A charge nurse is, essentially, in charge. He or she has the responsibility of managing or supervising an individual department within a facility. They often arrange schedules, direct admission and discharge, supervise the use of supplies, and delegate assignments. Clearly, it is a very busy position and one that requires stamina, motivation, and the ability … Read more
When you entered nursing school, you most likely had visions of that perfect job dancing through your mind. Perhaps you envisioned working in a large hospital, working your way up to a managerial position. Maybe you envisioned being a lead nurse in a small family clinic. Whatever it is you had pictured when you decided … Read more
When I first started working as a nurse, I was told by one of my supervisors to look into malpractice insurance immediately. I balked at first. Why should I need malpractice insurance? I was a good nurse, I was smart, and I was honest. I certainly wouldn’t do anything that would put my patients in … Read more
There is a common trope that we hear in nursing that it is a calling and not a career. While many in the profession would agree with this, that’s not to say that it is one hundred percent true. In fact, there is no real consensus about whether nursing, or even healthcare in general, is … Read more
You’ve probably heard the phrase “nobody’s perfect” before, and when it comes to nursing this is especially true. You’ve probably felt inadequate at some point or another; you might compare yourself to others who are further along in their career than you are. Whatever the case may be, you don’t have to settle for feeling … Read more
A growing problem in health care facilities is the rate at which healthcare-associated infections, also known as HAI, are reported. One of the widest known infections that commonly start within a health care facility is called Clostridium difficile, also known as C. difficile. This article explains how C. difficile is contracted and what hospitals and … Read more
Nurses, along with others in the health profession, often deal with people who are not at their best. They are sick, in pain, tired, or scared. They might be dealing with insurance companies or have no insurance at all. They may be wondering how they are going to make it through all this. Unfortunately, this … Read more
Nursing is a profession that requires a specific set of skills to be successful. Being a good nurse requires a lot of work and patience. With all the demands of the job, it’s easy to forget that having a sense of humor is a characteristic that will make things easier and more enjoyable for everyone … Read more
As a nurse, you know the difficulty of balancing genuine care and compassion with a level of professionalism suiting your position. It can be hard to find the right medium between being friendly and welcoming and being professional with patients, especially the ones that you see over and over. In your efforts to quell fears, … Read more
Night shift nurses know that eating healthy is a challenge. Night shifts mess with your sleep schedule, which throws everything else off. It’s difficult to maintain a workout routine and keep up with regularly scheduled meals. However, these things are important for staying healthy and keeping up the stamina that the job requires. If you … Read more