Occupational and environmental health nursing: the foundations of quality practice.

This article discusses the various standards, regulations, and guidelines that practicing occupational and environmental health nurses follow to ensure the delivery of quality, competent care in all occupational and environmental health nursing practice settings.

Scope of practice issues for occupational and environmental health nurses.

This article discusses scope of practice issues among various levels of professional nurses within the United States. It raises awareness that all occupational and environmental health nurses must be knowledgeable about workplace activities that may be permitted or prohibited by their state practice acts.

Integrating primary care with occupational health services: a success story.

This article describes the process used by a large U.S. manufacturing company to successfully integrate full-service primary care centers at two locations.

Workers' compensation management--changes in medicare regulations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently enacted legislation to protect Medicare from paying for health care services that should be covered under workers' compensation benefits. The law requires that Medicare be notified about certain workers' compensation claims and that some workers' compensation settlements include mechanisms to protect Medicare's financial interests. This article outlines the legislative changes and addresses the role of occupational health nurses relative to case management and these changes.

Occupational health nursing 2004 practice analysis report.

As a certifying body for occupational health nurses in the United States and Canada, the American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (ABOHN) must ensure its certification examinations validly reflect current occupational health nurse practice. This report presents information from the ABOHN 2004 practice analysis.

Improving applicant interviewing--using a behavioral-based questioning approach.

Selecting the correct person for the job is crucial for occupational health nurse managers. A successful interview takes time to prepare and implement. A structured, well-planned interview using behavioral-based questioning can significantly increase the amount of information a manager has available to determine how a potential candidate may perform in the intended job.

Family medical leave--management strategies.

Employers are recognizing the impact of lost productivity on total benefit costs. In a recent report based on 2002 benefit data, lost productivity represented 71% of the full cost of health/absence benefits (Integrated Benefits Institute, 2004). Occupational health nurse managers can develop FMLA leave management policies and programs to assure that leave is provided when appropriate, to help curb FMLA abuse and fraud, and to assist employers in defending adverse employment actions based on attendance.

Managing transitional work--program foundation.

A comprehensive TWP is a critical element in any disability management effort. The program must be developed just as any successful worksite program is: with management support, teamwork, a coordinator, written policies and procedures, effective marketing, and communications. In addition, the program must be evaluated and continuously improved.

Electronic mail communication--management strategies.

Electronic communication has come a long way in the past 30 years. It will no doubt continue to improve and remain the primary communication vehicle for businesses. Occupational health nurses, like other business professionals, must use email to their advantage to improve their practice.

Environmental, health, and safety management systems and auditing programs: part I--The evolution.

Early auditing began as an effort to avoid fines or other action from governmental agencies, without being based on accepted standards. However, for EHS auditing to be accepted as credible in the business world, established standards were necessary. As companies expanded globally, the need for international EHS standards grew, international standards for quality management and environmental program management have now been universally accepted (ISO, 2002).

Managing during times of uncertainty. Part II--Long-term strategies.

It could be argued that uncertainty is currently part and parcel of most businesses. The degree of uncertainty may vary at times, but many occupational health nurse managers learn to live with a degree of insecurity in their jobs, and with the service they manage. The strategies discussed in this column can help occupational health nurses manage their departments more efficiently under the best of circumstances, and help identify strategies to use in times of increased uncertainty.

Managing during times of uncertainty. Part I--Short-term strategies.

During times of uncertainty, nurse managers must first and foremost act like leaders. They must be visible, stay focused on the situation at hand, demonstrate congruency, convey empathy to their employees, and communicate effectively. While this discussion has dealt with some "short term" approaches to handle uncertain situations, short term may be hours, days, or weeks depending on the type of crisis or situation.