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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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],” ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

We all know that the economy is shaky. People are getting laid off left and right. Luckily, nursing is a pretty solid industry to be in. However, this may not apply to every job, every facility, or every region. Your job might be at risk. If your employer is considering laying employees off, here are some things you can do avoid ...

Nurses see patients and their families at their worst. Stress felt by the patients because of their illness or injury – or of not knowing what is wrong – can make the most gentle people act out in ways they normally wouldn’t. Since a nurse’s role is to help patients, part of this is helping the patient have a better experience ...

All workplaces have people that you might not get along with. Hospitals and care centers are no different. The only difference is the stress levels can be even higher because you're dealing with actual life and death situations. For nurses who already have their hands full with multiple patients, long shifts, and the inevitable unexpected situations, the last thing they ...

Nurses are supposed to be compassionate caregivers. So why are so many scarred emotionally from the gossip, backstabbing, second-guessing and other abusive, demoralizing or hostile acts nurses inflict on one another? If you've had enough of the fighting, read on. Veteran nurses explain why such horizontal hostility occurs, revealing the true price it exacts, and share tips for creating a more ...

[photo:174206] I got a request for a post about role confusion (that awful feeling that comes from being a new nurse), and it sounded like a good idea. The transition from student to preceptored nurse isn't as hard as you'd think; you still have to show up on time for various classes and lectures, you still have somebody following you around, ...

It's no secret that nursing is dominated by women; as of 2010, only 5.4% of nurses were male. However, in a female-heavy industry, male nurses are often not given the appreciation they deserve. This may not be the popular opinion, especially when so many women these days go with the, "I don't need a man" attitude, but this nurse really appreciates ...

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 ...

Whether you're a veteran healthcare worker or just starting out, some long-held myths about the industry can hinder your career—or stop you before you even get started. Learn the truth about these six common nursing career myths. Myth 1: The nursing shortage guarantees me the perfect job when I graduate. "While the shortage of nurses is acute across the United States, ...

The role of "patient advocate" is new and evolving. As the importance of patients' rights gains momentum, a group of healthcare professionals has banded together to stand up for the best interests of their patients. Because patient advocates are a new career path, many healthcare professionals declare themselves "patient advocates" after extensive experience in the fields. However, degree programs focusing on ...

Look at this lucky man: He has a whole flock of young student nurses standing by to meet his every need. I bet this gentleman loved every single nurse in that picture. Enjoy his adoration, ladies; sometime during your nursing career, someone isn’t going to want you as their nurse. It happens to everyone and it feels like a slap in ...