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.”

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This list of tendencies, habits and preferences is endless. I find there are ‘trends’ depending on where you work, who you work with and just what kind of nursing you are doing.

With all that in mind there are just certain things that are a ‘must’ when riding the nursing roller coaster. There are just some ‘must haves’ when you’re out there doing your ‘thing’. These ‘must have’s make life just a lil easier on you through the course of your day. Once you have them, you don’t know why you never had them in the first place!

Stethoscope

Ok this sounds like a ‘no-brainer’, but I’m talking about a GOOD set of ears. Not they playskool kind, or those darn stethoscopes they try to sell you while you’re a nursing student (those horrible double lumen stethoscopes). How are you to properly care for your patients, if you can’t hear abnormal heart beats, murmurs, or specific adventitious lung sounds?? I will say the type of stethoscope is purely site specific. If you work with Pediatric patients, then by all means make sure you have the correct diaphragm for your work. My advice is to spend the extra money on the higher quality (psst… the name begins with an L), you’ll be thankful later.

Shoes

Once again, you’re probably thinking… seriously? Shoes? You need a GOOD pair of shoes. The kind that fit comfortably, have breathing room, good support and of course can withstand the wear and tear of your daily duties (I found a great pair of ‘walking’ shoes myself). I would caution you with these ’slider’ type shoes and those highly touted ’slip-on’ ‘throw them in your dishwasher to clean them’ shoes. While they are great for the simple bodily fluid clean up, they will eventually be murder on your feet, your ankles, your knees, and finally your back. Those type of ’shoes’ offer no long lasting support for your feet. I don’t know about you, but after a 12 hour shift my back can use all the support it can get.

Writing Utensils

Nurses and their pens. Need I say more? Take a nurse’s pen and see what happens – I dare ya. We hoard our pens because once we find ‘that’ pen that writes nice, doesn’t smear or leak we think we hit a gold mine! Throw in a ‘Fat’ pen with some cushion and there is not turning back! And of course we can’t just have a black pen, we need a red one as well and a permanent marker and possibly a highlighter or two!

Scrubs

This goes without saying. “Heeeello!” Look at the name of our magazine and website?? Heh heh. Once again this is all about comfort and utility. I am a ‘pockets’ person. I love my pockets. I have had a total of 10 pockets on my scrubs at times depending on the style I wear. I use/abuse and utilize them all for one thing or another! I am a plain and boring type scrub wearing fool – solid colors for me. I don’t wear the patterns or cool themes. I’m sounding like a broken record here, but it’s all about the function and utility of the scrubs. Will they withstand the wear and tear, as well as be ’stain free’ after a good washing. Just because it looks good and is a popular name brand doesn’t mean it will work well.

To go along with this list there are a myriad of other pieces of equipment that I myself ‘need’ and use. I took a couple quick ‘poll’s on Twitter last night and found I wasn’t the only one.

Plus…

I always have a pair of scissors with me. I prefer a nice pair of small bandage scissors (some call them trauma shears). And I always have a pair of clamps / hemostats with me for those unbearable tops and caps that need a lil extra grip. In the end the frills, thrills and prices come down to one thing – functional on the job capacity.

What are your best? What are your ‘must haves’?

[main image: Peter Dazeley | Digital Vision | Getty Images]

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!

1) Eucerin Hand Cream

I always love to use Eucerin during the winter months. This lotion feels great on the hands without having that really greasy feel afterwards. The best part about this product is that it works great for dry skin on babies. I actually tried Eucerin for the first time after it was used on my son in the local children’s hospital!

2) Vaseline Intensive Care

This is what I call “The Old Stand By.” Vaseline products have been around for years and I think that speaks volumes when it comes to product reliability.  I like this lotion because it is inexpensive for a large pump size and a little bit goes a long way! This product is good for maintaining healthy skin and nail.  This lotion also has a nice, but light fragrance.

3) Neutrogena Norwegian Formula

This is a great lotion that in my opinion, penetrates really well into the skin.  By this, I mean that after I wash my hands, I still feel as if they are somewhat moisturized and that I haven’t washed off all the lotion that I applied. I really like this for when my hands are feeling chapped and sore after a day at the hospital.

4) Philosophy Pure Grace Lotion

This lotion is one of my favorites. I first saw the Philosophy products on one of Oprah’s Favorite Things episodes a few years back.  Not only does this lotion feel wonderful on my hands, but it smells amazing! I know we really shouldn’t use “smelly” fragrances in the hospital, but this has a nice clean scent. By no means does it smell like a perfume. This lotion is a little pricier than the others, but it is a nice treat for your hands! While the other products can be found at local drug stores, Philosophy Pure Grace can be found at Macy’s and Ulta.

5) Johnson’s Baby Lotion

Who doesn’t love the smell of a clean baby? If it is gentle enough for our babies it must be good for our hands right? With its trademark pink bottle and baby powder scent, there is just something about Johnson’s Baby Lotion that keeps us wanting more!

[main image: Stockbyte | Getty Images]

Nowadays, we don’t do a big Valentine’s Day exchange, just a couple cards and something kitschy. His sister owns a flower shop, so I do usually get flowers and then I stump him with “Oh yea, well what does the card say?” He seems to get that right most of the time so maybe he really does fill out the card. So to give you all a heads up, let me tell you some of the worst and best Valentines Day presents.

Best

1. A Spa Gift Certificate, we love massages with no strings attached
2. A really great pair of shoes that you know we have been eyeing for awhile.
3. Flowers, we do enjoy these, just no baby’s breath.
4. A sweater from our favorite store with the gift receipt (Just in case)
5. Something sentimental, like a nice picture frame with a picture of the two of you from somewhere special
6. A weekend trip somewhere close but romantic
7. A “Fort Night”: Build a fort in the living room and watch a romantic movie with all the childhood favorite foods (sundaes, pizza, PB&J)
8. A nice dinner, we get to pick the place
9. A homemade coupon book with coupons for stuff we would appreciate (One Make Dinner AND Clean Up; One Foot Massage)
10. A trip to our favorite place: the bookstore, a coffee shop, a beach, anything that shows you are paying attention.

Worst

1. Anything Nurse themed; it takes a very rare person to get excited about a nurse ceramic frog. Let me know when you find them; I’d love to meet them.
2. Any kind of appliance. A vacuum cleaner does not spell R-O-M-A-N-C-E.
3. A gym membership. Enough said.
4. Anything you buy at the drug store (and we know what their stock looks like), i.e. a Valentine’s tiara, salt and pepper shakers, a huge stuffed gorilla, and/or vitamins.
5. Less than upscale lingerie. This should be a gal’s idea and if she hasn’t bought any yet, she probably doesn’t want to wear it.
6. Low end chocolates. If you are going to go the choco-route, please go Godiva.
7. Any kind of flower creation that has baby’s breath in it. Baby’s breath screams “old lady flowers” and its just really cheap filler. Get the green stuff instead.
8. A singing telegram…wait, this could go either way.
9. Any kind of self help book.
10. A mixed tape. No one should even own a tape player anymore.

These are my tips for you Valentine’s Day Gift Givers out there…I’m usually a pretty good gift giver so my advice shouldn’t lead you too astray. Just please, no nurse themed ceramic frogs, cats, monkeys, dogs…you get the picture. Happy Lover’s Day, everyone!!! ‘

Nurses, share your own best and worst Valentine’s Day gifts in the comments section below!

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.