Nurses have done some amazing things in the course of human history. Countless women and men have cared for the sick and guided millions back to health. They’ve endured wars, comforting the wounded and lending an ear to the ill-fated. Only one nurse, though, has turned out the lights on top of the world. Patrick Hickey, RN, BSN, MS, MSN, Dr. P.H., CNOR, an assistant clinical professor at the University of South Carolina, returned home from his ascent...  Read More »

It’s no secret. All the studying, all the long nights, all the money, and all that tireless effort goes toward one goal: a job you love. Whether you are looking for a short commute, lots of money, a new group of friends, or just somewhere to make a difference, your first nursing gig is an important one. While you may not have it forever, you’ll always remember it. One new graduate nurse working in Boston was kind enough to share her experience and...  Read More »

When school is over and the hospital shifts are about to start, new nurses find themselves entering a daunting field. They often look for someone to guide and teach them as they embark on a career laced with stress and the need for quick thinking. With the goal of providing these helping hands, Eric Wolak, BSN, RN, CCRN, assistant nurse manager at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals in Chapel Hill, has developed a mentoring program geared toward...  Read More »

While you run the drug administration show for a child under your care, it’s necessary to pass the knowledge on to parents. After all, they’ll be calling the shots when they get home. Pass over the directorial duties to them with these helpful hints: Explain to parents that they should ask healthcare providers the name and reason for the medication Parents should know how much medication to give, how often, and how long the medication will be...  Read More »

Good communication is essential in every relationship in healthcare. As a nurse, you interact with patients, physicians, other nurses, and managers on a daily basis. How comfortable are you with dealing with each group? Are physicians intimidating sometimes? Are other nurses cliquey? Are you unsure of what to expect from your manager? With an excerpt from our upcoming book Stressed Out About Communication Skills, we’ll help you get a handle on working...  Read More »

Dropouts are an enormous problem in nursing programs at community colleges in California. What’s the solution? One lawmaker favors merit. State Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, a Republican, helped push a bill through the California Assembly that requires nursing programs at community colleges to give spots to the most deserving students. The bill will now go to the Senate. The rule would come into play when there are more applicants than available spots...  Read More »

Pain is subjective, so measuring pain intensity and other factors influencing pain has always been problematic for nurses. It is not a “one size fits all” process. Each patient’s pain is experienced in many ways and on many levels. Since self report of pain is the accepted method for assessing pain intensity, nurses must rely on the patient to provide a description of the pain and put a value on the intensity of the pain, which can be very...  Read More »