Allergy Relief

Your fall allergies have probably already begun for you and if they haven't they are on the horizon. Allergies can be extremely debilitating, which can make life very difficult if you are in a profession where other's needs come before yours.

There are so many different "remedies" out there these days.

Over the counter:

Natural Remedies:

Prescriptions:

What works for you and what doesn't?

Try Running a 5K

photo by Federico Stevanin

Syndicated from Nurse Together by Alice Burron

This summer, I strongly encourage you to try to run a 5K race (about 3 miles). These races are a great way to get in shape, help a good cause, and increase your self-esteem. The running routes often go through parks, mountains and hills, or along bike paths that may introduce you to new places to walk, run or bike. During and after the race, you typically receive food and drink support and enormous encouragement, and maybe even a cool t-shirt!

If you have never run a 5K race before, gaining the courage to embark will be half the battle. Once you have made the mental commitment, all you have to do is begin training. I have designed a walk/run program that will help you go from not running at all, to being able to run a whole 5K in 10 weeks. If you have not been exercising regularly, you may want to see your physician to get the go-ahead.

To prevent injury, be sure to stretch five minutes before and after each workout, wear shoes made for running and that are well-fit for your feet, and stay well hydrated. Good luck, and I would love to hear your success stories!

Key: 5’w = 5 minutes of walking, 5’r = 5 minutes of running.

Family Members from Hell

Photo by Tina Phillips

Syndicated from Madness: Tales of an emergency room nurse

FAMILY MEMBERS FROM HELL:

DOORWAY GAWKER- stands in room doorway and stares at the staff, arms folded, from the doorway with an impatient, angry look on their face

THE VENTRILOQUIST - talks for the patient until you tell them to stop it

THE SHADOW- you have to pry this person away from the patients bedside in order to do your job. then they watch every move you make as you start an IV, give meds, etc.

APATHETIC ANN/ANDY - brings a book, laptop - has a sort of been here/done this attitude - seems uninterested in whats going on

THE SUCKER - accompanies a patient with some kind of bogus chronic problem and has bought into it hook, line and sinker

THE KLEPTOMANIAC - you might catch this person rummaging through the cupboards, drawers and perhaps pocketing a thing or two

THE ERRAND RUNNER - may come up to the desk requesting warm blankets, footies, water, food, more pain meds, etc etc etc

MAMAS BOY MAMA - accompanies their grown son or daughter to the ER and sits with concerned look at bedside

BABY DADDY - accompanies girlfriend to ER and is suspicious of any male that comes into the room. Wants to stay there when pelvic exam is being done.

THE DUMPER- drops off confused mom/dad/annoying sibling/girlfriend/boyfriend and leaves

SPACE INVADERS - crosses that line into the staff area or follows the doctor into their area - definitely a no no

CHRISTMAS GIFTERS - brings mom/dad/grandma who they haven't seen for months to ER because they "aren't doing that well/can't take care of themselves/need to go to a nursing home"

CHICKEN LITTLE - runs to triage desk requesting help for mom/dad/etc in the car who are dying (99% of the time they are fine). Comes up to the desk and tells you heart monitor is dinging - is that OK??!!!

SUSPICIOUS STAN/STELLA- takes notes - wants names of staff, name of medication, name of tests. Has special "medical notebook".

Shift Worksheets for Nurses

ScrubsMag.com has some great worksheets for keeping hospitals organized. They have everything from shift worksheets to ICU specific worksheets.

Check them out.

July 4th = A Busy ER

Photo by tungphoto

Syndicated from Scrubs June 30th

"The U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission estimates that in 2009 there were approximately 9,000 fireworks-related injuries, with well over half occurring on or around the Fourth of July."

The Firework Fanatic:

"If you’re working in the ER this Fourth of July, don’t be surprised to see hands with missing fingers, since fireworks that prematurely detonate in someone’s hand can take out a finger or two.

Also common are eye injuries in children, since children are often at the same eye level as the fireworks their parents are holding in their hands and setting off.

Another common injury is damage to eardrums from being too close to fireworks. You could see a few cases of temporary deafness, but hopefully no cases of permanent damage."

DNT's Own Justine Schaff -A New York VIP

Justine Schaff is one of the co-owners of Dream Nurse Travel. This past spring she was recognized as one of the 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know in New York.

Justine fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor by going to Temple University Medical School. She did her 4 year residency in Oakland, CA and is now currently an emergency medicine attending at Cayuga Medical Center.

In 2004, Justine joined the board of the Ithaca Health Alliance, whose specific goal was opening a multi-disciplinary free clinic. In 2005 the Ithaca Free Clinic opened its doors to all. In her spare time, Justine volunteers at the clinic.

Justine is one amazing woman. We at Dream Nurse Travel are so proud of her and delighted that she received this special recognition. She truly deserved it.

Dream Nurse Travel's New Website

We just recently redesigned our Dream Nurse Travel Website to make navigation easier.

If you would like information about us or a specific position just fill out the "Contact" form.

If you'd like to apply for a specific job opening, click on "Jobs," scroll down to find your position and click "Apply."

If you want to be proactive and begin filling out an application before the position you'd like opens, feel free to click on the "Apply Now" on the top left of the home page.

We also included a bunch of helpful links that will take you to places like NYSNA and Continuing Ed opportunities.

Stop by and leave us a comment using the "Contact" form and tell us what you think.