For second-career nurses, the transition from nursing school to working with real patients can range from somewhat uncomfortable to highly shocking. These rookies often have given up secure, well-established careers, only to discover on-the-job demands never mentioned in the textbooks. The right attitude can help you weather your first few months on the nursing unit. For those who overcome the challenges ...

First impressions count in the job search, and that's why a dynamite cover letter can mean the difference between success and failure in your healthcare job search. But what makes a dazzling healthcare cover letter? Several career experts share their advice. Get to the Point State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Small talk is generally a waste ...

Interviewing can be a gut-wrenching process. Most books on how to interview list hundreds of questions you need to be ready to answer, but few talk about the questions you need to ask. Take more control at your next interview by asking some pointed questions of your own. Here are six must-ask questions and why you should know the answers. 1. ...

Editor's note: To commemorate National Boss Day (October 16th), Scrubs sent out a missive to nurses asking: "What makes your boss great?" One particularly enthusiastic nurse not only responded immediately, she and a colleague developed a list of wonderful things their manager does that wins universal adoration from her unit. Terri Engelman, LPN wrote, "I just talked with my co worker ...

Nurses, you've seen it all. You’re on the frontline when it comes to patient care. From the most disgusting patient cases (mysterious bodily fluids and "code brown") to the most heartwarming (pediatric miracles!), what haven't you seen on your floor? Unlike doctors, you don't just deal with a patient's medical condition; you're often left to face the patient's family and ...

In about 18 months to two years, you can get education that qualifies you to take the licensing exam for LPN and practice at that level in your state. What does an LPN do? What is their salary range? Where do they practice? It’s important to know about all levels of nursing when you are deciding how to enter the field. ...

The odds are high that burnout will strike every healthcare professional at some point. Health workers - as well as teachers, ministers and others in the caring professions - are at increased risk for the stress syndrome because of the intensity of their work and the emotional bonds they form with the people they're helping, experts say. "Most people in the ...

The first year on the job is often the toughest for new nursing graduates, especially those who work in hospitals. In fact, new nurse graduates account for more than half of the turnover rate in some hospitals, according to a study published in 2007 by Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing researchers. “There really are multiple reasons for [the first-year exodus],” ...

If you’ve ever posted you resume online, you were probably asked to fill out a section entitled “keywords.” Knowing the right keywords to use can make the difference in your resume being identified for further scrutiny or getting passed over in a sea of data. (See How To Use The Internet In Your Job Search.) Keywords are the words and phrases ...

Every healthcare professional encounters patients who are short-tempered, belligerent or just plain rude from time to time. But the frequency of these encounters may increase as the stress level rises among patients and providers. Experienced physicians and nurse practitioners offer five tips on keeping your cool when tempers flare: Give Patients the Benefit of the Doubt Most patients don't purposefully cause ...

We've all been there: a new graduate nurse, trying to find her way now that she's no longer a student; or a nurse who has changed specialties with no experience in that area. Did we want advice? Did we solicit advice? Chances are, yes, we did want it, but soliciting it may have been a bit harder. Now, as a more ...

Emma Wilkinson reveals how you can boost your counseling and interpersonal skills, by bearing in mind a few rules when dealing with patients. It doesn't have to be this hard - we promise! Developing a good 'bedside manner' is just as important as improving clinical skills in expanding your role. Whether it's dealing with the embarrassing medical complaint, the overly nervous ...

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 ...

Everyone has something (or someone) that annoys him or her at the hospital. It could be faulty medical equipment or nurses who don't pull their own weight. But nobody's complaining about you, right? Not so fast. Even though your mom, friends, or significant other may worship the ground you walk on, there could be some people you work with who ...

Think nursing is just another profession? Think again. Nurses aren't your everyday people – they are amazing individuals who have chosen a career dedicated to helping others. It isn't just enough to want to help people; a true nurse has a pretty unique skill set. From being a multi-tasking queen (or king!), to playing mediator, or holding a patient's hand, nurses ...

Frustrated by unemployment, nurses? Job hunting is tricky business. Getting hired as a nurse is a subtle mix of the right qualifications, enough experience, interview chemistry, and a dash of luck. Assuming you're making all the right moves and avoiding the really obvious job seeker mistakes, there are a few points to consider that could be your ticket out of unemployment. ...

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” We all know the question. So why are we still stumped when someone asks this granddaddy of a ridiculous interview question in our interview? Here’s why – because most job seekers believe it has no relevance. The reason? No hospital can (or ever will) guarantee a nurse a job for five years. But, ...

You think garbage collectors have it hard when it comes to on-the-job smells? Well, they do, but at least in their case they're prepared and can even wear a mask. Plus, there's a lot of margin for error. They don't have to look at whatever's causing the offensive odor; they can just close their eyes and dump it into the ...

Nurses are known for being the kind face at the hospital, the patient's advocate, and the "Angel of Life." They've made a career out of caring for others selflessly. So when a nurse "goes bad" and does the unthinkable, it makes headlines, rattles the nursing industry and shocks the public. From smaller crimes like stealing money and breaching patient confidentiality, to ...

The economy hasn’t been nice to the new graduate class of nurses out there lately. Budgets are being noosed, staffing numbers are more constricted, and most places have a hiring ‘freeze’. So when the time comes for you to get the ‘call’, you want to be prepared. The difference between landing a job and being another piece of paper filed away ...