Description: Patients with substance use disorder are a medically and socially vulnerable population, and often experience overdose, co-occurring mental illness, and chronic disease. Despite the need for healthcare, these patients are often reluctant to seek care because of stigma and previous negative experiences within the healthcare system. Through lived experience, this program will examine how person-centered... Read more »

Description: This program will explain the common infectious agents affecting pregnant individuals and newborns. Strategies for preventing vertical transmission to the fetus will be discussed. Best practice standards for infection control measures during labor and delivery will be outlined. The program will conclude with a discussion of neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and other common infections as well... Read more »

Description: This program will provide nurses with the advocacy skills and communication strategies to respond when they hear, “Just do your best” when nursing judgment determines they cannot safely meet the needs of the patient. Discussion topics include patient abandonment, mandatory overtime, and assuming an assignment under duress or objection. Documentation of unsafe assignments and mandatory... Read more »

Description: Nurses, first responders, and other healthcare workers are at risk of contracting bloodborne diseases. The three most common bloodborne pathogens workers are exposed to during their daily activities while caring for patients are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This program will discuss the currently known best... Read more »

Description: CSEC is an ever-changing form of interpersonal violence impacting all communities across the Commonwealth. Nurses are in a unique position to identify and support patients who are experiencing this abuse and provide interventions that can connect survivors to services for a safe exit and healing trajectory. Hear from a survivor of CSEC, turned doctoral-prepared... Read more »