Nurses Week: A Review of Nursing's Top Trends for 2025

The role of nursing in neurosurgery continues to evolve. As technology pushes the boundaries and nurses become even more highly specialized, this field will continue to innovate, further shaping the interdisciplinary focus and best practices for working within a team and communicating with patients and their families.  San Diego's Alliant University discussed some of the biggest trends to watch in 2025. As we celebrate Nurses Week 2025, Katie Paccione, NP and Caroline Gacka, NP, dive deeper into how three of these trends affect neurosurgery, their teams, and their overall philosophy on keeping things human-centered in the age of accelerating technology.

Focus on Mental Health and Well-being in Nursing: Katie Paccione's Take

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month and includes Nurses Week, what better time is there to reflect on mental health and well-being among nurses? A 2023 Center for Disease Control study reported that 46% of healthcare workers suffer from burnout, while an American Nurses Foundation study from the same year estimates that nurses, in particular, experience burnout at a rate closer to 64%.   Nurses are at an exceptionally high risk of mental health challenges due to high workloads, understaffing, increased risk of violence, and physical demands.

Organizations such as Operation Happy Nurse and Don't Clock Out provide excellent resources and peer support to combat work-related stress, anxiety, depression, and moral distress. Operation Happy Nurse (OHN) has many offerings including accountability groups, discussion boards, nutrition recommendations, virtual fitness classes and guided meditations. Don’t Clock Out features support groups and records “The Self Care Unit” podcast in partnership with OHN. These organizations recognize that to do our best to care for others, we must also take care of ourselves.

Says CEO and Founder of Operation Happy Nurse, Shannon McPeek, "Nursing is simultaneously beautiful and incredibly difficult. We witness life, death, and trauma on such a deep and personal level, and it’s completely normal for that to affect us. Please know that you are not alone as you navigate your emotions. The time has come for struggling in silence to no longer be the norm."

Expansion of Nursing Specialties and Advanced Practice Roles: Katie Paccione’s Take

The incorporation of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) in the United States has skyrocketed in recent decades. Initially, advanced practice providers (APPs) were primarily limited to primary care or medical practices to reduce the impact of physician shortages in those specialties. Surgical specialties are now catching up and have shown significant growth in the inclusion of nurse practitioners into their practices, nearly equal to that of primary care. 

By implementing NPs with the scope of practice to diagnose, treat, and prescribe to patients, surgical specialties are able to provide care for patients at all times - even when the surgeons themselves are unavailable. Gone are the days of waiting for the MD to get out of the OR to answer a patient message taken down by an administrative assistant. Even registered nurses (RNs) are limited in the care they can provide to patients without provider oversight, given the confines of their licenses. Nurse practitioners are able to bridge this gap.

And to good effect! The January 2023 edition of Annals of Surgery included an article titled "Effects of Advanced Practice Providers on Single-specialty Surgical Practice," which concluded that not only did hiring APPs improve access to care for surgical patients and decrease length of stay, but it was also "associated with a reduced likelihood of complications and readmissions after the index procedure."  

Nurse-Patient Communication and Empathy in Healthcare: Caroline Gacka's Take

In the intricate world of neurosurgery, where precision and expertise are paramount, nurses' roles extend beyond procedural knowledge. They serve as the crucial link between the surgeon and patients, ensuring holistic care that encompasses not only physical but also emotional and psychological well-being. Central to this role is effective communication and empathy, which together form the cornerstone of exceptional nursing care in neurosurgery.

In the high-stakes environment of neurosurgery, clear and compassionate communication is essential. Patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures often experience significant anxiety and fear due to the complexity and risks associated with their conditions. Nurses can help alleviate these concerns by clearly explaining procedures, expected outcomes, and post-operative care. Effective communication involves more than just the transmission of information. It requires active listening, where nurses attentively listen to patients' concerns and questions, ensuring they feel heard and understood. This open line of communication fosters trust and helps patients feel more comfortable and secure, which can significantly enhance their overall experience and satisfaction with their care.

Empathy becomes a powerful tool in patient care in neurosurgery, where patients may face life-altering diagnoses or complex recoveries. Empathetic interactions can improve patient outcomes by reducing anxiety, improving compliance with medical advice, and enhancing healing. When patients feel that their healthcare providers genuinely care about their well-being, it can lead to more positive health behaviors and attitudes, contributing to better recovery outcomes.

The combination of effective communication and empathy leads to stronger, trust-based relationships between nurses and patients. These relationships are crucial in neurosurgery, where patients often require long-term care and support. Nurses who establish rapport with their patients can more effectively advocate for their needs, ensuring that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their unique circumstances. Acting as the link between the patient and the surgeon helps to ensure quality care while allowing the surgeon to focus on the technical aspects of the operation.