“Bullies scan groups for the weakest. Maybe it is an evolutionary remnant of our place in the animal kingdom. All predatory species select and attack the weakest pray.” - The Bully at Work Whether a new hire, a transfer from another department, or a new resident nurse, any member introduced into a powerless group is at high risk for experiencing horizontal hostility. Horizontal hostility is used to break nurses into the group...  Read More »

Polypharmacy can include patients taking dosages that are too high, medications that are incorrectly prescribed or filled, and medications that interact with or duplicate the actions of other medications, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It can often produce detrimental results in a patient, particularly if he or she is elderly. Common signs and symptoms of polypharmacy easily confused with aging include the following: Constipation,...  Read More »

As a new nurse, you will come across many experienced nurses who will influence your professional life in different ways. Two of the most important should be your preceptor and a mentor. Today, let’s dive into the difference between a preceptor and a mentor. Preceptors are teachers or tutors while a mentor is a trusted counselor or guide. In my experience as a nurse, the preceptor gets new nurses ready and trained to work on the floor...  Read More »

Happy Nurses’ Week! In any given year, nurses will have their share of bad days. This stress can affect their attitudes, their performance, and your ability to retain them. Take a look at some of these creative ideas below used in Nurses’ Week past. Incorporate them as last-minute ideas this year or stash them away for the future. Hot off the press Jennifer Clarke, director of education at Madison County Hospital in London, OH,...  Read More »

Often medication errors are directly tied to errors in reading, writing, or interpreting charted information. Complications related to medication-related incidents and errors are costly, at best. At worst, drug-related mishaps increase the incidence of hospitalization and death. Medication errors adversely affect quality of life. Medication-related incidents affecting patient safety fall into six general categories: Medication administration...  Read More »

You may not know everything about pharmacology. (In fact, it’s a safe bet that you probably will never know all there is to know.) But, by knowing where to turn to get information, you’ll be set up for a successful nursing career filled with safe practice. Let’s take a quick pharmacological tour. Pharmacists: This other group of professionals belonging to our healthcare provider team includes outstanding and willing information...  Read More »

“Healthcare professionals have estimated that more than 50% of their workday is spent dealing with conflict and that the majority of that is conflict with each other,” says Debra Gerardi, RN, MPH, JD. The chair of the Program on Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Resolution at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, Gerardi says that in her experience, those conflicts affect everything from lengths of stay to staff retention. “Research...  Read More »

The Nintendo Wii, a game system that requires users to act out the game with a motion-sensor controller, has become part of the therapy routine for a growing number of providers around the country. Although its original intent was simply to be a fun way to spend some time, therapists using the system are swearing by its results. “I got interested in it because of my nephew, who played it all the time,” says Lane Blondheim, MSPT, MT,...  Read More »

Our Preceptor Place columnist, Sarah Jane, has given us some sound advice on how to get to know your preceptor. Today, she shows us the other side of the coin? What if you are the preceptor? How can you make a new nurse feel comfortable? When you are orienting new grads or nurses transferring from another unit, it is important to make them feel like they matter and count. Make them feel like you are glad to have them on your unit and that...  Read More »