Being a nurse in the emergency department (ED) unfortunately involves treating patients who have been victims of crimes. Caring for these patients can be difficult, but if you had the chance to help the authorities catch the perpetrator of the crime, would you? A new program led by William S. Smock, MS, MD, professor of emergency medicine at University Hospital and Louisville Metro Police surgeon in Louisville, KY, is teaching nurses how to collect forensic...  Read More »

President Barack Obama’s proposed healthcare workforce development funding for fiscal year 2010 would bring incentives to nurses both in the field and in the classroom. Of the $1 billion in the budget devoted toward strengthening healthcare professions, $125 million is allocated to the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELPN)—an $88 million increase from the 2009 budget. Funds for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) would increase by 40%. The...  Read More »

The State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz will say goodbye to 167 graduating nursing students over the next couple of years, and then, goodbye to its nursing program. Due to a $6 million deficit under the state’s recently-enacted budget, the university will phase out its nursing program by May 2011—when all currently enrolled students complete their course of studies. SUNY New Paltz announced it will also eliminate 70 jobs and delay admission...  Read More »

A Dean Health System physician made an incision during a recent routine surgery. A nurse manager, meanwhile, made a cut. It’s the manager’s cut—to layoff a member of nursing staff who was assisting in the surgery—that has healthcare professionals up in arms. The manager called the nurse out of the surgical procedure to be informed that his or her position had just been terminated. Paul Pitas, director of corporate communications at the Madison,...  Read More »

As HCPro continues its countdown to Nurses’ Week, our focus moves to improving the image of nursing. Bedside caregivers are at the forefront of healthcare every day as they care for patients and families and interact with physicians and peers. So isn’t it time to set high standards and improve the image of nursing? During your Nurses’ Week preparation, put celebrating the profession on your list of activities and empower nurses to take control...  Read More »

Many new graduates have to learn to work with many different personalities and work cultures. To do this successfully, they must understand themselves and how they work so that they can fit in with the rest of the team. Socialization or fitting in on a unit is as important for new grads as increasing their nursing skills. If they do not work at trying to be part of the team, their experience at their facility may not be a happy one, and they may run the risk...  Read More »

Nurses’ Week doesn’t start officially until May 6, but HCPro, Inc. is starting the celebration early! A nurse’s job is far from easy, and we’d like to show our appreciation for all that you do with some free tips, tools, product discounts, and book giveaways. In the next four weeks, be on the lookout for: April 13: A handout featuring pointers about how to present a positive nursing image inside and outside of your organization. April 20: A 25% savings...  Read More »

Physicians have donated $350,000 to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston to prevent planned staff layoffs. The organization suffered a $20 million loss this month, reports The Boston Globe, and as a result planned 600 staff layoffs. Thirteen of the facility’s medical department heads announced they would donate the money to conserve coworkers’ jobs. In addition, they reached out to about 1,100 other physicians employed at the organization and...  Read More »

Many nurses like to expand their minds with further education, and unfortunately that often leads to expanded college loans as well. But a new bill could lift some of the financial weight off those who use their higher education to train future nurses. A bill proposed on March 12 by two U.S. representatives would free nurses who earn a master’s or doctorate degree and go on to teach full-time at an accredited nursing school from repaying student loans....  Read More »

Today’s healthcare workforce is unique. In addition to working with peers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, you’re also working among four different generations of people. This alone can be a stressor, because each generation has varying values and work principles. Knowledge of and appreciation for each generation can help to bridge the gap, so let’s take a quick glance at the core values that comprise the four generations in...  Read More »