Any nurse, or someone who works in the medical profession, who has worked in a hospital or clinic for even one single day has most likely seen numerous bouquets of flowers being sent to patients to brighten their room, or sent to the staff as a token of gratitude for their outstanding care. While flowers are simple, natural and beautiful just as they are, did you know there is actually a meaning behind those flowers? After you read this article you may never look at flowers the same.

Who Decided What Each Flower Meant?

It is really hard to define exactly where the definitions and meanings of flowers come from. Unfortunately, no one really knows. Many say that the meanings evolved from simple local folklore. For example, the Thistle flower is the national flower of Scotland. During the reign of Malcom I, a Danish army tried to invade Scotland in the middle of the night. As the army approached the Scottish camp, one of soldiers stepped on a Thistle with his bare foot. He screamed and the Scottish army woke up and ran the Danish army off. The Thistle became a symbol of independence and retaliation that day. Today some Scottish brides choose to have a Thistle in their bouquets as a symbol of national pride.

The meaning of flowers has been followed for centuries. Meanings evolve and some flowers may have more than one meaning depending on the country they are grown in. Still, discovering the hidden messages is fascinating.

Article continued →

Every year thousands of nurses experience back pain and hip pain as a result of "the job", from standing on their feet all day, carrying and moving equipment, moving patients, and more. Even the increase in the number of obese patients is making work more perilous, as the manual handling of heavy patients takes its toll.

Add to these day to day risks the fact that many nurses have to turn unconscious patients every hour or so and there are no lifting devices available. Most hospital rooms provide little space so lifting movements are often awkward and angled, putting the nurse in a position where she is unable to move in such a way as to prevent personal back injury.

Article continued →

Nurses and those in the medical profession are often thought of as angels of mercy, always kind, always patient, and always without a rude bone in their bodies. Patients and families often come into clinics and hospitals in foul moods, altered states, upset and demanding, and countless other behaviors might be exhibited, and yet the dear and helpful staff are expected to paste a smile on their faces and simply "deal with it."

Truth be told, it's not always easy. Most nurses understand that there is usually a reason for these sometimes over-the-top behaviors, and are trained to manage unruly patients and detach themselves from taking things too personal. Still, there are those days when just one too many out of control patient can put any stoic nurse over the edge. These situations arise so often, there are even online courses on dealing with difficult patients that you can take to help arm yourself.

Article continued →

The scene is not uncommon in hospitals. A friend or family member is very ill and the loved ones gather around the bed, in the hallway, in the hospital chapel, to pray. Words of hope are sent off into the heavens with requests for healing or, at the very least, and end to suffering. While some day that the prayers really are only for those who are doing the praying so they might feel some sense of control over an otherwise sad and hopeless situation, there are those that believe that these heartfelt words have the power to heal.

Article continued →

When many people think of a nurse the same old mental picture pops into their mind – a nurse in a white uniform with white shoes in a hospital. Period. Is that it? Obviously not! For anyone considering a nursing career, or any nurse considering a change in career path, we've come up with a list of some of the top nursing careers to consider. In general, most nursing careers do require a degree as a Registered Nurse. Beyond this degree, the opportunities for specialization and pursuing more advanced nursing degrees are almost endless. (http://www.nurse.com/ )

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Careers

Article continued →

The Tradition and Roll of Caring for Mother and Child

Every year men and women across the country follow the calling to become nurses, to care for those who need care, to be of assistance to those who heal, and to be of service in the health and well-being practice to millions of people around the world. Midwifery, the practice of providing health and care to women who want to have children, who are expecting, through to the after-care of newborn and mother.

Article continued →

A sick child. Just those few words can bring up emotions from sadness to fear to despair. For some people, the words are a challenge for change and for hope. These people are the special nurses of the pediatric unit.

What exactly is a pediatric nurse? Simply put, a pediatric nurse is a registered nurse that helps doctors and provides professional care for sick children and sick babies. These children are usually in medical hospitals, but are often seen in schools, clinics, or other places where children are. Pediatric nurses:

• Complete medical examinations
• Change dressings
• Dispense medications
• Give necessary injections
• Diagnose common illnesses
• Treat common illnesses
• Give immunizations in schools
• Perform school physicals
• Interpret lab results and test results
• Perform therapeutic treatments

Article continued →

Change is inevitable and sometimes unwanted. At one time they were strong and independent, making decisions every day about their lives and their future, but now they are turning to others to help them maintain their daily lives. Elderly patients are one of the fastest growing patient bases. Baby boomers are those people who were born during World War II and from 1946 to 1964 and believe it or not, in 2006 the older group of baby boomers turned 60 years old. In fact, we can break that down to exactly 7,918 million people per day in 2006 turned 60 years old. The American Association of Colleges and Nursing (AACN) reports that there are 36 million Americans over the age of 65 and 63 percent of newly licensed nurses say that the majority of their patients are older patients.

Article continued →

"How very little can be done under the spirit of fear." - Florence Nightengale

From March 1918 to June 1920 the world held its collective breath as an estimated 21 million people around the world, roughly one third of the worlds population, came down with the Spanish flu. In the United States alone, estimated death from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic range from 540,000 to over 675,000. This flu, a deadly influenza A virus strain of the H1N1 virus, attacked the young, healthy population of the world. In the fall of 1918, the pandemic came to a quick end thanks to the a combination of the virus mutating to a les deadly strain and the combined improved health care from doctors and nurses who saved thousands of lives. Nurses were pushed to the limit to save lives through out the entire pandemic.

Article continued →

There is probably nothing more frightening than when a loved one's life hangs in the balance after a medical emergency. As the patient is rushed into the hospital, ambulance lights flashing, family members hold their breath and look to the professionals in the hospital for any sign of hope and word that things will be okay. More often than not, these family members look into the eyes of the Critical Care and Emergency Room Nurses.

Choosing to specialize is a personal choice every registered nurse needs to make. From taking care of children to elder care, the different career paths to choose from are almost endless. Why, a nurse doesn't necessarily have to work in a hospital anymore. School nurses, flight nurses, army nurses, clinic nurses, extended care facility nurses, ship or cruise ship nurses…the list goes on. In any of these situations a nurse may run into an emergency case were the patient must be rushed into an emergency room and, in some unfortunate cases, the patients may end up in critical care units of hospitals. This is where the Critical Care and Emergency Room nurses come into action.

Article continued →