Affordable Care Act Users Guide for Nurses

Understanding the basic workings of the Affordable Care Act is the responsibility of the bedside nurse. This guide will help you to address patient's questions and concerns. Sentiments run high regarding the Affordable care Act, but whether one supports the new law or believes it to be a case of government over-reach, the fact is that the ACA is now the law and as nurses we are obligated to make sure that patients and their families understand the basic workings of the law. Nurses are in a position of trust and as such we should be able to address patient's questions and concerns regardless of our personal feelings about the ACA. Read More

The Elephant in the Room

That our emotions and our health are intertwined, rather than separate parts within the whole is becoming more generally accepted in the mainstream. As health care providers, we talk about providing care for the mind, body, and spirit, but are we really walking our talk? In the Emergency Department, we are experts in diagnosing physical ailments, but we face significant obstacles when it comes to addressing the mind-body connection in a meaningful way. Read More

[Toon] How do you get around when the weather is bad?

How do you get to your job when the roads are snow covered or flooded? Does your place of employment have some kind of "emergency transportation plan"? Read More

What is considered acute care experience?

There is a job fair at this LTACH in my area, when I called the recruiter he said I could go and give it try. But the manager only wanted RNs with at least 1 year of experience with vents and trachs. I found the link for the job fair and it's saying you have to have one year of acute care experience. Well I have 10 months experience as a RN and I work on a post acute care floor at my current employment. We get ppl on PD, TPN, trachs, NGs, chest tubes, IV ATBs n fluids, post op ppl, etc. Is that considered acute care?? Read More

Have you ever had an accident driving to work in a snow storm?

My heart really goes out to the children and families of all those caregivers who are bullied into driving during this time of dangerous driving weather. If you have to work during this time, may I suggest leaving before the bad weather starts and arranging a double shift so your relief nurses do not have to go out. Read More

The Reason I Became a Nurse

Nursing is and has always been a calling for me. As a young child, I remember the very first time I stepped foot in a hospital. I was 5 years old; my parents were missionary preachers and often visited ill people and their families in the hospital for spiritual services. I was often left to wait in the lobby as a child, and at the time, was not allowed in acute care areas. But that didn’t keep me from watching all the men and women in lab coats and scrub uniforms in the hospital lobby. The organized chaos and noise in a hospital environment fascinated me so much, I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. Read More

Just wondering if other hospitals are doing this…

Starting next month in my hospital we are changing the roles of the RN and UAP. The RN will have 5-6 patients and will be responsible for all their normal nursing duties of assessing, medicating, and implementing orders but will now be responsible for taking all of their patients vital signs Q4 hours and blood sugars as ordered. The UAP’s used to be responsible for the vitals and blood sugars. The UAPs only duties are to provide ADLs, turn patients, and stock the unit. Are other hospitals adopting this role change and has this worked well or not? Read More

Tis the Season to Give - The Gift of Life

These blood bags were designed to encourage people to donate blood during the Christmas holiday season. If you’re feeling generous, just fill the sock from Santa Claus with a little blood. Read More

True or False: Nursing school education and job orientation

Nursing school can only teach you so much, that's why it's important to find a job that will continue to build on that foundation starting with some sort of orientation or at least a supportive staff. Thoughts? Read More

Hospice Nursing - Compassionate Care at the End of Life

One of the realities of health care is that not all patients can be cured. The time comes for all of us when we face death. For some it comes quickly and unexpectedly. For others, a terminal illness or condition is diagnosed, giving more time to consider end-of-life care. In this case, as the patient’s health declines, the care of a hospice nurse can be very effective in making the end days more tolerable.

The goal of hospice care is to allow patients to live as fully as possible, while focusing on helping them remain comfortable during the final stages of life in the comfort of their own homes with their families at their side. The hospice doctrine states... Read More

Nursing Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

The nursing profession is filled with an array of recognized advantages. For starters, nurses have prospects for professional growth through furthering their education, switching specialties and attaining certifications. Nurses also have opportunities for personal growth through cultivating their internal views on matters such as death and dying, individual responsibility, autonomy, and various social issues. On the other hand, nursing is pervaded with a number of downsides, some of which can be downright hazardous... Read More