Some states seem to have the nursing shortage in check. In others, it can be difficult to find a job as an RN. So what’s all this talk about the shortage? Welcome to Florida. A recent study released by the Florida Center for Nursing Care says the Sunshine State is facing a shortage that, by 2020, is "capable of crippling the healthcare system." According to the study, the state was short 11,000 nurses in 2007 and will be...  Read More »

The reason critical thinking is so important in nursing is based on what nursing does as a profession. Because we deal with people, there is much we must take into consideration and there are direct consequences to our nursing actions. Critical thinking is vital because it directs us in providing safe, competent care. For you to become a critical thinker, you must first answer the following questions. Be honest in your evaluation. What...  Read More »

Who knew two days could feel like an eternity? From Monday to Wednesday, I sat in suspense wondering my fate after taking my NCLEX. I wouldn’t have cared if I had to pay $100 to know my results immediately; I would have done anything not to have to wait those days. I was walking on eggshells. My mother asked me afterwards how it went and I didn’t have any words for her. I couldn’t explain what I had just gone through. It...  Read More »

The search for new nurses has left many hospitals looking high and low for recruits. In El Paso, TX, they don’t need to look far at all. A new program at El Paso Community College is turning paramedics, who already have an existing medical knowledge base, into RNs. There are 27 students enrolled in the first class that expects to bolster the low numbers of nurses in the area. Experts estimate that nearly 400 new nursing positions will...  Read More »

If you hesitate to approach your manager, ask yourself why. What is the fear or hesitation about? Did you have a bad past experience? Is it just lack of experience? Understanding and acknowledging how you feel will set the tone for communication. Feeling secure when speaking to your manager is all about your level of self-awareness. The confidence that arises when you take care of your own needs will keep you plugged into your own power—which...  Read More »

By Richard Freedberg, RN, MSN, MPA I teach in a community college that offers four different nursing programs designed to build on the past experiences and accommodate the busy lives of our diverse students. There are differences among the entry and upper levels of students in all of the programs, but there are also some striking similarities. One common thread shared by all is the question: "When will I feel like a nurse?" This...  Read More »

A dirty look from a physician. A rude comment from a colleague. An outburst by a nurse manager. All are viewed as hostile behaviors and none will be tolerated by The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) starting on January 1, 2009. The accreditation organization recently released a new Sentinel Event Alert, requiring healthcare organizations to create a code of conduct by next year that defines acceptable and unacceptable behaviors in the workplace....  Read More »

Restructuring your priorities will help you shift the balance from stress-producing to stress-reducing activities. You will never be able to completely eliminate stress from your life, but you can control and reduce it by striking a balance between work and fun. Think about what activities make you happy and try to build them into your schedule. Here are some examples: Take a long weekend Plan a special vacation each year Take a break from...  Read More »

Summer has just begun and already, recent Curry (MA) College graduate Julia Tenuta has thrown "RN" after her name. She took the NCLEX-RN® exam last Thursday at 8 a.m. and found out on Monday that she passed with flying colors. She’s obviously very, very happy. But Julia managed to break her permanent grin for a few minutes and chat with us about the test. We asked her about some study tips, the questions on the exam,...  Read More »

As the saying goes, never judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. For nurses, about six miles is more like it. At two Maryland hospitals—Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis and Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie—nurses are wearing pedometers to measure how far they walk during an average shift. Most nurses average about six miles for an 8-hour shift and more during a 12-hour one—one...  Read More »