Staffing levels are the center of attention at Tufts Medical Center in Boston as registered nurses announced on Monday the threat of a one-day strike. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, the labor union that represents 23,000 members, told The Boston Globe that recent staff cuts mean nurses are caring for even more patients at a time. The union also says the changes have changed the hospital from one of the best staffed in Boston to the...  Read More »

How do you perceive nurses? How do you think members of the general public perceive nurses? Much of the public’s perception comes from media portrayals of nurses and what they do. Across all media, nurses are portrayed in a variety of ways: some positive, some negative. Truth About Nursing, a nonprofit organization that seeks to educate the public about the role nurses play in healthcare, put out a list of the 10 best and worst portrayals...  Read More »

We all know that nurses often visit patients at home. Did you know some travel by bike? Nurse practitioner Jody Hoppis, who travels to her patients’ homes and workplaces on two wheels, started Mobile Medicine two years ago. Her bike is specially designed to hold all of her essential supplies while caring for her patients. Why did she start Mobile Medicine? Hoppis told The Seattle Times that by visiting her patients at home, it saves them...  Read More »

Nurses have to deal with all types of stress, whether it’s stress from dealing with difficult patients, nurse-to-nurse hostility, or the long hours. They are also frequently called upon to help relieve their patients’ stress and anxiety. An article in The Topeka Capital-Journal discussed this topic with registered nurse Sharon Anderson, who works in a breast diagnostic center. When patients come to see her, something is either wrong,...  Read More »

Do you notice your patient’s gowns or how they feel in them? Most nurses have plenty of other things to worry about, but a recent article in the Los Angeles Times about one woman who put some effort toward designing new gowns might give more prominence to hospital gowns. The woman, Jeanne Ryan, executive liaison and RN in executive health at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, considers the gown another piece to the patient satisfaction...  Read More »

This contest started at the end of last year, and we had so many great submissions I just had to keep it going! All of your nominations for best nurse mentor were incredibly inspiring. Finally, though, we have picked TWO winners: Bev Perry and Lena New! Here is an excerpt from Jessica Perry, who nominated Bev Perry: “Bev Perry is a nurse whose motto has always been to treat every patient and staff member as she would want to be treated...  Read More »

Here they are–pictures of our Halloween costume contest winners, dressed up as Swine Flew! Pictured here are Karen McCarthy and Janet Burke from Salmon Health and Retirement in Massachusetts! We hope all of you enjoyed this contest, and encourage you to enter our “Best Mentor” contest–the winner receives a free book and we will honor your mentor on the Stressed Out Nurses Web site!   Read More »

I hope you all had some fun on Halloween and dressed up a bit. As you know, StressedOutNurses.com holds monthly contests for a chance to win free Quick E! Pocket Guides. This month’s winner for best Halloween costume was (drum roll). . . Swine Flew! Karen McCarthy and her office mate teamed up to dress as pigs with wings. Officially, Karen was H1 and her officemate was N1. Unfortunately, we don’t have a picture yet, but hopefully...  Read More »

In August I posted about a survey of UK’s National Health Service nurses that showed only 37% of the 1,500 respondents planned on getting the H1N1 vaccine. The UK’s Department of Health had issued a statement letting nurses know that those who refuse the vaccine are putting their own health and patients’ health at risk. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all healthcare and emergency medical services...  Read More »

Hundreds have followed StressedFran on Twitter, and the number of followers continues to grow. Fran tweets about: Interesting news from the world of nursing Jokes, quotes, and sayings that will make you smile Other resources nurses and nursing student may find useful Start following Fran today at twitter.com/stressedfran! As a nurse or nursing student, do you use Twitter? In what ways do you find it most useful? Post a comment and let...  Read More »