The Nursing Site Blog

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Mon, 28 May 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Honoring all of the nurses in the armed forces (men and women alike) who have and continue to make a difference for all of us through wartime and peacetime THANK YOU!!

Win $25 Ecard for Scrubs

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:12:00 +0000

We have the 5 winners of the Nurses Week contest. See the post on Facebook.

Recently Uniform Advantage kindly offered me two $25 e-card (gift cards) for purchasing scrubs from their vast line of uniforms. So in honor of Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to run another contest this week on Facebook.

RULES:

Photo: Microsoft.com

1) You must LIKE The Nursing Site on Facebook (if you haven't already done so)
2) AND Post something about how scrubs work for you.

The drawing will be held on June 2, 2012. The 2 winners will be notified by private message on Facebook and posted on TheNursingSite page on Facebook.

Good luck!

Rep.Eddie Bernice Johnson Honors Fellow Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:10:00 +0000

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was a nurse before she became a Congresswoman. Today she addressed Congress to honor nurses during Nurses Week, and encouraged the support of The National Nurse Act of 2011 a cost neutral, bipartisan act which she introduced in Congress last year. Her words say it eloquently.

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Nurses Week Give Away

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:49:00 +0000

In honor of Nurses Week (May 6-12) --US dates-- I will be giving away 5 autographed copies of my book, The Everything New Nurse Book, Second Edition. To be eligible to win you have to LIKE all 3 of my pages on Facebook:

You may also want to join TheNursingSite Group, but this is not mandatory. Members will be included in the drawing as well.

If you also post on one of the pages what your employer is doing for Nurses Week, you'll get your name in the basket twice.

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY NURSES WEEK!!!!!

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Nurses Who Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:20:00 +0000

I get asked a lot about how I got started blogging and was recently interviewed by Lisette Hilton for an article in Nurse.com. It's a great article with tips and information from several nurses who blog. It's a good place to start for those of you who'd like to learn to blog about nursing or whatever your passion may be.

I got my start working for About.com as the (last) guide to Nursing. It was a terrific learning experience. And when they disbanded the Nursing site, I started up this blog to carry on. And many of my articles appear on TheNursingSite.com.

Writing guest posts for other sites is a great way to get started. I have opened this blog up to many great new and accomplished writers in the past. I will continue to do so, but due to my own time constraints right now, I'm not using guests posts for the next 2-3 months.

If you'd like my Writer's Guidelines, email me and I'll send them to you. I don't post everything I get. You DO need to be able to write and stay on subject. And it needs to be something related to nursing.

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Making Nurses WANT to Stay -- Food for Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:22:00 +0000

As the economy begins to recover, more nurses will retire or return to retirement and the nursing shortage will be in full bloom once again.

Hospitals need to seriously prepare for this eventuality and start looking hard at ways to keep nurses around. Other employers should sit up and take note as well. An excellent article appeared a few months ago on iVantageHealth.com. Michelle Gray-Bernhardt takes a long honest look at 5 Ways to Make Nurses Want to Stay at Your Hospital.

The article looks at issues such as nurse staffing, floating, mandatory overtime, bullying of nurses, non-nursing tasks and interruptions and bad managers. Perhaps the biggest keyword here is WANT.... what do you think?

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Losing Patient Centered Care to Economics??

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:02:00 +0000

I certainly hope we can ALL come together as nurses and work to ensure that this does NOT become a trend. The Amanda Trujillo case shows we are headed in that direction. Read this excellent blog post from Nurse Ratched.

Tips to Keep Your Nursing Career On-Track

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:44:00 +0000

At least once a year it is good to take stock of your life and your career and take steps to get yourself back on track, or even to change directions if that is what is needed.

Some of the top things you can do for yourself as a nurse to make your career more rewarding and to avoid caregiver fatigue or burnout include the following:

1) Stress management is a must. Learn techniques that work well for you and use them routinely. Exercise, diet and sleep habits should be considered as well.

2) Managing your time efficiently and effectively is vital. Get organized and stay on top of things. Don't procrastinate!

Replenish yourself so that you can continue to help others

3) Replenish yourself. Make time for you and do it often! Nursing is a demanding/giving profession. If you have given all you have to give, you have nothing left for yourself, and you can't continue to give. You'll burnout.

4) Nursing is a lifelong learning process. Use your continuing education opportunities to first, stay up to date with your selected field and to learn and hone new skills. Secondly, make sure to learn something about other fields of nursing whenever you can. Know your options and keep them open.Don't get pigeon-holed and stuck.

5) Nurses are overachievers. Strive for excellence and set the bar high. Don't settle for mediocrity. Encourage others to do the same. But be realistic and set goals you can attain without setting yourself up to fail because you set the bar way too high.

6) Be a mentor. Help those around you to strive for, and achieve, excellence as well. This is key to providing excellent quality care with the best possible outcomes.

7) Be a sponge. Learn from others. Pick up on their tricks and tips, and then share them with others.

8) Always be a part of the solution and not part of the problem. Don't just complain. Get involved in strategic planning for your workplace, and help to make it a better place.

9) Be a good TEAM player. Be a leader when you need to be, and a supporter always. There is no “I” in TEAM. Be a good role model to others who “just don’t get it” and help them to become team players too.

10) Learn your limitations and how and when to say "No." Respect yourself and always set a good example for others. It’s just not possible to say “yes” every time and not become resentful or get burned out!

11) Remind yourself often WHY you became a nurse. Think about the lives you have touched and the difference you have made.

12) Encourage others to become nurses and to strive for excellence.

An Online Master’s Degree for Working Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:32:00 +0000

For many nurses who work long hours and start out at the low end of the totem pole, it’s a dream to work for some of the magnet status hospitals alongside top doctors and physicians. Nursing students often don’t realize that there are easier ways than slugging it out for years in a hospital. You can gain more experience and training with a master’s degree. While nurses are expected to be registered as a minimum requirement, those who excel beyond these simple requirements will advance farther than others and gain better positions at the top medical facilities.

But how do RNs have the time to go back to school to get such an advanced degree? Colleges have options to make things incredibly more flexible for nurses with busy schedules. Online master’s programs for nurses allow them to work independently and also in collaboration with physicians, providing primary care services. There are actually four types of nurses who require a master’s degree, including clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, midwives and nurse practitioners. Of course, if you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, then you also have to upgrade your RN degree first.

Going From RN to BSN

There are so many programs available to upgrade your RN associate’s degree to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. There may be an accelerated program through a local school or even an online college. You can work and still take courses to get the degree, and most programs are only 12 to 15 months long. BSN degrees will help you get into better positions and work at top hospitals, but you still won’t be able to work in administration or primary care as readily as you would with a master’s degree. The BSN degree is the first step to advancing your nursing career.

Taking Graduate Courses Online

It’s not going to be as hard to work and study online, but there are still commitments that you have to make. You need 8 to 10 hours a week of free time to study and submit assignments. While you do get more personalized attention, you also have to put in the work and continue to gain clinical experience while studying at the graduate level. Many of these programs will focus more on a specialty that will help you once you move into a field, so it’s best if you already know what kind of primary care you want to pursue.

Clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care and consultations in a variety of specialties, such as geriatrics, psychiatric and mental health.
Nurse anesthetists deliver anesthesia and related care before and after surgical, diagnostic, obstetrical and therapeutic procedures. Pain management and emergency services are also a part of the position.
Mid-wives have multiple responsibilities that relate specifically to primary care for women, including gynecological exams, family planning advice, prenatal care, labor assistance and delivery, and neonatal care.
Nurse practitioners are both specialty and primary care providers, working as healthcare specialists for individuals and families in primary or specialty areas.

What are the Job Prospects?

With an MSN, the growth is exponential. Because students with MSN degrees have more experience and training, they qualify for the top positions, both as nurses and administrators. There are also faster employment projections for those who are qualified, and may include perks such as signing bonuses, better work schedules and more hands-on training. In addition, you will earn higher salaries with your advanced degree.

What Else Can I Do with a Master’s?

Nursing actually isn’t the only thing that you can do with an MSN. Even if you enjoy the thrill of working in a hospital, nothing compares to teaching others and becoming a mentor. MSN graduates often go on to become counselors and teachers, helping new and experienced nurses receive more training. There is a shortage of nursing teachers as well. Earning a master’s online can significantly increase your chances of becoming a nurse educator and providing others with the tools to make a difference.

An online master’s degree in nursing can certainly tip the odds in your favor. Whether you are sick of working at the entry level or simply want to become a primary care nurse, more training and qualifications can lead to a brighter career. Online schools have created these programs with the nurse in mind and offer several ways to complete a degree in less time than you think. You can find a program that suits your specialty and get started today.

Proprietary Institutions a Viable Alternative for Nursing Students

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:09:00 +0000

By Alvina Lopez

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018,” a figure that is largely at odds with the current number and capacity of nursing programs at traditional universities.

A recent survey of 2010-2011 enrollment figures administered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that “U.S. nursing schools turned away 67,563 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2010 due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints.”

Interest in nursing today continues to grow among students, but traditional colleges are unable to accommodate the trend, lacking a pool of resources large enough to support them.

And though most universities have acknowledged that there is a great opportunity in the enormous number of prospective nursing students looking to enroll in bachelors programs, the complex quagmire of educational bureaucracy can’t adapt fast enough to meet student need and market demand.

But for-profit institutions like University of Phoenix and South University (based in Savannah, GA) are changing the nursing education game, much to the benefits of potential nursing students everywhere.

Before 2004, there were very few, if any, for-profit institutions that offered programs in nursing. The reasons for this are numerous, but the shortage of for-profit nursing programs can mostly be attributed to the extremely high cost of nursing equipment, the requisite small faculty-student ratio, and the lengthy, complicated process of gaining accreditation.
Nursing programs are strictly regulated by government standards, and until recently many for-profit institutions have been met with prejudice and doubt about the quality of their programs, an unfortunate bias that kept many proprietary colleges from approaching the nursing field.

The shortage of nursing programs, however, along with the overwhelming number of applicants to these programs has spurred the regulatory agencies that supervise nursing programs to reexamine the legitimacy and viability of for-profit institutions as a solution to the widening gap between job openings for nurses and the number of qualified applicants.

The Chronicle of Higher Education remarked that “proprietary institutions tend to concentrate their resources on a narrow range of offerings, a business model that makes it easier for them to respond to changes in student demand.”
With over 500,000 job openings in the nursing field between now and 2018, prospective nursing students would do well to investigate proprietary colleges, such as South University and University of Phoenix, to complete their degrees. The stigma that once hung over these programs is lifting, and for-profit schools are all the time becoming a more sensible and practical alternative to traditional programs, even in the expensive, highly regulated nursing field.

By-line:
Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.

photo: http://mrg.bz/jZsoRZ

More About Amanda Trujillo's Legal Case

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Read for yourself the legal situation Amanda Trujillo is facing for doing her job.

AZ Board to Consider Amanda Trujillo Case

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0000

The nursing world will be watching closely and holding its collective breath.

By next week we should know the outcome as the AZ BON considers the case of Amanda Trujillo, RN, the nurse who was fired for advocating for her patient. Of course Amanda's career is at stake, but so is the nursing profession as well as patient's rights and physician responsibilities. And that's just for starters.

This situation has erupted into a huge firestorm on the Internet with nurse bloggers and writers and nursing organizations weighing in from many different directions. The AZ BON has a huge responsibility to uphold as it takes this case under consideration. Let's all hope things turn out for the best.

Read more... as RN Central recaps this week's developments.

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:20:00 +0000

May the luck of the Irish be with everyone tomorrow. Enjoy a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!

National Nurse Act Gaining Momentum

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:08:00 +0000

The National Nurse Act of 2011(HR 3679) now has 24 Congressional co-sponsors. Click on the little ARROW next to Special Interest: HR3679 to drop down the list. Please contact your Congressional Representative to sign on as a co-sponsor. Information and directions for doing this are on the National Nurse Website .

The act also has garnered 103 individual and group endorsements as of 2/28/12. Please make an endorsement and consider a one time or monthly Donation to the cause.

This act is cost neutral and non-partisan.

Follow the National Nurse Campaign on FACEBOOK.

Need a Break from Finals???

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Found this on Facebook. Wish we had had some stress relief like this when I was in nursing school.... How do you relieve the stress of nursing school???? Or from nursing?

Health Insurance Needs for ER Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:41:00 +0000

By Harriet Bascombe, freelance health issue writer

What Does an Emergency Room Nurse Do?
Although all nurses have important jobs, an emergency room nurse has a much higher level of responsibility than many other nurses do. Since many patients who come to the emergency room are suffering from life-threatening illnesses or injuries, it is important that an emergency room nurse can work quickly and accurately. Emergency room nurses work directly under physicians and are in charge of making important decisions, such as which patients should be treated first and which injuries are the first priority. They are also in charge of cleaning and sterilizing equipment, documenting important patient information and caring for patients.

The Dangers Emergency Room Nurses Face
Emergency room nurses have very fulfilling jobs and save many lives, but the job does not come without danger. Working in a high stress environment and working with patients can be risky, and working with certain medical equipment can cause injury. Here are a few potential risks that emergency room nurses face every day:  

Since emergency room nurses deal with those who are critically ill or injured, they also work with people who are very afraid and worried. Patients in a scary situation or grief-stricken family members may act irrationally, which could lead to violence and harm towards emergency room nurses and other emergency room staff. In many cases, the emergency room is the first contact that medical staff has had with sick or injured patients and they may not be fully aware of any mental health problems that a patient suffers from. This could lead to dangerous situations if a nurse is not prepared to deal with these mental health issues.
Emergency room nurses run the risk of being exposed to bodily fluids that could transmit infections or diseases. 
Since emergency room nurses have to work quickly, if they are not careful they could easily poke or otherwise harm themselves with needles and other sharp objects.  
Responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing of medical equipment, emergency room nurses run the risk of developing respiratory problems after repeated exposure to chemicals and cleaning solutions.  
Working long shifts and running around on hard hospital floors can cause back problems and other problems for emergency room nurses. Back injury and strain can also be caused by lifting and assisting heavy patients.

What kind of health insurance plans do emergency room nurses have? Do hospitals give their emergency room nurses discounts on health services?
Benefits packages and health insurance plans vary based on the hospital where an emergency nurse is employed. Most emergency room nurses are offered competitive and reliable health insurance plans. Some hospitals offer free health insurance for their emergency room nurses and other hospital staff, while others offer it at an affordable rate.
If you are considering becoming an emergency room nurse and are curious about the health insurance plans and other benefits offered by a particular hospital, the human resources department should be able to answer some of your questions.  

Sources:
http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com/category/affordable-group-health-insurance/

http://www.nso.com/personal-insurance/ http://nursingschool.org/warning-hazards-of-being-an-er-nurse

http://enw.org

Need Stories from New Grads

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:05:00 +0000

Colleen Harris from Find Healthcare Careers, asked me to post a request for a new blog she works for...
"Part of launching our new website is our own blog, healthcareyenta.com, and one of the first series I am working on is looking for success stories about new grads right now – we're trying to find out exactly what new grads are doing right now - there's a ton of talk about new grads difficulty getting hired on, but nothing focus on the positive programs, or talking about what is working and what isn’t. We also want to talk about what new grads are doing to keep their skills current if they don’t get hired on right away. If anyone would be open to sharing their experiences, stories, tell us about a program/hospital/clinic that is hiring and what they do to support New Grads we would LOVE to hear it. The email address to send stories/ideas/leads/comments would be healthcareyenta@findhealthcarecareers.com."

Is the CRNA Path Right for You?

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:58:00 +0000

This guest article was contributed by Catherine Santos who frequently writes about Nursing education like CRNA Schools.

When choosing the right nursing career path to follow, one must consider several things. The individual must first be passionate about the job duties of the selected occupation. The candidate must also be willing to put forth the time and effort to obtain the proper training for the position. In addition, the salary must match the individual's personal desires. CRNA is one of many nursing jobs a person seeking a career in nursing can pursue. Making a decision to enter this field requires a close look at all aspects of the position.

What is a CRNA?

A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. This person has specialized training in administering anesthesia to patients. He or she works closely with the anesthesiologists and fills in when there are not enough of these specialists on duty. By providing his or her advanced services, the CRNA allows the surgeons to perform a greater number of operations.

A majority of CRNAs work in hospitals preparing people for surgery. They may also continue to provide services after surgery. They will answer questions for patients and may also assist in making them comfortable during the process. These individuals will also provide assistance to the obstetrician and the patient during child delivery.

CRNA Training

In order for an individual to become a CRNA, he or she will have to obtain a Bachelor's degree in the nursing field. The individual must then become a registered nurse by passing the nursing exam. To advance to the position of CRNA, the newly licensed nurse will need to gain at least one year of experience working with patients. After gaining such experience, the nurse can apply for a graduate nurse anesthetist program.

The acceptance rate for the CRNA programs is between 2.7% and 25%. Most schools have acceptance rates that fall into the 10%-15% range. The length of training in this specialized program is approximately two to three years. After completing that program, he or she must pass another exam for legal CRNA recognition. The training is very extensive for this position. CRNAs can usually begin practicing legally after approximately eight years of training.

CRNA Salary

A CRNA can earn a very appealing salary. The average salary for this type of position is $160,000 per year. This salary is more than many doctors earn per year. Therefore, it is an excellent career for those seeking a high-end income.

Administering anesthesia is a huge responsibility. Stress levels for this position have the potential to reach medium to high heights. The stress can come from a patient's fear, an adverse reaction to the anesthesia, a heavy workload or the inability to contact the anesthesiologist when a problem arises. CRNAs are responsible for people's lives and well-being. The responsibility can be quite stressful. Additionally, the job can dictate a person's life if the hiring facility has a short staff. However, the salary appears to be well worth the extensive training and the extra hours.

Stop the Bullying Now -- Stand up for Nurses and Patients

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:45:00 +0000

photo from Flickr

Have you heard about the plight of Amanda Trujillo, an RN who was fired by Banner health in Arizona for educating a patient in the process of obtaining informed consent?

The physician threw a well documented tantrum because the patient decided against the procedure after being educated. The physician demanded the nurse be fired and he has filed a complaint against the RN with the AZ Board of Nursing. This keeps her from being hired anywhere else in AZ.

Listen to this interview and read more about this case. You can also sign a petition for the AZ BRN to remove the "under investigation" status from Amanda's license. Follow this situation on FACEBOOK.

Stand up for the entire nursing profession, for nurses who advocate for patients and stick to the tenants of informed consent. Call the AZ BRN (602-771-7800) or email them (arizona@azbn.gov). This could happen to you, your loved ones or your patients.

Bullying is a big issue for children trending all over the media. As adults we need to stand up and STOP the BULLYING in the workplace! Too many "good old boy" docs have gotten away with this for far too long and patients suffer for it. Health care costs are adversely affected. Lives are in jeopardy, and too many great nurses are lost because of it.

Please spread the word.

Thank you!!!

UPDATE: Read Kim's post at Emergiblog to discover why the ANA isn't taking a stand on this issue and supporting NURSES!!! (The current ANA President is affiliated with Banner Health-- conflict of interest?!) Shame on Banner Health!!

Defuse Stress: An Insider's Review of Stress and Burnout in Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:36:00 +0000

A guest post by Katie Beland...

Nurses experience a high level of stress throughout the work day. Information passes from client, receptionist, nurse, doctor and insurance companies in a fast-paced, technologically advanced atmosphere within minutes of check-in. As a nursing professional, you must engage clients with respect and compassion. Stress can interfere with your relationships with patients and damage the image of your medical institution if you cannot control your reactions.

Dangers of Burnout
Stress can cause burnout, (also referred to as caregiver fatigue) a condition caused by exhaustion, prolonged stress and a collapse of mental capacity. Burnout makes you think differently, skip steps in completing tasks and make mistakes at work. According to Bonnie Jennings, the costs of nurses' mistakes because of burnout and stress-related factors exceeds thousands of dollars in damages for hospitals and nursing homes each year.

Stress Affects Your Health
You can jeopardize your career and a patient's life if you do not learn how to manage your stress effectively. In today's highly demanding workplaces, stress and burnout are the number one causes for coronary diseases. Your mental, physical and emotional health must be in tune and in control with the demands of your job. You cannot identify all stressors, but you can identify main ones to learn how to develop appropriate responses.

Speak with a Professional
Contact your employer to learn about the options available for stress-management through your organization. Sometimes you can apply for training in stress management, work with a therapist or get reimbursement for treatments to protect your health.

Focus On Results
If you are not able to receive treatments through your employer, focus on using stress management exercises to identify stressors and develop resilience to changes in the workplace. A few simple techniques to use are:

Counting to ten.
Deep breathing exercises.
A brisk walk during lunch or in-between breaks.
Writing in a journal.
Speaking with a friend or trusted family member.

You can overcome the problems of stress. Take your time, identify problem areas in your workplace and speak with supervisors if the problem is related to a patient, coworker or personal.

Stress is going to happen in your day. You have to learn how to control the stressors, and develop the skills necessary to defuse emotional attachments to situations so that you can perform at your best level. Until now, you may have allowed stress to cause frustration, anger or disappointment in your performance; you can take control today to make better decisions tomorrow).

Are you looking to become a nurse, today there are more options then ever before for achieving your dream job in nursing. You can find nursing degree options at DegreeJungle.com.

Author Bio:
Katie Beland has 15 years of experience in stress-management techniques for medical practitioners. She's written over 300 articles on the subject and works with leading medical institutions in training nursing staff how to control the outcome of their day.

photo:stockxchng.com

A First Aid Kit is a MUST

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:59:00 +0000

One of the things about being a nurse is that it's not a nine-to-five job you can leave behind at the office. You're a nurse 24/7. And many times you're called upon by family and friends for advice and assistance with their medical issues. Just remember you aren't to diagnose or prescribe.

And then there are the times when you're depended upon to provide First Aid or to be the team's nurse or the scouting troop's nurse, etc. For this you really need to carry your own First Aid Kit.

Trust me, don't rely on the team or group to provide one. If they do, you're lucky. However, I always like to have my own kit available anyway because I know what's in there, and what I can trust to be used. You never know how long someone else's kit has been around or what it's been exposed to, and what supplies it has or is missing.

Recently, I was sent a First Aid Kit to review from Magid Glove & Safety, and I have to say I love it. It has all the things you might need and it's neatly organized and packaged. You can re-order items you've used up and there's room to add in a few things of your own. This model is wall mountable so you can locate it easily in your home or office. I'd suggest having one in your car too.

Everyone should have a kit on hand for emergencies. This is a great kit and would make a nice gift. It certainly works for being that team nurse.

One note of caution: you shouldn't rely on it as your base for bandages, etc., because you won't have them when an emergency happens, but you can certainly keep a box of bandages and antibiotic ointment right next to the kit for everyday needs.

images courtesy Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company LLC

Online RN to BSN Program Waives Application Fee

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

I received this information yesterday...

From now until February 20, 2012, Linfield College is waiving their $100 online RN to BSN degree application fee. Here's a blurb about their programs....

Linfield’s Adult Degree Program offers adults the opportunity to earn bachelor's degrees and certificates online.

This program offers six accredited online degree programs, including the recently added marketing degree, in addition to three accredited certificate programs. Linfield also offers three hybrid format programs, combining online courses with in-classroom instruction.

Linfield College has been offering online courses for more than ten years, with many of the instructors being involved in the early design of online education. The online format offers the flexibility adult students need to allow them to complete their degree at the pace that works for them, as many students are balancing a career, family life and other obligations while advancing their education.

Stat Gear's Medical Tape Holder Really Works!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Order yours Today

I recently received an item to review. I have to be honest and tell you I don't often care for this process because some of the stuff people send me isn't worth the money they spent to send it.

However, in this instance I was pleasantly surprised-- the tool is reasonably priced, very easy to use and quite functional. The S3 Stat (TM) from Stat Gear is patent pending -- MADE IN THE USA -- and a must have tool for hands on nursing care. It easily slides on your stethoscope and is not intrusive.

For anyone ( such as doctors, nurses, therapists paramedics, EMT's, phlebotomists, etc.) who works with patients and uses adhesive tape, it's such a great tool!!!

There are other tape holder designs and items on the market, but this one works well and seems to be quite reliable. Some of the others have a good idea, but need some serious reworking because the tape falls off, and frankly there's nothing more aggravating when you need to tape down an IV line than having your tape become elusive!!

The S3 Stat (TM) get's my thumbs up as a great tool for making a nurse's life easier! Stat Gear also offers bulk purchasing with promotional imprinting --- so hint, hint--- it would make a terrific and useful Nurses Week gift!!!!

Photos by Kathy Quan

Top 36 36 Blogs Help Nurses with Their Careers

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:19:00 +0000


©ResumeMag

The Nursing Site Blog is honored to be recognized by Resume Mag as one of the 36 top blogs that help nurses with their careers. Thanks!!!

Check out this great resource and the other 35 honorees.

Help with Care Plans and Nursing Diagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (Kathy Quan) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

I was working on my own lens at Squidoo today and came across a site that I thought could be helpful to those of you just learning about, or struggling to master: Nursing Diagnosis, NANDA and Care Plans.

You can also find more about the Nursing Process and other nursing theories at TheNursingSite.com.

Hope you find this helpful.