Should Nurses Treat Their Family?
When I was a child visiting my grandfather, I would eagerly grab his stethoscope, blood pressure pump, and collection of medical supplies so that I could stand-in as his nurse for the day. My grandfather was a type 2 diabetic, so I was used to watching his in-home aids administer insulin and provide help with day-to-day activities. As a little girl, my grandfather was my hero, so I wanted to be his nurse because I didn’t think...
Nursing the Nerves: Overcoming First Day Anxiety
Think back to the first day of kindergarten – you were probably a little nervous, but mostly excited. As you get older, “first days” become a little more anxiety inducing. You were probably worried about what to wear on your first day of high school, and who to talk to your first day at college. Honestly, first days never really get easier, and the same worries might still run through your head: Will people be nice...
Election 2016: Voting for Travel Nurses
In recent elections, the U.S. has been notorious for low and declining voter turnout. Data shows that fewer than 60 percent of eligible voters turned out for the 2012 presidential election, and even less participated in the primaries. Securing the Travel-Nursing Vote With several hot-button healthcare issues on the ballot for 2016, the upcoming presidential election is crucial for medical professionals nationwide. Between polarized...
Nursing: Why Proper Staffing should be a Priority
There’s nothing like walking in at the beginning of a 12 hour shift and realizing you’re short staffed. Millions of questions start to run through your head; Will I have time to pee in the next 12 hours? What about eating? Is it too late to make a run for the door? Even more importantly, will I exceed the amount of patients I’m able to take care of properly? Understaffed healthcare facilities are a growing issue, and...
Handling Heartbreak in the Medical Field
As nurses, we’ve seen it all, and when I say “all”, I literally mean ALL. From blood to bile, to broken bones and open wounds, we’re used to the gore that comes along with our beloved career choice. We go home, shower the day off, throw our scrubs in the wash, and continue on with our evening. It was just another day. Then there are the bad days; the days when you are forced to look death right in the face, in the form of one of your...
Travel Nurse’s Guide to New Year’s Resolutions
Ah yes, with the start of the new year this past weekend, I’m sure everyone’s friends, families and coworkers are buzzing about their New Year’s resolutions; but let’s be real for a second, working out and eating better have been done and done again, so why not consider changing up your resolutions this year and promise yourself to fulfill new, exciting and more career-oriented resolutions? Don’t get me wrong, working out,...