Staffing agencies are convincing hospitals that it is dangerous to hire nurses like me, telling them that us independent nurses are not equipped to provide quality patient care, and that hiring independent nurses could open the door for legal ramifications.

Many physicians, podiatrists, psychologists, and occupational and physical therapists are able to take advantage of the ability to be an independent contractor with little scrutiny. Those who oppose it when it comes to nursing fail to see nurses as anything but a tax classification; they don’t understand that trying to corral nurses back into a system of work that does not work for them will only intensify the nursing shortage by exacerbating the flight from the workforce.

Hospitals are places of healing, but they have also become sites of gun violence. A panel at the MedCity News INVEST conference discussed the ways hospitals can reduce threats and de-escalate situations before they become violent.

Recognizing exceptional mental healthcare providers can lead to improved patient outcomes. Patients tend to have a better experience when they feel appreciated and valued. Acknowledging the efforts of mental healthcare providers can enhance the quality of care provided and, in turn, lead to better patient outcomes.

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living reported in June that nearly half of the nation’s 14,000 nursing homes are facing severe labor shortages, and 73 percent of those facilities are concerned about closing.