On the Pulse Podcast

The world is witnessing the largest European invasion since World War II. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia continues to unfold, and many people in both countries and the surrounding nations are caught in an escalating crisis and are seeking refuge. Dr. Nancy Reynolds, Professor and Associate Dean of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing details the situation on the ground and how people everywhere can be helping. Podcast References and Resources Resources to Support Ukrainian Military Children & Their Families (MCEC) Psychological First Aid | Coursera Doing What Matters In Times of Stress: Available in Ukrainian Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers: Available in Ukrainian Rapid Psychological First Aid Pocket Card Coping With Grief Coping After a Disaster *For Children* Managing the Stress of War and Disaster  

In celebration of American Heart Month, two cardiovascular researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing share practical steps to keeping your heart healthy and the details of two new research interventions aimed at improving blood pressure. Guests include: Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb, Vice Dean for Research, Office for Science and Innovation and Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Assistant Professor. Podcast References and Resources Life's Simple 7 American Heart Association Warning signs of a heart attack Stroke symptoms The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Receives $4.5 Million to Expand Research and Care in Hypertension and Mental Health

A new $1.5 billion investment in health care is giving nurses the opportunity to improve equity in the communities they serve while also having their nursing school loans repaid. Announced by the Biden Administration at the end of 2021, the funding supports loan repayment and scholarship programs within the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps, which are part of the Health Resources and Services Administration. Applications are open now. Show guest CAPT Jacqueline Rodrigue, Acting Director of the Division of Health Careers and Financial Support for the Bureau of Health Workforce, discusses the importance of the funding, and Dr. Andrew Pettit, a Nurse Corps participant, shares how it’s changed his life to be part of a program that is helping him pay off his nursing school loan debt. CAPT Jacqueline Rodrigue has nearly 30 years of experience in workforce diversity, cultural competency, stakeholder engagement, quality improvement, and behavioral health. She provides strategic direction, coordination, and planning in support of Bureau of Health Workforce’s 40 programs that aim to recruit, educate, train, and retain a diverse health professions workforce in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Andrew Pettit, DNP, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with combined 10 years of nursing-related experience in long-term memory care, oncology, and ambulatory care. He received his nursing degree in 2014 from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT, and his Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2019 from the University of Washington in Seattle. He currently practices in primary care at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Tulare, CA. Resources: HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) Apply to the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (deadline January 27, 2022) Apply to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (deadline February 3, 2022) HHS Announces Record Health Care Workforce Awards in Rural and Underserved Communities Continue the Conversation @JHUNursing @HRSAgov @Sarah_Szanton

It’s not uncommon for health care providers to feel that they lack the knowledge and training to provide adequate and culturally competent care to veterans and their family members. More veterans are also seeking health care in the civilian sector, and it’s critically important for clinicians to have the knowledge, skills, and resources to care for this unique population. In this episode, Drs. Rita D’Aoust and Alicia Gill Rossiter, co-editors of the new book Caring for Veterans and their Families: A Guide for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals, discuss how their book is helping to close the knowledge gap faced by clinicians and how education can continue to improve to meet the needs of those who serve in the Armed Forces. Podcast References and Resources Caring for Veterans and their Families: A Guide for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Have You Ever Served? A Military Health History Pocket Card for Clinicians Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare VA Nursing Academy Partnerships   Continue the Conversation @RitaDAoust @agr_drltc @JHUNursing @TamarRodney

According to Cynda Rushton, Anne and George L. Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, the answer is yes. But the profession and the greater health care system must be ready to take some advised and intentional steps forward. This starts with acknowledging and assessing the wounds of the pandemic, and then developing solutions to better prepare health systems and clinicians with tools to meet the challenges in the future. On this episode, Dr. Rushton discusses the current state of nursing, the new report on preparing nurses to practice with resilience and integrity, and a message of hope for the future.  Podcast References and Resources: R³ – the Renewal, Resilience and Retention of Maryland Nurses Initiative Mind the Gap: Preparing Nurses to Practice with Resilience and Integrity American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials Continue the Conversation @CyndaEthx @JHUNursing @TamarRodney

In the United States, Latinos are 1.5 times more likely than non-Latino whites to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Right now, the Latino population makes up the country’s youngest racial or ethnic group, and as this population ages, a dramatic increase in cases of Alzheimer’s disease could follow. What are health care professionals doing to prepare for this increase? What other factors might be contributing to their increased risk for the disease? And what can Latinos do to protect their brain health? In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Melissa Hladek and Jason Resendez join the show to discuss these questions and more. Hladek is assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, who is a researcher-clinician studying how stress, self-efficacy resilience, and sociocultural factors influence the biology of aging and chronic disease. She is president-elect for the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-DC Chapter and advisor for the Latinx Health Advisory Group at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Jason Resendez is executive director of the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity and chief of staff of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. Jason has helped establish UsAgainstAlzheimer’s as a hub for driving brain health equity through public health strategies, community anchored research collaborations, and patient advocacy. In 2020, Resendez was recognized as one of America’s top 20 “Influencers in Aging” by PBS Next Avenue. Podcast References and Resources CDC's Healthy Aging Program MyBrainGuide National Association of Hispanic Nurses National Hispanic Heritage Month Continue the Conversation @melissa_hladek @jason_r_DC @JHUNursing @UsAgainstAlz @NbnaInc @NAHN_DC

Many families and communities still have questions about what a return to work and school will look like this fall, and how they can help their kids and aging parents navigate the transition. Two experts join the show to discuss—Dr. Debbie Gross, a child psychiatric nurse, and Dr. Valerie Cotter, an expert in aging, dementia, and palliative care. Podcast References What to do when you worry too much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Problems With Anger COVID-19 Risks and Vaccine Information for Older Adults National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Maryland Department of Health Continue the Conversation @JHUNursing @ValCottervt Deborah Gross

Psychiatric nurse practitioner Tamar Rodney, PHD, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, joins the show to uncover how mental health has been impacted because of COVID-19, and what lessons can be learned about mental health treatment and stigma. Dr. Rodney has worked in trauma and psychiatry. Her PhD research looked at biomarkers for PTSD in veterans with a traumatic brain injury. Her career goal is to change the way health care professionals approach diagnosis and treatment planning for individuals with mental health needs. Podcast References COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Consequences: Systematic Review of the Current Evidence COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review Continue the Conversation @JHUNursing @MonaShattell @TamarRodney On the Pulse Blog Facebook Live Podcasts

Cystic Fibrosis used to be considered a childhood terminal disease, but with research and improved treatments, the future continues to get brighter for those with CF. This month, Assistant Professor Sarah Allgood joins the podcast to discuss cystic fibrosis causes, treatment, how people manage symptoms, and the future of CF care. Dr. Allgood is a researcher who focuses on the role of pain and other symptoms in clinical outcomes among individuals with cystic fibrosis. Her long-term research goals include the development of interventions to help manage symptoms, especially in those with advanced lung disease. Podcast References: The Association Between Pain and Clinical Outcomes in Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis in the Year 2020: A Disease With a New Face Descriptions of the Pain Experience in Adults and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Continue the Conversation @JHUNursing @MonaShattell Sarah Allgood On the Pulse Blog Facebook Live Podcasts

India’s death toll from COVID-19 is catastrophic and the surge in cases continues. Associate Dean for Global Affairs Nancy Reynolds joins the show to discuss the current situation, how we can help, and lessons we should be learning. Podcast References Johns Hopkins India Institute | Giving to Johns Hopkins JHU COVID-19 Response & Relief India’s COVID-19 emergency – The Lancet Covid in India: Variant and Deaths Spur New Lockdowns as Crisis Grows – Bloomberg Underpaid, overburdened nursing staff struggles to cope with workload | Latest News India – Hindustan Times Continue the Conversation @JHUNursing @MonaShattell @nancyrreynolds On the Pulse Blog Facebook Live Podcasts