Another Year of Blessings

No....this is not an early New Year’s story filled with resolutions. Today is my birthday and I have been thinking back over events of this past year. Birthdays are good times to celebrate....not just with cake and presents, but celebrate life itself.

Life is a blessing that we sometimes take for granted. We just assume that life will continue....that tomorrow will come and the sun will shine. But as we get older, we see things differently.

I’ve been a patient in the Emergency Room twice in past 12 months. Fortunately I was not admitted. What a blessing. But being on the other side of the bedrails certainly gives you a different perspective. You realize you are not in charge......you feel the physical and emotional pain of the uncertain situation. Read More

About Agency Nursing

Agency nursing (sometimes known as registry nursing) is the provision of nursing services on behalf of an agency. Agency nurses include RNs, LVNs/LPNs and advance practice RNs, and they are found in a variety of facilities and specialties. Agency nursing is a popular choice because of its flexibility and earning potential. However, agency nursing does have disadvantages that need to be considered. Read More

[Toon] Never waste an opportunity...

Every once in a while an opportunity is presented to us. What job opportunity (past or present) were you happy to take? Please share your experience... Read More

Crying babies

Last night was my first night on my own (just doing feeder/growers right now). I have one infant who is a bit of an oddball--a bit 'neuro-y' as some other nurses have described her. When she's mad, she arches like crazy, some cortical thumbing has been noted, and she's really hard to console. She gets so frantic that she won't suck on her pacifier, instead she just continually roots. She doesn't nipple particularly well. She scooches herself out of her swaddle. It's hard not to get flustered with her.

Is it normal to get flustered? Do you have any good ideas to calm a baby? Read More

I have a question regarding meconium aspiration syndrome...

I have looked for an answer to this but can't find it (I forgot to ask the instructor last time I was in class!). When meconium is passed in utero, why does it lower the antimicrobial properties of the amniotic fluid? Since meconium is sterile, does it have something to do with the enzymes in meconium? Read More

Performance Evaluations

There are at least 2 subtypes of performance reviews/evaluations. The title itself reveals a bit of a disconnect--Are we reviewing or are we evaluating? Some nurses are a bit confused about what happens to the evaluation, can it be "used against" a nurse. Equally, there are managers who have to give some so-so reviews--and I am not sure the purpose, other than heaven forbid that a manager has staff that are on top of their game?! Seems in direct conflict that the goal of the unit, however, it happens. Here are some musings about the performance tool aspect of nursing. Read More

NP program that allows completion of theory courses first...

I have been searching for an FNP or NP program that allows the completion of the theory courses first and the clinicals after. I see that SJCME had that program but they no longer offer it. Is their another program out there like that? Read More

How can a Family Practice NP ethically work in mental health?

I am one semester away from graduating with my BSN. My first degree was a Bachelors of Science and I was one semester into my masters of psychology before I decided to pursue a career in nursing. It gave me more options. With that being said, I am interested in pursuing an NP degree. I am interested in Mental Health but I'd also love to work in other settings (ICU, ED etc). My clinical instructor advised me that a Family Practice NP has a broader scope of practice. But does that help or hinder me since it covers more areas and not one exact specialty? Read More

Nursing Special Children

How is it like to have patients who are autistic or with down syndrome? Do you have the patience and magic touch as a nurse? Can you tickle their mind and hearts in order for them to agree with your interventions?

Children who are mentally-challenged or diagnosed with incapabilities will always have a soft spot in my heart. These type of patients such as those diagnosed with autism or cerebral palsy needs special attention from health care providers. Read More

Going back to school to get my BSN...

I have a BA in political science and received a Master's in Public Administration and another Master's in Political Science while working full time in the State Legislature. Politics burned me out and I realized it was not the right career path for me. However, I did realize I enjoyed helping and interacting with the people I helped each day, but I wanted to do this at a more direct level.

I'm looking for any advice as to how I can set myself up for success and get a job as an RN in a hospital in Boston upon completion of my BSN program. I am hoping to work as a Hospital Tech once I receive my EMT-B license and later a Nurse's Aide once I finish a portion of school. Read More

Suicide Is Not Your Answer

Nurses and other healthcare professionals have higher-than-average rates of suicide due to elevated stress levels combined with the high-stakes pressure of our lines of work. However, suicide is not the answer to one's problems. Read More

House of Hypochondriacs; How I became a Nurse.

As we become older we tend to complain more about "aches and pains", though we may be in fact suffering from such ailments there also might be a little part of us that is seeking some extra attention. For example, I may complain a little more enthusiastically about my back hurting if my loving husband is around so that I can get a back rub! At my house the health complaints may be a little too frequent however. This can be unsettling for unfamiliar company and it proved to be so for my husband at the start of our relationship. What I thought was just a harmless habit suddenly took a serious turn. I was forced to re-evaluate what was "normal", what I learned in the process was life changing. I guess you can say, this is the story of how my first love (my husband), lead to my true love; Nursing! Read More