What do Oktoberfest beer girls and dental assistants have in common? They both wear the same outfit! At least in one dental office they do. The Austrian Times reports a German dentist has ordered traditional German Dirndl dresses for herself and her dental assistants in an effort to distract patients who are afraid of the dentist. Marie Catherine Klarkowski , came up with the idea after noticing how men looked at the low-cut Oktoberfest...  Read More »

Susan Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, senior advisor for nursing at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is spending her summer vacation doing something extraordinary. She is not spending her days soaking up the sun, or taking a cruise to Alaska. Instead she is traveling in Europe, learning about the life and work of Florence Nightingale. Throughout Hassmiller’s journey across Europe, she is blogging about her experience. Her trips marks...  Read More »

For years, nurses have been battling how the nursing profession and nurses are portrayed in the media. Having to go against the nursing stereotypes on display in programs such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House, M.D.” makes the job that much harder, as patients and families are familiar with the popular television shows. Now, nurses will have to add another television show to the list that puts their image in jeopardy....  Read More »

No matter how long you are in the nursing profession, you will always have to deal with patients and the patient’s family members. When a patient is hospitalized, it can be a very difficult time for their family, causing them to become more sensitive then normal. It is important to remember how you treat the patient and their family. Here are a few scenarios that can aggravate the patient and their family, and suggestions to help avoid...  Read More »

In a continuing effort to recognize nurses, the Center to Champion Nursing in America (CCNA) is requesting high quality photos that depict nurses’ work and the relationships they form with patients and families. The winning photograph will be featured in an AARP print and/or web publication. CCNA hopes to gather images of nurses across all healthcare settings in professional practice and leadership roles, as well as in recruitment...  Read More »

On February 4, 2010, Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced into the US House of Representatives HR 4601, a bill to create an Office of the National Nurse, according to Medscape.com. Blumenauer argued the case for such an office, saying that such a position would complement the Surgeon General (an office that is 140 years old) in helping face the challenges of public health. Alisa Schneider, MSN, RN, vice resident of the National Nurse Network...  Read More »

This will be an interesting trial to follow for nurses and all healthcare professionals, sure to set some precedent about nurse and physician reporting. Anne Mitchell, a former administrative nurse at Winkler County Memorial Hospital in Kermit, TX, will stand trial in a week at a state courthouse for “misuse of official information” after she anonymously reported a physician to the Texas Medical Board in April 2009, according...  Read More »

Many employers try to discourage their employees from smoking, but what about denying employment because the applicant smokes? Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN, will no longer hire employees who smoke, reports The Chattanooga Pulse. The hospital plans to drug-screen prospective employees for nicotine. If tested positive, the hospital will rescind its offer of employment. Brad Pope, the vice president of human resources, told the Pulse...  Read More »

Nurses certainly do have a special job—and this is just one story that proves it. Years ago, Claire Thompson, a tiny baby in Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit in Albany, GA, was cared for by neonatal nurse Mattie Willis. (View the video by WALB News, the local NBC news affiliate.) Today, they work side by side. Willis is now a 30-year veteran on the neonatal unit, and says she remembers Thompson as a...  Read More »

We all try to shape up our physical appearance at one time or another. But we sometimes forget to think about the professional image that we present to the world. Our actions, appearance, voice inflection, and ability to convey empathy and concern all play a role in our image. There are four categories we can focus on when considering as image makeover: Professional work environment and interactions Appearance Collegiality/team member role Professional...  Read More »