The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact began on January 19, 2018, but most nurses simply refer to it as the NLC, or “the compact.” The NLC allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses to apply for one multistate license in their home state and practice in person or via telehealth in any state that’s part of the Compact. As of November 2021, a total of 38 states or U.S. territories have implemented legislation to join the eNLC and more than 2 million nurses live in Compact states.

Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell spoke to an eager audience about how tourism in Oklahoma could be better during the Travel & Tourism Summit held at the Coleman Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 2. He emphasized that the tourism industry brings valuable tax dollars to communities, but it can also lure new residents to the state. The event, hosted by the City of Miami, Visit Miami OK (CVB) and the Coleman Theatre Beautiful, was held in partnership with the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. It featured education sessions on the best practices to grow tourism and hospitality in cities and counties across the region. Guest speaker Bill Geist, the Chief Instigator at DMOproz, presented these sessions. Lt. Governor Pinnell, who also serves as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage on Governor Kevin Stitt’s cabinet, oversaw the town hall meeting and shared information on how tourism in the state has improved and how it can continue to improve through community involvement. Originally appeared in the Nov. 5, 2021 edition of the Miami News-Record on Page 1 and continued on Page 4

Halloween is Sunday and all of Miami’s little ghouls, ghosts and goblins are ready to collect a mound of coveted candy. Although some cities in Oklahoma opted to have trick or treating on Saturday, Miami isn’t among these cities. Trick or treating will take place on Oct. 31 . . . Scientists have determined that there’s minimal risk of getting COVID-19 from candy wrappers, so no candy chutes or candy catapults required this year (Oh, darn!). Since candy wrappers aren’t contagious, there’s no need to quarantine your treats before you eat them (Yay!). However, parents should still double-check all treats to ensure they’re properly sealed and appear safe to eat before letting kids attack that great big sack of candy. Originally appeared in the Oct. 29, 2021 edition of the Miami News-Record on Page 2

Nursing shortages have been the norm for decades with shortages occurring when demand outweighs supply. However, severe shortages in nursing staff are reportedly going to worsen much sooner than expected in some states. The blame for more intense shortages may be at least partially due to the strain of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to a much lesser degree, resignations and terminations brought about by vaccination mandates. COVID-19 put further strain on frontline workers, especially nurses, pushing some to the breaking point. According to an in-depth report on healthcare labor markets, severe nursing staff shortages are projected in some states as soon as 2026. Surprisingly, some states won’t feel the bite and it can benefit your career to know which is which.

Getting out of your home safely during a fire depends on advance warnings from smoke alarms and advance planning. Smoke detectors work around the clock to provide that early alert you need to safely escape. Every second counts, because a home can quickly become engulfed in flames. When you hear your smoke alarm go off, be sure you and your family are prepared by practicing EDITH drills. EDITH stands for Exit Drills In The Home. Everyone in your family must know at least two escape routes from every room in the home, but especially their bedrooms since many fires start at night while everyone is asleep. Practice these escape routes until they become automatic. It’s easy to panic during a fire, but if escape routes have been drilled in everyone’s head, instinct should kick in. Originally published in the Oct. 22, 2021 edition of the Miami News-Record on Page 11

Healthcare facilities around the nation have mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for their staff while others just strongly recommend it. However, many states have jumped into the fray and taken the decision out of the hands of the facilities by announcing statewide mandates. While some state mandates impact all healthcare workers, others only affect those in state-operated facilities. Mandates that create a “vaccinate or terminate” situation could further exacerbate the nursing and healthcare staff shortages many facilities continually battle with. Hospitals in states where the deadlines for getting vaccinated have come and gone have already lost some staff members either due to resignation or termination. While rules, regulations, laws and governor orders can change, as of mid-October 2021, 21 states and the District of Columbia had issued some type of COVID-19 vaccine mandate that impacted some or all healthcare workers.

Miami residents are used to squirrels frolicking in their trees and rabbits scampering across the yard, but certain wildlife isn’t always the norm. For some residents though, other critters are making their homes in their backyards. Foxes have become frequent visitors in many neighborhoods and at least one resident has a groundhog living beneath a shed it burrowed under. “One of the neat things about living in Oklahoma for a lot of us is that we don’t live that far away from wildlife,” said Micah Holmes, Assistant Chief of the Communication and Education Division at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Originally published in the 10/15/2021 edition of the Miami News-Record - Page 1 and continues on Page 8

Miami pups will be strutting their stuff for a good cause at the 1st Annual Pup Strut on Saturday, October 9th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Rotary Centennial Park. The event, which coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, is being co-sponsored by the Community Crisis Center of Northeast Oklahoma and the Miami Animal Alliance. The organizations hope to raise awareness of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse. Originally appeared in the October 5, 2021 edition of the Miami News-Record

Read about Jessica S. Stout, a talented mural artist, and how she's creating a one-of-a-kind mural for Chapters, a cozy little book and coffee shop in downtown Miami, that features classic children's stories and one newer one. This story originally appeared on the front page of the Miami News-Record on September 24, 2021

Administrators at hospitals around the nation are issuing mandates for COVID-19 vaccines to their entire workforce in light of spiking cases primarily due to the Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy among their staff. Many facilities also cite that enforcing vaccination across their facilities helps protect their staff, who’ve borne the brunt of the pandemic, and their patients and facility visitors. While these healthcare facilities have always encouraged their staff members to get vaccinated, some going so far as offering incentives to do so, many now feel they must require the shots as a condition of employment to ensure facility-wide compliance and protection against the virus. The number of facilities requiring vaccinations is rapidly growing and those who are hesitant to draw the hardline won’t have a choice when the federal government steps in. -- View the entire list on Vivian Health --

Stressful work environments and neglecting self-care can swiftly lead to nurse burnout and other mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fueled by the Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy, has exacerbated nurse burnout rates and put nurses at higher risk for acute stress disorder, PTSD, and other mental health issues. It’s important now more than ever that nurses have the support they need from their healthcare facilities during this unprecedented time of stress. There are numerous offerings a hospital can provide their staff to help improve mental health. If you’re a nurse, here are a few things to look for in a healthcare facility.

COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again, largely fueled by the Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy, and ICUs across the nation are filling up fast. Many healthcare systems are still recovering from previous surges, but ICU nurses are bracing themselves for yet another spike in COVID-19 patients and wondering whether the pandemic will ever end. ICU nurses are superheroes, but even superheroes can get tired when fighting a seemingly ceaseless battle without the proper support.

Instead of the pitter-patter of little paws, your adoption aspirations may involve the clip-clop of large hooves. Adopting a horse from an adoption organization is a great way to provide a stable home for a horse in need while freeing up space for them to house another. But before you adopt one of these large, lovable animals, there are a few things you need to know. Print Version Originally Appeared in Horse Illustrated April 2021 Issue

When you walk into your local feed mill or farm-supply store during the spring, you’ll likely hear the cheep, cheep, cheep of baby chicks. Those little balls of fluff are adorable! But it’s important to resist the cute factor and focus on health to ensure your new flock or additional flock mates survive. Picking healthy chicks isn’t difficult when you know what to look for—from their peepers to their feet. This article originally appeared in the March/April 2021 issue of Chickens magazine.

Prescription pain reliever misuse was the second most common form of illicit drug use in the United States in 2018, with an estimated 9.9 million people aged 12 or older misusing painkillers, corresponding to 3.6% of the population. This guide explains the effects, trends, and dangers of painkiller use, as well as an unbiased analysis of the medicinal and behavioral treatment methods for painkiller addiction based on current research and publicly available statistics. In some cases, usage statistics are derived from general prescription painkiller use, and others are from specific painkillers, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, meperidine, codeine, morphine, and tramadol, among others.

Probiotics are good bacteria that are good for people. And probiotic farming can pump up plant health, which is also good for people. Healthy crops start with healthy soil. Probiotic farming not only makes your soil healthier, but it also offers a wealth of other benefits for farmers who want better crops while improving the growing area and the environment as a whole. Probiotic farmers utilize live microbes that are beneficial bacteria, just like the beneficial bacteria people ingest in probiotic foods or dietary supplements. In this sense, probiotics in farming act as supplements for the soil and ultimately the plants. This article originally appeared in the May/June 2020 issue of Hobby Farms magazine.