Social Determinants of Health and Their Impact on Mental Health and Substance Misuse

Health and wellbeing are shaped by many factors beyond healthcare and behavioral choices, including conditions that make up our social, economic, and physical environments. These factors are often referred to as social determinants of health (SDoHs). SDoHs not only affect our physical health, but they also can have an impact on a person’s mental wellbeing and substance use. These social determinants of health can be grouped into five major categories: 1. Neighborhood and built environment 2. Health and healthcare 3. Social and community context 4. Education 5. Economic stability To address SDoHs effectively, a “health in all policies” approach that integrates health considerations into policymaking across sectors is essential

Meaningful Recognition and the Effect on a Medical-Surgical Unit\u27s Staff Satisfaction and Retention

The current state of the American healthcare system is riddled with challenges. Nurse administrators are faced with the formidable tasks of decreasing operating costs; improving the patient experience; delivering high-quality and safe patient care; and decreasing the mounting rates of nurse turnover. Nurse leaders must understand the complexities of their work environment, including the key drivers for nurse satisfaction and retention. In 2005, the American Association of Critical Nurses developed six standards for creating a healthy work environment. (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2016). An adult, medical-surgical unit at a South Texas hospital was faced with rising rates of turnover from 2018 to 2020. Unit leaders faced two important challenges: understand why staff were leaving, and how to retain their nurses for the future. Upon the review of several sources of data, it was determined that the unit was suffering from a key link to their healthy work environment: meaningful recognition. A review and synthesis of the current research on meaningful recognition was completed, and interventions were implemented. A three-tiered meaningful recognition program was employed over a two-month period on the unit. The results of this program were evaluated and recommendations for the future were made to continue improvement

Choral Ensembles Spring Concert

This Kennesaw State University School of Music performance features Chamber Singers, Men\u27s Ensemble, and University Chorale directed by Dr. Leslie Blackwell, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music and Music Education.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/2054/thumbnail.jp