so preventing exposure is critical. Unlike other toxins that dissipate, lead has immediate and permanent effects on the brain. Exposure to lead as a child can affect behavior years later, and a recent study published on National Public Radio鈥檚 website suggests a link between childhood lead exposure and lowered cognitive ability and socioeconomic status later in life. Aaron Reuben of Duke University studied New Zealand children when they were 11 and determined their IQ scores and cognitive abilities. When the participants turned 38 they were retested; the participants who had higher lead exposure as children, 鈥渟aw their intellectual abilities decline from their baseline starting point,鈥� as they aged. In addition, the same population experienced a downward trend in social mobility, meaning they were more likely to have jobs that required less education and brought in less income than their parents did. The study found that every 5 microgram increase in lead concentration at age 11 lead to a drop of 1.6 IQ points at age 38.

In the United States., no lead exposure is considered safe, and 5 micrograms per deciliter is considered high exposure. The lingering threat of lead paint is still highly present in the lives of young children, especially in low-income areas and in the Northeast. Lead exposure in the United States has generally decreased, but some communities still have rates of exposure of about five times the national average. The National Center for Health Housing reports children from poor families or those from African-American families are at an increased risk than children from white or Hispanic families. The Harvard Environmental Law Review published a report indicating children from poor communities have the highest prevalence of lead exposure, with non-Hispanic African-American children being three times more likely to have elevated lead levels than their white peers. DeGarmo explains, 鈥淢alnutrition is an important factor in childhood lead poisoning prevention. In the absence of necessary minerals, such as iron, our bodies will substitute lead if we are exposed. This is why the poor-kid-myth persists; higher income children are less likely to suffer long-term health effects of lead poisoning because they are typically not malnourished. Lower-income kids are also more likely to live in homes with deteriorated paint, where exposure is consistent over a longer period. Any lead exposure is dangerous, though, and it seems to be only recently that higher-income homeowners have become concerned about lead paint.鈥�

The Harvard Environmental Law Review estimates 23 million homes in the United States contain a lead hazard in some form, and 38 million have lead-based paint somewhere in the home. Under most state and federal laws, the burden of uncovering lead contamination lies with the children, who must be tested before the lead hazard is contained or removed from their environment.

DeGarmo states, 鈥淚n states that are EPA states, meaning there are no state-specific lead regulations, there is little to no enforcement of the RRP rules, unless federal funding is involved. Rural areas, in particular, have low levels of compliance with the rules. Revised federal standards are particularly important for New York State residents and other EPA states.鈥�

Based on the recent research on the dangers of lead exposure and the lack of clinical treatment options for those who have sustained damage from lead exposure, the move to force the EPA to update its standards is a positive one. Delaying the standards puts even more kids at unnecessary risk.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can impact your community and its health care system, consider a degree in the health sciences from Excelsior College.

 

Disclaimer:聽The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

Tips for Enjoying Your Summer Outdoors

Posted on by Grace Jama-Adan

What does the image of being outdoors conjure to you? Are you planning to head to the beach, the hiking trails, or perhaps your neighborhood park with your loved ones? Physical activity and social bonding are limitless when we have a chance to decompress in the warmer months. To enjoy each day to the fullest, keep these tips in mind for a safe summer!

  1. Sunscreen 101: It鈥檚 okay if you get 15 minutes in the sun without protection. This allows your skin to absorb natural Vitamin D. Prolonged exposure to the sun, however, has consequences to the layers of your skin. Be sure to apply SPF 15 or greater at least every two hours. If you will be splashing in a pool or at the beach, reapply after you exit your swim.

 

  1. Hydrate: Just because you don鈥檛 feel thirsty doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean your body is properly hydrated. In addition to water and drinks, don鈥檛 forget to incorporate veggies like celery and cucumber into your diet. Fruits like melons are also great ways to rehydrate鈥攖hey are more than 90 percent water. Our furry friends who accompany us on summer trips also need regular hydration. Inexpensive collapsible water bowls are available at most big box stores and at any pet shop.

 

  1. Cover up: Remember a wide-brimmed hat is your friend for maximum protection from the sun. Baseball caps also give our eyes some reprieve from harmful rays. When hiking for an hour or more, you might consider a hat with moisture-wicking properties.

 

  1. Repel insects: Tick-borne diseases and mosquito-associated illnesses are both serious public health threats. Make sure you protect yourself and your loved ones with insect repellant. Some sunscreens have repellants in them, but studies are inconclusive about the . Since sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often, the risk with combined products is that you may neglect regular sun protection refreshers throughout the day. Also, make sure your pets are on active flea and tick treatment.

 

  1. Life jackets: If you are going out on a boat, whether a kayak or a motor boat, life jackets are a must-have for anyone (our dogs need them too). The U.S. Coast-Guard has <link > if you plan on boating this summer.

 

 

What if you happen to find a tick on your skin or an animal鈥檚 fur? Here are some helpful tips:

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you pack small, fine-tipped forceps or a pair of tweezers before you head out, so that if you find a tick, you can quickly remove it.
  • Try to remove the tick in a controlled manner so that the it does not break into pieces, making it possible for it to still infect you.
  • Clean your skin with isopropyl alcohol or soap and discard the tick immediately.
  • If you live in a part of the country that has known clusters of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, you may want to save the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or container for further testing by your local health department.

 

Here are some helpful resources to ensure you and your family can enjoy the great outdoors in comfort and safety:

  • USDA Forest Service:
  • National Safety Council:
  • Skin Cancer Foundation:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: .

 

 

Course Feature: PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Exposure to life-threatening events and violence is all too common in today鈥檚 world. PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm introduces students to the effects of trauma on human health and relationships; specifically focusing on the effects of PTSD on individuals, families, communities, and global society. Students explore the history and prevalence of PTSD, root causes, physical and psychological symptoms, and the influences of culture and resilience.

In this cross-listed course, students study of the many types of trauma, how trauma can evolve into PTSD, the common physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD, how people cope with the disorder, treatments, and how people can recover. Faculty Program Director Anna Zendell says, 鈥淲e focus on some of the common triggers for PTSD, such as natural and human-made disasters, combat-related trauma, personal and interpersonal traumas such as accidents and assaults, and more. Themes of cultural sensitivity, resilience, and hope are woven throughout this course.鈥�

Zendell notes the majority of students taking this course are active military, veterans, or military/veteran family members, and nearly all of the students in the course have been exposed to PTSD. 鈥淪tudents affected by catastrophic events and those working in health and first responder fields are particularly drawn to this course,鈥� says Zendell. Students learn how to engage with someone who has PTSD as well as strategies for coping during the aftermath of a traumatic event. An important takeaway students learn is that PTSD is not inevitable but if someone does develop the disease, the road to healing is passable. Zendell adds that the course is not necessarily meant to provide healing for those living with PTSD; instead, it provides information students may find helpful in work and life.

Students have benefited from the course and have had many positive reactions. Comments include: 鈥淭his is a great course鈥� should become a requirement for all degrees鈥�. Everyone knows or has been involved in some form of traumatic event during their lives. Being able to recognize symptoms of PTSD can be key to getting those affected the help they need,鈥� 鈥淭his course has made me aware that PTSD may affect a much broader portion of society than the military,鈥� and 鈥淚t helped me understand better about my own struggles with PTSD and also what is available for treatment.鈥�

Instructors have also enjoyed teaching the course, noting its importance in the lives of students. Instructional faculty member Craig Owens says, 鈥淥ne of the things I love is reading student feedback during the final module of the course and hearing how much this class has touched them, both personally and professionally. One of the comments I hear consistently from students is that they enrolled in this course expecting to learn about PTSD and the military and instead they are surprised and amazed to find they learn about that but so much more鈥he vast majority of students who complete this course say their expectations were exceeded and they feel much better prepared to support friends, family, or fellow soldiers who are at risk of developing PTSD or already struggling with it.鈥�

Instructional faculty member Judith Robbins adds, 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to be teaching a course that has such a positive academic and personal impact on so many students, whether military or civilian. There are also misconceptions about PTSD in the public arena and, in this course, we can 鈥榮et the record straight.鈥欌��

If you are interested in learning more about and interacting with someone with PTSD, register for PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm next semester.