There are many current newsworthy events that affect healthcare’s largest provider group: nurses. In the first part of this newsletter, I will quickly summarize a few, starting with CES, the Consumer’s Electronic Show. This is the world’s largest gathering place for all who thrive on business consumer technologies. Rather than taking over most of Las Vegas as in years past, this past week, it was a virtual event. Healthcare Technology continues to have a big presence, especially with ramifications of the pandemic. The audience saw increasing AI in digital health from wearables, to telemedicine, to telehealth services apps. 2020 saw unprecedented speed of legislative changes enacted such as more reimbursement codes for telemedicine, and nurse licensure departments allowing nurses to cross state lines to provide nursing services where needed. The dramatic changes to the healthcare marketplace provide abundant ground for innovation and nurse entrepreneurship.

At the same time as CES, the J. P. Morgan 39th annual healthcare conference kicked off virtually this year. This conference attracts drug companies, and the top news is revolving around genetic medicine, multiple cancer drugs in pre-clinical trials, Alzheimer’s medication targeting toxic brain plague, and pharmaceutical companies pledging to drive down the cost of drugs and increase distribution.

2020 saw unexpected challenges for employers including but not limited to, distributed workforces, added financial and emotional stress for employees, and greater need for flexibility. The good news is research shows employers are shifting gears to focus on the health, well-being, and productivity of its workforce. Nurses with programs and services for employee health and well-being will see increased and varied opportunities in the corporate space during 2021.

In the articles of interest below, I have included Small Business Trends for 2021. 2020 has shown us how fast things change, and we need to be paying attention so we can revise and refine our nursing business programs and services. Look at the newest C-Suite addition with CVS Taps Veteran Marketing Exec to Serve as First Chief Customer Officer. This perhaps is one of the most important pieces of news. CVS is planning to have at least 1,500 HealthHUB stores open by the end of this year. Out on the CVS website you will see they are currently hiring nurses with infusion therapy experience, case managers, nurse practitioners, LPNs, and care managers.

Read More