Author Archives: Nurse Rene

Nurse Rene

About Nurse Rene

Nurse Rene has been an RN since 1978; CCRN since 1989 and attained a BSN in 2010. She has worked in virtually every specialty from Neonatology to Neurosurgery and is a Member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society with a particular interest in helping students and new grads develop to their full potential. She's been married for 33 years and has a keen interest in history and in current issues as nursing continues to develop as a Real Profession. When not spoiling the grandchildren, she enjoys sewing, cooking, kayaking, camping and travel. She likes all music which does not hurt her ears, watching NCIS, Leverage, Top Gear and Criminal Minds and reads books written by Clive Cussler, Miss Manners, Erma Bombeck and Tom Clancy. She enjoys collecting Quotations for use in her writings.
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A nurse’s 18 lessons in stress management

#1. Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue…read them all.

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How to be a good preceptee

What’s a “preceptee mirror check”? What’s the one thing doctors do not want to hear from a nurse? Get the answers to these questions along with many other tips for the new nurse!

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What working as a nurse’s aide taught me

Having started at the bottom of the ladder, I’ve learned a thing or two about being an effective mentor…

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How to deal with the families of ICU patients

Tips to help ease the stress of family members when they start to fall apart.

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Do nurses have to give up their civil rights in order to have a job?

RFID tracking devices on ID badges and smartphones at the bedside…is George Orwell rolling over in his grave right now?

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Personal safety for nurses: Part 1

Nurses working wacky hours can sometimes find themselves walking alone in the dark after shift. Do you know how to protect yourself? Get our tips.

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Do you agree with the eight-year initiative?

For as long as I have been a nurse, there has been a huge debate over educational requirements for basic RN licensure, AKA entry into practice. Here’s my opinion…

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Are you burned out or bored out?

Do you have the symptoms of nurse burnout…or are you just bored? If you’re staring blankly and nodding your head, you need this list of remedies.

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“I had the worst-case scenario patient…in my family.”

As nurses, we tend to steel ourselves against showing our emotions, especially with patients and their families. So what happens when the “worst possible scenario” comes home with you?

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Do you love being “recognized” as a nurse?

Is wearing the nurse badge a GOOD thing? It depends on whether or not you want the world to know who you are at any given time!

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Would you show up to work in a disaster?

Who will actually show up when a disaster occurs? And if staff nurses are unwilling or unable to fill a sudden critical need, what then?

Does the job of a nurse ever really end?

Does the job of a nurse ever really end?

Sometimes you’ll find yourself managing a patient years after they were discharged. How do you handle these situations?

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Why hearing “you are not a team player” isn’t such a bad thing

I think that this particular “buzzphrase” has torpedoed the careers of more nurses than I care to imagine.

The power of pain to make a difference

The power of pain to make a difference

I have always been amazed at the incredible things that grow out of grief, outrage and pain–especially in the aftermath of a senseless tragedy.

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Why are nurses so creative?

There are nurses who sew, knit, quilt, do elaborate bead work, embroider masterpieces and decorate their mailboxes. It’s no surprise…