For those looking for adventure and career experience, nursing abroad in another country may be the right fit. Nurses are in high demand across the globe, so why not seek out new opportunities abroad? Traveling and working in other countries will add to your resume, but will also allow you to experience the world, and in so doing, help others.

American nurses will be more likely to restrict their job search to English speaking areas. Knowledge of the language of a country will obviously be beneficial to your administration of care, but even a basic understanding of a language will enable you to venture into non-English areas. Don’t be afraid to enter a country because of language barriers! Nurses can work with organizations that are English speaking within foreign countries.

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Thinking about career advancement? Have you ever noticed that if someone does something wrong on the job or is disliked, everyone is going to hear about it – but if someone does their job well and is really well liked, you don't hear about it as often. Why is that? People are more apt to actually voice when they are dissatisfied than when they are satisfied. With this in mind, how does a medical practitioner go about boosting their reputation and getting the recognition and opportunities they deserve for a job well done?

In a guide called "The Nurse's Etiquette Advantage: How Professional Etiquette Can Advance Your Nursing Career" created by Kathleen D. Pagana, PhD, RN, the idea of etiquette from a nursing perspective is discussed. Simply stated in her introduction, "Nursing education focuses on leadership, management, and professional issues, while etiquette is the "missing link" for success in the workplace." Everything from introductions, interviewing for a new position, proper networking with other professionals and enhancing established relationships is addressed important to help you manage your reputation and get ahead in the nursing field.

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Obesity and Nursing in America

Obesity is currently the number one health risk in America. A growing epidemic that threatens the health care system, obesity is forcing changes in equipment and care in hospitals. Reports show one third of American adults are overweight or obese, and 17% of teenagers are in the same category. This is a disturbing trend that is putting added strain on the healthcare system, not only due to issues of accommodation for these patients, but because of the diseases and illnesses stimulated by obesity.

Children at Extreme Obesity Risk

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Anyone who works in a profession where repeated hand washing and exposure to cleaning products and harsh chemicals is part of their everyday tasks knows what it's like to struggle with hand and nail care. This is certainly the case for many nurses and caregivers, many of whom have no longer bother with special manicures or polishes for their hands and nails.

Our hands, as people in the health care field would say, are not only used for manual tasks, but are part of the process for helping and healing others. We reach out and touch those who need to be reassured. We hold the hands of the ill and frail. We cradle babies and children in our arms, and stroke tiny hands with our fingertips as we do our best to help them feel cared for and heal. Hand washing is an obvious must, as hygiene is critical in any healthcare environment. Keeping our hands soft and supple is important, but do we know how to take care of them?

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If you are like thousands of busy nurses and healthcare workers, you probably do have to work the late shift. For some this means working midnight to morning or "midnights". In hospitals nurses perform important overnight tasks that require focus, care and attention. According to the National Sleep Foundation there are more than 15 million Americans involved in shift work.

Shift Work for Nurses Means Irregular Sleeping Patterns

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You may have heard of the term "Super Woman (or Super Man) Syndrome", a phrase that describes those people who appear to the world to be at the top off their game, juggling task after task, all while appearing to be in control and managing life's pressures without effort. In today's fast paced world, more men and women are struggling keep up with the pace of their own lives!

It is a fact that many nurses are facing work vs. rest time conflicts. As some hospitals run short of staff due to either cut backs or simple lack of staff for other reasons, nurses are faced with doing more work in a shorter period of time. This day to day physical, mental and emotional stress may lead to exhaustion, and when combined with the "outside of work" demands of everyday life and family, he or she may not have an opportunity to slow down, relax, and decompress at the end of the day. When asked how he or she is, the answer is usually something along the lines of "Busy, but that's okay. You know me, I'm always on the go." When this constant activity becomes normal and there is no time to recharge your life batteries and care for your own needs, super-hero syndrome begins – as does the trouble.

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Any shift workers who has ever worked a late night or midnight shift knows what it's like to face the challenge of eating healthy. Going home really late in the evening or early in the morning after a long night shift just when others are getting up to start their day has challenges of its own. High blood pressure, disturbed sleep patterns, hormone imbalances, skin problems, are all the result of the constant disruption of our natural sleeping and waking cycle known as our circadian rhythm. Shift work can also disrupt healthy eating patterns and cause weight gain, weight loss, upset stomach, gastrointestinal function upset, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux and more.

Nurses and health care workers often face unique situations among shift workers. Long shifts, unexpected periods of stress, busy and very active periods of time, missing breaks, and working overtime can all add up to irregular eating habits and poor nutritional choices.

Trying to Eat 'Normally' in an Abnormal Situation

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Welcome to the New Year! Let's ring in the 2010 with a new renewed sense to increase our hygiene and prevent the spread of flu and colds. Here are some helpful reminders to get your kickstarted!

Nurses and other health care professionals spend the day surrounded by people who are sick, and since they are human, it's not uncommon for nurses to find themselves battling to stay well themselves. Considering the recent outbreaks of Swine Flu (Influenza A/H1N1), taking proactive steps to stay healthy and strong on the job is more important than ever.

Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities have created their own infection control programs. These are steps and/or processes put into practice in the event of the outbreak of highly infectious diseases and infections, and not only include practices for handling patients, but also for handling internal staff.

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Looking After Baby

Imagine the joy when a woman finds out that she is expecting a baby. The idea that a new life will be entering the world, fulfilling the dreams of a mother and father and, perhaps, an excited big brother or big sister. Ten little fingers, ten little toes, and all is right with the world. Or is it?

Neonatal – Welcoming Baby into the World

It's unfortunate but true that thousands of babies need special medical care from the moment they are born. This is the world of the neonatal nurses – those specialized nurses who take care of little newborn infants up to 28 days old. Neonatal nurses are often found in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) with the healthy babies or with the sick or premature babies.

There are three different levels of neonatal nursing:

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Like most people, when you wake up in the morning you probably start your day with the best of intentions. You shower, fix your hair, put on a little make-up, get dressed and head off into the world looking like you are ready to take on the day. You're all together and you look and feel terrific. Unfortunately, by mid-shift you might look a little worse for wear! There are simple ways to make sure you look and feel fresh all day, and considering that nurses are the face of healthcare and that you need to look good for your patients, we've come up with some really simple and effective ways to make your personal care routine a breeze.

Rule #1 – Simplify Your Morning Routine

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