National Football League is the past; Nursing the future! #nursing

National Football League is the past; Nursing the future!

On the face of it there is no comparison between the two; however if you look closely, a football player has a short playing career which gets shorter if there is any serious injury (chances of which are always very high). A nurse on the other hand, works for decades, not only serving humanity but also earning very decent amounts of money. In addition, nursing career has a great job outlook as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse with an Associate’s degree earns in excess of $64,000 each year. Nurses with higher educational qualifications and prior related work experience may earn in excess of the quoted yearly income. For example, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), on average, earn $130,000 per year.

As mentioned earlier the career in nursing, nursing profession has a great job outlook as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 26 percent faster growth of the industry as compared to other industries between the years 2010 and 2020.  This exponential growth is due to the large and ageing baby-boomer generation which now requires medical services. This is also because of technological advancements and an increased emphasis on preventive care.

Despite the attractive professional outlook if you are still unsure whether nursing is the profession for you, consider this; if you have the following skills, nursing is the profession for you:

• ·         Critical thinking skills
• ·         Speaking skills
• ·         Organizational skills
• ·         Patience
• ·         Emotional stability
• ·         An eye for detail
• ·         Compassion

In addition to acquiring the right educational qualification(s) it is worth remembering that all nurses must have a nursing license to practice. This means passing the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-RN. Some states may have further requirements as well.

*infographic and article credit to: http://www.excite.com/education/careers/nursing-careers 

Arm Yourself With Knowledge and ASK #ASKingsaveskids

The Question To Ask On June 21, And After

In America, nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun, and a
staggering 33 percent of homes with children have a gun.
Every year, thousands of children are killed or seriously injured as a result.
As parents, we can protect those we love by arming ourselves with knowledge and
educating ourselves about very real health and safety issues that fuel unnecessary tragedy.
One way of arming ourselves with knowledge is by making sure to ASK if there are guns
where our children play. If the answer is no, then we have one less thing to worry about.
If it’s yes, then we need to ensure that the guns are stored, locked, and kept separate from ammunition.
On Friday, June 21, 2013, organizations and individuals around the country will celebrate
National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. Held annually on the first day of summer, a season
when children spend more time in other homes, ASK Day reminds parents about the
importance of asking if there are guns in the homes where their children play.

Another resource for parents is the “Arm Yourself with Knowledge” Facebook Page, which
offers simple, empowering solutions to prevent youth violence by making your home, family and
community safer.
For more information or to participate in ASK day, email ask@cpyv.org, or visit
askingsaveskids.org

Just the facts ma'm:

FACT SHEET________________________________________________
• An average of 8 kids and teens are killed by firearms every day and 42 additional children
and teens are seriously injured (Injury Mortality Reports, National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, CDC, 2010; 2011).
• 27 children and teens are seriously injured by BB or pellet guns every day (Injury Mortality
Reports, 2011).
• Studies show that between 33% and 40% of American households with children have guns
(Johnson, Renee, “Firearm Ownership and Storage Practices, U.S. Households, 1992-
2002.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 27, 2004; Peter Hart Research Associates
Poll, 1999, American Journal of Public Health, April 2000).
• 1 in 4 kids and teens whose parents own guns say they have seen or touched a gun without
their parents’ knowledge. (Global Strategy Group Youth Study commissioned by CPYV,
2011).
• Almost 90 percent of accidental shootings involving children are linked to an easy-to-find,
loaded handgun in the house (Society of Pediatric Nurses, 1998).
• Eighty-eight percent of the children who are injured or killed in unintentional shootings are
shot in their own homes or in the homes of relatives or friends (Pediatrics 2005).
• 42% of parents with guns keep at least one unlocked; 25% keep at least one loaded, and 14%
keep one unlocked AND loaded (Global Strategy Group Parent Study commissioned by
CPYV, 2011).
• Over 75% of kids in homes with guns say they know where the gun is hidden (Benenson
Strategy Group Study commissioned by PAX, July 2002).

THE ASK SOLUTION__________________________________________
• Less than 50% of parents reported being concerned about guns in other homes, but 79%
would be concerned if they knew there was a gun in the home their child was visiting (GSG
Parent Study).
• Only 23% of parents said they had asked in the past, but by the end of the survey, 89% said
ASKing was important (GSG Parent Study).
• 97% of parents who owned a gun said that they would not be offended if another parent
asked about a gun in their home (GSG Parent Study).

TIPS FOR STARTING THE CONVERSATION_______________________
• “We all know how curious kids can be…”
• “I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions about the kids’ safety…”
• “I heard the most surprising fact from my pediatrician…”
• “Do you remember that tragic story about the kids who found a gun?....”
• “All of us on the PTA have committed to making sure our kids are safe…”
• “Remember what we found in our houses when we were kids!”

DogGone, It's Summer, Keeping your Pets Safe

Do you have animals that ride in the car with you? Remember those animals depend on you to take care of them. Cracking a window does not cut it if you are going to leave them in the car. Even on a mildly warm day, a car can quickly become an oven for an animal.{EAV:26fac7f2f724fef5}

Leaving them outdoors without shelter, on a chain, in a cage or without water or a way to get some relief from the heat is just as bad. Know the signs of heatstroke and get your animals the appropriate treatment if you suspect any problems. 

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm's way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution, both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot, dog-days of summer.

Signs of Heatstroke

• Panting
• Staring
• Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands
• Warm, dry skin
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Collapse

Precautions to take if your pet lives outdoors

• Ensure adequate shelter from sun/midday heat
• Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in the shade
• Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over
• Avoid excessive exercise on hot days
• Talk with your local veterinarian to determine if your long-haired Fido needs a summer haircut

A US & Global View Of Child Injury #prevention #safety

A Tweet A Day Keeps The Doctor Away {infographic}

 

All gave some...Some gave All

On this Memorial Day lest we forget those nurses and field medics who gave so much to care for our military for so many years and wars. A fundamental part of each branch of service, the medical corp staff is on the forefront when soldiers need assistance both in the field and the field hospitals. Many of the concepts I use today in the ED started in the military fields. Heros are made both on the battlefield and at the bedside of a injured or dying soldier. Many nurses or medics are the last contact that the soldier has to say with his/her last breath " tell my momma or my wife I love her".

Some interesting facts from Scrubs Magazine:

• More than 10,000 nurses served in World War I. They traveled across the Atlantic Ocean by ship, and the journey took about two weeks.

• Somewhere between 200 and 300 nurses died in World War I. Many contracted illnesses such as scarlet fever and influenza, which took their lives. Some died in military accidents, and some died at the hands of enemy weapons.

• In the 1960s and 1970s, the nurses who went overseas to nurse injured soldiers in the Vietnam War were young women who had just graduated from nursing school. This was their first nursing experience, and they served for one year minimum. They could serve longer if they chose to.

• As the machines of war evolved, the nurses who served overseas saw and treated injuries they would never have to deal with again. For example, during the Vietnam War, napalm, a flammable liquid that causes severe burns and often death, was a commonly used weapon, and nurses saw its horrible effects.

• Today, the nurses who go overseas range in age from 20 to 60, and one-third are men. The service term is six months, but “active duty” nurses can be reposted (sent back) several times.

• The Army Nurse Corps became an official branch of the Army Medical Department in 1901. You can learn about joining the Army Nurse Corps on the U.S. Army website.

• There are 10 different nursing specialities in the Army Nurse Corps, ranging from Army Public Health Nurses to Perioperative Nurses to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.

• Military nurses have served in numerous wars, including the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. They have served with NATO troops in Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo.

• During World War II, 67 Army nurses and 16 Navy nurses were held by the Japanese for three years as prisoners of war.

• Located near the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a memorial to all nurses who have served in all wars. It’s a bronze statue of a nurse caring for a wounded soldier. As a nurse, hopefully you’ll have the opportunity to visit this memorial someday—if not on this Memorial Day, then perhaps on another Memorial Day, or any day.

Top 30 Nursing Blogs 2013: Boy I am Proud To Make This List

Wow is all I can say, the names on this list are some incredible blogs that I have read and loved for a long time now, then I notice that my name is also on this list and  all I can say is WOW! Yes I love being a nurse in the ER and can't imagine doing anything else as a career. So I wanted my blog to reflect that and inspire others into nursing. Congratulations to all nursing blogs on this list, everyone deserving of many awards.

Best Nursing Blogs

1. Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Blogs feature a wide variety of perspective from their various bloggers. The blogs are written by some of the foremost minds in the nursing field and offer insights into both the worlds of practice and academia.

Highlight: Hospital Waste

2. Codeblog is one of the oldest and most consistent nursing blogs out there, dating back 11 years. Codeblog very simply covers the nursing experiences of its writer and records them for the entertainment and education of others in the field or considering it.

Highlight: Rookie Mistake

3. Nurse Barb is a very popular advice blog that covers a wide range of treatment options for common ailments. The blog stands as a good example of the sort of niches available to nurses interested in blogging.

Highlight: Walk in Retail Clinics More Popular

4. At Your Cervix is a blog featuring the musings of a labor and delivery nurse. The blog also chronicles her journey from nurse, to nurse-midwife.

Highlight: Suturing

5. RehabRN features the thoughts and experiences of a rehab nurse. The blog is engaging and shares stories of both success and failure, seeking always to provide the reader with a realistic sense of the job.

Highlight: Awww, Some Lucky Folks

6. Madness: Tales of an Emergency Room Nurse features tales from the emergency room, and the perspective of a nurse working in this necessarily high pressure environment. The blog features topics from stories derived from personal experience, to advice for surviving the day to day insanity of the ER.

Highlight: The Reality of Being an ER Nurse

7. Health Care Renewal is focused on addressing major issues that threaten to compromise the core values of the health profession. The blog turns an especially critical eye on management and the centralization and abuse of power.

Highlight: A Physician Rebels Against Micromanagement by ‘Leadership Trained’ Management Extenders

8. Provo School Nurses is a collaborative blog run by a collection of school nurses from the Provo Utah area. These nurses share insight into the lives of school nurses, and advice for nurses in or considering the school nurse field. The blog also features posts centered on providing resources for local readers. This blog is a great example for school nurses looking to maximize their impact on their local community.

Highlight: Health Classes

9. Tales of a School Zoned Nurse features the stories and thoughts of a school nurse. This is a more intimate, personal look at school nursing. The tone of the blog is light, with a good sense of humor.

Highlight: Mama Bears

10. Diary of a School Nurse is all about what really goes on in the nurse’s office. The blog features stories about and advice dealing with the unique day to day situations faced by school nurses everywhere. Many of the posts are in a poetic form, which gives the blog a unique feel.

Highlight: I am a Foster Child

11. Nurse Education seeks to provide a place where debate and discussion about the nursing profession, and nurse education in particular, can be had. The blog tackles all of the major nurse education issues, and the impact of those issues on the field of nursing in general.

Highlight: Where did All the Compassion Go? (A Question to the Government)

12. A Journey Through Nursing School and Beyond chronicles the journey of a nurse pursuing her BSN degree. The blog deals a lot with the unique challenges of working a nurse’s difficult schedule, and balancing that with school and life.

Highlight: Fake it ‘Til You Make it

13. The Makings of a Nurse is all about taking readers on the journey of nursing by communicating the writer’s thoughts and experiences of day to day life as a nurse. While the blog is primarily about nursing, it also throws in posts dealing with the world outside the workplace.

Highlight: Problem Solving

14. Ten Centimeters and Beyond is the blog of a night shift labor and delivery nurse that works in a mid-sized hospital. The blogger is also a mother who has experienced many of the challenges of pregnancy on a personal level. She shares insights from both the medical and personal side of pregnancy and birth.

Highlight: LDRP

15. The Birthin’ Blog is an upbeat blog that features articles and advice beneficial to both labor and delivery nurses, and expectant mothers.

Highlight: Emergency Cesarean vs. Unplanned Cesarean

16. On Call RN… is all about the makings of an ICU nurse. The blog shares stories as well as commentary and analysis from a nurse’s perspective on medical issues and other topics.

Highlight: Black Hawk Down

17. The Nurse Practitioner’s Place features the musings of a nurse practitioner who practices in a rural area.  This mother and grandmother received her degree in 2007 and her enthusiasm for this career she arrived into later in life shows in her insightful and well written blog.

Highlight: Babies and Adulthood

18. Nurse Practitioner Business Owner Blog is a unique blog where this nurse practitioner shares insights on the business side of nursing. The blog is focused on providing resources and support nurse practitioners in private independent practice.

Highlight: Effective Today, Medicare Cuts 2%

19. Adventures of a PICU Nurse Practitioner has two areas of focus. One is relating stories and insights derived by this nurse practitioner from her time working in the PICU. The other focus is on how she sees life outside of work, and how her profession affects her day to day life.

Highlight: Chief Complaint:???

20. The NP Mom brings both the perspective of a Nurse Practitioner and a mother to the table. The blog tackles major issues of health and parenting such as eating disorders, type II diabetes in children, and online RN to BSN education.

Highlight: A Day in the Life of a Nurse Practitioner

21. ER RN brings readers advice an experiences from an ER night shift nurse. The blog recognizes that being a night shift RN takes a certain kind of person. Anybody considering night shift nursing should read this, and anybody that does night shift nursing will find a kindred spirit.

Highlight: Night Shift in the Nether Regions

22. ER Nurses Care is the blog of Leslie Block, and she loves being an ER nurse. She cares about her patients, about her co-workers, and about people on the internet she has never met. Her blog has some stories, but mostly advice, tips on staying healthy and developing healthy habits no matter who you are or what you do, but especially if you are an ER nurse with a demanding and often fluctuating schedule.

Highlight: Stand Up, Speak Out, and Do Something

23. Adventures of Hood Nurse: Hood Hospital 2, Electric Boogaloo is an irreverent look at the unique challenges faced by nurses who work in urban environments with people on the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum.

Highlight: Tag

24. My Strong Medicine followed the blogger on his journey through his graduate education in nursing and now continues to follow him as he makes the transition from the Master’s in Nursing to a new level in the field.

Highlight: Attempting, Finding, and Maintaining Balance

25. Digital Doorway features the musings of Nurse Keith on the nursing profession, coaching, healthcare, and more. The blog features articles on the importance of self care, book reviews, and stories about day to day events in the life of a nurse.

Highlight: Self Care: Between Flood and Drought

26. Not Nurse Ratched features fresh new perspectives on the field from a young up and comer who was inspired to go to nursing school after being a medical editor for most of her career.  This web savvy, politically incorrect, tattooed and pierced ER nurses offers an edgier view on everything from nursing to photography to Apple products to pit bulls.

Highlight: The Reasons Nurses Yell All the Time

27. Nursing Notes of Discord features fictional stories that reflect real life problems and situations faced by a psychiatric nurse.

Highlight: Wrong Person Snapped

28. Life in the NHS is written by a 30 year veteran of nursing. While she no longer works in nursing directly, she maintains the blog and offers insights and perspectives on developments in the field from an experienced point of view.

Highlight: Where Should People be Cared For?

29. The Nerdy Nurse features articles on everything from eating healthy, to building a great RN resume. The blog is light on stories and skews more toward posts about life in general and useful tips for fellow nurses.

Highlight: What is Research Nursing and How Can You Make it Your Career?

30. JParadisi RN’s Blog is an eclectic blog that ties in science, art, and humanity to the profession of nursing, viewing the field through a variety of unique perspectives.

Highlight: Lessons About Medication Errors From Baseball

Credit here http://www.nursedegree.net/top-30-nursing-blogs/