IMMIGRANTS EASE NURSING SHORTAGE
As refugees from Ukraine continue to seek safe places to live, the number of immigrants in the United States is expected to increase. Many immigrants fill essential jobs, including healthcare, which was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic (New American Economy Research Fund, 2020).
In the United States, more than 15% of nurses are first-generation immigrants. In 2018, about 280,000 undocumented workers were in the healthcare industry, including 62,600 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-eligible individuals (New American Economy Research Fund, 2020). Any DACA-eligible immigrants can work in higher skilled roles such as registered nurses. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a national policy granting undocumented youth deferral of deportation and opportunity to receive work visas.
States pursuing innovative solutions to healthcare shortages are advocating in their legislatures for relaxing some requirements so undocumented immigrants can obtain licenses, including for nursing. In 2022, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, and New Jersey are already allowing this licensure (Washington Post, 2022). Maryland is helping undocumented students access higher education through state scholarships (Washington Post, 2022). In general, many first- and second-generation immigrant youth are entering higher education.
Immigrants, both documented and not, have potential to strengthen the healthcare landscape by alleviating labor shortages while widening the diversity of the healthcare professions.
New American Economy Research Fund. (2020, April 4). Undocumented immigrants and the Covid-19 crisis. https://research.newamericaneconomy.org/report/undocumented-immigrants-covid-19-[Context Link]
Washington Post. (2022, April 7). Maryland swings open the door for much-needed health-care workers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/07/maryland-swings-open-door-muc[Context Link]
CAMPUSES USE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
Trauma-informed care is becoming a common approach on college and university campuses. Mental health needs among students, staff, and faculty due to COVID-19 have changed the educational landscape.
"One tool higher education leaders must adopt is a trauma-informed lens," wrote Jason Lynch on the Higher Education Today blog of the American Council of Education (2022, para 2). Trauma-informed practices in the classroom can assist students who are facing the results of dysfunctional home lives, racial stressors, and community violence, believes Regina Rahimi, education professor at Georgia Southern University (Stewart, 2022).
When Rahimi and colleagues surveyed 800 educators in Georgia, many respondents said they recognized trauma in their students but were accustomed to sending students to the counselor. Instead, educators are learning to implement trauma-informed teaching practices: providing a safe and predictable environment, giving students a sense of control by allowing choices, and incorporating positive coping skills into lesson plans (Stewart, 2022).
Lynch J. (2022, March 14). Trauma-informed colleges begin with trauma-informed leaders. Higher Education Today. https://www.higheredtoday.org/2022/03/14/trauma-informed-colleges-begin-with-tra
Stewart M. (2022, March 16). Trauma-informed education becomes popular response to stress of COVID-19, racial strife, and more. Insight into Diversity. https://www.insightintodiversity.com/trauma-informed-education-becomes-popular-r[Context Link]
CHARACTER IN A NAME
In some cultures, names carry high significance. When reading Scripture, we see many names for God; each name speaks to his character. Knowing his character deepens our faith and increases our understanding of who God is.
In the ancient Near East, the giving of a name was deeply significant. Each name carried a sense of the person's character, whether good or bad. So, what does the Bible mean when it speaks of "the name of the Lord?" Anytime in a verse or passage, we can substitute "the character of the Lord" in its place. God's name represents the sum total of his character. He is holy, loving, just, compassionate, omnipresent, infinite, and good. To pray "in the name of the Lord" is to pray according to his character. To call upon the name of the Lord is to ask God to act according to his character. To take shelter in the name of the Lord is to place our trust in who he is. To be baptized in the name of the Lord is to identify with his character as our salvation, our strength, and our new identity. (Wilkin, 2021, pp. 48-49)
God's Word is replete with examples of his character. Knowing the Bible, embracing its truths, and experiencing God, for instance as Jehovah Jireh, my provider, reminds us of his abilities to provide. Recounting his faithfulness reenergizes our faith and sets the stage for trusting God when we are in need.
Wilkin J. (2021). Ten words to live by: Delighting in and doing what God commands. Crossway. [Context Link]