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By: James Reder, Community Health, Image & Breakthrough to Nursing Director  The summer heat is upon us, and so are the festivities! To cool down, many people find themselves by a lake, a pool, or a sprinkler set up in their backyard. This Fourth of July, many adults will choose an alcoholic beverage to quench their thirst and beat the heat. Drinkers should be cognizant of their alcohol consumption because alcohol and heat can be a dangerous combination.
To finish out the last week in June and National Safety Month, Safe Driving is the topic of the week! As nursing students, we are always on the go! Whether it's driving to class, the library, work, or clinical, the time we spend behind the wheel quickly adds up. When you factor in the sleep deprivation, accumulating responsibilities, and the time crunch that many nursing students experience, the likelihood of distracted driving is hard to ignore. As future nurses, we will also come in contact with patients facing the consequences of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) related to distracted driving. It is important be knowledgeable on safe driving behaviors to ensure the safety of yourself and your patients. Did you know that drowsy driving is estimated to be responsible to nearly 10% of all MVAs (according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)? While not being fully rested may seem harmless, it only takes a split-second of decreased alertness to veer off the road, cross into on-coming traffic, or fail to stop for a pedestrian. Click the link below for the National Safety Council's full article on Drowsy Driving. Another important aspect of safe driving is refraining from cell phone use. Whether it is texting, talking, or choosing a song, taking your attention off the road can have fatal outcomes. Even new technology in vehicles that allows you to navigate your phone hands-free or from your dash can steel your attention long enough to cause devastating consequences. Watch the video below from AT&Ts It Can Wait Campaign, and take the pledge to drive distraction-free. The National American Arab Nurses Association annually awards $500-$1000 scholarships to the most meritorious applicants who are engaged in studying nursing at the Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree or RN-BSN levels. If you or someone who know meets the qualifications below, encourage them to apply before June 30!
The Michigan Nurses Foundation will be awarding a minimum of four scholarships to nursing students of $1,000 each this year. Check out the link below for application details. Deadline to apply is July 31st!
Please see the flyer below for information on an important Asthma Management Educational Opportunity! RN's will receive CEU's, and nursing students will gain crucial knowledge on an illness that you will frequently encounter in practice. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter (AAFA-MI), in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services - Asthma Program, is proud to present Asthma Management and Education© on Tuesday July 17, 2018 - 5:30-9:00 pm. This program is designed to bring the clinician the latest information on the pathophysiology of asthma and allergy; current treatment methods; effective techniques for patient education; and ways to prevent asthma episodes, Program is $25. Nurses earn 2.6 contact hours and respiratory therapists earn 2 CRCE credits. AE-C's use these CEU's toward your renewal. Non-clinicians should also attend to get up-to-date asthma management guidelines. A light meal is provided.   Emergency Preparedness
June is National Safety Month – and this week’s focus is Emergency Preparedness. Did you know that a survey of 3,000 employees in a variety of fields conducted by the American Heart Association found that over 50% of workers were not trained in first aid and CPR? However, 90% said that they would be willing to learn if their employer offered training. Nurses can play an important role in educating businesses and organizations on the importance of CPR training for its employees. Read the full article on the National Safety Council’s website. Another aspect of Emergency Preparedness week involves ensuring you are prepared for natural disasters. In Michigan, the summer months can bring severe weather - such as tornados, floods, excessive heat and lightning storms. View The National Safety Council’s article on ensuring your workplace is prepared for a tornado. Nurses are known for being informed, organized and prepared in emergency situations – so natural disasters should be no different. Having a disaster plan is an important step in ensuring your family and workplace are safe. Set aside time this week to check out this article from Ready.gov on creating an emergency plan. Self-Care An equally important, but often overlooked, aspect of Emergency Preparedness is self-care during and after a traumatic event or emergency. There is no doubt that as nursing students and future nurses, we will be exposed to high-stress and emotional situations throughout our careers. It is important to have a plan to cope with these events to mitigate burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. |
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