Online hub offers workforce tools for members of AHA, affiliates
The American Hospital Association launched the AHA Workforce Center, an online hub to help AHA members and its affiliates sustain, increase and enhance the health care workforce. A collaborative effort among the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, the AHA's American Organization of Nurse Executives and other affiliates, the center brings together resources and tools to support workforce recruitment, engagement, retention, succession planning, diversity and culture, and to develop future models. Visit http://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/workforce/index.shtml.
Depression screening and early treatment 'imperative' for nurses
Depression among nurses poses a risk for co-workers and patient care, according to findings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative. The study found that 18 percent of nurses experience depression, more than double that of the general public. Depressed workers exhibit low mood, have difficulty concentrating, are accident-prone and have limited ability to perform mental or interpersonal tasks, the May/June Clinical Nurse Specialist reports. "It is imperative to devote more attention to depression screening and early treatment," the INQRI researchers say. Advanced practice nurses can educate staff nurses about depression, they say, noting that Web-based training is a confidential and cost-effective means of reaching nurses. Visit INQRI.org.
More health care workers say they're ready for a new employer
Thirty-seven percent of health care workers expect to look for a new job within the next 12 months, an increase of six percentage points from the first quarter of 2012, according to the Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index. Health care worker confidence declined 4.5 points to 53.9 in the second quarter mostly because of pessimism about the economy. Nevertheless, 51 percent of respondents are confident they could find a job. Harris Interactive conducted the online survey.
