Does the idea of working on Friday the 13th make you squirm? Have you banned the "Q" word from ever being uttered on your floor? If you said yes to either of these, you're definitely a superstitious nurse. If you said no, let's see if you're really not superstitious, or if you're just not aware of it yet! 1. The "Q" ...

When you’ve worked so hard to get that first job after college, the last thing you want is to screw it up. Sadly, new grads do it all the time. The problem rarely stems from lack of knowledge or poor technical skills. It often goes back to something simpler: Your persona in the workplace, particularly during your first few weeks on ...

Are you considering a new career? Did you always want to be a nurse, but took another route? Or are you dissatisfied with your present career and its lack of personal touch? Nursing as a second career is becoming a very popular move. Second career students are popular with nursing schools and faculty as these students are more mature and frequently ...

Are you a new nurse? Do you find yourself bewildered by doctor-speak? Don't panic! Auntie Jo has your translation guide right here. Physician: "This will feel like a pinch." Translation: "This will feel like I'm shooting you with a small-caliber handgun in slow motion." Physician: "The patient presents with an interesting medical history…" Translation: "Way too much to go into here; ...

Burnout can hit the best of nurses. In fact, research suggests that the best nurses – those detail-oriented, perfectionistic, deeply compassionate souls among us – are at the highest risk of burnout. Why? Because the realities of nursing don't always match up to their high standards, and the resulting stress and frustration, over time, leads the physical and mental exhaustion that's ...

Don't just sit there, basking in your continued employment... Phew. You survived the culling. Or maybe your hospital has managed to avoid a mass layoff. Either way, you're one of the lucky ones. Unlike so many of your friends and family, you won’t have to deal with the unemployment office or cancel your cable — yet. But instead of sitting ...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD, is commonly associated with veterans and combat stress; but this anxiety disorder can strike anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 7% to 8% of Americans are expected to have PTSD at some point in their lives, and an estimated 5.2 million adults have PTSD in ...

If you’re an experienced worker, you might be considering dumbing down your resume to land an interview for a position for which you might seem overqualified. This strategy could include downplaying or omitting work experience, resume skills, degrees and other credentials. But is reworking your resume in this manner a wise thing to do? Employment experts weigh in with their advice. ...

Working as a nurse can be very taxing at times. You’ll have to deal with senior nurses, matrons, doctors and other medical staff, some of whom may outrank you. Sometimes, you may face unreasonable demands from your head nurse. Saying No to unreasonable demands on time and efforts is a tough job, given the criticality of a health care center environment. ...

Many of us underestimate our achievements. We're often told not to boast, that modesty is the best policy. We show up to do our jobs every day and sometimes do great things -- isn't that enough? Well, not if you want your resume to get noticed. Employers look for achievers, candidates who go above and beyond their job duties. Your resume ...

Healthcare is one industry where good employees are always in demand. With the aging Baby Boom generation expected to stretch the healthcare system to its limit, hospitals and other healthcare employers have a continuing need for workers to fill a variety of entry-level roles, such as dietary aide, admissions representative, administrative assistant, medical records assistant, housekeeper, patient technician, unit clerk and ...

Lindsey Vonn: Don’t Stop When it Starts to Hurt Lindsey Vonn is the first American woman to win a gold medal in the Olympic downhill skiing. A contender in Torino in 2006, Vonn suffered a terrible crash that sent her to the hospital. She left with pain arching through her legs and back but still competed in five events. She didn’t ...

The job market is finally showing signs of life--and that means more workers will likely have the opportunity to change jobs in the coming months. It's clear that many will welcome this: A recent survey by the Corporate Executive Board, a research and advisory services company, found that 25 percent of workers whom employers had labeled as having high potential were ...

Nursing certainly has its ups and downs, but the happy moments make the profession worthwhile. Here is a collection of quotes from nurses as they reflect on the best moments of their career. 1. “The ‘ups’ of nursing are when a discharged patient and his family knock on the ICU door with heartfelt thanks to you and your team for taking ...

As a nurse, do you find yourself getting asked to do pretty much everything? There's a reason for that, besides nurses generally having a ton of work to do (which they do): There's no other profession that asks its employees to wear more hats every workday. Why is this? What makes nursing such a multifaceted job, one that requires the people ...

Working conditions have always been a big issue for nurses. Floating to another unit can be one of the most irritating things nurses have to deal with on a fairly regular basis. Itʼs not just hospitals where nurses are most likely to float. Nurses in home health, clinics, and other ambulatory settings may also need to help cover other nurseʼs responsibilities ...

Should nurses have the power to unionize? The question is almost as old as the labor movement itself. Some nurses consider unionization unprofessional; others consider unions an essential tool to help ensure safe practice environments. The question, though, may soon be moot. In Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker has proposed a Budget Repair Bill that will strip public employees – including nurses ...

This article describes the basics of a head-to-toe assessment which is a vital aspect of nursing. It should be done each time you encounter a patient for the first time each shift (or visit, for home care, clinic or office nurses). This assessment includes assessment of the physical, emotional and mental aspects of all body systems as well as the environmental ...

As unemployment continues to rise, everyone is looking for other ways to bring in some money while still searching for another job.  Although a job is the conventional way to earn money, sometimes you need to think outside the box or search outside your comfort zone in order to try something new and bring in a little bit of money to ...

All interviews were not created equal. Depending on the role, the industry and the ruthlessness of your potential employer, you may encounter one – or a combination – of the common interview types. Each one is unique, and demands a tailored approach to its preparation. Lucky for you, we've identified the five most common interview methods. We'll give you the ...