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10 tips to help you teach other nurses

NursingLink — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:15:35 +0000

Health care is one of the fastest growing professions out there, but every day, prospective students are being turned away because of a lesser-known shortage: there aren’t enough Nurse Educators to teach them all!

As a nurse, you are already ahead of the curve if you’re interested in becoming a Nurse Educator. After all, you already know most of the material. Becoming a nursing instructor is also a great way to change careers into something with more flexible hours, less physical strain, and better pay. Oh, and by the way, if you’re a Nurse Manager, or aspiring to be one, you’ll find these qualities apply to you, too!

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Read on for the 10 qualities that you’ll need if you want to survive and thrive as a Nurse Educator…and a Nurse Manager.

#10: Patience

Patience is one of those obvious traits that is often surprisingly under-cultivated in teachers. Having patience both with students and yourself will create a more disciplined, more rational you. Patience can overcome anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure, which you can apply both to your own teaching style, but also impart to your students.

How to get this coveted quality? Relax! You can immediately make progress by taking a few deep breaths and taking an extra 30 seconds to answer a student’s question, make a diagnosis, or reply to an irate patient. Remind yourself that all things take time.

#9: Emotional Intellect

Part of a teacher’s job is to help a student get through the course with success. Sometimes this means recognizing that specific students need extra help, and sometimes it means giving freer reign to a student who is doing especially well. Research tracking over 160 high performing individuals in a variety of industries and job levels revealed that emotional intelligence was two times more important in contributing to excellence than intellect and expertise alone. Emotional intelligence can help you discern what your students need, but it can also be a valuable tool to help you decide how to react in stressful teaching situations, navigate academic politics, and bond with students to give everyone a richer and more meaningful experience.

#8: Dedication

There is no question about it: nursing is a tough job. To be a nurse, a person needs endless dedication and a real belief that they are changing the world. To see dedication in a teacher inspires the students and shows them that even through many years of nursing, that the instructor has not lost their spark. In some ways, teaching a future nurse the art of determination is even more important than teaching those basic nursing skills. By being an example of dedication, the instructor is able to teach a valuable lesson that will help students break into their chosen profession and stay there.

12 things to never say to older and younger coworkers

NursingLink — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:24:32 +0000

As people are staying healthier longer, many workers are choosing to remain in the workplace well into their 50s, 60s and 70s. What does this mean? That more and more, seasoned workers are working alongside fresh faced college grads. This is equally true in our field where each year tens of thousands of new nurses join seasoned nurses who have been in their careers for decades.

With this generational gap among health care workers widening, there’s a lot of potential for miscommunication or differing perspectives. Though you may absolutely deny that you have any preconceived notions about certain people, let’s face it — stereotypes are a reality in our culture whether we like it or not.

To ease relations between older and younger nurses, here are six things never to say to an older coworker and six things to never say to a younger coworker. Some of these may seem obvious, but you’ll be surprised to hear how many people have actually been asked these types of questions. So whatever you do, don’t say these 12 things!

1. “Do you know how to use email?”
2. “I didn’t know you were so old.”
3. “So are you planning to retire soon?”
4. “My grandpa gave me that same advice.”
5. “You’re going back to school?”
6. “There were some last minute changes. Will that be too much to handle?”
7. “Are you the new intern?”
8. “You sound just like my son/daughter.”
9. “How old are you?”
10. “Considering this is your first job, you probably wouldn’t understand.”
11. “When I was your age…”
12. “The real world doesn’t work like that.”

Read More —>

10 reasons to date a nurse

NursingLink — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:04:19 +0000

Users on Facebook, the ultra successful social networking site, have virtually given birth to a new user-generated genre: the “Ten Reasons Why You Should Date an XYZ (name of your profession goes here) List.”

Lists have been published on the site for Why You Should Date a Single Mom, a Geek, a Wrestler and hundreds of other categories.

Not to be outdone, the medical professions have also posted “Ten Reasons Why You Should Date: a Physician, a Physical Therapist, an EMT, and other medical professions.

Nurses, of course, have their ten reasons. Here is one Top Ten Reasons You Should Date a Nurse List, courtesy of a group on Facebook:

1. They can help you get over a hangover or sickness.

2. Bedbaths!

3. The uniform.

4. They are exposed to so many xrays, it’s like a form of birth control.

5. You will never need to buy condoms, paracetamol, toothbrushes or any hospital supplies.

6. They know how to handle bodily fluids!

7. Nothing shocks a nurse, they have always seen smaller or indeed bigger!

8. They won’t be disgusted by your toilet habits.

9. They are experienced in manual evacuation when you are full of you know what.

10. They know how to handle the human body.

Have another Top Ten Reasons list to share with us? We welcome your comments!

22 cheap ways for nurses to de-stress

NursingLink — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:37:27 +0000

Whether you’re an palliative care nurse dealing with end-of-life care, or a nurse educator teaching the next generation of RNs, any job in nursing can be overwhelming and stressful. Learning how to manage stress and channel it through positive means is vital, not just for a successful career, but for your happiness and well-being too.

If you don’t take time to unwind, constant stress can lead to a number of physical and psychological problems, like poor concentration, depression, back pain and weight gain. It also weakens your immune system and increases your risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

That’s why NursingLink came up with these “22 different ways to de-stress without breaking the bank.” So hit pause, relax and indulge in some much needed (and affordable!) R&R. A hardworking nurse like you deserves it!

Here is the full list of ideas:

And now…one by one…

Start with doing something you did all the time as a kid…

10 easy ways to improve your bedside manner

NursingLink — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:14:57 +0000

Developing a good ‘bedside manner’ is just as important as improving clinical skills in expanding your role. Whether it’s dealing with the embarrassing medical complaint, the overly nervous teenager, the anxious new mother or the 30-year-old man who would rather be anywhere else but in the pharmacy, getting patients to open up, trust you and give you the information you need is vital for providing a high level of service.

Good interpersonal skills will help nurses – and their patients – get the most out of delicate services such as emergency contraception, chlamydia screening and erectile dysfunction advice. It will mean patients get exactly what they came in for, and it will keep them healthy – so here’s how you do it.

#1: Focus

You may feel you are needed in 20 different places at once, but it is vital patients get the attention they deserve. If someone comes in asking in a low whisper about hemorrhoids, you need to give them your full attention. That means avoiding simultaneously filling out forms or answering the phone. If necessary, ask them to wait five minutes while you can finish what you are doing so you have time to deal with their query properly.

#2: Really Listen

The teenage girl struggling to ask about the morning-after pill may just want information on contraception. The patient with poor asthma control may just want reassurance about her treatment. But by not listening properly you may make the wrong assumption about the nature of their problem. The query may not be immediately apparent, but hidden in a long description of symptoms, so listen first and then repeat back to check you have understood to establish exactly what the patient wants.

#3: Ensure Privacy

Health professionals used to dealing with embarrassing medical problems on a daily basis can easily forget how uncomfortable it can be for the patient to talk about certain conditions. Offer a private consultation area if someone is asking for advice about a sensitive issue.

Use the patient as a guide – are they fidgeting, speaking very quietly or blushing? They may be asking about a condition you have never thought of as embarrassing, but they may find it very difficult to talk about. For example, some mothers are mortified to be asking about head lice.

On the other hand, some patients will shout out personal information at the top of their voices or start stripping off to show you a rash. Offering such patients privacy is still important in saving the blushes of other patients, though, and it will help you focus on the problem.

Four skills you can transfer to a nursing career

NursingLink — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:47:19 +0000

If you’re a newcomer to healthcare or are considering entering it as a second career (see our stories about second-career nurses), you may think your job history and experiences outside the field are irrelevant. You’re wrong.

Many of your strengths and skills – whether they include customer-service expertise or the ability to multitask under pressure – are probably more relevant and transferable to healthcare than you realize.

A healthcare professional and two recruiters offer a rundown on some valuable transferable skills as well as advice on how to showcase such attributes during your job search.

1. Compassion and Empathy

2. Strong Communication Skills

3. Customer-Service Know-How

4. Grace Under Pressure

Compassion and Empathy

Tony Rush, a nurse in the orthopedic trauma unit at a major medical center in Rochester, Minnesota, was in the seminary for several years after high school but ultimately decided not to enter the priesthood. He then worked as a counselor for troubled and refugee youth before entering nursing. Rush says his seminary training and counseling experiences sharpened some of the strengths – empathy and compassion for the poor and troubled, good listening skills, an understanding of different cultures, and a respect for teamwork – that make him a good nurse. “If I [had] gone into nursing right out of high school I wouldn’t be the RN I am now,” he says.

Skill #2: Strong Communication Skills

10 Ways to lose your nursing license

NursingLink — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:00:31 +0000

Although we would like to believe that every nurse is a good person with good intentions, we can’t ignore the fact that every year, state nursing boards revoke dozens of licenses.

While some of these men and women lose their ability to serve as nurses because of non-nurse related activities, others suffer the consequences of patient endangerment or worse. The threat of having your license revoked is ever-present, and it is important to know just what activities can take it away.

Of course, there are many more reasons your nursing license may be revoked, and the decision is ultimately up to your state board. Be sure to regularly familiarize yourself with your state’s laws and procedures.

1. Addicted Nurse Not in Good Recovery Program

We’ve all heard the story – the nurse with the back pain who gets prescribed Viodin. After her pain has subsided, she slips herself a little extra pain-killer on the side. And then a little more. And more still. Soon, she is addicted and it’s getting out of control. While abusing narcotics is reason enough to lose your nursing license, many board will suspend your license and require you enter an addiction recovery group. There are even recovery groups just for nurses in this position.

If you complete your therapy and remain clean, you can retain your license. However, if you refuse to enter recovery or continue to abuse drugs/alcohol while in recovery, your state boar can revoke your license. Because nurses are near a infinite number of prescriptions, employers know that some may be tempted to indulge. So think again if you are toying with the idea of slipping a few pills under the table.

2. Impersonating Another Licensed Practitioner

Believe it or not, this happens. And employers sometimes don’t catch it for years. A wannabe nurse may have a felony conviction that will prevent him from getting a license, or she may have had her own license revoked in the past. Whatever the case, identity theft is plausible if these “nurses” can obtain the correct papers. Whatever license you may or may not have will be immediately revoked by your state board, and that will stay on your record.

3. Diversion of Drugs

Slipping yourself, or someone you know, drugs on the side is a serious offense, punishable by revocation of your license and jail time. If your aging father has taken all of his pain meds, leave it to his doctors to prescribe more or up his dosage. It’s not worth risking your career to boost someone else’s addiction, no matter who it is.

Getting your license revoked is the least of your worries in this case. Diverting drugs with intention to sell, or actually selling prescription drugs, can get you thrown in jail for many years. Even if you are strapped for cash, don’t do it!

Continue to the next career deal breaker…

Top 10 Qualities of a Great Nurse

NursingLink — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:35:44 +0000

Those who succeed in nursing and gain the most fulfillment from it will start their careers with certain qualities. Do you have what it takes to be a great nurse?

1. Communication Skills

A great nurse has excellent communication skills that include speaking and listening. They are able to follow directions without problem and can easily communicate with patients and families to understand their needs and explain treatments.

2. Emotional Stability

A great nurse is very stable emotionally. Nursing is a stressful job and nurses encounter many traumatic situations, suffering, and death. A great nurse is one who is able to work without allowing the stress to cause great personal harm.

3. Empathy

Great nurses have empathy for the pain and suffering of patients. They are able to feel compassion and provide comfort.

Next up, flexibility, attention to detail and…

10 Most Exciting Jobs in Nursing

NursingLink — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:32:57 +0000

A cool job…what’s that? The best answer is that it’s a job that lets you do things you love – at work – and get paid well for it. You could also add great growth potential as a criteria, too.

Today nursing’s outer limits are expanding hugely, with all kinds of creative, exciting possibilities. From mind-body medicine to leading the hospital geeks into brave new frontiers, here are Dream Jobs: Our picks for the top ten coolest nursing careers.

“These jobs are based on trends and where the best opportunities are, now and in the future,” says Donna Cardillo, a widely respected nurse career expert who speaks at industry conferences and the author of several popular nursing career books.

#1: Going Into the Flow: Holistic Nursing

Does massage turn you on? Mind-body medicine? Stress reduction techniques? If your idea of self-care is another latte, and you’d like to trade in your high-stress work life for a soothing nurturing atmosphere, then consider holistic nursing, a specialty now for 4,000 nurses. Holistic nurses provide both conventional and complementary medicine, often training in alternative, high-touch modalities in addition to their traditional nursing skills.

Sample job description: “Work in a unique, upscale, soothing clinic 4 days a week…”

1. Going into the Flow: Holistic Nursing
2. Nursing Informatics
3. Forensic Nursing
4. Outcomes Management
5. Fitness Nursing
6. Entrepreneur and Consultant (Self Employed)
7. Medical Esthetics Nurse
8. Faith-Based Nursing
9. Insurance Nursing
10. Assisted Living and Long Term Care

Continue to the next exciting job that’s perfect for the Geek Nurse!

Nursing Interview Cheat Sheet – 36 Questions to Ask

NursingLink — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:05:50 +0000

If you’re a trained nursing professional, you can afford to be a discriminating job seeker, thanks to the nursing shortage. But you still need to prepare thoroughly for every job interview.

Part of the process of getting ready for an interview is knowing the questions you want to ask a potential employer. These questions should demonstrate your interest in the opportunity while helping you gauge whether the position is the right match for your skills, goals, personality and lifestyle.

Your inquiries should cover three main areas: orientation and training, the working environment, and the employer’s management and administration. Here’s an interview cheat sheet:

Orientation and Training

• What is the level and depth of orientation?
• Will more orientation time be granted if I feel I need it?
• Will my orientation take place during the shift I will be working?
• Is there a mentorship program?
• What are your expectations of new hires during their first six months on the job?
• Describe typical first-year assignments.
• What qualities do your most successful nurses possess?

Working Environment

• What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
• How long are your shifts — eight, 10 or 12 hours?
• How do you go about scheduling? Is self-scheduling an option, or does someone else dictate the schedule?
• How long have most nurses been on the unit?
• Why did the last person in this position leave?
• How long has this position been vacant?
• Will I be on call if I accept this position? If so, what are the conditions/requirements of on-call duty?

Management and Administration

• How would you describe your management style?
• How do you motivate employees?
• How do you demonstrate that you value your nursing staff?
• How much autonomy do you give your nurses to make decisions regarding patient care?
• How often do you conduct performance reviews?
• Is the administration open to suggestions that would improve patient care?
• What challenges is this facility facing?
• What have been this unit’s most notable successes and failures over the year?
• What are nurses’ biggest challenges at this facility?
• What makes this facility unique among others in this region?
• What steps do you take to ensure safe working conditions?
• What are your plans for future growth?
• Why should I want to work here?

An Offer in Hand

Once you have the job offer – and not before – ask the standard questions about salary and benefits, such as:

• What is the salary?
• Is special compensation awarded for overtime? What is the differential for second-shift, third-shift and weekend work?
• What is the benefits package?
• Do you offer other incentives, such as paid journal subscriptions or scholarships for dependents?
• Do you provide financial support for continuing education?
• Are grants available for ongoing education?
• Are there special incentives for bilingual nurses?
• Is there room for advancement? What is the career path?
• How do you reward employees for exceptional work?

A couple of interview caveats: Never ask about the number of ethnic employees, and never ask the interviewer any questions that could be construed as personal.

Think of the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation. While the meeting is the interviewer’s chance to find out about you, it’s also your chance to ask about the issues that can significantly affect your short- and long-term job satisfaction.