OSAOHN promotes Occupational Health Nursing and Practice at first Nursing Practice Transitions Conference.

OSAOHN promoted Occupational Health Nursing and practice at the Oregon Center for Nursing's first Nurse Practice Transitions conference held at Peace Health in Eugene April 2024. The new poster designed by OSAOHN Board member Chad Porch, attracted the attention of many attendees, one of whom was Deb Fell Carson (left), long time OSAOHN member who is now with the Faith Community Nursing Network. 

The conference covered many topics related to the challenge of training and retaining nursing talent. Improving pay for nurse educators and finding preceptors for trainees. Developing practice standards for seasoned nurses moving into community-based roles. New student education methods and tools. From "text books" to online content,  

You Tube videos and VR tools to teach anatomy or prepare a student for their first clinical encounter were all discussed. Nurse educators expressed an interest in having students get a chance to shadow an OHN to become aware of our specialty.

And a number of sessions addressed topics long in the lexicon of Occupational Health and Safety practice:

Workplace culture of respect and civility, an end to tolerance of violence - verbal or physical - whether from patients, visitors or other staff. OHNs will have much to offer the healthcare workplace and much to share with nurses in many fields as the profession and healthcare industry begins to adopt for itself what we have preached for others: Total Worker Health.