Throughout the year, CNN.com has named everyday, inspiring people CNN Heroes, highlighting those who help others. Faith Coleman, NP, was recently named a hero. In 2003, Coleman was a contract worker with several doctors, receiving no health insurance when she learned she had kidney cancer. After her battle with cancer, Coleman, a mother of six, opened a free clinic with the help of her colleague, John Canakaris, MD. The clinic, called the Flagler Country Free...  Read More »

Many nurses think they don’t have time in their day to think about evidence-based practice (EBP). But EBP helps us provide high-quality patient care based on research and knowledge, rather than on traditions, myths, hunches, advice of colleagues, or outdated textbooks. EBP changes the familiar saying "this is the way we have always done it" to "show me the evidence." Why is EBP important to nursing practice? It: Produces better...  Read More »

Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas has ended its 20-year relationship with McDonald’s, the nation’s leading purveyor of fast food. It’s a move that has many cheering as healthcare professionals have long argued that the presence of fast food restaurants in hospitals undermines the organizations’ efforts to promote healthy eating. The McDonald’s franchise will be replaced by restaurants owned by Puente-Brancato Enterprises Inc.,...  Read More »

Patients can be quite hard to understand, making them difficult to treat. It’s important to look out for certain behaviors, especially obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Remember: Obsessions are thoughts that occur over and over again Compulsions are acts the person performs as a way to deal with obsessive parts Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are most often seen in anxiety disorders, called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In OCD, anxiety is the root...  Read More »

“Poor Dr. Jones, he’s just received the results from the walk around–now he has to tell the partners. I told him not to take them to the cafeteria.” And the winner is. . . (drum roll, please). . . Vicky! Congratulations, Vicky! Thanks to everyone who submitted a caption. They were all hilarious! And, we’ll be back next week with a brand new cartoon! Will YOU be the next winner? In the meantime, we’re going to give...  Read More »

“I can’t make it to work because I’m stranded on a desert island … No! I’m not making it up this time!” And the winner is … (drum roll, please) … Aimee Dinwoodie! Congratulations, Aimee! Thanks to everyone who submitted a caption. They were all hilarious! And, we’ll be back next week with a brand new cartoon! Will YOU be the next winner? In the meantime, we’re going to give away a few copies of our...  Read More »

“Here’s a bill from the plumber. Did you know that the volunteers thought you could get rid of old fruit by flushing it down the toilet?” And the winner is … (drum roll, please) … Deb Francisco! Congratulations, Deb! Thanks to everyone who submitted a caption. They were all hilarious! And, we’ll be back next week with a brand new cartoon! Will YOU be the next winner? In the meantime, we’re going to give away a few...  Read More »

Feeling overwhelmed with a case of the Mondays? Need a little laugh and a little stress relief? Check out this hilarious video of Gene Cotton singing “I Am a Nurse” at the recent National Student Nurses’ Association Convention in Nashville, TN. Are you headed to Phoenix for the NSNA MidYear Conference? Kathleen Bartholomew, RC, RN, MN, best-selling HCPro author, is slated to be the keynote speaker.   Read More »

Here’s a refreshing take on hospital education: A Denver company is customizing the outer skin of its vending machines for customers. You could combine a hand-washing reminder with a delicious soft drink for only $2,695. Can you picture one in your facility? Click here to see the full article.   Read More »

Q: Have you ever made a mistake or been involved in an accident at work? How did you tell your manager? A: Just the other day, I was involved in an incident that is going to cause me a couple months of headaches. Thankfully, no one was hurt (although maybe my feelings a little). It was a simple blood transfusion. I have given blood to hundreds of patients before and this time was no different. It was me and another nurse (you need two nurses to make sure you...  Read More »