Author: Derrick

When used wisely, social media can be very useful and helpful. Nurses are witnesses to life and death situations that are sometimes too important not to share with others. Social media can help nurses spread great, inspiring stories through social networks without having to divulge the names of those in the story. Here are some tips on how to use social media effectively.

1. Avoid being specific about names and other personal details.

You can share stories without having to state names or details of the patient. You want to talk in general terms so that whatever you share offends no one. If for example you have met so many great patients and colleagues in the pediatrics department, you can express it by making a generalization. Instead of stating your patient’s name, you can say ‘The pediatrics department has truly been…”

2. Avoid stating the exact time of the incident.

By saying phrases like, “two weeks ago”, you will be giving ideas to people as to who you are referring to. It would be wise to use words like previously, over the years, in my experience or before.

3. Never take pictures or videos of patients and post them online.

So many nurses and other professionals have lost their jobs because of this. Posting pictures or videos of your patients is taking away their right to privacy. You may get sued for this and lose your job and license.

4. Do not post morbid pictures online.

It is quite disappointing to see some people who post pictures of their patients’ condition online. Not only are the pictures morbid, but also your friends would think you are very unprofessional. And worse, they might generalize that your hospital’s staff members do the same thing.

5. Never state the name of the facility you are working in.

This is also goes the same for your previous workplace. By stating the name of the hospital, your friends will be able to significantly narrow down their hunches on which facility you are talking about.

6. Only share stories that are worth hearing about.

Choose the stories that you want to share. There are so many negative vibes that we get these days, that a positive, heartwarming story  is direly needed. You are lucky to be working in a place where you see miracles of life everyday. Share those small joys and miracles and make your friends feel good about life.

Being a nurse gives you many opportunities to celebrate life. Give others a chance to experience this by sharing positive experiences.

 

Whether you are contemplating on being a travel nurse or you are already one, here are some things that you need to take into consideration.

1. Make a good, lasting impression.

If you are preparing for an interview, make sure that you make your interviewer remember you for all the right reasons.  Remember that first impressions last and it is essential that you give make it a positive one.  During the interview, show your interest in the field. Make the interviewers feel that you really want the job and that you feel that you are destined for it.

2. Be honest.

Ask yourself if you really want the job. Being a travel nurse is a challenging profession. There will be times when you get homesick, stressed and lonely. Make sure that you know what lies ahead of you if accept the job of being a travel nurse.

3. Maintain a positive attitude.

Think of the positive things of being a travel nurse. Being more positive about your career decision makes you work without the added stress and treat everyone nicely.  If you are now a travel nurse and currently not like it, take a moment to reflect on the perks of your job. Counting your blessings will help make you feel more thankful for your job.

Whether you are a BSN student or a Paramedic to RN student, the prospect of taking a nursing licensure examination can be daunting. Most people get anxious or even stressed out as they start preparing for the examination. So how should one prepare for the exams mentally and emotionally? Here are some useful tips.

1. Plan your study schedule.

Studying for an exam means reading through piles of books about nursing. This image of huge, bulky books that need to be read can be a big turn-off in studying. The best way to handle it is to plot a calendar of study subjects. Jot down the subjects that need to be studied according to priority. Once you have done plotting your calendar, studying becomes easier knowing that every subject is given enough time to be studied for.

2. Avoid cramming.

Start studying at least 6 months before the big exam. This will give you enough time to review all of the subjects that are important. Also, cramming will only make you feel more anxious and nervous about the exam. It gets you down mentally because you know that you don’t have enough time to review.

3. Take a mock test.

Some review centers offer mock exams for nurse exam applicants so they know what the exam day feels and looks like. They are given a similar answer sheet and nursing questions, as well as the exact time duration of the exam. This experience will allow you to feel more confident about what to when you take an exam.

4. Have a balanced diet.

If you don’t eat healthy, there is a bigger possibility that you could get sick before the exam. This will make things harder for you in studying. It is important that you take care of yourself by eating the right food and getting enough rest. Eating well also sharpens memory and gives sufficient energy.  With the right intake of food and water, you get a mind that works best.

Now that you have finally graduated from a nursing degree, the next step to take is to study for the NCLEX. Taking the NCLEX needs preparation, for fresh graduates and for Paramedic to RN program graduates alike. Below are some ideas to help you study for it.

1. Find a review center.

These days it is common for nursing graduates to enroll in a review center for a 6-month review for the nursing licensure examination. This is a good way to study because the center provides helpful materials that can help you with the exam. They will also invite lecturers who are knowledgeable in the field of nursing.

The review center also offers a mock exam so students will be able to know what the exam day is going to be like.

2. Find a good study guide.

If you don’t have the budget for a review, studying by yourself is a good alternative. For some people, this may even the best way to prepare. Finding a good study guide for the NCLEX is important. Go to bookshops or nurse mentors and ask for recommendations on what books or guides are good.

3. Connect with former classmates and friends who are also taking the exam.

Schedule a group study with them so you know how your study pace is. This will also give you a chance to know what materials your friends is using and if they are worth studying. Most importantly, this is a wonderful chance to catch up with friends on their review and their lives in general.

4. Make flashcards to help you remember terms and questions better.

Making flashcards is an easy way for you to remember what you have just learned. You can even use them in different colors so that it can further help you memorize terms better.

5. Stay healthy and get a good rest.

Stress will not do you any good. So make sure that you eat well as you prepare for the exam. Also, try to get a good night’s sleep before the exam. You want to wake up well rested and ready to survive through the day.

We are all aware that finding a job as a nurse these days can be quite a challenge, as there are more and more people who are now into the nursing field. So, how do you best all the other applicants?  Have an impressive resume.  Your resume gives a broader description of yourself and your educational and professional background. Here are two very important tips on how to make employers read your resume.

1. Experience over Education

Employers notice your professional experience first before your educational background. So you do not have to go into too much detail on your education. Simply put in where you graduated, what degree you earned and what year you graduated. What you need to impress them with is your professional skills. Make sure to include your areas of expertise and your accomplishments in the industry.

2. Make it Short and Concise

Many applicants think that the longer their resume, the more chances it’s going to be noticed. It will certainly be noticed but for the wrong reasons. You do not want to submit a 3-page application. Two pages should be your limit. Put all the right information in it that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching is that time when teachers need to evaluate the students. Nurse educators must realize that their evaluation can change lives. Nursing schools want to have graduates who are deserving of a nursing job. They want graduates who have better chances of getting a nursing license and making the school proud. Most of all, schools want the students to become nurses who are passionate about their job and who have qualities that are perfect for nurses. So how should educators evaluate students?

1. Educators must observe how students interact with their patients. Perhaps for students who are taking nursing bridge programs, like Paramedic to RN courses, interacting with patients are something they are already familiar with. They may be better at communicating with patients because they already have the experience. But for young students, it is important that they be showed the proper ways of speaking with and assisting patients. If educators cannot see any compassion or gentleness in their interaction with patients, students must be reevaluated.

2. Educators must check if the students are truly learning from their mistakes. Being in school involves a lot of trials and errors for students but in the end, they need to know how to correct their mistakes. A student nurse must show that he or she can easily understand or absorb the subjects or materials that are being given to them. Student nurses should know that they should own up to their mistakes and be accountable for their actions. If they can’t correct their mistakes or deny their mishaps, they might put their future patient’s life in danger.

3. Students must be able to do well with their academics. They must show good marks in tests and exams, may they be written or practical. They must also be able to perform the tasks being taught to them.

How To Comfort A Coworker During A Bad Shift

As a nurse, not all days are smooth sailing. There are some working days that get you down. It might be because of an honest mistake, a reprimand from a boss or a patient that is being difficult to take care of. Those moments somehow make you want to ask yourself why you are a nurse in the first place. If you or a coworker of yours is feeling exactly that way, it is always better to have some good company for uplifting.

Be a Good Listener

Nurses are generally good listeners. If your coworker is having a bad shift, take time to listen to their problems, unless of course he is not willing to divulge anything to you. When he does, just listen. Listening is a much better gesture than bombarding them with advice. Without someone listening to them about the pain of an incident, you make them feel better. This also makes their day more bearable. Listening also only takes just a few minutes of your time, as the both of you have work to do. Sparing five minutes of your time to listen to a coworker is also a good enough sign that you care.

Be Helpful

It is inevitable that certain things about one’s personal life gets tangled up with one’s job. If this happens to a coworker of yours, offer to help them. Help them even in the littlest of things, as long as it would not get in the way with your own tasks.

Being helpful also encourages teamwork among coworkers. In the future, when you are going through a problem, some of your coworkers might also be able to help you.

Be Encouraging

Sometimes a coworker going through a bad day only needs some cheering up. Encourage them and remind them of their strengths. Let them know that they are important and that they are needed. It is common for someone in a bad mood to doubt his or her skills. When they do feel that way, try to banish their negative thoughts by reminding them of the things that they are capable of. Tell them that it’s just one day and that tomorrow will be a better day.

Little acts of kindness go a long way. The more positive vibes there are in the workplace, the better the atmosphere becomes. For nurses, caring should not only be spread around patients, but with coworkers as well.

There are many nurses who wish to become Certified Nursing Assistant Instructor. However, most of them do no know where to start. Well, here are the requirements that they need.

1. Be A Registered Nurse.

This is the first requirement. You need to be a registered nurse first before you can become a CNA trainer. Becoming a registered nurse requires 4 years of training. You also need to pass the state nursing board exam to be able to get your license.

2. Work as a Registered Nurse

Once you have gotten your license, you want to make use of that by working as an RN. By doing this, you will gain the necessary experience needed for a competent teacher.

3. Take the CNA teacher’s training.

This training course will guide you on how to train CNAs. The training course usually runs about 15 hours or longer. Since you have no experience in teaching yet, the training will show you how to teach effectively.

4. Apply for a CNA instructor position.

Once you have met all the abovementioned requirements, you can now apply for the teaching position.Teaching is a great way to make your nursing career more colorful and exciting. Try it and you won’t regret it.

Working in hospitals has its pros and cons. On most days, most nurses would often find themselves happy with their work and patients. But there are just some days when a patient becomes violent, which becomes a problem for the hospital and the staff.

Why do violence occur in the hospital? There are many causes for this. Alcohol and drug use can be one of the reasons. Patients who are addicted to drugs or alcohol have less tolerance over others and have less control over their emotions. Patients with head injuries or concussions may also have irritability and erratic behaviors, which drive them to become violent. There are also some patients who turn violent because of anger for the death of someone they love. These patients sometimes cannot control their anger and instead, lash it out on their nurses or doctors.

What should the hospital do?

Hospitals should see to it that nurses get the proper training for  such emergencies. Nurses should be calm when this happens and should know who and what to do when violence occurs. Facilities must see to it that patient rooms do not have any potentially harmful objects that may be used in violence. Security devices must also be installed strategically in important locations in the area. There must be metal detectors and security cameras. They are a good investment for the hospitals to ensure the safety of the patients and nurses. Emergency exits must be made and made visible in case of evacuation or seriously violent situations.

Hospitals should also give protection to their staff, from paramedic to RN, and patients as well. Nurses should not be working alone. There must be an adequate number of staff nurses to ensure that every patient gets attention when something goes wrong.

What should employees do?

Nurses should maintain a calm attitude to patients whom they know have a tendency to be violent. If threats are being made, nurses should not match them. It is also important for nurses acknowledge the patient’s feelings by empathizing with them.

To be chosen as a nursing leader is a privilege. It is something to be proud of and something to work hard for. For anyone aspiring to become a nursing leader, below are some essential qualities that you need to have.

1. You need to be proficient.

Being proficient means that you are knowledgeable about treatments, medicine, drugs and patient care. Not only should you be able to follow doctor’s orders but you should also know the reasons and purpose behind such orders. Subordinate nurses who have less experience in the nursing profession often depend on leaders.

2. You need to earn your coworkers’ respect and trust.

To be respected as a leader, you must act like a leader. You need to know what your roles are. You need to be a role model to your peers. If you cannot follow orders or certain rules and regulations, there will be a big chance that neither your team will.

3. Know your staff members.

Leaders need to realize that every staff member is different, in terms of the character or attitude. A nursing leader, when problems arise, should know how to approach and communicate with the staff appropriately. Also, leaders should know some important background information about each staff. This includes their skills, past work experience or educational background.

4. Promote teamwork.

The workplace becomes less stressful when everyone works together.  With teamwork, patients are taken care of and everyone gets to work carrying with them positive vibes.

The aforementioned qualities are not only applicable to those working in hospitals and medical facilities, nursing educators should also have those qualities so as to impart knowledge and values to their students. Students, like those taking up ASN basics or BSN degrees, and subordinate nurses should also learn from their leaders’ positive qualities and values.

Being a nursing leader is hard, but it is a position that will give you a chance to help and assist more people with your skills and experience.