A Nurse on a Mission to Solve the Nursing Shortage

Working by night, a rehab nurse manages a staffing platform connecting nurses with work opportunities

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, a nurse shares how an important observation during COVID led a nurse to start his own company. We also feature

job opportunities and discuss cannabis-induced cardiac arrest, alcohol and its link to dementia, and wearable health devices.

But first, we hope you'll lol with us 😂

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Nurse Spotlight: Ray Washington, RN

What I do for work

I’ve been working as a nurse for over 30 years. Currently, I am an orthopedic rehabilitation nurse. We work with patients who have undergone hip, knee, and back surgeries. I work the night shift at my rehab facility in Georgia, and during the day, I run a company called America Needs Nurses, which provides nurses with employment opportunities by collaborating with businesses in the healthcare field that require nurses to meet their staffing needs.

How I got here

I started out as an LPN, and about seven years ago, I returned to school to earn my associate degree in nursing. During COVID, I noticed that most hospitals were moving away from using agency services to address staffing needs. In response, I developed America Needs Nurses, a staffing service. I also observed that post-COVID, there was a significant shortage of nurses to fill hospital positions. This inspired me to create a platform to connect employees and employers. That's how America Needs Nurses was founded.

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More on Ray Washington, RN

A day in my life

I work weekend nights as the charge nurse on the rehabilitation unit. For my business, I create daily content focused on issues affecting nurses, such as international nurse migration, the role of nurses in crisis settings, and nurse recruitment. I also contact companies to explore collaboration opportunities and engage with nurses to encourage newsletter subscriptions. Our primary goal is to build relationships with healthcare companies to showcase their employment opportunities.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

For fun, I like to play the guitar. I also like working out, spending time with my kids, and traveling.

Headlines in Healthcare

Cannabis-induced cardiac arrest

A healthy 26-year-old woman experienced a sudden cannabis-induced heart attack, doctors told American Journal of Case Reports. Found unresponsive and in V-fib by emergency responders, she had no prior heart issues; her heavy cannabis use was the likely cause. This case supports research linking chronic cannabis use to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and heart attack in young adults. She made a full recovery following prolonged rehabilitation.

Alcohol use linked to dementia, study suggests

A study in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine found that any alcohol intake raises the risk of dementia, meaning no amount is completely safe. Even light drinking, under seven drinks per week, may increase risk. Genetic analysis revealed that even minimal alcohol use can raise dementia risk, especially for those with certain genetic factors. The study recommends re-evaluating guidelines and personal risk, particularly for genetically susceptible individuals.

Wearable devices for personalized health care

Wearable health monitors such as the Apple Watch and Oura Ring collect biometrics like heart rate, sleep quality, blood oxygen, temperature, and activity. For people with chronic conditions, these devices offer insight between doctor visits by tracking daily health trends, News From The States reports. For example, a Parkinson’s patient used an Apple Watch and an app to monitor tremors and treatment effectiveness, allowing physicians to fine-tune care. Wearables are evolving from fitness trackers to valuable self-management and clinical tools.

Meet the author:
Renee DLamini
(RN, BSN, Writer)

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