Year: 2024

Nurse life

According to a press release, Concord Hospital health system recently welcomed 19 students from New England College (NEC) who are pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Five of the students will complete their clinical training at the Laconia campus while the rest will train in Concord.

This partnership benefits both Concord Hospital health system and NEC because the hospital gains a year-round part-time LNA workforce helping to fill staffing gaps while students acquire vital clinical experience and become eligible for full-time employment upon completing their BSN, according to the press release.

The accelerated BSN program integrates classroom instruction with nine months of clinical training where students gain hands-on experience as licensed nursing assistants (LNAs) while learning under the guidance of a preceptor in various clinical settings across Concord Hospital health system, according to the release.

In a statement, Erin Collins, RN, VP of Nursing Professional Practice and Development, said that “this program allows students to earn while they learn, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience that contributes to their studies and introduces them to the nursing profession.”

Students will embark on a 14-week rotation over the summer working alongside a licensed registered nurse preceptor while alternating between classroom learning and hospital work, which allows students to complete their degree in three years, according to the release. As Concord Hospital employees, they will become familiar with hospital policies, experience different departments, and gain a comprehensive understanding of nursing across the health system, according to the same release.

On the highway to health

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the release of the DHHS Roadmap 2024-2025, which builds on the successes from the DHHS Roadmap 2023 and was informed by extensive input from community partners and DHHS program areas, according to a press release. The Roadmap 2024-2025 identifies initiatives and goals that will serve as a guide for the Department over the next fiscal year and beyond.

In a statement, DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver said that “as we work to support and promote the health and well-being of all New Hampshire residents, it is critical for us to be able to state, share, and track the progress of our priorities and goals. This plan is the culmination of months of work with our partners and the people we serve to create a bold plan of action that will set us on the course to enhance key systems and policies to improve the health of our state.”

The three major commitments of the roadmap will be to invest in people and culture, promote thriving communities, and improve customer service, according to the release.

The plan initiatives include achieving “Mission Zero,” their plan to end emergency department psychiatric boarding; reducing health impacts from harmful exposures to such hazards as lead and PFAS; strengthening school-based services for children enrolled in Medicaid; increasing access to residential behavioral health services for children; and building a system of care for healthy aging, according to the same release.

TikTok lawsuit

According to a press release, Attorney General John M. Formella announced a lawsuit against TikTok, Inc., in Merrimack County Superior Court for violating the State’s consumer protection statute and other laws as part of the latest development in a comprehensive effort by New Hampshire leaders to address the serious harms posed to children by addictive social media platforms.

The lawsuit follows a complaint filed by the State against Meta Platforms, Inc., in October 2023, that alleged similar manipulative design features and deceptive business practices, according to the same release.

The State’s complaint against TikTok alleged that the company engages in unfair and deceptive acts or practices in violation of New Hampshire law by designing an unfair product and misleading New Hampshire consumers about its safety because TikTok’s platform includes addictive features to exploit young users’ naivete and ongoing brain development and maximize the time young users spend on the platform in the interest of profit, according to the release.

It’s alleged that TikTok’s addictive design features make it hard for children to disengage from the platform, leading to a cycle of excessive use, and the complaint alleges that the company knows this cycle of excessive use results in profound harm to its young users, including depression, anxiety, and isolation from friends and family, according to the release.

It is also alleged that as the company deployed these features the company lied to parents about the safety of the platform, downplaying the risks posed while touting supposed safety measures that the company knows are ineffective, according to the same release.

New Boston will hold its 94th annual Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, with food, games, activities and a parade, culminating in a fireworks display when it gets dark. The parade begins at 10 a.m.; its theme is sci-fi and fantasy. Fairgrounds admission begins at 4 p.m. and is $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 2 to 11; free for ages 2 and under; family package $40. Parking is free. Visit newboston4thofjuly.org.

There will be fireworks at the Fisher Cats games in Manchester (Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, 1 Line Drive) Thursday, July 4, to Saturday, July 6. Games start at 6:35 p.m. and the Fisher Cats will be playing the Portland Sea Dogs. Visit nhfishercats.com.

July 4 festivities in Nashua start at 11 a.m. at Holman Stadium for a Silver Knights Game where children under 12 and the first 500 adults are free but tickets must be reserved in advance. There will be an expanded kids zone and on-field activities. At 5:30 p.m. there will be a free concert by The Slakas, followed by local acts at 7:30 p.m. Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps performs at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks are at dusk. Visit nashua-silverknights.com for tickets and check out nashuanh.gov/SummerFun.