Being a nurse is one of the most stressful careers an individual can choose. The hours are long, the results are often depressing, and yet the rewards one experiences when everything does go right are tremendous. Sometimes, however, it may be difficult to remember just why you are in this profession. Let these five nurses encourage and inspire you to continue in your chosen field. 

Florence Nightingale

This is possibly the most iconic name in the world of nursing. She became a nurse to the exclusion of her wealthy upbringing and several marriage proposals because she felt nursing was her calling. This British nurse changed the way field medicine was practiced. By advocating for more sanitary conditions in the field, the death rate of soldiers decreased tremendously. Additionally, she was well respected in the field of mathematics and she championed the cause of female nurses and physicians.

Dorothea Dix

Dorothea is most famous for her intervention to help those suffering from mental illness. She saw the horrendous treatment of those who were, at that time, classified as insane, and felt she had to do something to help them. She eventually helped inspire the foundation of the first United States mental asylums.

Clara Barton

Clara Barton is probably the most famous nurse in all of American history. She began her nursing career as a child, when she helped care for her brother. During the Civil War, she worked tirelessly bringing supplies to the northern troops, and then traveled with the military to help tend to the wounded soldiers. Later she visited Europe and was so inspired by the International Red Cross that she returned to the United States to establish an organization that would be able to assist people in need during any future national crisis.

Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger is famous now for helping to educate poor women about the need for birth control because of the early deaths of women she saw due to multiple pregnancies and self-induced abortions. During her day, however, many people from the government and Catholic Church were very unhappy with her advocacy. Eventually, Margaret began to promote the need for frank discussions about contraceptives in more elite circles, hoping the need for such measures would eventually reach a larger audience.

Mary Breckinridge

Mary Breckinridge was a champion for health care in rural areas. Prior to the urbanization of America, a great number of Americans lived in rural areas without access to adequate healthcare professionals. Mary opened rural clinics and created the Frontier Nursing Service to bring medical workers to areas where healthcare was scarce.

When you begin feeling like nursing is too difficult take a bit of time off and try to remember why you became a nurse. Was it because one of these women, or another nurse, inspired you? Do you like helping others? Are you fascinated by the field of medicine? Go back to that core reason and let it renew the passion for your chosen profession.

Famous Nurses is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

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A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, is someone who completes routine tasks and provides basic patient care under the supervision of medical staff and nurses. Responsibilities may include helping a patient dress, eat, or bathe. CNAs may also serve meals, change linens, and monitor a patient’s vital signs. Usually, a CNA will work in a hospital or residential setting, such as a nursing home, but they may also be employed by home health companies to give in-home care to patients.

Education

The first step in becoming a certified nursing assistant is training. Federal guidelines require 75 hours of approved courses. Courses cover a variety of subjects including nutrition, body mechanics, anatomy and physiology, communication, infection control, personal care skills, and patient’s rights. These classes are often offered in community colleges, and vocation centers. Some high schools and nursing facilities also offer courses for CNAs. Remember, however, that the 75 hours is a federal minimum, and that individual states may require many more hours. Therefore, you should always contact the board in the state you are interested in working in to make sure the classes you are planning to take will be adequate.

Certification

Once you have completed the program you will have to pass a state competency evaluation. The most common form of evaluation is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, or the NNAAP. This is the test administered in 23 states and one territory. There are two parts to this test, oral and written, and the test is offered in both English and Spanish. Other states have their own certification test, but it will be similar. Before you can be added to your state’s nurse aide registry, you must pass the competency evaluation.

What if you fail the test?

Fortunately, even if you do fail the test, you will be given other opportunities to pass. Usually, a candidate has three chances to pass the certification test within two years of completing their training. If you fail the test three consecutive times, you may have to reenter a training program before you will be allowed to test again. However, it is rare that a candidate would fail the test three times. Remember that all of your training was to prepare you to become a CNA, and that these are the skills you are being tested on. Try not to become nervous just because it is a test. Even if you fail it the first time, consider it a learning experience. You now know what to expect and it won’t be as scary the next time.

Are you a CNA? What was the testing experience like for you? Did you feel your training had prepared you adequately for the test?

CNA Certification is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

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Anyone who wants to become a registered nurse will quickly become familiar with the NCLEX. NCLEX is short for the National Council Licensure Examination. There are actually two versions, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. The NCLEX-RN is the test that a candidate must past before becoming a registered nurse and the NCLEX-PN is for practical nurses. These tests are the culmination of years of study and are the final step a nursing student must take before being admitted into the world of nursing. As with any licensure test, they are extremely stressful. Before you can register for the test, you must first apply with your state nursing board for your nursing license. They will then determine if you are eligible for the examination.

What is the Test Like?

You are given five hours to take the NCLEX, which includes time to acclimate to the computer testing method as well as time for two 10-minute breaks. The RN test has a minimum of 75 questions and the PN test has a minimum of 85 questions. If during this minimum it is clear that you have mastered the information, or it is clear that you have not, the test will end. If the computer cannot make a determination, the test will continue. There are four basic categories of questions that include: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and psychological integrity. Each of these categories is further broken down into subcategories.

What to Do if You Fail

The bad news is that you have to pass this test if you want to become a nurse. The good news is that you can take either of the tests as many times as you need to pass it. The only caveat being that you have to wait a set time between tests. The testing authority requires you wait at least 91 days; however, some state boards require a candidate wait even longer. If you do fail the test you will be sent a testing profile that will let you know what parts of the test you did well on and what parts you need to continue working on. This is a very useful tool and will allow you to focus on the areas where you are weakest. There are several programs available for people who want additional help studying for the exam. You could find one online, in a traditional school setting, or you can purchase books to help you prepare.

While this test can be stressful, it doesn’t need to be. You have completed your course work and your state board feels you are ready for this test. Review the material in whichever method you are most comfortable with in the weeks leading up to the test. The night before, get plenty of sleep, and the day of the test, be sure to eat a good breakfast. Then go in and give it your best. Even if you fail, look at it as a learning experience. The next time you will know exactly what to expect! Are you nervous about the exam or have you already taken it? What was your experience like?

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Making the transition from a nursing student to a full time nurse can by very trying. You no longer have someone constantly watching your work to tell you if you are doing a good job or if you have messed up. You are entirely responsible for the comfort and safety of your patients and the stress associated with that responsibility can be substantial. Use these five tips to make your first year of nursing more enjoyable.

Find a Teacher

I don’t mean you have to find a specific mentor; indeed, that would be difficult considering the long and often varied shifts that makeup a nursing career. Instead, take the time to ask questions. If you aren’t sure you are doing something right, ask the head nurse, a doctor, or a coworker. Make the transition to your shift easier by arriving a little early to get a brief report on how all of your patients are doing, and find out if there are any special requests you should know about. If you find someone who seems especially knowledgeable and good at the job, ask if they would be willing to mentor you in a more official capacity. Having someone you can call or email with questions can make you feel more in control and make you better at your job.

Always on Task

When you are a nursing student, you usually only have a handful of patients; when you become a nurse, you could have half of a floor to yourself. This can make you feel like you are always trying to catch up. To prevent this, it is important to always be working. Chart your patients as you are talking to them, but remember not to chart too much. You don’t need to write out every detail in longhand. Focus on what the doctors want, and stick to the facts. Multitask when possible by bringing what you will need in the future with you so you don’t have to go back to the supply room multiple times.

You Time

While you should always be on task while on the floor, you will also need time to relax. Nursing shifts are long, and you will burn out if you don’t take your breaks and make time for lunch. During your lunch break, try to get away from the floor by going to the cafeteria or heading outside to clear your head and refuel. Being on the floor for that extra hour might seem like a good way to stay on top of everything, but in reality, it will just leave you hungry and tired and less able to focus.

While the above tips are designed more for nurses practicing in a hospital the same principles apply to any nursing environment. What advice would you give to a new nurse?

Surviving Your First Year as a Nurse is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

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It is amazing the things you can learn about people when you are watching them work. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a naturally inquisitive person. When I’m nervous or bored, that curiosity gets ramped way up. When I was pregnant, I spent a lot of time in my doctor’s office, and then quite a bit of time in the maternity ward. During this time, I chatted with the nurses that were taking care of me. I had quite a lot of time to chat as it turned out, especially with the OB nurses in my doctor’s office. I asked them what they liked about working in an office rather than in the maternity ward at the hospital, and I asked the opposite question to the nurses that worked on the OB floor of the hospital. The answers I received were quite enlightening.

First, it was obvious that both types of OB nurses really enjoy working with pregnant women and their newborn babies. The biggest difference was the type of environment and amount they individually wanted to work. Almost all of the nurses at the doctor’s office told me they liked being in the office because it gave them more regular hours and they were able to enjoy the fun parts of pregnancy without having to be stressed about emergency situations. If a patient did come in with a serious complication, they were sent to the hospital, making the office less stressful for the nurses. After talking with these women for nine months, I realized that they all had a few traits in common. All of them were passionate about women’s health, they all needed a regular schedule, and they all enjoyed the routine of the office.

While I was in the hospital, after giving birth to my son, I had five different nurses on the floor and one that was with me through the delivery. While these women were equally passionate about women’s health, specifically working with pregnant women and newborns, there were many differences in why they chose their work location. The biggest difference was that the nurses in the hospital all said they liked having a different work schedule and having days off during the week on occasion. Many of them would work 12 or more hours at a time, then have several days off. They told me this flexibility was great and they liked having the time off during the “regular” workweek to take care of tasks that had to be done during regular business hours. They also had the opportunity to work overtime and earn more money. Finally, working in the hospital paid more than working in a private practice. Of course, the downside was that these OB nurses do have a more stressful environment, but almost all of them said they thrive on the challenges that change daily.

If you want to work as an OB nurse, these are two very different environments that would allow you to accomplish this goal. Which environment would you prefer and why?

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Working in the mental health field, I have been privileged to meet a number of exceptional doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, and other mental health specialists. As health care costs continue to rise, and budgets to shrink, I’ve noticed more and more psychiatric nurse practitioners in the mental health facility. It seemed a greater number were being employed while fewer doctors were available.

I thought this might hinder patient care at first, but after getting to know the nurse practitioners, I realized they were not only capable, they were also competent and caring.

One of the things that truly separates a nurse practitioner from a doctor is their level of compassion. While doctors are compassionate, it seemed as though the nurse practitioners took more time to really get to know the patients and their families. This extra bit of caring seemed to help the patients significantly.

I also heard more than one family member say how they preferred talking to the nurse practitioner, rather than the assigned doctor, because the nurse practitioner was more patient, appeared to have more time to answer questions, and was able to communicate on a level they found easier to understand. Whereas the doctors always seemed pressed for time, although polite, they tended to use more medical terminology that made them hard to converse with.

For those of you wondering what exactly a psychiatric nurse practitioner can do, let me give you a brief explanation. They may take medical histories, conduct psychological or mental assessments, create and implement a treatment plan, and provide ongoing care. In some states, they can prescribe medications, but often the ability to prescribe controlled substances is limited. In most states, they must have a doctor’s approval for at least some forms of medications.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are able to work in a number of locations including: primary care facilities, community health centers, hospitals, prisons, schools, and psychiatric institutions. Sometimes a psychiatric nurse practitioner will work strictly with those people who have psychiatric disorders; however, many also work with patients with substance abuse problems, as well.

Becoming a nurse practitioner first requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing followed by passing the test to become a registered nurse (RN). Most of the psychiatric nurse practitioners I worked with began this way, or else they started as an LPN and worked their way up to RN while working as a nurse. I think this was most popular because it gave the nurses a chance to explore different areas of nursing and once they found their niche they wanted to expand their opportunities. After becoming an RN, the nurse would enroll in a Master’s degree program and choose the educational focus they identified as their preferred career focus – in this case, psychiatric care. Some of the nurse practitioners that I worked with actually knew before starting their education exactly what they wanted and they remained in school continuously throughout the process. While both methods produced excellent results, I often thought those who had first been nurses were happier with their work.

How did you become a psychiatric nurse practitioner? Did your training prepare you for the realities of your job?

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When most people think about becoming a nurse, they think of working in a hospital or doctor’s office. Once they begin their training, they realize there are numerous other locations where they can practice nursing, such as schools, clinics, and nursing homes. There are also specialties within the field of nursing a nurse may wish to focus on such as geriatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics, or surgery.

I have not yet met a nurse who began his or her nursing education with the idea of becoming a nurse in a correctional facility. Most that I know ended up there because it was a convenient location or because they wanted to have a greater impact on the lives of their patients. All of the nurses I’ve met who do work in a correctional facility, however, tell me it is more rewarding than they ever imagined, as well as more challenging.

I’ll begin with the challenging aspects of the position, because many assume the job would be more challenging than rewarding. First, additional training is required for a nurse in a correctional facility. This can include how to interact with prisoners, as well as what to do during a non-medical prison emergency such as a lockdown. Another concern is working with prisoners. There is always a possibility of violence, and even violence towards family members. While the frequency of attacks on either a nurse or her family is rare, it is still a possibility that must be considered.

The medical conditions common with the convict population can also be quite challenging. Psychiatric disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, and infectious diseases are all common. Working with the patients who are mentally ill, going through withdrawal, or demoralized over an incurable disease is stressful for both the nurse and the patient. Finally, it can be stressful to keep all supplies secure especially if treatment must occur outside of a clinical facility.

Now for the rewarding aspects of nursing in a correctional facility. While there, you will meet people who want to change their lives. It is possible to help addicts reclaim their lives and live without the addiction so they can leave the prison system healthier and with the ability to successfully reenter society. Offenders who ended up in prison due to undiagnosed psychiatric disorders often benefit greatly from the medical and therapeutic treatments they receive in prison. The nursing staff facilitates this as much as the medical and psychiatric staff. Finally, it is possible to make a personal connection and become a positive influence for members of the general population as well. Being able to help one prisoner turn his or her life around is rewarding enough to make all of the other challenges seem worthwhile.

What makes working in a correctional facility rewarding to you? What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your job?

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I’ve known a few ER nurses over the years, and all of them have told me that, no matter how much training they have had, how their teachers and textbooks tried to prepare them, and even how much experience in other fields of nursing…nothing prepared them for the reality of working in an emergency room. When choosing any nursing specialty, it is important to test drive the environment before making a final decision. This can easily be accomplished by taking a position as a traveling nurse and visiting different areas of the country as well as different nursing environments. In fact, one of the girls I went to high school with did this, and she found her great love was in pediatrics. Janey, the friend who became a pediatric nurse, actually did a stint in an emergency room for several months and told me some of the hardest things she had ever had to do occurred during that time. Don’t get me wrong, she said that the heartbreak in pediatrics could be excruciating, but that – more often than not – it was a happier place to be.

One of the difficulties she faced in the emergency room was not being able to make a personal connection with the patients. She was with them for only a brief period of time, usually a few hours, before they were discharged or sent to another floor of the hospital. She rarely found out what happened to the patients, even those she felt a connection to. Being able to move on to the next patient and distance yourself from previous patients is difficult. Another difficulty of being an emergency room nurse comes when there are more patients than there are people available to help them. At this point, the nurses, usually the first to see and evaluate a patient, have to decide who is in the most critical condition and get them to see a doctor. Making the decision of who gets medical treatment first was overwhelming for many of the nurses I knew, at least initially. One told me that she finally realized that, the more quickly she was able to make her assessment, the faster everyone would receive the care they needed. This is what stopped her from “hemming and hawing,” as she put it, and put on her decision making cap. While it was true she had to leave some patients in the waiting room who were miserable, they were seen as quickly as she could process those with more pressing conditions. Seeing it in this light made perfect sense to me, and it made me realize that, when I visit the emergency room as a patient, it isn’t that the nurses don’t care. Quite the opposite, really; sometimes they may care too much. I now know that if I’m waiting, there is usually someone with a much more serious problem who is receiving care.

Why did you, or do you want to, become an ER nurse? How has it changed your perspective?

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I had never heard of nurse anesthetists until a few years ago. After doing a bit of research on the topic, I realized that few people probably had. It seems to be a profession known well in the medical community, but not as well amongst the general population.

A few years ago, a colleague of mine was discussing his wedding plans. He indicated that he was going to become a stay at home dad to his son and the baby he and his future wife were expecting. I found this to be uncommon, so I asked him about his situation. He explained that his fiancé was an Army nurse anesthetist, and she made almost triple his salary. When she retired from the military, she expected to make even more in the private sector. Because her job was obviously able to support the family, they decided he would stay home and be the homemaker. All of this had me wondering exactly what a nurse anesthetist was.

Becoming a registered nurse takes skill, time, and dedication. The financial benefits for all of this work are well worth the effort, with the average salary of a registered nurse being about $55,000. Of course, this can go up or down depending on a variety of factors such as geographical location and field of nursing. Some nurses, however, decide they want a more specialized field and a higher salary. Becoming a nurse anesthetist fulfills both of these desires.

According to recent surveys, the average annual salary of a nurse anesthetist is about $145,000. This is quite a bit more than a registered nurse. The higher salary, of course, requires more time devoted to education as well as additional certification. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is able to practice in all states, allowing the nurse to move anywhere he or she desires. While it is possible to find a position in any state, most openings are in rural areas. These are areas that are typically underserved by physicians and the option of a CRNA allows these facilities to offer a wider variety of services. The training the CRNAs receive teaches them to administer the anesthetics in exactly the same manner as a doctor.

Some of the locations, rural or otherwise, where a CRNA may work include surgical centers, delivery rooms, and any other facility that has need of an anesthesiologist. Private doctors’ offices that perform inpatient services such as dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons may also employ a nurse anesthetist. As I mentioned before, my friend’s fiancé was in the military. Interestingly, the various branches of the military widely use CRNAs as well, and have been using them since the Civil War. Of course, during the Civil War they didn’t have the extensive training or certification processes, but nurses were used to anesthetize the soldiers.

If I were at all interested in nursing, this would definitely be a field I would look closely at. Had you previously heard of nurse anesthetists? Are you interested in becoming certified, and if so, why?

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I learned a lot about nursing homes during my grandmother’s stay at our local nursing home. She actually was a resident on several occasions for different reasons. This was the first glimpse I had at the extreme versatility of a nursing home nurse.

Many nursing homes have different levels of care. Some areas are for rehabilitation or recovery, while others provide long-term care. My grandmother used both sides of our local nursing home, which allowed me to meet and get to know a number of the nurses.

The responsibilities of a nursing home nurse ranges from helping a person who has broken a hip become ambulatory again to assisting a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. This means that the nursing care may be extremely light or intensive depending on the patient’s circumstances and needs.

The first time my grandmother was in the nursing home, she was recovering from major surgery. The doctor wanted more care than could be provided at home, but did not think she needed to remain in the hospital. At first, the nurses had to monitor her diet, medications, and keep the wound clean. She needed assistance in all activities of daily living, including personal grooming. Some of these tasks were completed by nurses and others by aides. I found that the rehabilitation and recovery nursing was one of the highlights for the nurses. These patients were going to recover and return home. The nurses were able to meet the families and form relationships with the patients that were not going to become painful later.

The last time my grandmother was in the nursing home was for an advanced illness. While the nurses and staff were professional, helpful, and even friendly to my grandmother and my family, they still seemed more subdued. I realized later that, while the job was still something they loved, it took more of a toll emotionally. While they got to know all of us, they knew we wouldn’t be there for very long, and at the end it was obvious that they had still grown attached to my family. This would definitely be the low side of becoming a nursing home nurse. While it certainly is rewarding to help the family and the patient through a difficult time, it is also emotionally draining to lose people on a regular basis that you have become close to. Even those who maintain a professional detachment will find one or two patients each year that are especially endearing. Learning to balance this love and loss takes a true gift.

What made you want to become a nursing home nurse?

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