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"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

- Steve Jobs

The Daily Tonic is a two to five minute read sharing science backed health news and tips, all while getting you to crack a smile or even lol on occasion.

Tuesday. Try as I may, I just don’t get fashion. I’ve scrolled through these pictures of the Met Gala more times than I’d like to admit, and I just don’t get it. High fashion just feels like a costume party for famous people. Also, there is no way any of those outfits are comfortable except for maybe Jared Leto, who dressed up as a cat. Moving on to something that actually matters — we are running out of nurses, which is a big problem. Let’s dive in.

We Need More Nurses

Just when you thought running out of eggs might be our biggest problem in 2023, it turns out the U.S. healthcare industry is facing a massive nursing shortage. And while it might be tempting to blame the pandemic for everything, the problem is not that simple. The truth is that nursing schools reject thousands of qualified applicants every year while nurses also leave the profession in droves.

According to data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), nearly 92,000 qualified nursing school applicants were denied admission for the 2021-2022 academic year. This number is up from about 80,500 the previous year and approximately 69,000 in 2017-2018. So why are so many potential nurses getting turned away? The main reasons cited were insufficient faculty, classroom space, clinical sites, budget cuts, and enrollment capacity.

At the same time, the U.S. healthcare industry lost an estimated 100,000 registered nurses in 2021 — the most significant drop in four decades. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that about 203,200 nurse jobs will be open each year through 2031. It's a one-two punch for the ages: a nursing shortage at a time when demand for nurses is at an all-time high.

Faced with this grim reality, many hospitals and health systems are partnering with academic institutions to bolster nursing program capacity and ensure their own future hiring prospects. Some are even turning to international recruitment and travel nurses to help offset workforce shortages, which comes with its own set of challenges.

But some institutions are taking a different approach. Henry Ford Health, for example, has teamed up with Michigan State University (MSU) to expand nurse education and training opportunities in the region. Under the partnership, Henry Ford and MSU are looking to double the size of an accelerated baccalaureate program in 2023 and build a $2.5 billion development that features a "reimagined" academic healthcare campus, including an expanded hospital and new medical research facility.

Other institutions are also partnering with local community colleges and universities to increase the pipeline of nurse graduates. Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) has announced a new partnership with several universities and colleges to graduate at least 557 additional nurses over four years.

That might not seem like a huge number, but we are pretty much at an “I’ll take what I get” level of gravity.

Of course, some advocates argue that more needs to be done to address the nursing pipeline issues. Greater funding is needed for nursing schools to prepare the next generation of nurses to serve as clinicians, faculty, researchers, and leaders. President Biden has proposed nearly $350 million for the nursing workforce in his proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, $32 million of which would be dedicated to nurse education, practice, and retention grants. But whether this funding will solve the nursing shortage crisis remains to be seen.

The key takeaway? The nursing shortage is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted solution. Until then, hospitals and health systems will continue to struggle with understaffing, and patients will suffer as a result.

So, if you're considering a career in nursing, now might be the perfect time to join the fight and help address the nursing shortage crisis. And if you're already a nurse, thank you for all that you do. We appreciate you.

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Apologies In Advance

Don’t let this be the reason you choose “Not good” in the poll below, but we have some unfortunate news. That daily glass of red wine you’ve been drinking to keep your heart healthy may not actually be doing anything for you. In fact, a recent systematic review involving 4.8 million participants found that moderate alcohol intake (one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men) has no health benefits whatsoever.

It turns out that the high antioxidant content in red wine isn't the magic potion we thought it was. Experts now call the touted benefit of red wine for health a "myth" in light of recent data.

So, how much alcohol is safe to drink? Well, it's tough to say for sure. The CDC recommends no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, but even that level of drinking can cause health issues.

Our well-mannered neighbors up north actually just amended their drinking guidelines to suggest that men and women should stick to two drinks or less per week to stay in the low-risk category.

It’s really best to stay away from booze as much as possible. Save it for special occasions, and just remember, it isn’t doing your health any favors, even if it’s just one glass.

Tonic Shots

• Who doesn’t love good leftovers? Check out these recipes for healthy meals that taste even better the next day! Check out the recipes!

• These fruits have the highest sugar content. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. They are still a great alternative to processed sweet treats. Check out the list!