Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
Each winter, public health officials in New York and across the United States brace for a predictable yet persistent foe: norovirus — the highly contagious virus responsible for most acute gastroenteritis outbreaks. Often dubbed the “winter vomiting bug,” norovirus consistently peaks in colder months, exploiting close-contact environments such as schools, childcare settings, and long-term care facilities where transmission spreads rapidly.
For healthcare providers, infection prevention specialists, and facility administrators in New York, understanding the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and evidence-based mitigation strategies of norovirus is essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations and reducing outbreak impacts.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a group of highly contagious viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms m...
Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
For anyone working as a nurse, physician assistant, pharmacist, social worker, or in any other licensed healthcare role in New York, staying up to date on the state’s continuing education (CE) requirements is a central part of maintaining your professional license and your reputation. The rules can seem complex, thanks to the different mandates, changing regulations, and timelines unique to each profession. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit lost or even overwhelmed by the process at times. That’s exactly why this guide exists: to clearly explain the most important CE rules for New York healthcare professionals. Here, you’ll find straightforward information tailored to your role, along with practical advice to help you remain compliant, renew your license on time, and deliver the highest standards of care without unnecessary stress.
Why Continuing Education Matters
Continuing education isn’t just another item to check off your to-do list—it&rs...
Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
If you’re prescribing in New York, whether you’re a physician, physician assistant (PA), resident, or anyone else with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number, responsible prescribing isn’t just a box to check; it’s a professional and ethical responsibility. With the opioid crisis still looming large and state regulations getting stricter, knowing and following New York’s controlled substance rules is crucial to protecting both your patients and your own career.
This guide is here to help, highlighting the key laws, practical steps, and continuing education you’ll need for compliant, thoughtful prescribing in New York. You’ll find the latest on monitoring prescriptions, documenting your rationale, and more, so you can practice safely and confidently.
Why Responsible Prescribing Matters
When controlled substances, especially opioids, aren’t prescribed thoughtfully, the results can be tragic: lives lost to overdose, fami...
Posted by Mary Thompson
As the year draws to a close, it is amazing how quickly time has passed. For many healthcare professionals in New York, whether you are a nurse finishing your last shift of the season, a physician finalizing your annual reports, or a mental health provider scheduling your final sessions of the year, this is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and prepare for a smooth transition into the new year.
The final months of the year often come with a lot of activity, both personally and professionally. Between managing patient care, navigating holiday schedules, and staying current with continuing education, it’s easy for important administrative details to slip through the cracks. Yet tying up these loose ends now can prevent last-minute complications, such as missed renewal deadlines or incomplete CE requirements, later.
This checklist-style guide will help you stay organized, compliant, and confident as you wrap up the year. Whether you’re newly licensed or a seasoned prac...
Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
Nurses and social workers are on the frontline of patient care, often spotting the first signs that a child might be facing abuse or neglect. When this happens, being a mandated reporter isn’t just about following a rule; it’s about stepping up when a child needs someone the most.
Most professionals know what mandated reporting means, but the tough part comes when the situation isn’t black and white, when doubts linger, emotions get involved, and decisions have to be made quickly. That’s why good training and being prepared matter so much.
Let’s look at a few real-life examples, walk through how decisions are made, and review ways nurses and social workers can be ready to help as mandated reporters.
Mandated Reporting Overview
Mandated reporters are professionals who, by law, have to report if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected—they can’t just turn a blind eye. In New York, you’ll fin...




