- Part 16

The Importance of Psychology in the Nursing Profession

Despite the coming completely from different disciplines, Psychology has a huge relevance on the nursing practice. Many aspiring nurses have wondered the need fro them to devote hours in studying Psychology. They don’t realize that both are interrelated with each other.

Nurses work in a setting where they’re required to interact with other professionals in an effort to bring the best quality care for their patients. They need to fully understand how other people behave and act in certain situations – this is where Psychology comes into play.

In managing patients with different illnesses, both nurses and psychologists not only work in understanding the physical pain associated, but also change their thought and attitudes to improve well-being.

When assessing a patient’s condition, nurses also consider how patient’s respond to their illness. Some patients are optimistic and easily cope with their illness, while others have a negative reaction where they become angry and stubborn. Nurses may find it very difficult to handle such patients and need to include them as part of their evaluation of the patient.

With the help of psychology, nurses will know how to interact with their patients based on different factors such as gender and age. For instance, young patients may be more afraid than adults. They may have difficulties in understanding their illness. A nurse can apply his knowledge of child development and psychology and relate to the young patients in a way their apprehensions are alleviated. Thus, psychology can help improve the nurse and patient relationship. As a result, patients can openly interact and communicate with them and inform them about their specific needs.

With psychological knowledge also, nurses are able to get the trust of their patients. This makes the patients more responsive with the instructions they are given. Sometimes, they even take a positive role in their own wellness.

English CLEP Exam: Essay Guide

At this point, you’ve decided to either take the Freshman Composition CLEP exam or English Composition CLEP with essay. Perhaps, you’ve practiced making essays for various topics. Now you wonder: what are the topics in the CLEP exam include?

It’s only natural to feel intimidated for the CLEP Exams. The essay questions need to be answered in one hour and 10 minutes (70 minutes). Preparation may be the key to passing, but without knowing what these essays focus on – all would be futile. By being able to understand what are the possible topics in the essay, you’ll be able to maximize your performance and pass.

The essay is divided into two parts and each has its own different focus. Essay question number one lets you draw experiences, opinion, and knowledge about a certain topic. In the second essay, you are given 40 minutes to read two passages. The questions Is more on reading comprehension – level of understanding based on what you read. The key to answer these questions is to cite a quote or idea from the passage. Then, expound the quote.

Sometimes, participants have a hard time organizing their thoughts with the pressure of completing before the time. You can efficiently utilize your writing time by making an outline. In a separate or scratch paper, organize your ideas and make an outline. Decide what idea or information you’d like to include in the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Along with well-organized ideas and concepts, the CLEP Exam also assesses each student’s vocabulary. Use words that perfectly conveys the message you want to convey. Do not use filler words – nice, very, so, and quite) as often. Unless you’re certain, you are able to use words in their correct context.

Hospice Care: A Satisfying Career

Regarding hospice care, people ask a certain question: How satisfying is this career personally and professionally? Only few research has been made to quantify stress amounting to hospice care. But according to a survey report from the AAHPM of 2010, 96% of respondents said they prefer hospice care than any other health care profession. Comments from these participants highlight the personal and professional rewards associated with working with patients during their life-ending journey.

Another admirable benefit of working as a hospice care provider is the creation of partnerships. When care providers are fulfilled, they motivate the patients to thrive. And when patients thrive, it furthers the care provider’s sense of satisfaction. Success is contagious and breeds more success. This creates a spiral of positivity.

Moreover, this field is still young and attracting more people to join in the course. This is because of the extraordinary personal and professional rewards brought to existing providers. Hospice care practitioners know the healing benefits a treatment can bring to patients who suffer from painful illnesses, prolong stress, or even nearing death.

Hospice care patients, come in all ages and different walks of life, come into the program are usually only have 6 months to live. So, providing love, concern, and support to patients and their families in this vulnerable time can bring much satisfaction. Although it is emotionally challenging, it can be very fulfilling.

Caring for dying patients have had negative implications due to limited research. However, many practitioner’ testimonials say that their work is very satisfying. Though they have to deal with the pain of seeing someone die, this experience gave opportunities to do reflection and form meaningful realizations based that had an impact in their life.

Although hospice care has its own challenges, this career brings joy to both patients and the hospice care provider.

Hospital Associated Pneumonia Prevention

Hospital associated pneumonia has become a great concern nowadays. According to WHO, pneumonia acquired from hospitals’ morbidity and mortality rates are staggering high. For those who are not aware, pneumonia that starts in the hospital tends to be more serious than other lung infections.

This growing concern is due to several factors. Usually, the infection spreads when patients use respirators – machine for breathing. During hospital stay, patients are more vulnerable to germs or viruses since they are not well enough to fit the off. Patients who are more prone to this disease in the hospital are those who had surgeries, chemo therapy (cancer treatment with low immunity), have chronic lung disease, elderly, and alcoholic.

Germs are also passed from one health care staff to another through hand contact or clothing. This is why they are required to wear gloves and masks when on duty. There are also other ways to avoid the dreadful disease.

The best way to stop the spread of germs is through frequent hand washing, stay at home when sick, and boost immunity. People who need to visit their loved ones in the hospital must make sure that they have taken steps in preventing the spread of germs: bring hand sanitizer, wear masks and gloves, and never bring an infant or child. If you have contact with a person in the hospital, never place your hand from your face. When someone coughs or sneezes, cover your nose and mouth with clean tissue or hanky. Do the same when you sneeze or cough as well.

In-patients who are very young and old or very ill at greater risk of such infections. To prevent the spread of germs, get up-to-date vaccination. Ask your doctor about flu and anti-viral vaccinations available. With good preventive measures, you can ensure to have a disease-free life.

Senior Care Job: Preparing for an Interview

Before landing a job as a senior care giver, you will need to undergo an interview. Employers primarily want to determine if you are a perfect candidate for the position. So, how are you able to show that you are the right person for the job?

An interviewer will ask questions about your characteristics. They prefer someone who:

is responsible, trustworthy, reliable, empathetic and patient. Since seniors have limited capabilities the aforementioned characteristics are vital. Make sure you have these qualities.
is reputable, experienced, and knowledgeable. A good track record of past senior care services is a huge advantage during interviews. They might ask you about your previous client, former responsibilities, and the reason for leaving the position. Remember to put in good references too.
who has a positive attitude towards work. You will not be alone in performing senior care services, you will also work with a group of health care professionals. Having qualities that make you easy to work with and enjoyable is a plus factor. Expect questions about your personality and attitude, such as what are your weaknesses and strengths and what do you like and dislike about the job.

Also, prepare yourself with situational questions like what you will do when an emergency occurs, how you can show dignity and respect in life-ending situations, and how you handle difficult patients. If you are able to answer these questions satisfyingly, then you might be a good fit.

As the interview commences, ask the interviewer questions as well. You have the right to know what are the specific needs and personality of the patient, experiences of previous senior care givers with the said patient, schedule of tasks, and any special precautions to take with the elder.

Of course, after the interview, you will need to know if you push through with the job. Decide whether or not you want to work with your employer, the elder patient, working settings, and responsibilities you will perform.

Learning Psychology and its Benefits

Psychology is basically the study of behavior, mental operations and performance of people. It is also the connection of educational, theoretical and applied science.

Students who studied psychology devotedly were able to understand the compound process of the brain that commands the actions of all human. They also have come to realize that they can make use of psychology in understanding the behaviors, situations and everyday life of all the people.

Why Learning Psychology is important?

Basically, there are a lot of reasons why learning psychology is important. Students will have the chance to experience the following:

The ability to understand own behavior

Studying psychology will allow students to understand their own behavior, emotions and ideas. They will also realize that studying the principles of psychology will allow them to assess, evaluate and provide solutions to all unwanted emotional situations.

Enhanced Communication Expertise

Most famous psychologists have discovered that humans are involved in all kinds of communication. Studying psychology will allow students to understand that communication skills can improve the effectiveness of human interaction.

The ability to understand the behavior of other people

According to Heidelburg of University of Ohio, studying psychology enables students to understand the behavior of other people. They will have the ability to read people’s minds and emotions. Understanding human emotions can be hard, but if students can master the principles of psychology, it will be easier to understand human actions. In addition, it can also improve student’s ability to help others in dealing with their dilemmas.

Better Career Ahead

Students who are so devoted in studying psychology have one thing in common. They want to become the best and effective psychologists. They also know that there is an urgent need for more psychologists since there are increasing numbers of individuals with mental disability. Right after mastering all theories and principles of psychology, students will have the chance to prepare themselves in obtaining a certification or license.

Learning the basics of psychology is important because it can be applied and used to countless life experiences.

The Significance of Humanities in Nursing

Humanities is the study of human culture. The humanities include human language (ancient or modern), history, literature, law, religion, philosophy and music. Scholars in humanities are commonly called humanists. A lot of schools and universities offer humanities classes consisting of English literature, arts, and global studies. Nursing education can be counted as one. Thus, nursing students ask how important is humanities to their chosen profession.

Nursing is often defined as both an art and science, but humanities have been hesitatingly been studied in the nursing curricula. However, outbreaks of interest in what is called the “nursing humanities” have become obvious. For instance, literary works are rich sources of not only of information, but illumination as well. The study of art, included in the humanities, can make an important contribution to a nurses’ various ways of knowing what is factual. There are also other complementary ways of knowing like ethical and aesthetical, both included in humanities.

Arts and literature give a meaningful learning experience for nursing students. With their nature, students are encouraged to make discussions made up of different interpretations. This kind of interaction allows participants to learn in ways that call forth new ways of thinking.

There are numerous works of literature and arts that provide rich food for the spirit. Also, it gives insight into the nurse-patient relationship and into an individual’s condition. Good literature enhances language concepts, words, and vision of human existence. To have a pool of vocabulary is needed to support a patient care. Today, we are suffering from a scarcity in vocabulary which cannot support appropriate discussions of the moral problems and crises that confront humans.

This confronts the relevance of the humanities to nursing. The concepts included in the said study can reflect upon nursing practitioners and education.

Activities and Nursing Homes

A personalized, well-designed program of activities is the center of a quality life for occupants in nursing homes or assisted living residences. Routines aren’t just about bingo and viewing television. In reality, activity programs can be very creative which stimulates the mind. And also the health and well-being advantages of an excellent program have grown to be increasingly more documented and studied. Regardless if you are a caregiver searching for activities for a family member or you are employed in the field, here’s your one stop shop for suggestions.

Activities are a fundamental element of the social change movement and person-centered care. It is crucial for resident standard of living. Nursing Home activities are controlled by federal regulations called F-Tags. Although Assisted Living activities are not as extremely governed, numerous facilities imitate the standards set for nursing facilities.

The intent is that the facility must identify each resident’s interests and needs and involves the resident in an ongoing program of activities which is made to attract their interests and also to improve the resident’s highest possible level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

In a recent study, occupants noted that independence and an optimistic self-image were centered on their well-being. They need a selection of activities and “activities that amount to something,” like the ones that generate or teach; activities utilizing skills from residents’ previous work; spiritual activities; and routines that give rise to the community home.

Quite a few female residents were housewives. Folding laundry, doing dishes, sweeping, setting the table, ironing etc. These are duties that lots of residents can continue to do with assistance.

Elderly male residents may help maintain the house. Allow them to help. Provide them with something to adopt and fix. They would like to think that they are contributing. Allow them to help prepare your menu. Make them discuss recipes. Gardening and doing yard work might also be essential. Allow them to grow a small garden.

Healthcare and the Use of Modern Technology

In today’s time, doctors, nurses, hospitals and other public health officials are encouraging all patients to track their medical data by the use of modern technology. It is not a surprise that technology is one of the best tools to prevent diseases and other chronic illnesses. Medical professionals are very eager to know if patients can manage their health all by their selves by using all available modern devices and data.

In most advanced countries such as in the United States, their government is promoting online health programs which allow Americans to access their own medical records. These programs can be used by citizens to help them manage their health. Physicians and other health professionals can also use the online program to locate and connect with their patients. They can easily interact and give health advices to patients thru live chat and e-mails.

Fortunately, there are a lot of mobile applications related to health. These applications have the ability to help physicians closely monitor the health progress of their patients since there are portions in the application wherein patients can encode their daily meal intake and exercise being done.

Modern technology can also lessen healthcare costs. Recent studies show that patients who are using technology related to health have lessen their healthcare costs and have shown better and improved health. Most facts, blog articles and other data from online health programs and applications are well-researched and true. It can help patients with everything such as identifying correct drugs for certain minor diseases.

However, there can be instances wherein some mobile applications are not authentic. That is why health organizations around the world have warned patients to be extra careful in using applications and data since some of them don’t provide appropriate health facts and data.

Before using all modern devices and gadgets, it is better to visit and consult a healthcare provider personally. By doing it, physicians have the chance to assess patients internally and physically.

The Advanced Placement Courses & Exams

Advanced Placement (AP) courses, created by the Unites States College Board, are college-level curricula offered by universities or colleges to high school students. Grant placement and course credit is often given to those who obtain high scores on the examinations. Currently, there are more than 30 existing Advance Placement courses on multiple subject matters offered.

The Advanced Placement Courses had a long history. It started after the Second World War the program was pioneered by prep schools until them issues a report allowing high school seniors to study college-level material and take an achievement exam that allows college credit for high scorers. A pilot program was run during 1952. Ever since, millions and millions of students each year take Advance Placement examinations to qualify.

The College Board allows students to take any exam no matter what course he is participating under. This means that students studying online and those from schools without Advance Placement courses can equally take the examination.

AS of 2015, each exam costs $91, though financial support is given by local and state programs. For students who qualify, they are given discounts. Additional reduction depends by state. The number of AP exams keep on climbing up each year.

Wondering about the exam structure, the questions and time to finish the exam depends on the subject. The test consist of multiple choices, essay, and questions with short answers. The score rate is from 1 to 5. AP credits vary from school to school. Some offer Advanced Placement Courses for a rating of at least 3. Taking the exam does not mean you have to take the AP courses. If you consider sitting for the AP exam, you can register from your school coordinator. This person will tell you the cost and venue of the exam.