By Barbara Eiser
The new model for health care delivery calls for effective physician-nurse teamwork. But teamwork is a challenge for many health care organizations, as interprofessional conflict between nurses and physicians is widespread and well-documented.
SOURCE: HOSPITALS & HEALTH NETWORKS DAILY

By Jennifer Larson
Nurses are not yet automatically included as experts on decision-making bodies like hospital and health system boards. But Action Coalitions are hard at work in all states, working to funnel more nurses into board positions and other leadership roles. Consider these seven strategies to develop your own nursing leadership potential.
SOURCE: NURSEZONE

By Sabrina Tavernise
Home visiting programs, paid for through the Affordable Care Act, are at the heart of a sweeping federal effort aimed at one of the nation’s most entrenched social problems: the persistently high rates of infant mortality. The programs have spread to some 800 cities and towns in recent years, and are testing whether successful small-scale efforts to improve children’s health by educating mothers can work on a broad national canvas.
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES

By Rachael Zimlich
Patients fare better when nurse practitioners are able to exercise the full extent of their skills, according to a new report. The study, published in Nursing Outlook, revealed a "significant relationship" between the full practice of nurse practitioners and decreased hospitalization rates for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
SOURCE: HEALTHCARE TRAVELER

By E’Louise Ondash, RN
Nurses know that sending patients on their way correctly requires a lot of time, attention to detail and planning – things that are nearly impossible if staffing is inadequate.
SOURCE: NURSEZONE BLOG

Over 300 Texas Nurse Leaders and sponsor community members gathered at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas for the 2015 TONE Annual Conference. This record-breaking year provided a line up of dynamic speakers, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, CNE credit offerings and industry insight which all contributed to a fantastic 2015 event.

The TONE Board of Directors has approved proposed changes to the TONE Bylaws which were submitted by the TONE Bylaws Committee. The proposed changes are available on the website for your review as of March 1, 2015. A 15-day voting window will open on April 1 and close on April 15, 2015.

It is time to begin the nomination process for Board Representatives for Regions 1, 3, 5 and 7; Treasurer; and 2 At-Large positions.

The Affordable Care Act’s HRRP aims to reduce preventable readmissions by penalizing hospitals with 30-day readmission rates in excess of what was expected for certain conditions after adjusting for case mix. However, readmissions are influenced by factors beyond the hospital’s control, and studies have shown that the challenges faced by urban and rural, low-income populations bear directly on those outcomes.
SOURCE: AHA NEWS

By Debra Wood, RN
With the increasing use of opioid analgesics has some public health concerns associated with the misuse and abuse of these drugs. Nurses can help monitor and recognize prescription drug abuse.
SOURCE: NURSEZONE