Category: Workplace Issues

In a harrowing incident on February 18, 2025, at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida, a nurse was brutally attacked by a patient, resulting in critical injuries. The patient, 33-year-old Stephen Scantlebury, was under a Baker Act hold—a Florida law allowing for involuntary mental health examination—when he allegedly assaulted the nurse, causing severe facial injuries that […]

In today’s rapidly evolving educational environment, student health and safety have never been more critical. Yet, many schools across the country lack a full-time registered nurse (RN) on staff, leaving students vulnerable in moments of crisis. While schools prioritize security with school resource officers (SROs), the presence of an RN is just as—if not more—essential for ensuring the well-being of […]

It’s an unsettling thought, isn’t it? To consider that in the act of simply doing our job—communicating with patients, families, and colleagues—we might unintentionally put ourselves at risk. A casual comment can be perceived as a definitive medical opinion. A shared moment of empathy can be construed as overstepping professional boundaries. And when things go wrong, the words we spoke […]

Nurses across the nation are grappling with burnout, dissatisfaction, and a healthcare system that often feels unresponsive to their needs. If you’re a nurse wondering, “Should I stay or should I go?”, you’re not alone. The decision to leave a job is never easy, but taking a structured approach can help you assess your situation and make the best choice […]

There was an article in the American Nurses’ Association magazine titled “Can This Marriage Be Saved? Nurses and Health Systems in Crisis” draws an analogy between the relationship of nurses and their employers and that of a troubled marriage. While the sentiment of seeking reconciliation between nurses and the healthcare system is commendable, I must respectfully disagree with the premise. […]

I remember the time when hospitals were owned by communities or religious organizations with the sole purpose of providing health care to community members in need. But now hospitals have evolved into multi-system corporate conglomerates where their main focus is to make a profit. A recent article in Beckers Clinical Leadership titled “NP Staffing Models: A Double Edged Sword For […]

Recently, a shocking story from Kentucky highlighted the importance of caution and communication in healthcare. A man was mistakenly declared brain-dead and nearly had his organs harvested before his family’s vigilance saved his life. As nurses, we are often the ones closest to our patients and their families, and there are valuable lessons we can take from this case to […]

  The healthcare industry is facing a perplexing and unfortunate contradiction: hospitals are laying off nurses even as a nationwide nursing shortage continues to worsen. For those of us who live and breathe nursing, this seems illogical—how can hospitals justify layoffs when they struggle to staff their units adequately? Let’s dive into why this is happening and what it means […]

Since the onset of the pandemic, the pay rates for travel nurses have doubled.  However, federal money for COVID-19 has dried up because there are far fewer hospitalizations for the disease.  As a result, the need for travel nurses has decreased by one third. In addition, some travel nurses are starting new contracts to only find out that the arrangement […]

Lorie Brown, Nurse Attorney, discusses the Top 5 Lessons Learned from RaDonda Vaught’s Situation. The lessons include how to protect your freedom and nursing license as well as insurance for nurses.