🗞️ RN Forward Newsletter - 3/14/25

Team Huddle

No more than 3 days after publishing the last newsletter, I gathered enough news to share with Nurse Forwardist to make this one as long as an encyclopedia. Just goes to show how much out there affects us Nurses! I had to cut things down quite a bit. ✂️

In the future, do you want me to include everything and have one long newsletter, or keep just the biggest topics and keep things short? 🤔

News Nurses Need to Know

1. Tech overlords Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, launched AI Agents that have use cases in Healthcare.

   • Details: Startups have been playing in this space for the past 2 years (see Elion database). These Large Language Model (LLMs) trained agents range from offering administrative assistance (documentation, scheduling, booking, phone calls, scribing, etc), customer service, to helping scientists conduct clinical trials.

   • Why it matters: Expect to be trained on new workflows utilizing AI agents. Currently, Ceders-Sinai nurses are trialing Aiva Nurse Assistant. Survey show 42% of healthcare execs say they plan on implementing an AI tool for clinical documentation.

2. No plans from the Trump Administration to guide AI oversight in Healthcare.

   • Details: AI governance measures have been rolled back leaving industry-led AI governance free to make the rules. Critics of deregulation say this could lead to increased bias in AI systems, potential job displacement, and reduced accountability for AI driven decisions. Proponents argue that this will help U.S. maintain its leadership in AI innovation against China and EU.

   • Why it matters: We like accelerating innovation here at RN Forward but as nurses, patient safety remains #1. Biases, accountability, and patient data security are on the line. We can protect our patients by:

     1. Engaging in continuous education regarding AI capabilities

     2. Participating in AI development and implementation

     3. Advocating for ethical AI practices and policies at your organization

     4. Looking to the European Union guidelines for guidance

3. Bain’s Healthcare Private Equity Market 2024 Year Summary 

   • Details: Global healthcare PE is now estimated at $115B, with North America being the largest market (65%). Furthermore, PE firms are increasingly investing in healthcare IT to enhance operational efficiencies while expanding into rural healthcare systems.

   • Why it matters: PE takeovers in healthcare lead to decline in patient care experiences, particularly in hospital ratings and staff responsiveness. The argument goes that “If tech can free up time for clinicians to care for patients. Therefore clinicians can handle higher patient volumes. Higher clinician to patient ratios will save companies on cost of labor.” What are your thoughts?

     
     

     

     
     

4. Monogram Health and Memorial Hermann partner up to provide in-home care Hermann’s Medical Advantage (MA) members.

   • Details: The joint venture’s big picture goal is to improving care for polychronic patients. They’re starting with CKD patients first (we still love you dialysis nurses!). Memorial Hermann and Monogram have in cahoots since 2023, with Hermann investing $375M to the company.

   • Why it matters: Since COVID, in-home nursing services have been hot hot hot. As someone who’s dabbled in-home care nursing, the 1:1 ratio is a GODSEND. Like any other nursing job, it does have its pros and cons (And yes I did link a reddit thread because this is my newsletter and I make the rulez!!!! But low key, the reddit nurses holds many good pearls of wisdom. 🙂‍↕️)

5. Teledoc is in an awkward spot.

   • Details: Their BetterHelp business is on the decline. Patients are tired of the Per Member, Per Month (PMPM) model and it shows. 2025 revenue guidance is down 3.75% to 9.75% year-over-year. However, they’re still making moves, recently acquiring Catapult Health, a home diagnostic company, for $65M. Are they moving from virtual care to in-home care? Maybe both?

   • Why it matters: RN mental health providers contracted with BetterHelp may see lower demand. However, see above re: in-home nursing care.

6. Traits of innovative nurses defined: Do you have any of these characteristics?

   • Details: Nurse Innovation Leaders classifying observable characteristics in nurses who drive innovation in healthcare found 1) traits of innovative nurses include curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to challenge the status quo and 2) they excel at problem-solving, collaboration, and implementing new ideas.

   • Why it matters: Hospitals that actively support nurse-led innovations report a 30% reduction in patient complications and a 25% increase in staff retention. Nurses who engage in innovative behaviors are 40% more likely to report high job satisfaction and a sense of purpose in their roles. Supporting Nurse-led innovation is good for nurses, health systems, and patients.

Funding Announcements

💸 = Hiring potential. Follow these companies closely to see Nurse-qualified positions posted. Remember: Just because some positions don’t say “Nurse”, doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified!

• Blueberry Kids Health, a pediatric clinic model focusing on expanding in pediatric care deserts around the US, raised $31.5M.

• GEM HEALTH, a virtual sleep clinic, raised $7M.

• Nervonik, makers of a chronic pain relief device, landed $13M in a Series A round.

• Ria Health, a telehealth clinic for alcohol use disorder treatment, raised an undisclosed amount of growth capital.

On The Blog ✍️

💡 RN Forwardist Spotlight

Congratulations to Sheridan Miyamoto, PhD, RN, FAAN and Amany Farang, PhD, RN to winning the American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) Innovation Award Winners!