Related: Boundaries, Confidence, Weaknesses

Nurse X was the most clever nurse I've ever met. She used to work in a New York hospital, a real big trauma hospital, in the ER. Working with her was almost always an education, as she was always up to date with the latest techniques/procedures and was always happy to lend a hand. Then the incident happened.Mr. Smith was a student at a boarding [...]

Related: Anxiety, Confidence, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, Feelings, Learning, New Nurse, Stress, Student Nurse

I have a friend who's afraid to fly. It takes a Xanax and a glass of wine as soon as the drink cart starts moving to get her through a flight. She learned a long time ago that it was worth the anxiety to get to travel to warm, sandy places with her husband.

We all have things that freak us out a little. [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors, Handmaidens, Male Nurse, Second Career Nursing, Stereotypes

From my observations, men below the age of 25 are reluctant to enter the field of nursing. The trend remains that more men between the ages 25 and 30, who have been working in other fields, are filling the ranks.

Unfortunately, male nurses entering the field have to deal with the press' portrayal of them - that all male nurses want is a "free show." But, [...]

Related: Confidence, Feedback, Mindset, Success

I put a lot of effort into my work today. But I wondered if it was worth it.

I gave my first official drug education talk to teenagers. I 'unofficially' have talked with kids about drugs, but this was in front of three classes of students.

The social studies teacher asked me to give a presentation, because the students finished a week studying drugs. At the end [...]

Related: Attitude, Caring, Feelings, Mindset

Nurse Appreciation Week--what exactly does that mean?

Do you feel more appreciated this week than all the others? Does your employer do something special that makes you feel like all the hard work is worth it? Do your patients bend over backwards to give you their thanks?

While it's nice to have a week that's all our own, if we're counting on others to make [...]

Related: Compassion Fatigue, Humor, Seasoned Nurses

Congratulations! It’s Nurses Day. You’ve made it through another year—or perhaps you’re inching your way through your freshman year. While you’ve experienced the joy of changing patients’ lives, you no doubt have encountered daily struggles and frustrations that most people in other professions would crumble because of.

Enjoy a hearty chuckle at the fun poked at the not-so-glamorous parts of nursing. The list has been around [...]

Related: Anxiety, Balance, Boundaries, Energy, Healthy Living, Morale, Stress

My husband got back a couple weeks ago from a 5-day fly fishing adventure in Montana. For him, this is as close to heaven as this earth offers. Standing in a cold mountain stream. Watching the snow falling. Catching Brook Trout (I have no idea what he actually catches, but that's the only fish name I could think of). Letting [...]

Related: Balance, Boundaries, Caring, Compassion Fatigue, Energy, Learning, Stress

One of my early posts was about setting boundaries with those who are all too happy to cross them. This go around I'm taking a different slant.

I'm here to admit I haven't done a very good job at setting my own boundaries.

I'm in the middle of a situation that has made me exhausted, crabby, and out of clean underwear. I've allowed myself to [...]

Related: Career, Doctors, Expectations, Learning, Male Nurse, Mindset, New Nurse, Respect, Stereotypes

Once upon a time—straight out of college—I suffered from Doctoritis. I blame it partly on my youth. But the rest of the blame lay with Dr. Steele.

You see, I was an impressionable young man and Dr. Steele had it all: he was 29, handsome, worked out at the gym and had the muscles to prove it. He also had every woman in the hospital in [...]

Related: Anger, Conflict, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Emotions, Feelings, Patience, Teamwork

Yesterday the doctor I work for was fuming. He was ticked that I messed up his schedule by adding a patient. After he snipped at me, he stormed off to see the patient, who had a bad leg infection.

The patient evaluation softened the doctor's mood. The guy obviously needed to be seen--and we finished the day right on time.

Apologetic and sheepish, the doc seemed to [...]