Stressed? Try Blogging

People are always talking about the benefits of journaling. And even though the advantages are numerous, it is also 2010, almost 2011. Today the best way to journal is to blog.

While at work, a nurse always has to be ON. There isn't a lot of time to let your mind wander. Blogging would be excellent way to relax.

When you create a blog you are able to share your day to day occurrences with others OR you can create a blog that is visible to no one else but you.

Over at Nurse Together they created the following list of potential benefits for journaling:

· Work out on paper the issues at hand; strategize to develop solutions for same.

· Articulate the proper words to say to help you communicate better with someone.

· Vent! You can say things in your journal you would/could never say in person, and it’s ok!

· Be still and quiet. Journaling can help you slow down, be present and concentrate better.

· Goal setting - thinking about an idea is one thing, writing it down takes on a whole new meaning.

· Offers a reality check - do you really want to quit your job, get a dog or move to Iceland?

· Provides a safe place to grow - a place for little ideas that won’t be judged, a place for seeds to sprout.

If you start/have a public blog let us know and we will be one of your first followers.

RNs Conducting the Invasive Body Scans

There are many opinions about the pros and cons concerning the new airport body scanners and body searches.

The scans themselves aren't very powerful, thus they only penetrate through a layer of clothes. The image that arises from the scan is basically a fuzzy nude photo of the individual.

If you choose not to be scanned, you will be subjected to an invasive, enhanced pat down by a security guard of the same sex.

Over at AZ Central there is an article discussing the idea of using retired RNs, LPNs, med techs, etc to conduct these. Currently the scans and pat downs are ran by Transportation Security Administrator's (TSAs).

Would you feel better about having medical professionals conduct these scans? What are your opinions of the scans in general?

Some of you may be subjected to these scans/searches if you plan on flying this holiday season. CNN.com has a list of these airports.

Tell us what you think!

"that bellyache will cost you $5,000..... "

Earlier this spring, I was experiencing some pretty decent side cramps. They started on Friday night and lasted all weekend. However, by Monday morning I was feeling much better. BUT, since I had been doubled over for 2 straight days we thought it best that I go in and get things checked out.

Yep, they gave me a CT scan. The results showed that I had only a slightly, enlarged appendix. In any case, they took me by ambulance to the hospital, hubby was not allowed to drive me because of my IV port.

I was at the hospital for a day and a half, had one ultrasound and left with my appendix still intact. The doctor, on call, decided that it wasn't inflamed enough to require surgery. Plus, since Monday morning, I had been feeling great. I just had some tenderness.

My assumption: One VERY large gas bill.

Did they have to perform a CT or would a much cheaper ultrasound sufficed? I am not sure.

Girl Vet from over at Madness: Tales of an Emergency Room Nurse discusses this new "fad" of everyone using CT scans. She asks the questions, "Are we giving too many CT scans? Are hospitals doing so many just because they have access to the machines? Should we be exposing patients all of this excess radiation?

Have you noticed a difference in your hospital? Are there unnecessary tests and procedures performed just because the equipment is handy?

Tip: How Not to Pee in Your Scrubs

Ian over at Impacted Nurse is hilarious.

Check out his tip on: How NOT to PEE in Your Scrubs...

Our Patients Deserve....Nurses that are PRESENT

Photographer: healingdream

We all know that without nurses, hospitals could never manage efficiently. Nurses are the backbones of the whole establishment.

However, without patients there also would be no hospital. Most of the time, patients come to us when they are at their most vulnerable.

Every one of us has been a patient at one time or another. And, as a patient we deserve to have certain needs met.

There is an article over at Nurse Together that lists a few needs of patients:

1. Help the patient to feel human.

2. Empower the patient.

3. Ease the patients fear.

4. Treat all patients with respect.

These are all very important needs, however, the most substantial need of any patient is TIME with a nurse that is PRESENT.

When spending time with patients, nurses need to be present, both in body and mind. Patients truly deserve this. If a nurse is preoccupied by something else and not entirely focused on the patient it is always extremely obvious.

Even if our schedule is packed and we are only able to be in each patient's room for 5 mins it is still a nurses responsibility to give undivided attention.

This is something we would want as patients, isn't it?

Resume Writing for Travel Nurses

Often times, your resume is the first contact you have with a possible employer. And, we have all been told that first impressions really make or break deals. So, it is very important for travel nurses to keep their resumes looking crisp, neat and to the point.

On average an employer looks at your resume for 15 seconds.

Long descriptive resumes can turn potential employers off. A resume is not supposed to contain all of the details just the specifics. If an employer wants to know more about you and the skills you have, they will do so in a phone interview.

Make sure to include white space. It creates a visual rest for the eye.


Google Docs is a great place to get resume templates.

7 Tips for Night Shift Nurses

Photographer: Maggie Smith


How do I make it through 3, 12 hour night shifts in a row? If it is a new endeavor for you, you might find yourself asking this very question.

Working the night shift can be very rewarding if you go into it thinking positively. Driving home in the morning in the opposite direction of rush hour. The productivity of the middle of the night. The quiet, most of the time, halls.

However, if you aren't prepared you may end up making some very big mistakes. Not only can working the night shift disrupt your day to day life but, it can also disrupt those around you.

The article 7 Tips for Working the Night Shift has some great advice on how to make your night shift position a success. The website Nurse Together is such a great resource. Definitely check it out.

Lucky for many of us, dogs are happy to see us any time of day. And they are more than willing to snuggle up and sleep with us after a long night shift.

Healthcare Travelbook for Travel Nurses

If you have never heard of Healthcare Travelbook before you are in for a treat. It is the coolest site out there for travelers.

Once you are a member you can join forums, share pictures, videos and even create your own blog. It is very similar to facebook, however, it was created just for travel professionals.

Soon, Healthcare Travelbook is going to give their members the option of creating groups. Once this is available Dream Nurse Travel is going to create a group just for our nurses. This will allow us to keep in better contact with each other and also it will give our nurses a chance to get to know each other.

So, we would love for each of our nurses to join Healthcare Travelbook. After, you join look for Dream Nurse Travel and befriend us so we can begin following one another.

10 Possible Interview Questions for Travel Nurses

If you are wondering what questions you may be asked on a phone interview, here are some of the possibilities.

1) How long have you worked in your area of specialty?

2) How long have you been a traveler?

3) Our orientation process is only a few days long, which really orients you to the floor. Are you comfortable with this?

4) What do you feel you are the strongest in(expertise..ex: cardiac)?

5) Where do you feel you are weakest?

6) Are you comfortable with taking a large assignment. At times we may be very short staffed and we may need you to take on a strong assignment.

7) When are you available to work?

8) Do you have a problem with weekends and nights?

9) Do you have any questions for me? This is a good time to ask details about the unit. If the participate in team nursing/ pt to nurse ratio. Total number of nurses that work on each shift. Who are your resources.. etc..

10) When is the soonest you can start?

Feel free to share other possible questions.

Phone Interview Tips for Nurses

photo by br3akthru

1. Pick a quiet place where you won't be bothered.

2. Have your resume/any notes/questions ready to go.

3. Talk slowly and with confidence.

4. Explain why you're special.

5. Listen carefully

6. Keep answers to the point.

7. Don't interrupt the interviewer's questions.

8. Be honest. Don't offer skills you do not have.

9. Thank the interviewer for their time

10. Reiterate that you think you are a perfect candidate for the position.

Free Vaccines

Tompkins County Health Department has a number of FREE vaccines.
The Tompkins County Health Department will hold a *Family Flu Clinic* on
Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the health department at 55
Brown Road (near the airport). Bring your family and friends. No
appointment needed!
Children (6 months of age through 18 years) are FREE!
The cost for adults 19 years of age and older is $35. Medicare part B,
Medicaid, cash or check accepted. No credit or debit cards.

For more info go to Tompkins County.

Annie, Annie are you okay?

Many of us have asked this question while taking a CPR class. And yes, it is still very important to ask this question before administering CPR. One wouldn't want to begin chest compressions on an individual who merely resting. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) has changed their recommended order for the CPR procedure.

The A, B, C,'s (Airway, Breathing, Compressions) protocol has now been changed to C, A, B (Compressions, Airway, Breathing).

When a person becomes unresponsive, their lungs will still contain some oxygen. So, by beginning CPR with chest compressions you are able to get oxygen to the brain about 30 seconds faster than if you preformed the older A, B, C version.

The AHA also recommends that compressions are at a rate of 100/minute. On adults the compressions should be about 2 inches deep and on children they should be about 1.5 inches deep.

The American Heart Association has a complete list of the guidelines on their home page.