A Plea to Nurses Everywhere

I have noticed lately, however, that a lot of my reflections on the drive home have to do with communication. Not nurse to patient communication, but staff communication. Nurse to nurse communication. Nurse to provider communication. And quite often, what I am reflecting on is the negative communication that I see.

I know that this topic is not a new one. It has been discussed from many angles by many people more qualified than I. But I would like to show you, if I could, some things that I have seen in over a few weeks time. I imagine that you have seen similar situations. Read More

Perspective: My Path to Nursing and Beyond

From failing science major to completion of a Master's in Nursing Education my path, like many nurses, has been in bits and pieces. Understanding those who empowered me along the way provides insight into who I want to be for others. Read More

1st Day Being a Nurse: Feel Small and Overwhelmed

How was your first day being a nurse? Please share your stories... Read More

Psych NP to CRNA

I have a MSN and am board certified as a Psychiatric/Mental Health NP and practicing the last 5 years. If I wanted to become a CRNA now, would I be able to do a post-master's or DNP as a CRNA with all the coursework and clinical work that entails, or would I have to go be an RN in an ICU/ED for 2 years, then apply for a new Master's/Doctorate, etc? Read More

Understanding Pay (Wage) vs. Per Diem

As I research travel nursing and read this forum and all the information on compensation, I can't help but be afraid of accepting a contract just because the overall numbers look good, especially since I have always had simple tax filings with no fear of audit.

The job I was currently looking at appears to be one of the "too good to be true" positions, so I wanted to put the figures out there and post the comments the recruiter made to me to see what the experienced travel nurses have to say.

Read More

Wound Care Clinic Internship Information

Earlier this week I received my placement information for my internship which will be at the wound care clinic connected to the hospital. I am interested in this because I feel like the experience will be one that can be carried over into multiple areas of nursing, but I am really nervous because this is such a different setting and demographic of patients than I am used to.

If anyone has served as a preceptor in this setting before and/or can provide some basic guidance about what to expect or what skills or information to I need to familiarize myself with before my internship begins I would be extremely grateful. Read More

Conflict in the family causing me anxiety

There is conflict brewing in my patient's home, between his parents. Since they are not married, I think the mom is the one who can legally make decisions about this child's care. My problem is that I am getting caught between them, and when I do, I experience an irrational anxiety. I feel like one or both parents are going to be angry, and maybe at me. Of course I don't want to loose my job. But it is deeper than that.

I think that family conflict is one of the challenges of this kind of nursing. How can I keep it in better perspective so that their problems, and the fallout, doesn't overwhelm me? Read More

Cursing on the job

We were so incredibly busy yesterday and all of us were getting our butts handed to us. The call light was binging and the usually missing clerk was not there to answer it so I stormed over, snatched up the phone, and cheerfully (fake cheerfulness of course) yelled "Hi! Can I help you!!!?!?!?!" It was a "problem" patient who had their tv on full blast so I of course couldn't hear anything they were saying so I yelled "I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE TELEVISION..." and slammed the phone down. Then I proceeded to curse. Is this normal? I feel like I have anger management problems. I'm never rude to the patient's face, but I do this passive aggressive stuff and I'm not sure that it's healthy. It's also dangerous because it only takes once to do it in front of the wrong person and you're outta there. Anyone else have issues like this??? Read More!

Tying Patient Satisfaction to Medicare Reimbursement is Problematic

Patient satisfaction surveys have been receiving an amplified amount of attention at hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities, especially since the results of these reviews now have a significant effect on Medicare reimbursement.

Valuable information can be gleaned from the comments and feedback that patients provide when they fill out and return the surveys to the facilities where they previously received care. In addition, patient feedback is a remarkably important tool that helps the healthcare facility to harvest data, discover perceptions of the care being rendered, and gather suggestions on how to improve.

Still, patient satisfaction surveys are not exactly free from problems. In fact, patient satisfaction surveys are problematic for several reasons. Read More...

I got my first job!!! But I am worried...

I am a new nursing grad, and I feel very lucky to be accepted for a job at a home healthcare company only days after passing NCLEX. The company is located in Southern California and it has won the Healthcare Elite Top Agency award. While I can see myself working there, I feel like I don't have enough information to make the two year commitment they wanted.

The 1st 3 months, I will be paid $30,000 a year. Then if things go well, the 4th month onwards, the pay increases to $40,000 a year.

I would really appreciate any comment anyone has about my situation. Furthermore, what questions should I ask the company before I make the commitment? Read More

The Patient Who Receives No Visits

Some would say, "I would hope people show a little more respect for their sick family member than that!" But for many adult children, it is hard to be around the seemingly pleasant male patient who sexually abused them throughout their childhood and adolescence. It is almost impossible for adult grandchildren to visit the sweet elderly female patient who disciplined them as children by burning them with lit cigarettes and beating them with horsewhips. The smiling patient in the hospital bed is the same woman who, many years ago, disowned her sister for marrying someone of another race and rejected her brother for revealing he is gay. Read More