COVID-19 Impact on Teaching Substance Use Disorders: A Nursing Curricular Thread.

Vulnerable populations such as those with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at a higher risk for early morbidities and mortalities yet are less likely to receive primary care and other necessary psychosocial services essential for comprehensive care of these clients. This need has been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence supports an increase in alcohol sales in 2020, and overdoses from illicit drugs have been reported to have more than doubled by May 2020 from the 2018 and 2019 baseline rates, and one reason for these increases is because of COVID-19.

The Harmful Consequences of Vaping: A Public Health Threat.

The vaping of nicotine products has overwhelmingly gained national attention as the new public health crisis. The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and products such as electronic cigarettes, JUUL, pods, or vaporizers is now a worldwide multibillion dollar industry. Despite the notable gains decreasing harmful smoking behaviors of traditional cigarettes among youth, these public health initiatives have been significantly nullified by the indiscriminate exposure of these highly addictive products by nicotine manufacturers to the adolescent population.

The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Children: Navigating Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention.

Over 5 million American children are estimated to be exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) annually. The past decade has seen a surge in research, assessment, and related interventions regarding children and violence. Contemporary practice guidelines continue to expand relative to the wide range of violence that a child might be exposed to, particularly noting that children who have experienced one type of violence, such as physical abuse, are at great risk for also experiencing other forms of violence.

Simulation Clinical Experience of Veteran Care Competence for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students with Standardized Patients.

Objective: The purpose of this simulation educational activity was to assist psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students (PMHNPs) with identifying military veterans as a vulnerable group with health care disparities and provide competent military veteran care in the private sector. Mindful of all the varied terms for military service, this article will use the term military veteran.

Methods: The simulation educational activity included applying the conceptual frameworks of the healthcare disparities framework (HDF) and nursing education simulation framework (NESF).

The Toll of Too Much Technology on Teens' Mental Health.

Technology is here to stay, and forbidding adolescents to access electronic media may not be a sustainable solution. Pediatric health care providers should include technology use and the parents' knowledge of the child's technology use, in their screening practices with patients. With the guidance of pediatric nurses, parents and children together can collaborate on ways to maximize the benefits of technology and decrease its risks.

Communication and patient safety in simulation for mental health nursing education.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) found that 65% of medical sentinel events or medical errors are associated with communication breakdowns. In addition to the JCAHO, The Institute of Medicine, in their Core Competencies for health care professional education, recommend improvement in professional communication, collaboration, and a patient-centered approach to provide safety. Consistency of opportunities for students to practice their communication and collaboration skills is limited based on the variety of clinical experiences that are available.

Enhancing assessment of interpersonal violence (IPV) pregnancy-related homicide risk within nursing curricula.

Pregnancy and motherhood traditionally represent evolution of the next generation; yet, contemporary research and analyses confirm that this time can also be manifested in fear by the expectant mother within an environment of battering, cruelty, physical and emotional abuse, and sexual assault. Often to the surprise of many healthcare providers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have consistently reported that Interpersonal Violence (IPV) related homicide is a leading cause of traumatic death among new and expectant mothers. In spite of these staggering statistical and anecdotal findings, universal screening for violence during pregnancy continues to be minimal.