Nurses - The Unsung Heroes

Once again it is National Nurses Day and the start of National Nurses Week, which always begins on May 6 and goes through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. This is the week set aside to recognize the contributions and commitments nurses make, a time to educate the public about the significant work they do, and a time for showing appreciation to all the nurses.

There are many types of activities planned throughout this week which include banquets, recognition dinners, and lunches. Nurses are honored with gifts, receptions, cards, and flowers by friends and family members, and even co-workers. Some hospitals stagger activities throughout the day and night so that all shifts can participate in the celebration. Read More

Mental Illness--Debunking the myths/sharing some insight

Mental illness is a most misunderstood illness. The brain is an interesting organ, and reacts differently to/or lack thereof chemicals to make it work properly. Mental illness can be a difficult thing to treat. It can be equally challenging for a nurse to provide care. However, here are some common myths/insights surrounding the mentally ill that will perhaps make a nurse take pause the next time you are given an assignment of someone suffering from mental illness. Read More

What to do after a rough shift?

What do you do after a rough shift? Have fun with the girls? Eat chocolate? Or, do you just go straight to bed? Read More

Would you still become a NP or would you go the MD route?

If you could go back in time, would you still become a NP or would you go the MD route instead? I am close to finishing my BSN and want to keep going to be a family practice clinician. I am torn between FNP and MD. Read More

I Hate Being Bipolar. It's AWESOME!

Once known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a serious but treatable mental illness that's become better known in recent years, thanks to the creative geniuses and glamorous stars who have gone public with their diagnoses. However, very few people talk about what it's really like to live with the illness; here are some of the realities that lie behind the romantic illusion. Read More

Blue about Code Blue

Several feelings and thoughts have gone through me since witnessing and my first Code Blue, however there is one thought I am grappling with and want to share with you:

This patient had lived a long life, and being terminally ill was going to die soon. Yet he was not DNR. Because of this, the natural last breaths of his life and still moments afterward were replaced with a violent (for lack of a better word) physical act. His wife trembled as my clinical manager led her away from the scene. I thought about when my parents will die and know neither they nor I will want this if, one day, found in a similar situation. I thought about how important it can be to chose DNR. I realize however it is not for everyone and each situation is personal, individual and even complicated. Read More

I ask for "nothing".

When it comes to nursing, I respect the profession for what it is, what it has been, and where it is headed. Am I proud to be part of the profession? Sure, in a subtle, I'm proud my hair is long kind of way.

I own no nursing paraphernalia. I do not announce what I do readily at meet n' greets or reunions. I prefer to refer to myself as a Frustrated Carpenter or a Confused Ninja.

Ever since stepping foot into the profession, Nurse's Week has always been a tough pill for me to swallow. Read More

Still Very Anxious Working as a Nurse After Three Years

I've been a RN for over three years and am still very fearful about working as a nurse. Before I go into work I can't stop thinking about making possible mistakes and who will think that I am incompetent. It seems I lack self confidence more than any of the nurses that have been in nursing as long as I have. I've tried three different areas of nursing (telemetry, ICU, and cardiac testing.) I've been working in my current job for the past year doing testing. Read More

Overtime Pay, who really benefits?

I am getting about 10-15 hours of overtime a week so far on my new assignment. I am in week 4. My hourly rate is fairly low because I'm getting all that glamorous tax-free money. I know that hospitals are probably paying about $60/hr for me (rough estimate), so when I work overtime, they're paying $90/h-- to my agencyr. I am only seeing about a third of that amount reflected in my hourly. I am also on call 2 out of my 4 days a week, for every hour worked, I get time and a half as well. I am now wondering... The agency is truly making a killing off my stupidity. How true are my concerns? Read More!

A Tribute to Nurses Through Time

This is a video with some great pictures of nurses through the ages. A good look at where we have come from. Nurses have rocked for many years......they just didn't know it. HAPPY NURSES WEEK! Read More...

Lower your student loans IBR Pay as you Earn Program!

For those of us with students loans and difficulty paying them, Have you heard of IBR Pay as you Earn Program? I saw an advertisement in my local paper and decided to check it out. It is through studentloans.gov. I did not think it could help me, but it did! Read More

To The Beginning

It was 1998, and as far as I knew, the world was perfect. I was ten years old and the reality I perceived was viewed almost exclusively through the protective eyes of my parents, who deftly maneuvered between telling me enough to allow me to grow up while simultaneously protecting me enough to allow for a safe, peaceful, beautiful childhood.

I was born curious according to Mom, asking questions as soon as I could talk, and by the time I was ten, I was starting to realize the world wasn't perhaps as safe and rosy as my parents had allowed me to believe. I was cresting the hill of childhood, rapidly moving toward adolescence, and as Dad and I strolled up the hill toward the hospital, I was about to come face to face with my future profession--and a passion that would push me through the many challenges that lay ahead. Read More