How do you want me to remember you?

My memories of the night I died and the nurses that helped bring me back to life! This true story is a time in my life that I remember as if it were yesterday. I was hit by a car and thrown 200 feet and found wrapped around a pole. My story is about my experiences in the hospital(s) I stayed in while recovering from a near death experience. The things I remember as if it were yesterday. Read More

What to expect on CICU?

I just accepted a position on a coronary intensive care unit. I'm a fairly new nurse, with two years of RN experience, mostly on telemetry. I'm excited about this new opportunity, but also a little nervous.

I will be a member of the rapid response team and the code blue team. I'm just wondering, for those who have experience in this area, what can I expect? Obviously, nothing trumps hands-on experience, but can you recommend any reference books or sites? Read More

[Toon] Getting recognized by former patients on the street

Have you ever been recognized by a former patient outside of work? How do you feel when this happens? How did you react? I'm guessing some people are ok with it but others find it awkward and don't really know how to handle it. Do you have any tips on the best way to handle these things? Read More

Using your employers assistance program

I'm trying to decide on whether or not to apply to my employers graduate assistance program. The only reason I wouldn't is because only certain schools are on their list of schools that they have agreements with. Has anyone used their employers assistance program, and did they limit what schools you could go to? Read More

The Stranger Within: It Does Get Better

Two years have passed since the day I was diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Needless to say, I was devastated and thought life as I knew it was over. But while it took a long time to come to acceptance, a wonderful doctor and an amazing support system have made it possible for me to believe in myself again. Read More

Unemployed New Nurses Would Be Wise To Remember These Equations

Many newly graduated nurses dream of landing their first positions in certain nursing specialties within the acute care hospital. However, what if the recruiters and nurse managers are not calling to set up interviews? Should you accept employment outside the hospital?

As a newer nurse (RN or LPN / LVN), you should feel very proud of the milestones that you have worked tirelessly to achieve over the past year. For starters, you have successfully completed a challenging program of study that would perplex the majority of adults in the United States. Moreover, you have passed the NCLEX and attained professional licensure that allows you to lawfully practice as a nurse. After all the hurdles you have jumped, I am assured you are excited to begin your career in the vast field of nursing. Read More

What is your plan for retirement?

We nurses often work ourselves to the bone, and often are so busy taking care of everyone else in our lives, neglect ourselves. Also, in our consumer society, a lot of us self-medicate by spending money and accruing debt. We neglect our own health, not exercising, eating wrong, and being too stressed shouldering too heavy of a burden. Then, we aren't ready for retirement, often because of poor financial management.

I'd love to hear what others have to say about this. Read More

Would you consider a company car a HIPAA violation?

I have never really thought about it until today when I had a SOC and the patient's family told me that the patient was embarrassed and afraid the neighbors would start asking questions with my car out in the driveway (which has the company logo on it). This is the first time in all my home health adventures that I have heard this one. Read More

Humor: The Most Essential Quality

You can be a competent nurse without a sense of humor, but you probably won't have longevity in nursing, nor will you have as much fun as those with a well-developed funny bone. Nurses laugh at some mighty inappropriate things, but sometimes you either have to laugh or you'll cry. Laughing is healthier in the long run, and it's much more fun! Read More

Are you thinking of becoming a nurse educator?

This article compares the sport of kayaking to the job of being a nurse educator. The lessons the author learned from kayaking are used to highlight the good and bad on being a nurse educator. The author hopes to give insight to those thinking about becoming a nurse educator. Read More

As seen on Reddit: Live-streaming camera in a NICU

Apparently, parents get a log-in and password to have access to 24/7 live-streaming video of their infant. The camera is only turned off during procedures. Any thoughts? Read More