Related: Caring, Feelings, Humor, Mentor, Morale, Patients

Many of us have been hurt by destructive forms of humor. As a fourth- and fifth-grader, I was very overweight and other children often would ridicule me. As adults, we know that being “tricked”--or being the brunt of a joke--is not healthy humor.

I learned at an early age—from a wonderful mentor—that the secret to dealing with destructive humor is this: “If you can [...]

Related: Assertiveness, Attitude, Communication, Management, Mindset, Nurse Relationships, Nurse Support, Professionalism, Quitting, Seasoned Nurses, Teamwork

In the last blog we established that if you're in a job you hate, you need to find another one. If you hate your job, how effective a nurse can you really be? That's the question I want to take a look at now.

Contrary to what my last entry may have sounded like, I believe in being a change agent for our profession. [...]

Related: Attitude, Complaints, Mindset, Motivation, Nursing Jobs, Nursing Shortage, Quitting, Truth

Nurses are the most intelligent and compassionate people in the world. Nursing is the most fulfilling and rewarding profession in the world.

Why, then, is there so much bitching going on? We're a bunch of nice people in the world’s greatest profession, yet whining often takes a prominent role in our conversations.

There may be a couple things going on. One is that we, [...]

Related: Attitude, Patience, Patients

Let’s face it: Even though we got into the profession because we want to help people, there are times when you just don’t like a certain patient.

The one who smells bad; the one who has an irritating spouse; the one who drones on about how nurses don’t treat her well; the one who constantly buzzes you; the one who complains and complains and complains about [...]

Related: Abuse, Boundaries, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors

Recently, a doctor who left our staff for another job rejoined us. We were told that he left the other job because someone filed sexual harassment suit against him.

At first, I thought it was just rumor. I knew he was a “close talker” and “close toucher,” but I didn’t think that meant he was a harasser.

As time went on, though, I began to question his [...]

Related: Balance, Perfect Nurse, Professionalism

I have a theory about nurses. Actually, I have several, but this is one of my favorites.

I believe there are two types of nurses. The first group of nurses are the "professionals". These are the men and women with lots of letters after their name, a wallet full of membership cards, and a mailbox overflowing with professional journals. They are on numerous committees and are [...]

Related: Authority, Complaints, Learning, Mistake, New Nurse, Nurse Relationships, Scapegoat, Seasoned Nurses, Truth

Sometimes it feels like I’m not given the time—or opportunity—to learn.

As a new surgical nurse, I’ve noticed that the nurses who have been around for a while don’t want to let me do some of the procedures. I’m nudged out of the way. I’ve talked with other nurses, and they say that they’re afraid of getting into trouble if the new nurse blunders, or they [...]

Related: Caring, Confidence

Jana, Mrs. Goetz, Mom. These are some of the titles I answer to everyday. The other one I hear on a regular basis is Nurse Jana. Not by the people I see at my nursing job, but by the people I hang with in my everyday life.

I'm the go-to-gal. If someone's kid just fell off the play-set, if their husband has a deep cough and [...]

Related: Healthy Living, Spirituality, Stress

It comes in all shapes and sizes. It comes when things are going well or when we're already struggling. It comes when we're young and when we're old. It comes. Then it comes again.

Stress is universal, but have you noticed how differently we all handle it? Headaches, stomach aches, even humor. This is on my mind because of the [...]

Related: Attitude, Caring, Emotions, Mindset, Patience, Patients

Life is not static. For anyone. The good does not last forever. Neither does the bad. Neither does the status quo. Some events, like college, marriage, moves, are anticipated and planned for. Others are not. Just ask one of your patients.

My guess is you have had contact with someone in the last couple of days whose world has been turned upside down by an accident, [...]