Dedicated to Care: Inspiring Stories of Pediatric Care from the Propelus Team
A Tribute to National Children’s Health Month National Children’s Health Month, observed every October, is a wonderful moment to reflect on the incredible impact that pediatric care and children’s hospitals have on our lives. At Propelus, we are deeply committed to protecting vulnerable populations and supporting healthcare professionals. This month, we celebrate the remarkable work being done in pediatric care by sharing personal stories from our team members. Through these narratives, we aim to honor the dedication and compassion of those who work tirelessly to care for our youngest patients, celebrating the resilience and profound impact of pediatric care on our communities. Propelus stories A Mother’s Gratitude: Finding Comfort in My Son’s Surgery at Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bonnie Cobb, Sr. People Operations Manager at Propelus When my son needed surgery as a one-year-old, I felt so blessed to have Nemours Children’s Health and Wolfson Children’s hospital nearby. They are beautiful facilities staffed by endlessly caring professionals that made the whole experience as easy as possible. I’ll always remember the kindness the staff at Wolfson showed my son, and I especially appreciated how the nurse carried him in her arms back to the surgery area. At that time, my son had never been in the care of anyone other than family. Having her carry him like that gave both him and me the comfort we needed in that moment. Easing Stays for a Frequent Flier: My Childhood Journey at CCH Genevieve Terrall, Group Product Manager at Propelus As a frequent flier of Connecticut Children’s Hospital, I got used to the hospital food, the poking and prodding, and the constant stream of new treatments. However, all of the folks that I interacted with from respiratory techs to nurses to my doctors all showed up with the understanding that in order to make me feel more comfortable, they weren’t going to use big words and weird terms to tell me what was happening – they were going to bring me into the conversation to alleviate the fear around being away from home while not feeling well. It means that every time I’d get sick and have to go back, a little less nerve wracking. Being in the hospital as a little kid is scary. However, each member of the team at CCH validated that it was uncomfortable to be away from home and it was okay to feel sad that you haven’t seen a parent or sibling in days, allowing me to feel heard and hopeful that I would get back home. I had nurses who would remember my favorite popsicles and doctors who would talk to me about what I wanted to do when I was home with my little brothers. Most memorably, the respiratory techs would have me sing songs while wearing my vibrating vest. These professionals consistently go the extra mile to help children remain children while also being patients. Their dedication and care is truly unmatched, and I’ll remain thankful for them for the rest of my life. A Mother’s Heartfelt Thanks: Holistic Support for Our Son’s ADHD & Anxiety at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Stephanie Pavol, Director of Growth Marketing at Propelus Nationwide Children’s Hospital has been a great resource in helping my son with his ADHD and anxiety. The diagnosis process was really in-depth and covered a lot, but they made my son feel comfortable throughout the whole process. And they were able to offer a multi-pronged treatment approach from talk therapy to Occupational Therapy. We’re so lucky to have such an amazing organization for children’s health here in Columbus, Ohio. Their in-depth experience and amount of resources made all the difference with my son’s treatment plan. Nationwide Children’s is a leader in behavioral health, as exemplified by their national On Our Sleeves campaign. Their team was extremely knowledgeable and supportive. My son is healthy and thriving academically, behaviorally and in other areas. A Miracle of Care: My Survival Story Thanks to Kansas City’s Research Hospital Kevin McNeall, Senior Sales Executive at Propelus When I was born I had Jaundice, in 1969, which was more significant than it is today. I also had a collapsed lung. My dad told me that you could see my spine when I would inhale. I was not expected to leave the hospital alive and was baptized in the NICU. Because of new technology at the time and the commitment of the doctors and nurses at the hospital, I survived, and they are the reason I get to share my story. I remember my folks talking about the care and support they felt throughout my illness, and they attributed my survival to their [Kansas City’s Research Hospital’s] care. Grateful for Lifesaving Care: Our Journey as New Parents at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Karen Griffin, Product Marketing Director at Propelus When my oldest son was 8-months-old, he had meningitis. The person who actually first caught it was a student working at our pediatrician’s office. After getting a second opinion from our pediatrician, we were rushed over to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville where he had a spinal tap procedure to verify the diagnosis. It was a very scary experience for us as we were young parents of our first baby. When the results came back positive, he was admitted to the hospital, and we received the best care. I remember the hospital staff was there when we first got all set up in the hospital room and made sure we knew the latest updates to his condition. And, that wasn’t the last time we were at Vanderbilt. A few years later he was again admitted to Vanderbilt for a surgical procedure. Again, we had a great surgical team, and the post-operation care was phenomenal and [the care team] made sure we knew how he was doing in his recovery. From Crisis to Clarity: How Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Saved My Sister’s Life Jessica Dunbar, Chief of Staff at Propelus My sister was 17-years-old when she experienced her first
Shining a Light on HR Excellence: Celebrating Human Resource Professional Day
At Propelus, we understand that people are the heartbeat of any organization. That is why we celebrate Human Resource Professional Day, honoring the essential role HR professionals play in nurturing and sustaining vibrant workplaces. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the value of HR teams and their impact on driving career growth and professional development. Join us as we explore how to honor HR professionals and why their work is vital to organizational success. What is Human Resource Professional Day? Human Resource Professional Day, observed annually on Sept. 26, recognizes the indispensable contributions of HR professionals. This day not only celebrates their achievements but also highlights the often-overlooked scope of their work. It’s a chance to deepen your understanding of HR’s role and to express appreciation for their unwavering commitment. Why Honor HR Professionals in Healthcare? In the dynamic field of healthcare, celebrating HR professionals is crucial. Here’s why we at Propelus believe it’s important to recognize their efforts: Talent Acquisition and Retention HR professionals in healthcare are key to attracting and retaining exceptional talent. Their dedication ensures that healthcare facilities are equipped with skilled, compassionate professionals who provide outstanding patient care. While they may not interact directly with patients, their work is foundational to the effective operation of your organization. Employee Well-being HR teams are champions of employee well-being, driving initiatives that promote wellness, mental health, and work-life balance. In the high-pressure environment of healthcare, their efforts are vital for maintaining morale and preventing burnout. By supporting these initiatives, you contribute to a more balanced and engaged workforce. Training and Development Continuous learning and development are central to healthcare excellence. HR professionals facilitate programs that keep staff up-to-date with the latest healthcare practices and technologies. This ongoing education not only boosts employee confidence but also enhances the quality of patient care. Compliance and Ethics Navigating complex regulatory requirements and ethical standards is a critical function of HR teams. By managing these aspects, HR professionals allow other leaders to focus on delivering exceptional patient care. Compliance and ethics requirements within your business protect the organization and its employees from legal issues and help maintain a culture of integrity. Crisis Management During challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, HR professionals have been instrumental in managing workforce dynamics and implementing safety protocols. Their support during crises is a testament to their resilience and commitment. If your team members have a personal challenge, they can always turn to your HR team for extra support and advice. Cultural and Organizational Leadership HR professionals shape the culture of healthcare organizations, fostering an environment of inclusion, collaboration, and respect. Their role in building a supportive and empathetic workplace is crucial for organizational success. By celebrating HR colleagues on Human Resource Professional Day, you acknowledge their role in maintaining a high standard of care and employee support. Ideas to Honor Healthcare HR Professionals Inspired to celebrate Human Resource Professional Day? Here are some thoughtful ways to recognize and appreciate your HR team: Thank You Notes from Staff: Encourage colleagues to write personal notes or create thank you cards for HR colleagues, showcasing their appreciation for the team’s dedication. Lunch or Dinner with Leadership: Organize a special meal around Sept. 26, offering senior leaders the chance to express their gratitude and celebrate HR professionals. Gift Packages: Delight your HR team with personalized gift packages that reflect their interests, demonstrating your appreciation for their hard work. Customized HR Appreciation Video: Create a video featuring testimonials from employees and leaders, highlighting the positive impact of your HR team. Display the video prominently to raise awareness of their contributions. Final Thoughts Human Resource Professional Day is the perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate your HR team’s hard work to ensure a safer, healthier, and more compliant workforce. Propelus is dedicated to helping HR professionals equip their workforce with the resources they need to perform at the highest level. Through our industry-leading solutions—EverCheck, Immuware, and CE Broker—we’re powering professionals with the tools they need to achieve professional compliance and ultimately, provide safer healthcare with better outcomes. This Human Resource Professional Day, we thank the HR professionals in healthcare who help their organizations provide the best care possible.
Celebrating One Year as Propelus: A Look Back at Our Progress
Written by Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus One year ago, on August 1, we excitingly announced our new brand, Propelus. This is a defining moment in our company’s history, and it more formally brought our brands – EverCheck, CE Broker, and Immuware – together as one unified company, all with a focused vision, mission, common set of values, and clear, customer-centric strategy. We knew we were on to something really special! A nod to our history We are honored and humbled by our unique history of over 20 years. Our founder’s vision was to help the Florida Department of Health (FL DoH) ensure their continuing education requirements for their licensed professionals were satisfied, which was foundational to our future. The FL DoH partnership was further instrumental in helping us develop and grow over the years to become the most trusted full-lifecycle continuing education management solution for government agencies, licensure departments, boards, and compacts. We embraced the opportunity to continuously evolve, innovate, and deliver meaningful solutions, introducing EverCheck. First, we assisted healthcare organizations in Florida, and soon after that, we expanded to a national footprint with the first-of-its-kind primary source verification and monitoring solution essential for dynamic workforce compliance management and to ensure professionals are Clear to Work®. In early 2023, we welcomed Immuware, a modern, intuitive, and professional-centric solution for Employee Health and safety (EHS) screening and surveillance. Ensuring the entire workforce – employees, vendors, contractors, students, and more–are healthy and safe to work – another critical element of workforce compliance in the broader human capital management ecosystem. Realizing our potential Our customer-centric, values-driven, and innovation-focused approach is core to our organization. Our many trusted professionals and their employers, licensure boards, agencies, and more helped us realize that our organization, as one company, has far-reaching potential with the focus on making a meaningful impact across our broader healthcare ecosystem. So, we stacked hands and set forth on our journey… We came together as one Propelus Team We embarked on this journey much earlier, in 2023. We started with our values. We believe they are our DNA. They are a blueprint that guides every interaction and decision and informs how we behave, operate, engage, and grow. We gathered thousands of inputs from our organization, customers, and other industry experts. We reviewed, discussed, and debated. We stacked hands, and here we are today. We have refreshed values, an even clearer vision, mission, and strategy–focused on powering professionals–connected through modern technology and united by our new brand, Propelus. We have laid an even stronger foundation for modernizing how professionals, employers, regulators, educators, and partners work together. Further, our “propeller” logo accentuates the full spectrum of what we do and the future we envision. Powering our progress We are excited to share a snapshot of our Propelus highlights: We serve more than 5 million professionals across our Propelus solutions. We partner with 400+ healthcare systems and several hundred licensure boards. We verify and monitor 8.3k primary data sources & professions for total workforce compliance. We process millions of license verifications, certifications, and registrations daily. We track more than 30 types of immunizations, screenings/surveillances, and injuries/illnesses. We’ve been honored with three Silver Stevie Awards, the world’s premier business awards, and Best Place to Work awards. We have delivered many exciting innovations for our customers, and even more are coming soon! Sharing our gratitude We are beyond grateful for our customers. They are central to why we exist, what motivates us to do meaningful work, and are vital to our future. Further, I am beyond proud of our Propelus team. We have had an exceptional first year as Propelus, and it is a true testament to our commitment to being a healthy, high-performing organization. One that embodies our values, the hustle & heart, passion & compassion, and determination makes Propelus an exceptional organization with an even brighter future – one that I am grateful and honored to lead. We are grateful for the progress we’ve made, and at the heart of everything we do is ensuring we meaningfully help safeguard our nation’s communities and workforce for safer, more compliant, healthier, and happier professionals. Cheers to Powering Professionals!
Propelus Launches Exclusions Monitoring API to Help Organizations Proactively Detect and Prevent Healthcare Fraud, Waste and Abuse
Following the launch of its Primary Source Verification API, Propelus today announced the launch of its healthcare Exclusions Monitoring API. The Exclusions Monitoring API is part of the company’s data solution offerings and is designed to ensure healthcare providers, payers, vendors, and contractors take appropriate compliance measures to safeguard against fraud, waste, and abuse. The Department of Justice (DOJ) estimates up to $100 billion annually is lost to healthcare fraud, waste and abuse. Individuals and entities who have been involved in fraudulent activities are added to federal and state exclusion lists, which prevent payment from being made to the excluded party, as well as any hospital or other healthcare provider where the excluded party provided services or was otherwise engaged. Additionally, hospitals and healthcare organizations face severe legal consequences, costly civil monetary penalties (CMPs) and fines, and reputational damage when engaging with individuals or entities excluded from federal healthcare programs or government contracts due to previous misconduct resulting in an exclusion. “Healthcare organizations and payers serve an important role in mitigating fraud, waste, and abuse and are responsible for not engaging or paying for any services from any individual or entity that is excluded. Our OIG compliant Exclusions Monitoring API provides monthly monitoring of healthcare exclusions and ensures exclusions intelligence is accessible how, when, and where it is needed for more informed, real-time compliance with ease.” – Julie Walker, CEO of Propelus. Complementary to the Propelus Primary Source Verification (PSV) API with daily monitoring of over 8,300 licenses, certifications, registrations, sanctions, and more source types, the Propelus Exclusions Monitoring API empowers on-demand, bulk submissions with identity resolution, indexing and reconciling identifiers, and match capabilities to ensure any excluded individual or entity is detected. It delivers the most up-to-date exclusions data through monthly checks against primary sources, while ensuring proper connectivity within the broader compliance management ecosystem for better workforce compliance operations. The Exclusions Monitoring API monitors the following federal and state exclusion lists: HHS-OIG LEIE: Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) GSA SAM: General Services Administration (GSA) System for Award Management (SAM) – the SAM.gov database is formerly known as the GSA list of Excluded Parties Lists System (EPLS). All currently available (45) State Medicaid Exclusions Lists: Many states maintain their own exclusion lists to identify individuals or entities barred from participating in Medicaid programs due to fraud or other violations. For more information about the Propelus Exclusions Monitoring API and how it can support your organization’s workforce compliance efforts, visit propelus.com/api. Newswire Press Release
Propelus Honored as Silver Stevie® Award Winner in 2024 Stevie Awards for Great Employers
Jacksonville, Florida – August 5, 2024 – Propelus has been named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Achievement in Workforce Development and Learning category in the ninth annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers, “the Olympics for human resources professionals.” The Stevie Awards for Great Employers recognize the world’s best employers and the human resources professionals, teams, achievements and HR-related products and suppliers who help to create and drive great places to work. Winners of the awards, named the Stevies from the Greek word meaning “crowned,” will be recognized during a gala awards dinner on Monday, September 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. More than 1,000 nominations from organizations of all sizes in 35 nations and territories were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of HR-related categories, including Achievement in Workplace Safety & Compliance, Employer of the Year, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year, Human Resources Team of the Year, Employee Relations Solution Provider of the Year among others. Propelus was nominated in the Achievement in Workforce Development and Learning category for the computer software industry. Propelus’ winning nomination highlighted the Propelus Leadership Academy and its comprehensive workforce development initiatives, which garnered positive feedback from the judges. The judges said Propelus’s workforce development initiatives were commendable and fostered a culture of growth and excellence. “Propelus is honored with the Silver Stevie Award in the category of Achievement in Workforce Development and Learning. This prestigious recognition underscores our relentless commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.” – Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus More than 100 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s honorees. Winners in the Employer of the Year categories were determined by a unique blending of the ratings of the professional judges and more than 34,000 public votes. The public vote was sponsored by HiBob. “We congratulate all of the winners in the ninth edition of the Stevie Awards for Great Employers for their outstanding performance, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements on September 16,” said Stevies President Maggie Miller. Details about the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the list of 2024 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/HR. About Propelus As a leader in dynamic workforce compliance technology, Propelus is modernizing how healthcare professionals and the broader healthcare ecosystem– employers, providers, payers, regulators, and partners–work better together. For over 20 years, Propelus solutions have propelled millions of professionals by providing market-leading technology, essential connectivity, data & insights, and unparalleled strategic partnerships. We power critical integrated governance, risk management, and compliance (iGRC) for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by 5+ million professionals: https://propelus.com/. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
CE Broker by Propelus Launches Pro+ Subscription
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 6, 2024 – CE Broker by Propelus, the leader in continuing education (CE) compliance management, announced the launch of its new subscription offering, Pro+. Enhancing the CE Broker experience, Pro+ is an innovative subscription package that allows healthcare professionals to streamline how they seamlessly access, track, and manage their CE requirements. It also includes access to a vast library of approved, accredited, and official online CE courses all in one convenient location – making compliance simple and easy. The Pro+ subscription is now available for nursing professionals whose licensure boards are partnered with CE Broker. Coming soon, the Pro+ offering will be extended to many more healthcare licensure boards, creating new opportunities that power their licensed professionals’ continued growth and development. Read full news release with subscription details here.
Balancing Act: Strategies for Nurses To Improve Their Own Health and Well-being
Given the demanding nature of working as a nurse in the United States, nursing professionals often need to find ways to rest and relax outside of work. Balance and time for self-care are critical for nurses to offer their best self to their patients and avoid feeling burnt out after long days and nights of work. There are many strategies that nurses can employ to find balance outside of work, such as prioritizing their physical well-being, building stronger social connections, and setting boundaries with their work. Keep reading to discover the best ways to find balance during even the most challenging seasons of professional life. Prioritizing Physical Well-being Anyone in the nursing profession knows how important it is to maintain high energy levels. A regular exercise routine can help you build the strength and stamina needed for long work days. You must add balanced meals to your daily routine to give you the sustenance required for ten or twelve-hour shifts. At the end of a long day or night of work, getting enough sleep is essential to allow you to recharge ahead of your following working day. Try to find a wind-down routine that will enable you to switch off and go to bed without overthinking the challenges you’ve faced at work that day. Therapeutic activities, such as yoga, can also be a great way to add relaxation and rest to your weekly routine. Nurturing Mental Health In addition to taking care of physical health, nurses need to find ways to protect their mental health. (May is also Mental Health Month.) Engaging in hobbies and interests outside of work can take your mind off work stress and give you something to look forward to each week. We recommend meditation and mindfulness practices for nurses who struggle to switch their brains off from work mode at home. If you find everything is getting too much for you to handle alone, then remember that professional support is always available. No one should have to deal with so much stress alone, and taking care of your mental health is critical to performing your best at work each day. Building Strong Social Connections Every nurse needs people to share their lives and discuss their problems to survive and thrive. Holding everything inside and isolating yourself can only worsen stress, so spending time with friends and family is a great way to focus on something else. Participating in community activities can help you to connect with new people and expand your social circle. We also highly encourage nursing professionals to communicate with other nurses for support and camaraderie. While your friends and family can no doubt listen to your troubles, they will likely never really understand what it’s like each day at work. You can share stories and advice with those in your industry and learn tips and tricks to help find balance outside the hospital. Exploring Creative Outlets Artistic activities, such as painting, writing, or music, can allow nurses to express themselves and release some steam. Many nurses find crafting and DIY projects the perfect way to unwind after a long day and can help you switch your mind off before bed. Try to find joy in creative endeavors outside of the medical field. Remember, life isn’t just about working, and you’ll soon end up burnt out if you don’t work to add moments of enjoyment to your everyday routine. Embracing Nature and Outdoor Activities Working inside the walls of a healthcare facility each and every day can soon take its toll on your mental health and well-being. Spending time in nature and enjoying the outdoors is one of the best ways to refocus your mind. Hiking, camping, or nature walks are the perfect way to spend time off work. Gardening and spending time in green spaces can benefit your mental health and allow you to reconnect with the world outside of the hospital’s four walls. Nature has many therapeutic benefits, so if you spend too much time inside, schedule an outdoor activity on your next day off. Setting Boundaries and Managing Work-Life Balance Establishing clear boundaries between your work and personal life is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain your physical and mental health. We encourage you to learn about and implement time management techniques to balance work and your personal life well. Learning to say “no” is essential for any nurse who tends to work extra hours and be a “people-pleaser.” Prioritize self-care and realize this self-care is something you need to add to your schedule regularly to look after yourself and perform the best you can at your job. If you turn up to work exhausted each day, then it’s easier to make mistakes, which can be life-threatening in this industry. Final Thoughts Any nursing professional can use these strategies to help find balance and improve overall health. By getting into a healthy routine, nurses will notice a huge improvement in their overall outlook on life and a boost in energy. Propelus is also here to help. Our mission is to ensure healthcare professionals reach their full potential. That includes providing you with education and training, as well as ensuring you’re compliant, safe and healthy to work. Learn more about propelus.com.
Propelus Launches Groundbreaking Primary Source Verification API
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 14, 2024 – Propelus, a leader in dynamic workforce compliance solutions, is excited to unveil its latest innovation: the Propelus Primary Source Verification (PSV) API. This cutting-edge solution reinforces Propelus’ unwavering commitment to empowering healthcare organizations and professionals and their collective need for far greater connectivity, continuity, and real-time transparency across a broad and complex healthcare ecosystem. With the addition of the PSV API to Propelus’ offerings, customers have on-demand access to the most comprehensive, automated, and accurate primary source verified data–how, when, and where it is needed to ensure a more compliant, safer, and happier workforce in compliance management. “We are honored to help our healthcare partners solve complex workforce compliance problems through game-changing technologies. Our new PSV API simplifies workforce compliance and streamlines healthcare operations at scale, automating more than 4,800 different types of professional license, certification, registration, sanctions, exclusions, and more primary sources at scale to meet our complex healthcare ecosystem’s needs.” – Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus The Propelus PSV API drives workforce compliance effectiveness and efficiency by seamlessly delivering essential primary source data connecting established systems within Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Medical Staffing Services, Compliance, Finance, and more. Propelus’ customers are thrilled by the addition and continued innovation, which perfectly complements their current workforce compliance offering as a faithful ally in elevating healthcare quality, safety, and outcomes. “The launch of the Propelus PSV API represents a significant milestone in our commitment to revolutionize workforce compliance management,” said John Barnes, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Propelus. “Our API provides unparalleled access to primary source verification data and privileged partner relationships that are powering unprecedented opportunities to streamline total workforce compliance with confidence.” The Propelus PSV API performs millions of primary source verifications daily, providing ongoing insights and an unrivaled workforce compliance management experience beyond keeping pace with regulatory changes, which is something Propelus is passionate about and is no easy feat for healthcare organizations. For more information about the Propelus PSV API and how it can revolutionize your workforce compliance management experience, visit propelus.com. About Propelus: As a leader in workforce compliance technology, Propelus is modernizing how healthcare professionals, their employers, regulators, and partners work better together. For over 20 years, Propelus solutions — CE Broker, EverCheck, and Immuware — have propelled the progress of millions of professionals by providing seamless compliance management throughout their career journey. Leveraging market-leading technology, essential data, and unparalleled strategic partnerships, we power critical compliance programs for a happier workforce, better operations, and safer communities. Learn why Propelus is trusted by 5+ million professionals: https://propelus.com/. Newswire Press Release
Celebrating Nurses Month: Honoring Extraordinary Compassion and Dedication
May is Nurses Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses around the world. At Propelus, we are proud to join hands with The DAISY Foundation to honor the compassion, dedication, and positive impact within the nursing profession. A bit of background The DAISY Foundation stands as a testament to the enduring impact of nursing excellence. Established in 1999, this foundation was born out of a deeply personal journey. J. Patrick Barnes, a young man with a vibrant spirit, tragically lost his life to complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). Throughout his illness, Patrick’s family witnessed firsthand the remarkable care and compassion provided by nurses. Moved by the profound impact of these nursing professionals, Patrick’s family sought to honor his memory in a meaningful way. They founded The DAISY Foundation, naming it in honor of Patrick’s nickname, “DAISY” (an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The foundation’s mission was clear: to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of nurses who provide compassionate and exceptional care. The cornerstone of The DAISY Foundation’s efforts is the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This prestigious award serves as a beacon of recognition for nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating unwavering compassion, skill, and dedication in their care for patients and families. Since its inception, the DAISY Award has been presented to over 200,000 nurses worldwide, shining a spotlight on their remarkable achievements and inspiring others in the nursing community. Recognizing nurses In the United States alone, more than 5.2 million nurses play a pivotal role in promoting community well-being and resilience. These dedicated professionals often sacrifice precious time with loved ones, working tirelessly to provide comfort and care during life’s most challenging moments. And yet, despite the vital role they play in healthcare, the work of nurses is sometimes underappreciated. Here are Propelus (just like at The DAISY Foundation) we are committed to shining a spotlight on the compassion and positive impact within the nursing profession in the month of May and throughout the rest of the year. As part of our mission to power professionals, Propelus is committed to celebrating nursing excellence through our partnership with The DAISY Foundation. We believe that nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare, providing comfort, support, and care across the continuum of care. As we celebrate Nurses Month, we want to take the time to recognize the recent winners of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, honored at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) conference. Natassia Singh, BSN, RN, CCRN, Karee Nicholson, RN, MSN, CENP, and Ashley Burris, RN, are shining examples of compassionate leadership and dedication to patient care. Their stories of going above and beyond to support their teams and improve patient outcomes are truly inspiring. We invite you to read more about Natassia, Karee, and Ashley, and their remarkable contributions to healthcare on The DAISY Foundation’s website. Throughout the month of May, Propelus will also be sharing content that recognizes and supports nurses. Keep an eye on our Propelus LinkedIn page for more updates! The wrap up Let May be a poignant reminder of the countless lives touched, hearts healed, and differences made by nurses around the world. These compassionate caregivers embody the essence of selflessness, dedicating themselves to the well-being of others with unwavering compassion and skill. Take this moment to come together and celebrate the nurses who bring comfort, healing, and hope to patients and families in their care. They are the unsung heroes of healthcare, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the best possible outcomes for those in need. To all nurses, we extend our deepest gratitude for your tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your compassion, kindness, and skill make a world of difference, shaping the future of healthcare and touching lives in ways that words cannot fully express. Thank you for being the heart and soul of healthcare, for your compassion that knows no bounds, and for your unwavering commitment to healing and caring for others. This Nurses Month, and every day, we honor and celebrate you.
ASHHRA 2024: 3 Key Takeaways From the Leading Healthcare HR Conference
Recently, around 300 healthcare HR professionals from across the nation gathered in Fort Worth, Texas, for the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) Annual Conference and Exposition to learn about the latest trends impacting the HR function in the healthcare work environment. In addition to sharing how our solutions modernize workforce compliance, our Propelus team attended sessions and connected with customers, partners and leaders across the healthcare industry. Across a variety of learning sessions and conversations, the following three key takeaways emerged. 1. Workforce shortages continue to be the biggest HR challenge for healthcare organizations As evidenced by news headlines, the U.S. healthcare industry has been grappling with a severe workforce shortage that is expected to worsen over the next few years. In fact, a recent study projected that more than 6.5 million U.S. healthcare professionals will permanently leave their positions by 2026, while only 1.9 million will step in to replace them. This topic was front and center at ASHHRA 24 and speakers talked about a variety of ways to combat the challenge, including developing innovative internship programs to expand the talent pool, leveraging AI for recruiting, helping delay retirement for career extenders by addressing their unique needs, and how psychological capital (internal resources that can help employees manage through tough situations) plays a role in nurse retention and helps avoid burnout. 2. Creating a positive employee experience takes a multifaceted approach Providing a positive employee experience is more important than ever as healthcare organizations work to nurture a sustainable, healthy workforce – especially as they face workforce shortages. However, given that organizations are also implementing cost-saving measures, ASHHRA speakers emphasized the importance of positioning employee experience initiatives as cost/retention savers versus budget strains. These speakers also covered a variety of ways to provide a positive employee experience, including creating a positive culture focused on kindness, developing workforce safety programs that leverage de-escalation training, using marketing techniques to increase employee engagement, optimizing and harmonizing benefits (especially in merger and acquisition scenarios), streamlining the onboarding process, and taking innovative approaches to employee wellbeing and employee health. Although there weren’t learning sessions focused on recognition, our Propelus team found that many HR leaders are driving recognition through programs like those from The DAISY Foundation, the international leader in meaningful nursing recognition. Propelus is a proud partner of The DAISY Foundation and at our booth, we asked visitors to complete DAISY cards that were tied to a donation for the foundation. As part of this activity, many HR leaders shared how their organizations participate in DAISY Award programs. 3. Support of patient care extends beyond the care team While clinicians are the face of the healthcare organization to the patient, the content shared at ASHHRA 24 made it clear that HR leaders play an essential role in equipping their organizations to provide the best care possible. Every day, healthcare HR leaders are working to equip their healthcare professionals with the resources they need to perform at their highest level – from providing education and training to ensuring they’re compliant, safe and healthy to work. Propelus is here to help healthcare professionals reach their full potential. Through our EverCheck, Immuware and CE Broker solutions, we’re powering professionals by giving them the best tools to achieve professional compliance and ultimately, provide safer healthcare with better outcomes.