We clean our homes to be healthier. To get rid of harmful bacteria and viruses, dust and allergens. But could actually cleaning our homes be making us sick? The Effects of Cleaners on Health A 20 year study published in a peer-reviewed medical journal found that using household cleaners even once a week was as damaging to lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. The […]
This past week I attended a local Nurse Practitioner’s conference, the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives (KANPNM) conference in Louisville, KY. I know that as a student you have plenty on your plate with readings, assignments, projects, papers and tests. But no matter how early you are in your graduate education, I highly recommend joining professional nursing organizations and I especially recommend attending professional conferences. I honestly […]
Finding your own preceptors for clinical experience is one of the most stressful things about nurse practitioner school. I recently chatted with another student about whether she liked her program and she said she might not pick the same school if she had to do it again. The main reason she cited was “lack of support” in finding preceptors. I have also questioned my choice in schools for this reason. […]
Times are stressful right now for everyone. Nurses and other healthcare professionals may especially be feeling stressed. Some overwhelmed with COVID-19 and the deaths they’ve witnessed and may be at risk for Secondary Traumatic Stress. While other areas are laying off hospital staff due to low census. We could all use a little breather. If you have experienced high levels of stress during this pandemic learn more about how to […]
Nurses and other healthcare workers in the hotspots of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate tremendous courage battling this disease on the frontlines. But they are also exhausted, worried and sometimes angry. Healthcare workers also have to care for their sick coworkers or family members and even watch them die. Those in areas that are not yet overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases are watching what is happening in New York, Michigan, California and […]
These are anxious times. And there is a lot of of information circulating about proper protection from COVID-19. Here is what I’ve learned Educate yourself on proper PPE use The American Nurses Association advocates for the nursing profession and offers resources and support for nurses. I recently watched their webinar on protection from COVID-19 by experts in epidemiology and disaster preparedness. I’ve summarized some of the main points below. Studies […]
I have so many mixed emotions right now. On one hand, I am ok, my family is ok and we are all healthy so far. I am thankful that our state has not been hard hit yet by this pandemic and our hospitals are not overloaded yet. But I am anxious. I sometimes lie in bed at night with racing thoughts. I worry about my husband’s health. I worry about […]
Recruiters have to sift through hundreds of resumes, so keywords are essential to make your resume stand out. In nursing resumes, it is especially important to include keywords or phrases so that your resume catches the recruiter’s eye. Nursing resumes are slightly different from other fields because the nursing field is a highly technical career that puts more emphasis on specialized skills and expertise. And with the use of Applicant […]
Low back pain (LBP) occurs in 40-97.9% of nurses and ranks as the second most common reason for the loss of work productivity and increased medical expenses, according to a 2017 literature review. It also contributes to nurse burnout. Laying flat on your back for days, feeling that crippling spasm when you move, or even nausea and numbness in your legs is very unpleasant. Nurses’ work is very physically demanding, with […]
Round and round we go, when we’ll sleep, nobody knows. Have you ever walked outside on your day off and physically cringed at the bright light of the sun, like a blood-sucking vampire turning to dust? Do you have dark circles under your eyes and drag your flesh around the house like a zombie? My fellow night-shifters, my tribe. Most nurses know the health risks of working night shift. Shortened […]
Free Nursing Career Information: Expert Tips for Success 