How to Communicate Breaking News to Patients and Families

Breaking news is the term for new, urgent information about events that are developing or just occurred, often requiring immediate reporting. These developments capture the public’s attention and may include disasters, political upheavals or other significant occurrences that have the potential to affect large numbers of people. Breaking news stories often interrupt regular programming and are updated frequently as more details become available.

When breaking news, journalists must consider how to balance the need for speed with the need to accurately report and avoid sensationalism. They also must take care not to report the names of victims of injury or death until family members have been notified and confirmed. This can be a challenging task in chaotic and confusing situations such as mass shootings, natural disasters or ongoing investigations.

NPs also face the challenge of breaking bad news to patients and families. While many aspects of delivering this type of difficult message cannot be predicted, using an established communication template or protocol can help to instill quality and empathy into the process.

Ahead of time, assess the person who is receiving your news and determine how they might be feeling about it (e.g., they might already be aware that something is wrong, or they might be in shock). You should also decide what to tell them and how much you are willing and able to share. It might be helpful to prepare yourself for the conversation by taking some time to yourself, exercising, having a cup of coffee or doing some other self-care activity.

Startup Funding Options

Whether you’re seeking to raise startup capital via loans, bring on angel investors or crowdfund, the best funding option for your business will depend on your specific goals and strategies. However, regardless of which startup funding option you choose, one thing remains the same: You need to be able to clearly demonstrate your financial health to potential investors.

A tailored dashboard displaying clear, real-time financial insights will help you establish credibility and show that your company is well prepared to scale. It will also make it easier for investors to understand your company’s growth, allowing you to get the most bang for your buck.

The earliest contributors to a startup are often friends and family members, who provide seed funding and typically want to remain involved in the company for its formative years. Unlike traditional loans, this type of funding typically does not require an equity stake and can be an excellent alternative for entrepreneurs that are unwilling or unable to take on debt.

Startups that successfully secure seed or angel investment can move on to Series A funding, which is procured when a startup becomes more established and opens itself up to further investments. Series A investors are looking for a higher valuation than early seed investors and can often have a major impact on a startup’s future.

Government, foundation and private grants are another source of startup funding. Entrepreneurs can find available grant opportunities by researching online databases and using specialized platforms that match borrowers with donors. Those who win grant funding are required to submit proposals and other documentation, and may need to present their ideas in person.