The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across the United States. Provisional data for 2024, released in 2025 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Vital Statistics System, predicts a decline in drug overdose deaths compared to previous years. Yet the numbers remain alarmingly high, with about 87,000 overdose deaths recorded between November 2023 and November 2024, the most recent 12-month period for which data was available. Synthetic opioids are a major contributor to the opioid crisis. Among these substances, fentanyl—a prescription drug developed for severe pain management—is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and has become a leading cause of overdose deaths. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, and its growing presence in counterfeit pills has made unintentional exposure a deadly risk, especially to tweens and teens who find them readily available online. Explore the fentanyl crisis and overdose prevention in this comprehensive guide.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, generally called the DSM, is created and maintained by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is widely considered the primary reference for diagnosing mental health conditions in clinical practice, research studies and insurance coverage. The DSM gives mental health professionals a shared language for understanding and categorizing a wide range of disorders. This consistency is invaluable when developing treatment plans or influencing policy decisions because it ensures everyone’s on the same page. Learn about the history of this valuable manual in this guide.

A decade ago, deep learning prototypes wowed conferences but rarely touched patients. By June 2025, 777 artificial intelligence-enabled devices had received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, and two-thirds of U.S. radiology departments used AI in some capacity. This rapid shift pairs radiologists’ pattern-recognition skills with machines that never tire, promising faster scans, sharper pictures and earlier answers. Learn more on how AI is transforming medical imaging in my latest post.

The United States has spent more than 50 years fighting the “War on Drugs,” a campaign that’s dramatically reshaped the criminal justice system. Since the 1980s, drug-related arrests and sentencing policies have caused a sharp rise in incarceration rates across the country. Although the U.S. makes up nearly 5% of the world’s population, the American Civil Liberties Union states that the country accounts for more than 20% of the global prison population. Punitive drug laws have contributed to mass incarceration, particularly among low-income and minority communities. This article examines how drug policy has fueled the expansion of the prison system and why its consequences continue to fall disproportionately on marginalized groups through systemic racism. It also explores how shifting from punitive enforcement to rehabilitative intervention is the key to change.

The Physician Assistant Licensure Compact (PA Compact) promises a game-changing shortcut that allows PAs to obtain one multistate license and practice in other member states without obtaining multiple single-state licenses as they’ve done in the past. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the PA Licensure Compact, including who’s eligible, which states have joined, how long full rollout will take and the steps you can start today to stay ahead of the curve. Keep reading to see how this new framework could expand your PA career options and improve patient access nationwide.

Employee compensation has historically been shrouded in secrecy, with employers rarely disclosing earnings for job openings until after offering the job to a candidate. This practice frequently causes candidates to decline offers when the salary doesn’t meet their expectations, resulting in a tremendous waste of time and effort for the candidate and the recruiter. Legislation requiring pay to be publicized helps avoid this situation and has ramped up recently. Salary transparency benefits every industry. Explore legislation across all 50 states and the District of Columbia to learn which ones currently have salary transparency laws or plan to adopt regulations in the near future to make more informed career decisions.

Demand for travel nurses remains steady, though compensation has dipped from pandemic highs as some health systems reduce contract labor. Still, many registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can earn more than staff nurses in similar roles, especially in high-demand specialties or locations with urgent needs. Vivian Health explores how much travel nurses earned in early March 2025 to help you decide whether travel nursing is still worth it. We also explain why travelers are paid more generously and highlight additional perks, such as the chance to see new places, gain diverse experience in various clinical settings and broaden clinical skills. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious newcomer, discover why travel nursing remains a rewarding career path, even amid shifting industry demands.

The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) began on January 19, 2018, but most nurses simply refer to it as the Compact. Under the eNLC, registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) living in states that have joined the Compact can apply for one multistate license and practice in person or via telehealth in any state that’s also part of the Compact. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), 41 U.S. states and 2 territories have enacted legislation to join the eNLC as of February 2025.

Global consulting firm McKinsey & Company predicted in 2022 that the United States would see a shortfall of 200,000 to 450,000 registered nurses (RNs) for direct patient care by 2025. It appears the firm was correct. Nursing shortages have been the norm for decades, but are they getting worse? Explore projected shortages and surpluses by state to plan your next career move.

Making sense of travel nursing pay and tax rules can feel like a tangled maze of unfamiliar terms and conflicting information. Tax homes, housing stipends, taxed/untaxed wages, bonuses and per diem reimbursements are all factors that impact your travel nursing pay package and your federal and state taxes. Now that the 2024 tax season has ended and filing will soon begin, many travel nurses and other traveling healthcare professionals have questions. Vivian Health hopes to answer your tax questions with the help of a tax professional.

The holiday season is officially here. Before you know it, families everywhere will be carving turkeys for Thanksgiving and wrapping presents to stash under a brightly lit tree. But while some people are decking their halls with boughs of holly, many nurses don't feel very jolly. Instead of taking part in the festivities and cozy gatherings, they're looking at extra-long shifts, an influx of patients, and all the unique challenges that come with working holidays. For nurses on duty, the holiday rush means juggling holiday cheer with the realities of one of health care's busiest seasons. Vivian Health shares insights to infuse a little merry into nurse shifts and keep their holiday spirit intact.

While minor aggression is normal in a healthy flock, sometimes a few members will go overboard and outside help is needed to calm the situation down. Learn more about the triggers that could prompt aggression, breeds prone to combativeness and nutrition deficiencies that could lead to higher levels of aggressive behavior in the Nov/Dec 2024 print issue of Chickens magazine.

Discover where demand for physical therapists is highest among states in Vivian Health’s in-depth analysis. Get key insights to maximize your career and impact.

A little bossiness is to be expected, given the natural pecking order of chickens. However, a problem could arise if a bossy bird borders on being a bully. If you’ve found that your flock is at the mercy of an overly assertive hen ruling the roost, you’re not alone. Certain hens exhibit a dominant demeanor that can’t be ignored and pose challenges to even the most seasoned chicken keepers. Recognizing an alpha female’s bad behavior and implementing strategic approaches to correct this behavior may promote a more harmonious environment in your coop. Let’s explore why some hens take being in charge to the extreme and cover some tips to encourage a too-bossy bird to straighten up and fly right or hit the highway. Read more about it in the July/Aug 2024 print issue of Chickens magazine.

In the world of sustainable gardening, biochar has been gaining attention for its promising ability to improve soil for small-scale farmers. This technique dates back thousands of years and is making a comeback as a modern solution to potentially enhance soil fertility, increase crop yields and reduce environmental impacts. Let's dig into the nitty-gritty of biochar and discover its potential for small (and large) gardeners everywhere with the help of some soil scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more in the Jan/Feb 2024 issue of of Hobby Farms magazine.

Can chickens eat table scraps? Most backyard chicken-keepers feed their birds kitchen scraps, but whether this is a good practice has been highly debated. Poor diet is one of the leading causes of various health issues in chickens. Good nutrition relies on feeding your flock a quality diet consisting primarily of commercial feed. Kitchen scraps can make chickens fat and unhealthy if provided without considering their regular rations. Here's what and how much you can give your birds. Originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2023 print issue of Chickens magazine.

World Mental Health Day is an ideal time to discuss compassion fatigue and burnout in nursing because it highlights the critical link between mental well-being and a demanding healthcare profession. It also raises awareness, open conversations and the importance of support systems – all essential components when addressing the mental health challenges nurses may face in their daily work environment. Caring for others in distress can take a toll on nurses and other healthcare providers who provide empathy and compassion.

New York City (NYC) is a popular choice among travel nurses and allied health professionals seeking lucrative employment opportunities in one of the most exciting cities in the nation. Its slew of entertainment options, shopping and dining experiences, cultural offerings and iconic landmarks often attract healthcare professionals from all specialties. But all the sights and sounds of the Big Apple come at a steep price, with housing costs leading the way. A new law in the city could limit short-term housing options, but how much will it impact those taking NYC travel nursing jobs or allied health positions?

Kitchen scraps can make chickens fat and unhealthy, if provided without consulting their regular rations. Most backyard chicken-keepers feed their birds kitchen scraps, but whether this is a good practice has been highly debated. Poor diet is one of the leading causes of various health issues in chickens. Read more about it in the Sept/Oct 2023 print issue of Chickens magazine.

If you long for a career that combines compassion with healthcare skills and greatly impacts people’s lives, but you don’t want to spend years in medical school, an entry-level certified nursing assistant job (CNA) might be the answer. Get ready to explore a rewarding CNA career where care meets opportunity and dedication leads to an expanding career path. Although the steps to become a CNA are similar in most states, each state creates its own regulations, certification requirements and CNA reciprocity agreements.