Nurses Can Impact Patient Health Literacy; Nurse Donates Kidney; and other News
Nurse Watch is compiled in conjunction with the AHA's American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and highlights articles of interest to nurse leaders, nursing professionals and other health care leaders. For more about AONE, visit aone.org.
Nurses in Unique Position to Enhance Patient Health Literacy, AAN Says
The American Academy of Nursing recommends an increased role for nursing in improving patient health literacy. In a policy brief published in Nursing Outlook, AAN advocates for nurses to empower patients to become more literate about their own health, which can ultimately benefit their outcomes.
Nurse Donates Kidney to Help Another Ailing Nurse
When a nurse needed a kidney, another nurse helped her get it, The Register-Guard reports. After waiting for a replacement for one of her failing kidneys for four years, Eugene, Ore., emergency department nurse Roxanne Loomis decided to advertise her need on a few billboards. A Portland nurse answered the call and even passed most of the rigorous testing that is involved in such an exchange. Ultimately, this nurse was not able to give her kidney to Loomis directly because her blood type didn't match Loomis's, so the nurse "swapped" kidneys with another living kidney donor whose blood type did.
In-person Nurse Leadership Begets Teamwork, Better Outcomes, AONE President Says
In an interview with Nurse.com, AONE President Bob Dent discussed essential traits of good nurse managers, most notably how nurse leaders can develop a culture of teamwork by communicating in-person with their staff instead of relying on electronic messaging. Face-to-face communication and rounding promote stronger rapport, he said. And, engaging and empowering fellow nurses often results in improved health outcomes for patients, Dent said.