Category: Nurses

How Many Patients Per Nurses? Correct Nurse To Patient Ratio.

from Nurse Buff

Nurse to patient ratio is probably one of the most talked about issues in nursing. And apparently, it’s also one of the most common reasons why nurses leave the profession. When an institution suffers from short staffing, bad things start to happen. Nurses become grumpier and the quality of care they deliver decreases. Infections increase and patients stay longer in the hospital. These things don’t only affect nurses and patients; they can be bad for the health institution, too.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Nurse, The Martyr and The Oxygen Mask

Many of us are nurses because we’re caring people, and when someone asks why we became a nurse, we might say something like, “Oh, I like to help people”. And that sounds nice. But we know there’s more to it than that, don’t we?

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

Over the years, I’ve known a lot of different nurses. I’ve known new nurses, seasoned nurses, frightened nurses, burned out nurses, and nurses who were so jaded they couldn’t even see their patients if they were right in front of their noses. I’ve known nurses who clocked out at the end of their shift and never looked back, and I’ve known others who consistently clocked out two hours late and then were up all night hoping their patients were OK. It takes all kinds.

Many of us are nurses because we’re caring people, and when someone asks why we became a nurse, we might say something like, “Oh, I like to help people”. And that sounds nice. But we know there’s more to it than that, don’t we?

Now, when we like to help people, that can truly be a double-edged sword, can’t it? We care, we care some more, and then we find that we’re caring so much that we can’t—or don’t–care about anything else. We eat poorly, we sleep even worse than we eat, and maybe we drink, smoke, or we don’t exercise because we’re too busy caring. Maybe, because we’re so caring, everyone around us at home and in our neighborhoods feels free to ask us to care some more. And we do. Again and again.

And then, one day, we wake up after all of this time caring for others so well, and we realize that we haven’t been caring for ourselves. We’re tired, we’re depressed, we’re overweight, and our relationships have actually suffered (perhaps because we were busy caring so much about everyone but ourselves).

Take “Nurse Jackie”, for instance. Maybe you’ve seen it and maybe you haven’t. I know I castigated the show here on Digital Doorway back in its first season, but it turns out that the series has made some very good points about nursing and healthcare, as unrealistic as it may often be.

Having said that, Nurse Jackie cares a lot. She goes the extra mile, stealing meds for patients, giving them money, visiting them at home, and otherwise doing what she feels is right. Meanwhile, she lies to everyone in her personal and professional lives, and more or less continues to “nurse” a pretty hefty addiction.

So, what addictions do you nurse? Is it an addiction to caring? An addiction to being needed? Or is it an addiction to being so busy that your thoughts, emotions, needs and desires are completely sublimated to your identity as a nurse and a caring person?

I’m speaking from experience, here, folks. I’ve been there. I’ve been burnt out. I’ve ignored my body, eschewed my spiritual growth and otherwise thrown a wrench into my life in the service of being a caring, compassionate nurse.

In the end, it all comes down to that same old “oxygen mask theory”. Remember? When you get on a plane and the flight attendant demonstrates how to put on your oxygen mask in case of a sudden change in cabin pressure, they always say to put your own mask on first before you try to help anyone else. And why? Because you’re useless to those who depend on you if you’re not caring for yourself.

So, if some of us are prone to embody the archetype of the nurse as hero or martyr, we’re always free to do that, but we can also rise above the caricatures and stereotypes and do something radical by honoring ourselves along the way.

Yes, we can choose to be the walking wounded, or we can choose to be the walking well, living our lives with integrity, and making our own self-care and wellness of equal importance to all of those others whom we serve and care for.

It’s nice to be needed, and it’s nice to be loved and appreciated. But if we’re getting so-called “secondary gain” out of being a nurse martyr, then at some point we need to wake up, smell the coffee, and put our own well-being back on the front burner.

In the course of my career, I’ve been all over this particular map, and my personal mission is now about creating a life that’s balanced, sane, healthy, and focused on my own well-being as much as anyone else’s. Sure, I still catch myself trying to be the “uber-nurse”, helping everyone and doing everything and more. But that’s the point: I catch myself, redirect my energy, and make sure that I’m not burning my wick at three ends with no thought of the ‘morrow, as they say.

So, my friends, choose health. Choose your own well-being. Choose to do enough, but not too much. And choose to be the kind of nurse who cares for his- or herself in order to care for others better. It’s the right thing to do, and that proverbial oxygen mask will serve you—and others—for years to come.

Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is co-host of RNFMRadio.com, a wildly popular nursing podcast; he also hosts The Nurse Keith Show, his own podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of “Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century,” and has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiViews News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AusMed, American Sentinel University, the ANA blog, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, online nurse personality, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known successful nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How Nurses Can Help in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

As a nurse, a healer at heart, you may have watched with wide eyes as people were pulled from the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey on the news, and felt just a little bit helpless, itched to be on the “front lines.” There are ways you can help.

Over the weekend, Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm at the time of landfall, began to wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast of the United States—particularly the Greater Houston, Texas area—dropping monumental amounts of rain, and displacing, trapping, injuring, and, sadly, claiming the lives of the people in its path. As a nurse, you may have sat there, watching with wide eyes as people of all ages were pulled from the floodwaters on the news, and felt just a little bit helpless, itching to be on the “front lines.” After all, it is in your nature to help people. You wouldn’t be a nurse, otherwise.

There are ways for you to help, if you want to.

While in most cases, it may be too late to volunteer in the face of this particular natural disaster, as a medical professional with invaluable skills and expertise, your help will be needed in the future. There are multiple organizations you can register with to volunteer to support medical preparedness and response for future public health emergencies or disasters.

Emergency System for Advanced Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals

The Emergency System for Advanced Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) is a federal program that was created to support states in establishing volunteer programs for disasters and public health and medical emergencies. By registering with ESAR-VHP, your credentials and qualifications will be verified in advance, so you will be cleared to serve at a moment’s notice, wherever the next catastrophe strikes. Registration is free, and by registering, you are by no means obligated to help in any disaster—it solely gives you the ability to do so quickly, if you so choose. For more information or to register, please visit https://www.phe.gov/esarvhp/Pages/about.aspx.

The American Red Cross

In the event of a domestic or international disaster, the American Red Cross is quick to the scene, providing health and mental health support, as well as food and shelter, to those affected. On average, they respond to 64,000 disasters per year, and 90% of their humanitarian efforts are done by volunteers, including 15,000 nurses and nursing students. Licensed RNs, LPNs, LVNs, PAs, NPs, and APRNs are all in demand and are encouraged to volunteer. To learn more about the relief efforts of the American Red Cross, as well as their eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.

Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is comprised of volunteer medical and public health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and more, who assist with emergency medical response and public health initiatives. The MRC was formed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when it became clear that medical professionals had no organized way to volunteer for emergency relief efforts and many were turned away, as a result. The MRC now exists due to the willingness of volunteer medical and public health professionals to serve their communities in times of need. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, please visit: https://mrc.hhs.gov/HomePage.

No matter which organization you choose to volunteer with, be it listed above or another, be sure to do your research to ensure sure you will be partnering with an organization that is a good fit for you. The American College of Emergency Physicians has compiled a list of questions all health professionals should ask and/or consider when joining a disaster relief agency, which can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Laugh, Nurse, Laugh!

Laughter reduces stress, boosts the immune system, and is good for the heart, and using humor to have fun at work builds a sense of community within the team.

from American Nurse Today

When was the last time you heard someone say that he or she didn’t feel good when laughing? Probably never, right? The physical and psychological benefits of laughter are well documented in the literature. A hearty laugh shuts down the release of the stress hormone cortisol and triggers the release of endorphins, reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and pain and improves the immune system and cardiovascular function. When it’s shared, laughter binds people together, increasing happiness and intimacy. And humor can help shift perspective, allowing everyone to view situations in a more realistic, less threatening light that enhances teamwork and diffuses conflict.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How Nurses Can Touch All Hearts to Make a Difference

The small things that we do for everybody can actually add up and create a huge effect.

from The Nerdy Nurse

All hearts have the potential to be touched by a nurse. As nurses, we carry the potential to affect many peoples’ lives on a daily basis. The small things that we do for everybody can actually add up and create a huge effect. We could just show up to work every day and mull through our tasks to make our paycheck and punch out at the end of the day. That is entirely possible, and quite a few people do it. I will admit that there have been days and weeks when I just was not into going to work. All I wanted was for the day to end so I could go home. When we show up to work with that mindset, we lose our ability to truly touch those that are hurting and suffering.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

4 Things Nurses Should Never Say to Patients

When working as a nurse with long shifts and lots of patients, it is easy to forget what it’s like to be a patient.

from Kaplan

Believe it or not, simple words can truly affect a nursing patient’s experience in the hospital. You may have the best of intentions, but certain topics or comments can negatively affect a patient’s sense of confidentiality, personal beliefs, and emotions.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Nurses Leaning Into Uncertainty

Nurses show up, even when uncertainty is the only thing we know to be true.

from Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

Throughout history, nurses have provided care to those in need despite the cultural circumstances or political scenarios at hand. Nursing care, like medicine, is a necessary service that simply needs to be provided in a society at all times. No matter that bullets are flying or elections are being disputed, nurses are there with their patients even as uncertainty rules the day.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Is America Still Facing A Nursing Shortage?

Unfortunately so. Due to many important factors, the demand for nurses is rising at a staggering rate.

from Scrubs

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about America’s nursing shortage. This national shortage of nurses has resulted from a number of factors, including limited availability in medical schools, a shortage of qualified nursing school instructors, and fierce job competition within the nursing industry. With all of the healthcare and education reform that has taken place during recent years, shouldn’t this problem be resolved by now? Unfortunately, this is not the case. America’s demand for nurses is becoming more critical than ever.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

When Changing Nurse Jobs Means Changing Specialties

When changing nurse jobs means changing specialties, nurses should know that they are not limited by what they currently do any more than doctors are.

There are times when a nurse reaches a point in life when she/he realizes that the work she/he is doing is not as fulfilling as it once was, if it was ever fulfilling at all. It is not that the nurse does not enjoy nursing; it is just that there is a burning desire to transition from a current position into a new one in an entirely different specialty. When changing nurse jobs means changing specialties, nurses should know that they are not limited by what they currently do any more than doctors are.

As one example, you may be a nurse who has spent the better part of your career working in the oncology department at your local hospital. It certainly has been rewarding and challenging. However, after 15 years, you are starting to realize that your heart is really in public health. Don’t worry; you can make the transition. You can go from oncology to public health, from pediatrics to emergency room medicine, or even from clinical practice to nursing education.

Easy Steps to Making the Transition

We do not mean to suggest there is a one-size-fits-all, step-by-step process that every nurse can use when switching specialties. Nevertheless, there are certain guidelines that apply in almost every case. So, keep the following in mind when changing nurse jobs means changing specialties:

  • Assess Yourself Honestly – Switching specialties is no minor undertaking. Before you go down that road, honestly assess yourself and your situation. Ask yourself questions about why you want to switch, what it is you are truly passionate about, and whether or not your desire to switch is really just a means of escaping a situation you do not like. Honest questions and honest answers should give you some much-needed clarity.
  • Research Your Options – Transitioning from one specialty to another does not necessarily mean you will only have one option within your new chosen specialty. There may be multiple options. For example, transitioning into pediatrics may include options at the local hospital, a group family practice, or even the neighborhood nursery school. Find out what is out there so that you can fine-tune your goals.
  • Consider More Education – Depending on what you want to transition to, you may need additional education. Consider this carefully. If additional education is required, you will have to decide whether to continue working while you are learning or become a full-time student in order to finish as quickly as possible.
  • Consider Volunteering – There may be opportunities for you to gain valuable experience by way of volunteer work involving your new chosen specialty. Never underestimate the power of volunteering. It is an excellent way to learn, gain experience, and network with people who might be important to know.
  • Seize the Opportunity – If you have a desire to transition to a new specialty, it is wise to seize the opportunity now. Just so long as your self-assessment provides the right answers to your questions, there is no point in putting off beginning the transition process. Remember, putting something off until tomorrow is a great way to never get it done.

For some people, changing nurse jobs is nothing more than leaving one facility for an identical job at another. For other nurses, it means a complete change of specialties. We hope any decision you make to change jobs is one guided by knowledge, experience, and wisdom gleaned from others. The combination of a wise choice and the right kind of planning can make it possible for you to add an entirely new and exciting dimension to your career.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Why Live CE Seminars for Healthcare Providers Are So Important

Today, there is a greater movement towards virtual Continuing Education courses and less emphasis on live seminars, which were so predominant and popular for so many years.

by Louis Lazo

Continuing Education (CE) has been highly effective at improving patient outcomes and saving lives. According to the Institute for Health Care Improvement, “CE is a vehicle for spreading best practices and how to improve patient outcomes.” In short, continuing education is a way to keep health care teams abreast of current research in the fields in which they practice. Continuing Education modes of delivery have also changed significantly throughout the past five years. Today, there is a greater movement towards computer-based courses and less emphasis on live seminars, which were so predominant and popular for so many years.

In accordance to many state boards regulating continuing education requirements for healthcare providers across the country, home study/online courses are no longer limited to a specific number of hours. All courses, however, including home study /online courses are mandated to be completed by a state- approved respiratory care provider. Live courses are still acceptable, available and are not limited, but are no longer mandatory. According to numerous state-licensing boards for healthcare providers, there are no restrictions on the number of home study courses allowed per biennium. Licensees can now obtain all continuing education requirements via computer-based offerings in many states.

There are obvious advantages and limitations relevant to all continuing education modes of delivery. A ‘perfect” system of instructional delivery is non-existent. Licensees are sometimes encouraged to participate at work-site seminars/conferences. They may also be encouraged to complete online courses/webinars that the work-site may deem of high importance. Today, there are many continuing education options and professional growth opportunities for licensees. The preferred route of instructional delivery should be, however, decided by the actual licensee.

Live seminar offerings have diminished significantly in recent years due to the advent of computer-based offerings. This is unfortunate because live seminars provide many academic benefits to healthcare licensees unlike other modes of instruction. According to the IRIS Software Group (2015), with a seminar that one can attend in person, it is a great opportunity for one to network and meet like-minded individuals that could be in similar positions. There are also no distractions at a seminar. Participants are fully engaged with the presenter(s) and their attention is dedicated to them and the taking of notes. Seminars are increasingly becoming two-way situations where organizations hosting can learn an equal amount from the people attending.

Fans of in-person education advocate that the complex, layered world of questions, spur-of-the-moment thinking, shared problem-solving and enthusiasm for learning can never be replaced by the flatter world of online learning. There is also a focused learning environment. Networking is a big advantage. Being able to ask questions and connect with like-minded practitioners and friends in person is a huge advantage of in-person learning (Brown, 2013).

Freifeld (2017) admits that e-learning has the reputation of being more convenient and cost-effective than classroom training. But is it as effective when it comes to learning “stickiness” and changing behavior? Classroom trainings are most ideal for small groups and especially in cases when interaction, team bonding, and/or nonverbal communications are vital to achieving learning objectives. Role-play and simulations, often used in sales and management trainings, are perfect activities for live classroom trainings. Live seminar advantages include a wealth of knowledge usually, presented by many speakers at one time in one place; a sense of camaraderie, where individuals can meet others with the same interests/problems/concerns that they may have in their chosen field; and being with others that “understand” individual’s problems or concerns, is usually a great morale booster (Rao, 2017).

According to the Institute of Somatic Therapy (2017), live seminars are good for people who prefer supervision and structure in their studies, where you have instant feedback and the ability to feel the work being performed on yourself from your fellow classmates. The size of the class will determine how much instructor feedback you will receive. Another consideration is the impact of comprehension and retention of the material. With a live seminar, you may have a tremendous amount of information that comes at you during a short time. Studies indicate that the retention rate can be as low as 50% in a classroom situation dependent upon the interest level of the participant; presenter delivery methodology; instructional setting; and possible distractions.

During live seminars, healthcare providers have the advantage of interacting with colleagues, networking with seminar sponsors, and learn about medical innovations that have proven to be successful at neighboring hospital sites. Seminars and conferences may also address professional growth and career initiatives with “on the scene” hospital administrators and extended health care facility managers. The ability to open doors to new opportunities makes attending a conference a worthwhile part of career development (Witt, 2011). The participants can also ask questions, provide professional insights, and debate controversial issues at the spot of the moment. Live seminars and conferences allow presenters to learn from participants. Local, state, and national representatives from respective allied health societies, boards, and organizations may also be invited to present in a live setting. Expert motivational speakers add great intuitive challenges during seminars/conferences. The human interaction of all parties involved is unique and creates a learning environment for all in attendance. This multi-sensory interaction is most needed and should not be ignored or replaced in its entirety by other modes of continuing education.

In conclusion, Morton-Rias (2017) agrees that lifelong learning, regardless of instructional delivery, can make us better providers because continued learning expands knowledge, capabilities and commitment; benefit us professionally by exposing us to new concepts and research-driven strategies, which can be reassuring to patients, and improve the quality of our professional and personal lives by expanding our professional network and resources.

Dr. Louis Lazo is President of Continuing Education Unlimited of South Florida, Inc., a state-approved provider of continuing education for respiratory therapists and clinical lab personnel. He is a registered and licensed respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technologist. Dr. Lazo has been an allied healthcare educator provider for over 35 years.

References:

  1. Brown, L. (2013). Continuing education showdown: Online learning vs. in-person seminars. Acupuncture Today, 14(12). Retrieved from http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32824
  2. Freifeld, L. (2017). Online vs. in-class success: E-learning can be an inexpensive alternative to classroom training, but does it yield the same results? Training Magazine. Retrieved from
    https://trainingmag.com/trgmag-article/online-vs-class-success
  3. IRIS Software Group (2015). The webinar versus the seminar. Retrieved from
    http://www.iris.co.uk/insight/blog/payroll/2015/april/the-webinar-versus-the-seminar/
  4. Institute of Somatic Therapy (2017). How do online continuing education courses compare to live seminars? Retrieved from https://www.massagecredits.com/pages/online_vs_live.php
  5. Morton-Rias, D. (2017). The value of continued education for healthcare professionals. Advance Healthcare Network. Retrieved from http://health-system-management.advanceweb.com/the-value-of-continued-education-for-healthcare-professionals/
  6. Rao, V.P. (2017). Advantages and disadvantages of a seminar. Street Directory. Retrieved from
    http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/277/business_and_finance/advantages_and_disadvantages_of_a_seminar.html
  7. Witt, C.L. (2011). Continuing education: A personal responsibility. Advances in Neonatal Care, 11(4): 227-228. DOI:10.1097/ANC.0b013e31822648f3.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.