U.S. adds 40,000 health care jobs in June
The U.S. added 40,000 health care jobs in June, which was 8,000 less than in May but a boost to an already significant increase over the previous year. The Department of Labor said 22,600 of the jobs were in ambulatory care. The increase in employment opportunities was linked to the Affordable Care Act, the aging population and an improving economy. Healthcare Dive (7/6)

Nurses needed in Cincinnati
A Health Collaborative survey of hospitals in Cincinnati found demand for registered nurses was at its greatest level in the past three years. The Greater Cincinnati Healthcare Workforce Report counted 562 openings for RNs and 25 for nurse practitioners through the end of 2014. There was a 5.9% RN vacancy rate, the highest since 2011's 6.6%. American City Business Journals/Cincinnati (7/2)

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Advancing Your Career

Vocational certainty is key to success in nursing, RNs say
Many high school students are planning to go to nursing school, and registered nurses Deborah Ulmer and Tammy Williams, both of Longwood University, wonder whether they do it for job security and financial concerns or because of a passion and calling for the profession. The best success is found among people who have the highest vocational certainty, meaning they have both the skills and personality for the job. "Certainly there is job security, but nurses whose personalities do not fit the position often become victims of burnout," Williams and Ulmer write. The Roanoke Times (Va.) (7/5)

Nurse navigators help cancer patients get right care
Data are mixed on the efficacy and value of patient navigators in oncology, but Lillie Shockney, who oversees a team of four nurse navigators at the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, said that depends on how value is defined. Shockney, who founded the Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators, said navigators can help ensure patients get the best chance of survival with quality of life. Cancer centers seeking accreditation by the American College of Surgeons are required to have patient navigators. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (7/3)

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Recruiter Spotlight

Alaska hospital uses residency program to reduce turnover
Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage uses its registered nurse residency program to bring in new graduates, train them to work in units and help them develop professionally. Officials hope the residency program will reduce a 20% average turnover rate. Nurse.com (7/1)

News for Nurses: The most-read stories from last week's ANA SmartBrief

Career Corner

Teaching opportunities abound for nurses
Volunteering to precept new nurses is a good way to work toward a career in teaching, says the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Mary Bondmass, who has taught nurses for almost 20 years. The demand for nursing educators at the university level is high with many positions available at ANA's Career Center, and nurses are also needed to develop continuing education modules and present at conferences. "Nurses don't just educate patients at the bedside; they can work as educators in so many different capacities," said Candice Zizilas, clinical sales director for Boehringer Ingelheim. Read more and find other ANA career resources.

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