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: 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: 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, [...]

Related: Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors

My brother-in-law is not a fan of RealityRN. I'd feel bad about that if he were a plumber or banker or especially a nurse. Instead, his dislike helps me know we're right on track. He's a doctor.

He doesn't like the cartoons. He doesn't see the humor. He doesn't like the comments about doctors making mistakes or being mean to nurses. I guess he thinks we're [...]

Related: Boundaries, Communication

You've just finished your fourth twelve-hour shift. You're exhausted. You're looking forward to a few days off. All you can think about is sleep. After a day of unconsciousness, you'll try to catch up on laundry, errands, and friends. The hours off already feel too short.

That's when you see her.

Your supervisor is headed your direction. She has that "I need a favor" look in her [...]

Related: Boundaries, Fraternizing with Residents, Inappropriate Relationships

One of my favorite shows is Grey's Anatomy. I'm not sure if I watch it because of the medical stuff or because of the relational turmoil. Either way, I'm hooked. I tune in to see if Izzie and George are going to end up together or if he's gonna stick it out with his new wife, Callie. I want to know if Derek and Meredith [...]

Related: Doctors, Embarrassing Moment, Learning

Ever have a Most Embarrassing Moment (MEM) in your role as "Nurse: Healer of All Things"?

My problem is narrowing the possibilities to only one.

The one that makes me laugh the most (and turn red at the same time) is one I can share only with other nurses. No one else really sees the humor in it.

I was (newly) working at a Family Practice office with [...]

Related: Attitude, Caregivers, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Mindset, Patient Advocate, Teamwork

Why, as caregivers, do we often assume we are the only ones doing the caring, and the rest of the medical staff shows up only to collect a paycheck?

We nurses often see ourselves as the only patient's advocate and turn advocacy into an "us vs. them" tug-of-war. What happened to the team approach to patient care? Don't think it's only "them" that are responsible for [...]