Although we would like to believe that every nurse is a good person with good intentions, we can't ignore the fact that every year, state nursing boards revoke dozens of licenses. While some of these men and women lose their ability to serve as nurses because of non-nurse related activities, others suffer the consequences of patient endangerment or worse. The threat ...

Have a happy and healthy work life! When you first become a nurse, it's easy to believe that you'll always love your job. But there will come a time where burnout, frustration and boredom take their toll. While you can't avoid every pitfall all, there are some mistakes that you can veer around. Make the most of your career as ...

You've got a lot to learn, grasshopper! Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between seasoned nurses, whom we call "lifers" because they will likely retire on our floor and have been around a long time, and new nurses. This probably has something to do with the fact that, in my new job, I am working with nurses ...

Did you know that anyone – your employer, a co-worker, a patient, even a jilted lover – can file a complaint against your practice? Handle it well, and you could turn it into a valuable learning experience. Handle it poorly, and you could lose your license. NursingLink spoke to a Sheryl Oakes Caddy, a nurse, nursing faculty instructor and an attorney ...

Nurses have to be flexible and work both day and night shifts when required. Since it’s possible to choose a regular shift in the nursing profession, some people choose either the day or night shift to accommodate other activities in their lives. For example, a nurse attending additional courses during the day might find it easier to work nights. Working in ...

The stresses and strains of working in the nursing industry can take their toll on even the strongest personality. From persistent patients to strict regulations, nurses are constantly facing challenges both big and small, physical and emotional. At some point, it is more than likely that the pressures of your job will get to you and you will wonder, "Is ...

Even if you have the strength of a superhero and the stamina of the Energizer Bunny, bedside nursing is a tough job. It's especially grueling for the growing number of RNs 50 and older, who may not bounce back from 12-hour shifts and patient lifting as easily as their younger counterparts. Since 2001, the nurse workforce has added nearly 130,000 RNs ...

The doctor/nurse working relationship has its ups and downs. When the two work well together, the most difficult of patient cases seems like a breeze. But if there is any contention, if one rubs the other the wrong way, tackling even the simplest problem is like climbing Mount Everest in the off season – a nightmare. We know what doctors ...

It happens every year. Nurses must write a self-evaluation when it's time to get their raise. No worries, right? Wrong! What you write can affect what your boss is willing to shell out of his or her pocket at the beginning of the fiscal year. Learn how to write a self-evaluation that will make your boss think you're the greatest nurse ...

They complain, criticize, shout, swear and may even try to hit you. Difficult patients are an unfortunate fact of life in healthcare. But knowing how to identify, understand and respond to them can make your work life safer and less stressful. *+Identify Difficult Patients+* It's sometimes possible to predict which patients will likely become difficult, abusive or violent. Alzheimer's patients, for ...

It’s said that ignorance of the law is no defense—but how do we know we’re breaking a law if we don’t know it exists? Luckily, we do know the serious laws, particularly those that have to do with practicing nursing. We know about HIPAA, that diverting narcotics is a Bad Thing, and that we can’t strangle a visitor who is getting ...

Do you consider yourself to be a leader? The definitions of the words leader and manager are often confused. Traditional managers have assigned roles and titles within an organization, as they carry out specific functions, duties and responsibilities. Managers exert control over decision making and obtaining results as they direct both the willing and unwilling. In contrast, leaders do not necessarily ...

To most people, doctors are usually considered to be respectable, knowledgeable, impartial, and — above all — healthy. Patients go to doctors hoping to have their questions answered, their ailments fixed, and — most importantly — for peace of mind. When doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, they are promising to serve to the best of their ability but, at the ...

With the downturn in the US economy, workplaces are becoming more and more diverse age-wise. Older workers are working alongside younger workers as people at every stage in their nursing career are getting laid off. With this generational gap among health care workers widening, there’s a lot of potential for miscommunication or differing perspectives. Though many people will absolutely deny ...

Despite the nursing shortage, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington, has no problem attracting a steady steam of job candidates. "We've never offered nurses a sign-on bonus," says Kathy Franz, the hospital's director of human resources. "Sign-on bonuses typically keep nurses in their jobs for two years. Our goal is to attract candidates who want to work here for other ...

Working with doctors is a major part of being a nurse. There really ought to be a whole course devoted just to the subject! It's usually expected that students will learn how to work with doctors as they progress through their clinical rotations even though they may rarely interact. Next: Rule #1 >> [photo:169836] Featured Author: Kathy Quan Kathy Quan, ...

Work isn’t perfect, right? But if you're lucky enough to have a job right now it pays to remember that millions and millions of Americans don’t think you have a thing to complain about. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation’s unemployment rate is hovering around 10%. Even more troubling, The New York Times reports that unemployed ...

When I first decided to enter the nursing profession, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I hadn’t grown up wanting to be a nurse, nor did I give it much thought beforehand. But I was bored and miserable working for the U.S. Postal Service and had to find something that was a lot more mentally stimulating. My ...

Health care isn't a 9-to-5 job. It's an around-the-clock profession, and working evening or night hours is a way of life for many health professionals. Such shifts can take a physical and emotional toll on workers, experts say, but there are ways to prevent the damage. Here are suggestions for surviving - and even thriving - despite a draining schedule. Understand ...

These days, no one can afford to waste time at work. Thanks to widespread downsizing, workloads are piling up. Unfortunately, extra hours in the day are not. Maximizing your time at work can mean the difference between leaving your shift at a reasonable hour (i.e. holding onto your sanity) and staying late unnecessarily. You've got a life outside the hospital. ...