Nursing

Boo asked:


I can do most anything except woodwork. What would an elderly person in a nursing home need? I could make something to use as prizes for their Bingo games. But what?

all nursing

isarma42 asked:

Feel free to comment here: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=5459697&page=1 Morgan and I were asked to do an interview on cross-nursing. It was taped last month and aired on July 28th. We’re both generally happy with how it turned out. You said you wanted more videos of Bastian, right? Well, there he is:) Donovan’s there and looking adorable, too!

nursing goals

Ryan Anderson asked:


The opportunities for a RN or registered nurse are growing each day, and those who continue their education after gaining their RN license quickly learn that there is no end to their career possibilities. It is important to understand that continuing a nursing education entails an array of education, including secondary degrees, additional certifications, and specialized trainings and coursework. Though we will discuss in greater detail, continuing your nursing education and/or credentialing opens the door to a management or leadership position, the ability to change specialties, and even start your own business.

Seeking a masters or doctoral degree is one on the more traditional ways to continue your nursing education. Gaining a masters degree gives you the option of higher level nursing occupations, such as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Not to mention the ability to obtain supervisory and leadership roles. A master’s degree program goes beyond medicine and looks at the other factors that effect healthcare, like social, economic, financial, and cultural factors. These programs teach leadership and resource management, allowing nurses who obtain a master’s degree to have careers in healthcare management and administration. A doctoral degree can possibly open the door to management and administration. Doctoral degrees allow nurses to pursue research opportunities and the abilities to teach at colleges and universities. These nurses can also be found as consultants on health systems and policies.

Another way to continue your nursing education is to obtain certification in one or more nursing specialties. Within the field of nursing, there is a long list of specializations that a nurse can choose to pursue. While some fall within the traditional idea of nursing, such as pediatric nursing, others are considered more alternative career choices such as genetic nursing. The majority of these specializations do in fact have their own certification programs. The greatest benefit of continuing your nursing education through gaining additional certifications allows you to change your specialty throughout your nursing career. You can choose to stay on the cutting edge of new and emerging specialties. You could also make yourself a more attractive candidate for various healthcare organizations.

Though it may not come with the added credentialing of a degree or certification program, there is also the ability for a nurse to further his or her education by additional trainings, seminars, and other CEU courses. In the field of nursing there are numerous opportunities for additional training. The type of training that a nurse chooses to take can be determined by particular interests within the field. There is a need to stay on top of new changes within the healthcare industry, how to get a better understanding of patients, and even new advancements in medical technology and treatments. Continuing education units or CEU’s are often required in some specialties after a specific certification has been achieved.

These may be different ways to continue your nursing education, but the actual benefit of continuing this education mirrors the benefits of going into the nursing field itself. One of the key benefits is flexibility. Having additional education in a specific or general area of nursing provides you with the flexibility of changing career paths to suite your changing life. For example, as many nurse’s children are becoming school aged, they begin looking at career paths and schedules that allow them to work during the early part of the day, allowing them to be home when their children arrive home from school. Others decide to look into a more executive or administrative role as their career progresses.

Continuing your nursing education also gives you control over your future. By gaining added credentials you can ensure that you will always be in demand. You should position yourself to allow your nursing career to transition, just as you do various stages of your life. For instance, a nurse in her 30’s may feel like the daily routine of a RN would be a bit taxing physically for her in her 40’s. She could decide to obtain her master’s degree and transition into a consulting or administrative role. Furthering your nursing education doesn’t just give you the power to secure an enviable position within a healthcare organization. It could also give you the power to enter both the academic and business sides of the healthcare field. If you have the entrepreneurial spirit you can even become your own boss. Home healthcare and nurse case management are two booming businesses that with the proper certification can be started fairly easily.

Continuing your education in any field is beneficial, but few fields can offer the benefits of continuing a nursing education. Possibly the best and most practical benefit of all is that you can easily continue your nursing education while working full time. With a career in nursing, a bright future is in your hands, all you have to do is decide which path to take.



nursing certification

ROBYN KNAPP asked:


Nursing is a profession that places on its participants a great responsibility for maintaining the highest possible standards to ensure superior quality of care. Each state has its own Board of Nursing which is responsible for the regulation and licensing of nursing practice. As the profession of nursing continues to grow and change the practicing nurse will bear more responsibility as well as legal accountability for their actions. This truth is evident in the various professional licensures that are available for nurses, such as Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwifes and Nurse Anesthetists. It therefore behooves each licensing board to not only self regulate judiciously but to also refine the scope of nurse practice from time to time.

The individual states must also act in accordance with the overall nursing theory in mind. Self regulation is done by continually refining such goals as 1) Defining its scope of nursing practice, 2) Developing a code of ethic, 3) Establishing standards for nursing education and practice and for structures through which nursing services will be delivered,4) Developing a system of credentialing, 5)Providing for peer review and quality assurance, 6) Providing for research and continuing development of the knowledge base for nursing. (Michigan Nurses Association, Legal & Professional Regulation,, Co. 1999, ISBN0-9634643-1-0, Okemos, Michigan)

As with most professions there is a code of ethics that are inherent to each. Nursing is no different. The code for nurses consists of eleven major topics that each nurse across the nation is required to adhere.

Code for Nurses

1. The nurse provides services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the client unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.

2. The nurse safeguards the client’s right to privacy, by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.

3. The nurse acts to safeguard the client and the public when heath care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person.

4. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions.

5. The nurse maintains competence in nursing.

6. The nurse exercises informed judgment and uses individual competence and qualifications as criteria in seeking consultation, accepting responsibilities, and delegating nursing activities to others.

7. The nurse participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession’s body of knowledge.

8. The nurse participates in the profession’s efforts to implement and improve standards of nursing.

9. The nurse participates in the profession’s efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to high quality nursing care.

10. The nurse participates in the profession’s effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of nursing.

11. The nurse collaborates with member so the health professions and other citizens in promoting community and national efforts to meet the health needs of the public. (Michigan Nurses Association, Legal & Professional Regulation,, Co. 1999, ISBN0-9634643-1-0, Okemos, Michigan)

One can interpret from the above Nurse Code that many of the hospitals employ a similar code to their organization for promotion of client health care needs. Some of the principals that hospitals employ include the responsibility of each of its employees to maintain the highest standards of care for each client served, to judiciously guard the privacy of clients, to maintain a safe environment and to take independent action when a situation arises where they are the only one that can act.

There are states that allow nurses that have attained advanced practice degrees to write prescriptions and bill insurance agencies independently. With the health care field burgeoning continuously with a growing aging population, the need for Nurse Practitioners will also continue to grow as well as the responsibilities of the Registered Nurse.



registered nurse

OhLilOne asked:


Im basically done with my prerequisites for nursing but now I have to apply this Fall. What should i do if I don’t get in to any nursing programs? Money and time is a definite factor here. Here’s where my dilemma;
-I’ll be transferring to a 4 year college as a Health Science major but i’m a little hesitant to even go to school for that. It’s not the major i want to pursue at a 4 year but it’s my back up it i dont. It was biology, although, i dont have most of the prerequisites done, meaning i’ll be at the cc for another 2 years or so…
- Or should I go to school for LVN for another 1.5-2 more years
-or go into medical assisting (6month program) and wait until i get into a nursing?
Overall, i want to work directly with patients. Not be a health administer. I’d drop everything once i get into a nursing program…im just scared to waste lots of money and time.
Ayyyyyyy…..God is punishing me… Please help me!

nursing health care

Shawn Thomas asked:


If you are interested in a career in nursing, you could not have picked a better time. Nurses are in great demand today, and with people living longer, this demand is only projected to increase in the years to come. And, nursing is also a great second career, for those who have been in the workplace and in another field.

In order to become a nurse you must pass a nursing exam, which is typically administered by your state’s Board of Nursing. And it is important to note that nurses are licensed within the state that they live in. So, you may want to look into taking the tests in other states, if moving to a new state is in the near future for you. Yet, in order to take this test, you must first complete a nursing education program from an accredited institution. For the majority of nursing education programs, the most common and in most cases the only prerequisite is a high school diploma.

There are three types of nursing programs for you to choose from; you can decide to get a hospital diploma, an Associate’s degree in nursing, or a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. When choosing a nursing program, be sure to choose one that best fits your budget and lifestyle. Today, there are distance and on-line programs, as well as traditional programs. Depending on the type of degree you are choosing it may take you from 2 to 4 years to become a registered nurse. Yet, if you have a degree already there are nursing programs that facilitate the ability to gain a nursing degree at a more accelerated pace. There are also programs for Certified Nursing Assistant which, if you need to get into a job quickly, is one of the fastest programs to complete. Due to a shortage of qualified nursing assistants, many employers will even pay for you to become certified.

After you have decided on a program, while working toward your degree, you may want to start thinking about what your specialty will be. The field of nursing is very diverse and no longer confined to the old fashioned white uniform or working in a hospital. Some of today’s most popular nursing specialties include forensic nursing, rehabilitation nursing, occupational health nursing, geriatric nursing, and holistic nursing.

Once you start looking for a job, there are a few things about nursing that you should know. Although there may be some differences due to specialty, most nurses are paid by the hour, instead of by a fixed annual salary. The beginning hourly rate will vary based on your location and the type of organization that you chose to work for (i.e. hospital, doctor’s office, local or state government, insurance company). Yet, the average beginning salary will be between $17.00 and $22.00 per hour. Also be aware that many states require nurses to stay current with new medicines, techniques, and the healthcare industry through continuing education credits. Fortunately the classes, lectures, and/or seminars are often easy to obtain and some can even be attended online. If you are starting nursing as second or third career, understand that nursing can be demanding physically, and be sure to consider these demands when choosing a specialty and/or a position. You should be prepared to work in high stress and/or emergency situations as well as working on the weekends and during holidays.

One of the last things for you to know is where to get help. There are numerous resources out there for nurses today. You may consider joining a trade association such as the American Nursing Association, the National League for Nursing, or the National Student Nurses Association. There are also trade associations for specific nursing specialties. Trade organizations are a great way to learn about nursing conventions, conferences, seminars, and opportunities for continuing education credits. They also provide a great support system and advice on ways to fight common problems, such as burnout.

If you are a man considering nursing, you should know that the common stereotypes of the past are being shattered today, as more and more men enter the field. And, there are trade organizations, magazines, and forums dedicated to men in nursing. Nursing is a profession that attracts and welcomes all people. So, there are resources for other specific groups, like minorities and those with disabilities who are also considering nursing.

Thanks to the popularity of shows like Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy the image of nursing has been romanticized, and it is a career that increasing numbers of people are interested in doing. Nursing is a rewarding career; but, make no mistake about, it is a challenging profession. Although, there are many things you can do to make sure this career path will suit you. One of the best actions to take before enrolling in a program of study is to talk to a registered nurse to ensure you have a realistic view of what lies ahead.



nursing goals

Mela asked:


Whenever the term critical care is mentioned – most people immediately think about severely sick patients in intensive care units or ICUs. They are not mistaken. Intensive Care Units and Critical Care specialized areas in the hospital that care for patients in need of intense and one on one attention. These are the areas where a critical care nurse Practices.

What is a Critical Care Nurse

A Critical Care Nurse or a CCN is a highly specialized nurse that has been trained to work in Critical and Intensive Care areas. Critical care nurses care for patients who are severely ill and in need of individualized care. A CCN cares for patients of all diagnoses and gender. Patients may vary depending on the category of the Critical Care Unit. Critical care nurses also deal with complex technology that helps sustain patients.



The History of Critical Care Nursing

Critical Care Nursing is a relatively new nursing specialty. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that the very first Intensive Care Units appeared in the Western world. These units were created to deal with gravely ill patients. They were considered to need a more intensive form of care compared to the patients in the regular wards. The notion of a critical care unit quickly spread. Today, most hospitals are required to have these specialized areas and in turn specialized nurses and physicians to run them.

Back then, nurses assigned in CCUs and ICUs were not seen as different from regular ward RNs. It was only a few years later that critical care nursing was considered as a specialized nursing field.

Roles of a Critical Care Nurse

Like any other registered nurse, the roles of the critical care nurse are very complex. These nurses have to deal with severely ill patients. They also need to be familiar with complex technologies that are continually present in a critical care setting. The critical care nurse also has to know basic and advance life support. Such skills may be called upon at any point during his/her service.

The critical care nurse must also be skilled in the art of diagnosis. He/she must be able to diagnose and identify a patient’s immediate needs. This part of critical care nursing is important as it may be the difference between life and death for a patient. Nonetheless, the nurse must remember that despite being skilled at diagnosis, one must not overstep her boundaries and perform roles reserved for a physician alone.

Aside from dealing with patients and their needs, the CCN also has to deal with the patient’s family. The CCN often works as a counselor that helps the family get through the crisis at hand. He/she may have to deal with questions and concerns from the patient’s immediate family and significant others.

Qualifications and Requirements

IN THE PHILIPPINES - Locally, any registered nurse can become a critical care nurse. It is only a matter of area assignment. Most of the time, nurses who are assigned in critical care units are those who have shown promise in their previous areas of exposure. They are also the ones who have worked in similar areas such as medical/surgical or pediatric units.

ABROAD - Abroad, in the US specifically, there are no specialized requirement to be a critical care nurse other than an RN License. However, there are bodies of authority that certify CCNs.

 Although, certification is not required, most CCNs abroad are choosing to go for it because it increases their credibility. Employers also often require their CCNs to be certified in the field. Certification is achieved post graduation. It is not something taught in school. Some schools may expose their students to ICUs, but this is not considered enough for certification. The RNs get their CCN certificates while they are on the job. It is also often sponsored by the employer.

Work Opportunities in the Philippine Nursing Scene

There are a lot of opportunities to become a critical care nurse in the Philippines. But, nurses have to understand that these critical care units are often hard to get into. These units only require a limited number of nurses. Most of the time there are only a total of 12 nurses that work in a typical ICU with 8–10 beds.

Those who do get into these areas are considered lucky because their position opens great opportunities to work abroad. In most settings, CCNs have a lesser work load compared to nurses in large wards. Patients in ICUs need more attention but the numbers are much smaller compared to wards. A typical government hospital ward may hold 50-70 patients and with only a nurse or two to manage it.

Work Abroad as a Critical Care Nurse



There are a lot of work opportunities for a critical care nurse abroad. The CCN can work in any area where there is an intensive or critical care unit. Certification is often an option provided by employers to deserving and promising nurses. The employers are often the ones who fund certification seminars and the likes.

With the present shortage in nursing manpower, hospitals are clamoring to get their hands on specialized nurses. These employers would often offer big sign-in bonuses just to get a nurse to work with them. The average salary of a critical care nurse in the US often ranges from USD50,000 - USD 75,000. It is estimated that nearly 70% of the critical care nurse population earn that much.  Some earn slightly lower while others earn upwards of USD90,000 to USD100,000 annually

From: http://nursingguide.ph/article_item-427/The_Ins_and_Outs_of_the_Critical_Care_Nursing_Field.html



nursing assessment

OhLilOne asked:


Im basically done with my prerequisites for nursing but now I have to apply this Fall. What should i do if I don’t get in to any nursing programs? Money and time is a definite factor here. Here’s where my dilemma;
-I’ll be transferring to a 4 year college as a Health Science major but i’m a little hesitant to even go to school for that. It’s not the major i want to pursue at a 4 year but it’s my back up it i dont. It was biology, although, i dont have most of the prerequisites done, meaning i’ll be at the cc for another 2 years or so…
- Or should I go to school for LVN for another 1.5-2 more years
-or go into medical assisting (6month program) and wait until i get into a nursing?
Overall, i want to work directly with patients. Not be a health administer. I’d drop everything once i get into a nursing program…im just scared to waste lots of money and time.
Ayyyyyyy…..God is punishing me… Please help me!

licensed practical nurse

flexyiskoo asked:


So the good news is I got accepted to the university I wanted to go to (woohoo) but the not so good news is I don’t qualify for the nursing program because of my scratchy transcript! So they said my freshman year I can take another course and then switch to nursing next year..

My question is what major would help me the most in transferring to Nursing?

nursing patients

Sandy Darson asked:


As more people are searching for ways to be and stay healthy, there has been a growing interest in holistic treatment methods within the healthcare industry. Especially with conditions such as various cancers or where patients need long-term care. Though the actual results and the benefits are often debated by medical professionals, most admit that when a patient is in a good place emotionally, it only enhances their treatment. Thus, the popularity of holistic treatments is growing and there is an increasing demand for holistic medical professionals. This is especially true in the nursing profession as nurses usually have more interaction with patients.

Holistic nursing is broadly defined as using nursing knowledge and practices in conjunction with other psychological, spiritual, social, interpersonal, and biological skills to treat the whole patient as in mind, body, and spirit (in contrast to traditional nursing which only focuses on treating the medical condition). To some degree, all nurses can be seen as holistic practitioners due to the nature of the profession. All nurses give comfort and help their patients understand what is happening to them. However, there are distinct differences between holistic and traditional nursing.

Though both traditional and holistic nurses are required to be licensed by their state nursing board, holistic nurses usually have (and in some cases are required to have) additional training. This training is geared toward the techniques that promote psychological, spiritual, and mental health. The training of Holistic nursing promotes wellness through means other than exercise, medicine, and nutrition. They also promote stress free and a calming atmosphere, working through emotional issues and setbacks, and finding inner peace. In addition, like other nursing specialties there are certifications for holistic nursing.

Traditional nursing is often limited in the methods that can be used in order to treat a patient. Typically, there are policies and procedures that guide the actions, responses and behavior of a traditional nurse. To be more specific, aside from medical treatment, comfort, advice, and kindness there is little else that a traditional nurse can do to treat their patients. On the other hand, a Holistic nurse is encouraged to use creativity in their methods of treating patients. A holistic nurse is free to use treatment methods that include but are not limited music therapy, calming techniques, guided imagery, art and animal assisted therapy, an anxiety reduction, as well as a host of other techniques to treat their patients. These techniques fall within one of a few categories or modalities of holistic nursing. Holistic nurses can become specialized in one of the modalities or use a mixture to treat patients. The most common modalities are manipulative and body-based practices such as massage therapy, mind-body medicine like yoga, biologically based practices that include herbal therapy, and energy medicine such as magnetic therapy.

Aside from the methods and ideology, the other major distinction in traditional nursing and holistic nursing is the types of patients that they treat. Traditional nurses treat all types of patients with various backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, social status, and medical conditions. They treat infants to the elderly with everything from a common cold to cancer. Although holistic nurses are trained to treat every type of patient, they usually treat patients with severe medical conditions. These types of conditions include, but are not limited to severe burns, terminal patients, cancer patients, or those who need long term care. It is typically these patients who will be under the care of a nurse long enough for the nurse to be able to focus on the whole person and not the just the medical condition. Yet, with the increase in popularity of holistic nursing, the type of patient that they treat is increasing.

Since there is a difference in the type of patient that is treated by traditional nurses and holistic nurses, there is a difference in where they are most commonly found. Traditional nurses are found at every type of healthcare facility and they are typically able to get a job at any type of healthcare firm or organization. However, while holistic nurses can work at hospitals, the majority of holistic nurses are usually found at the more specialized healthcare facilities and firms that cater to their particular type of patient.

The holistic approach has been noted as effective for some patients and many more are attempting to incorporate a holistic approach to their medical treatment. Like traditional nursing, holistic nursing is a booming career path today. In addition, more and more nursing programs are offering holistic components in classes and providing the training regimen and exam preparation for holistic nursing certifications. Right now, it is still much easier to obtain a job as a traditional nurse, but there are resources for holistic nurses. The American Holistic Nurse Association is a great resource for anyone considering holistic nursing as a specialty.



nursing standards