One room containing a patient simulator can be a great learning tool for nursing students. Eight rooms of patient simulators take that learning to a whole new level. The eight rooms comprise the Allied Health Sciences Simulation Center, the result of a partnership between Vance-Granville Community College and Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson, NC. A $153,565 state community college grant helped launch the valuable learning tool. The lab, which is located...  Read More »

Whether it’s for the President of the United States or the next winner of American Idol, voting is a passion for many of us. We participate in polls and surveys of different shapes and sizes all the time. Here at stressedoutnurses.com, it’s no different. Over the past couple of months, we’ve asked you about some of the topics that shape your lives as practicing and future nurses. Your answers have been very interesting. Our questions have...  Read More »

Many colleges are blessed with funding from enormous endowments, drawing money from alumni and surviving based on their long traditions. These colleges dole out scholarships with regularity, helping many students find their way into higher education. Their nursing schools are filled with state-of-the-art technological equipment and cutting edge laboratories. Other schools, such as Oregon Coast Community College in Newport, OR, are just getting their nursing...  Read More »

The E.R. Two letters that stand out among the rest in the world of nursing. The emergency room can be a challenging, stressful, urgent, nerve-racking place for everyone–nurses, physicians, and patients. So, it’s important than you, one of the directors of the show, stays calm, cool, and collected in these moments of distress. How? Learn and memorize this head-to-toe assessment for the E.R. We all know that the ABCs (check airway, breathing, and...  Read More »

The best skill to have in your nursing tool belt is conflict resolution. Conflict resolution is the process one uses in resolving a dispute or conflict. Someone who possesses good conflict-resolution skills can end a potential conflict before it starts. Here are some successful strategies that can help you with conflict resolution: Deal with issues that are easiest to resolve first. Break the conflict into manageable parts, highlighting where there is common...  Read More »

Just like actors in a movie cannot be too prepared to deliver an award-winning performance, you can never be too prepared to administer drugs. Take a moment to compile an inventory regarding how to prepare to administer drugs wisely, safely, and through evidence-based research. Think about the following: What would you do first? How would you prioritize your actions? When obstacles occur, how would you demonstrate prudent critical thinking? Are you the type...  Read More »

Two Wisconsin colleges-Green Bay-based Bellin and De Pere-based St. Norbert-are joining forces to create a new nursing program. The partnership is aimed at easing the nursing shortage in the state. Students, who will receive a liberal arts education that will complement their nursing studies, will be recognized as alumni of both schools upon graduation. The bachelor of nursing degree will be awarded from Bellin, however. The partnership will allow nursing...  Read More »

While orientation programs vary widely from facility to facility, the best and most successful programs share similar components. Keep an eye out for the following five elements at your institution. Orientation information is shared. The first day of orientation should make you feel welcomed and well-treated. But before you even accept the position, you should know what your orientation will entail. During your interview, you should have received information...  Read More »

While perusing the pages of some of my new MySpace friends, I (yes, it’s me, Stressed Out Nurse) have looked into what books people are reading. The answers are often the same: “Yeah, right, like I have time to read” or “The only books I read are my nursing textbooks.” I certainly know where everyone is coming from, but is there anything better than spending some good, quality time with a memorable book? So, I’ve decided...  Read More »

Eric Hinestroza, a second-year nursing student at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ, was reading up on current events one afternoon last August when he stumbled upon an idea for the Office of the National Nurse. He read, did some research, talked to some people, and quickly fell in love with the idea. Now, just six months later, he’s planning to talk about the grassroots campaign to create an Office of the National Nurse during a presentation to...  Read More »