On Wednesday, January 12, our Chief Clinical Officer, Rebecca Love, convened a Twitter Chat, #ANursesVoice, to amplify the voice of nursing. The voice of nursing is still very much missing in all that is going on in healthcare, and, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Rebecca reached out to nurses around the globe who have been working to amplify the voice of nursing on major issues facing the profession. The hope was that if a large group of nurses came together, the voice of nurses would be elevated to speak about their knowledge, expertise, and experiences shaping healthcare today. Everyone needs to hear #ANursesVoice.
Nurses make a meaningful and positive impact for their patients each and every day. They are natural change drivers, innovators, scientists, and leaders, and when given a chance to voice their opinions, they can help save the failing healthcare system. However, nurses are exhausted. They are beyond burnt out and are no longer willing to accept things as they are. Without a seat at the table, the changes that are necessary to support and sustain nursing and to redesign healthcare won’t be made.
Nurses from all around the world joined in on the Twitter Chat with the goal of driving attention to critical issues facing nurses, and healthcare in general. There were several common themes that came up during the discussion, including the severity of nurse burnout driven by staffing models, short staffing, low resources, and punitive policies that could be addressed by directly asking nurses how they could address these challenges. Nurses brought up brilliant and simple solutions that spoke to creating a sustainable culture and workforce.
Also front and center was nursing education and a discussion of new models that could redesign and empower nursing students, new graduates, and retiring nurses. They also discussed programs that would upskill and strengthen nursing as a career, not just a job. Another major theme that came up was the importance of mental healthcare, specifically resiliency support for nurses. This was top of mind, with many nurses speaking to how culture drives so much of mental healthcare.
Check out some highlights from the chat below.
Mass media has a significant influence on people’s health beliefs & actions. As #nurses, we have a critical role to play in how the media reports on health & public health issues. #ANursesVoice must be included in all areas of science, policy, practice & media. Right @BGlickstein https://t.co/YvWOjOiwiM
— Marion Leary MSN MPH RN (she/her) (@marionleary) January 12, 2022
Nurses are experts in the patient experience. It would be amazing if we could have more nurse led innovations that are focused on promoting self care and reducing the load on nurses amd and paving the way for innovative care models #ANursesVoice https://t.co/X2W6JaNdWK
— Mary Lou Ackerman (@mackerman123) January 12, 2022
Thank you! I’m a whole human over here with biological, mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical needs and safety. #ANursesVoice https://t.co/suAWEmwek5
— ???? Rhonda Manns ???????????? (@realRhondaManns) January 12, 2022
We need INVEST in the practice of Non-APRN nurses and nursing professionals (CNAs, LPNs, RNs) just as much as APRNs. We need to empower them to be even better Science Communicators. We need to ensure ALL nurses learn about #PublicHealth and leadership! #ANursesVoice
— PatMac, RN (@NursePatMacRN) January 12, 2022
Who better to make solutions for #nurses and #patients, than other nurses? We’ve heard of second-career nurses, but also need to embrace the idea that we can move away from the bedside and still create value for all healthcare consumers Thoughts? #ANursesVoice
— Joshua Littlejohn, MPH, MSN, RN (@JLittlejohn_RN) January 12, 2022
There needs to be more focus on nurses’ mental health #ANursesVoice
— Janiene Morris (@MorrisJaniene) January 12, 2022
School nurses and local BOH need our support, they are setting and enforcing policy all the while caring for our sick children. Their work environments are not set up and their resources are restricted due to low budgets. #publichealthRN #ANursesVoice
— Michelle Hockman, MS, BSN, RN (@hockmangirls) January 12, 2022
Violence against healthcare workers existed before the pandemic, all data shows it has increased. #StopViolence #ANursesVoice https://t.co/BHZsz0qQjg
— Barbara Glickstein (She/Her) (@BGlickstein) January 12, 2022
I absolutely agree…systemic change is necessary, it is not the individual who is not performing but the system that has set the individual up for failure #ANursesVoice https://t.co/jaz1blFDlr
— Pam Ressler (@pamressler) January 12, 2022
#ANursesVoice is missing in conversations related to direct patient care in both inpatient & outpatient settings, public health, the art of caregiving & so much more. We have the skills & knowledge to be amplified across all forms of media. Our perspectives are vital, hear us.
— Sarah Warren, RN (@shesinscrubs) January 12, 2022
Over the coming weeks we will be sharing much more about the main takeaways from #ANursesVoice. We want to hold ourselves accountable for the change that needs to result from this chat. Stay tuned for more #ANursesVoice content!Stay up to date on info, tips, and stories from your fellow IntelyPros! And don’t miss out on key resources we share on our socials!