A record $100 million dollar grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will establish a nursing school at the University of California-Davis campus in Sacramento. The largest gift ever received by the school will be doled out over 11 years, with $21.2 million being set aside to help the school develop curriculums and recruit personnel and staff during the next 24 months. The goal is to admit the first class of students in fall of 2008 into the Betty...  Read More »

T.S. Eliot aptly described some people as not wishing to do harm, but causing harm nonetheless as they are so “absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.” Such a description could define those who are narcissistic. For them, life’s events are always centered on them; and all that occurs is “all about me.” Narcissism: It’s all about me Here are some ways to cope with narcissistic behavior in your patients:...  Read More »

Communication is a complex exchange of information through verbal and non-verbal means. It starts as soon as two or more people become aware of each other’s presence. To determine if you are practicing effective communication skills, ask yourself these questions: Am I open to the opinions and expertise of others? Am I capable of communicating without judgment? Do I have strong listening skills? Am I capable of expressing empathy to clients and colleagues? If...  Read More »

Last week on StressedOutNurses.com, we focused on a culture change. We presented three unique stories that can help you improve the environment around you. Whether you’re an aspiring staff nurse or a nurse manager, bring these ideas with you wherever you go and watch your peers’ eyes light up. Here’s the second installment: Each year, nurses at Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia, SC, anxiously waited to see what gifts they would receive...  Read More »

Comfortable and colorful, they are. Allowed at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, they are not. Crocs, the footwear that’s revolutionized the feet of healthcare workers everywhere, have recently been banned for safety reasons at Mercy. Hospital administrators say the holes in the Crocs create the largest problems. Syringes and other hospital equipment could fall through and result in serious injury. According to Fox News.com, nurses at the hospital are unhappy...  Read More »

Our Quick-E: Peds book aims to maximize a nurse’s time by facilitating information in a durable and portable format ideal for the “bedside” practice. Ultimately, the intent is that this book helps to enhance the quality of patient care through quick access to clinical facts that are applicable and usable in pediatric practice. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most popular of the 10 books in our Quick-E series. Understanding the...  Read More »

This week on StressedOutNurses.com, we’re focusing on a culture change. Monday, Wednesday, and today, we’re presenting three unique stories that can help you improve the environment around you. Whether you’re an aspiring staff nurse or a nurse manager, bring these ideas with you wherever you go and watch your peers’ eyes light up. Here’s the third and final installment: Spider webs are known for catching things. The silky, intricately...  Read More »

This week on StressedOutNurses.com, we’re focusing on a culture change. Monday, today, and Friday, we’re presenting three unique stories that can help you improve the environment around you. Whether you’re an aspiring staff nurse or a nurse manager, bring these ideas with you wherever you go and watch your peers’ eyes light up. Here’s the second installment: Each year, nurses at Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia, SC, anxiously...  Read More »

“Here’s the patient controlled oxygen system that was approved by your HMO. Do you have enough quarters?” And the winner is . . . (drum roll, please) . . . Rosemary McLain! Congratulations, Rosemary! Thanks to everyone who submitted a caption. They were all hilarious! And, we’ll be back next week with a brand new cartoon! Will YOU be the next winner?   Read More »

What if you have gone to your manager time and again without results? You’ve had all the crucial conversations you can hold, and nothing ever changes. Use the CPR formula to help you move deeper into the conversation: The first conversation should be about the (C) content or the issue. The next conversation should point to the (P) process or pattern you see. If you still have no results, the last conversation should focus on (R) the impact this pattern...  Read More »