Related: Attitude, Expectations, Feelings

Is it just me, or is anyone else suffering from Spring Fever?

It's driving me crazy.  I long for sunshine and warmer days.  I dream of flowering trees and green grass.  I wouldn't even mind my normal Spring allergies kicking in--as long as it meant the seasons were changing.

It happens to me every year.  I start longing for a change.  Mostly of scenery.  I need a [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Expectations, Job Search, Learning, NCLEX, New Grad, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Night Shift, Nursing Jobs, Resume

You've worked hard.  Stayed up night after night studying.  Suffered through exhausting clinicals.  Missed out on time with friends and family.  Shoved thousands of facts into a weary brain.  Now all you want is to put all your new-found knowledge to work.  Get out there into the workplace and do your thing.  You're confident.  You're prepared.  You're ready.

You start pounding the pavement.  Sending out resumes.  [...]

Related: Career, Caregiving, Male Nurse, Motivation, Stereotypes

I'm sure many of you, like me, have been asked this very same question: "So, what made you go into nursing?"

Now there are a bevy of responses you could come up with.  There's the traditional response: "I want to help people!"

Then there is the spiritual response: "I felt called to it!"

I was asked this question at least a billion times during my time in college. [...]

Related: Anger, Assertiveness, Boundaries, Caregiving, Communication, Expectations, Feelings, Patience, Patients, Problem Solving, Professionalism

I have been a nurse for nine months and work in a busy ER outside of Washington DC. I often find myself dealing with "Frequent Flyers" and people who misuse the emergency system (i.e., I'm fairly certain the rash you've had for six months did not just today become an emergency).

I am really struggling with how to deal with some of these difficult patients. I [...]

Related: Prayer, Spirituality

A couple of months ago I wrote a post called "Spiritually Caring for your Patient."  I told you about my belief in the power of prayer and how I often pray for my patients, whether they know it or not.  Well, I saw a story recently that has given me pause.

There is currently a case in England where a home health care nurse offered to [...]

Related: Anger, Assertiveness, Attitude, Communication, Complaints, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors, Emotions, Expectations, Feedback, Feelings, Hostility, Non-Verbal Language, Respect, Student Nurse, Support

I am a 4th-year BSN student , and part of our OB clinical experience was to follow an OB/GYN last week.  It was a horrible experience.

First, I was put in a room with 3rd-year med students, which was great because I introduced myself and got to chat with them about their program.

Then I waited over an hour for someone to acknowledge me.  (I was escorted [...]

Related: Anxiety, Career, Communication, Failure, Fear, Felony, Job Search, Mistake, New Nurse Tips, Nurse History, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Truth, Weaknesses

I understand those of you who are worried about losing your license after a conviction-and wondering about how to appeal the board of nursing. I know what it is like to worry for months and months, because there are no clear cut answers out there.

I am an RN who has been licensed since 1990. In 2008 I got arrested for petite theft, a Class 2 [...]

Related: Career, Compliments, Conflict, Education, Feelings, Nurse Relationships, Nursing Jobs, Nursing Trends

"Such a waste!"

Those were painful words to hear from a colleague after she learned that I was using my nursing degree in a new way.

For the past year, I've been working in Nursing Informatics at the hospital where I am employed.  It embraces where nursing is headed in the 21st century.

I'm excited about the direction of my career-even if it isn't where I slated it [...]

Related: Caring, Communication, Confidentiality, Problem Solving, Truth

I have a friend who told me a story the other day, and I wanted to share it with you.  It concerns confidentiality, but not in the way you might think.  You see, she was the one left out of the loop and it affected the way she cared for someone.  Let me know what you think.

She is a school nurse and meets weekly with [...]

Related: Career, New Nurse Tips, Organizational Skills

Nurses may not feel well paid all the time, but a few simple strategies can turn even the most meager salary into actual wealth-and help you survive tough economic times now and in the future.

The first step is to take advantage of your 401(k) or another retirement fund. Most employers will match up to 3 percent of your salary in a 401(k), but if you [...]