The first four months of a new graduate nurse’s job can be stressful, to say the least. Trying to fit into a new facility, trying to remember everything from nursing school, and trying to stay awake during those long shifts are all tall tasks in themselves. A little help, a gift, would be nice. At the Seton Family of Hospitals in Central Texas, that gift now comes in the form of the Versant RN Residency Program. “Hospitals all over the country are...  Read More »

The new editions in our popular Quick-E series are publishing in just a few short days. We couldn’t be more excited, and to give you a little taste of what’s to come, here’s a look inside one of our new titles, Geriatrics. (The other new title is Medication Management.) All 12 new editions are slated to roll off the presses next week! Elderly skin is almost always dry. As we age, our skin begins to thin so it is less able to retain moisture....  Read More »

It is understandable to be nervous about dealing with a doctor. And it’s understandable to be nervous about calling a doctor. But, with any nurse-physician interaction, there is something important to keep in mind: You may be nervous (or you may not even like the doctor) but you are contacting them on behalf of your patient. You are the patient advocate, and you want to make sure patients receive the best care possible. I learned how to best interact...  Read More »

The vast majority of nursing communication is nonverbal. Likewise, it’s the covert or hidden behaviors that are most hurtful because the communication is unclear and left to your interpretation. This uncertainty creates anxiety. Then, we jump to the worst conclusion without checking out the behavior. The following list will give you a good idea of some common hostile behaviors—both hidden and obvious. Any of the following behaviors are unacceptable: Covert:...  Read More »

To nurses, it’s more than a job. Nursing is a career. Sometimes, though, nursing becomes a lifestyle. The values of caring and compassion seep into every facet, every nook and cranny of your day. So much, in fact, that sometimes nursing can link someone from Alaska—someone like Catherine Miller—to a group of orphans in Ethiopia. "This is just an extension of nursing," says Miller, RN, founder and president of Children of the World....  Read More »

There are many benefits to becoming a nurse: job mobility, good pay, and the chance to make a difference in someone’s life every day. A good night’s sleep is not always on the list. A new study authored by the University of Maryland’s Jeanne Geiger-Brown, PhD, shows a disturbing link between difficult schedules and a lack of sleep among nurses. Brown focused on 2,273 registered nurses and found that issues such as shift work, mandatory overtime,...  Read More »

By Richard Freedberg, RN, MSN, MPA That’s a tough circumstance to be in! Nursing students have to be smart, capable people with proven track records of success to get into competitive nursing programs. So why is it so hard now? First, let me just confirm that you are not alone! Your classmates may not proclaim it from the rooftops, but others most assuredly failed, and the majority may not have done as well as they would have liked. Be comforted by that,...  Read More »

Catherine Miller, RN, founder and president of Children of the World, a non-profit organization that built and funds an orphanage in Ethiopia, has met lots of people around the globe. “There are all kinds of people doing wonderful things,” she says. “But so often, it seems to be nurses. Nurses are always involved.” Miller couldn’t help but get involved. After 17 years working as a labor and delivery nurse in Alaska, her focus became...  Read More »

To nurses, it’s more than a job. Nursing is a career. Sometimes, though, nursing becomes a lifestyle. The values of caring and compassion seep into every facet, every nook and cranny of your day. So much, in fact, that sometimes nursing can link someone from Alaska—someone like Catherine Miller—to a group of orphans in Ethiopia. “This is just an extension of nursing,” says Miller, RN, founder and president of Children of the World. “You...  Read More »

A well-written cover letter and a top-quality résumé are essential to getting an interview. Making a good impression is critical! Each résumé you send out should include a personalized cover letter specific to that employer and job. Things you should include in the cover letter are Which job you are applying for and how you heard about it Why you are interested in the job Why you feel are you a good fit for the position A brief...  Read More »