MyNursingUniforms Blog

According to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsonn Cancer Center about 16% of the nurses in the United States smoke. The same study shows that smoking has negative impacts on nurses' interactions with patients, such as making addicted nurses spend less time with patients and more time taking frequent breaks. It's a nasty, unhealthy that has thousands of people in its grips, and every year thousands of people die from diseases directly related to smoking. Let's get down to some serious facts:

More than 430,000 deaths occur every year from smoking-related illnesses and disease. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2003 approximately 171,900 new cases of lung cancer were reported, with 157,200 dying from lung cancer. Men who smoke are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers, and women who smoke are 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. And if you think having your cigarette isn't hurting anyone else, think again. Secondhand smoke has been reported to cause as many as 300,000 cases of pneumonia and bronchitis in children up to 18 months of age every year. It also increases the chance of babies dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

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The U.S. Department of Labor notes that registered nurses comprise 2.3 million jobs in the healthcare field – the largest, by far. Furthermore, the Department projects that among all occupations in all fields, more nursing opportunities will be created over the next decade than any other. From a distance, things do indeed look quite good for the nursing profession. After all, we’re still living in an era of tremendous job uncertainty and labor market misalignment. It’s nice to know that, based on this promising statistical outlook, nursing is an wise career move for millions of people today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Yet there is more to this story than rosy statistics; and the nurses reading this article would no doubt criticize any attempt to paint an incomplete picture of what’s really happening in the trenches. Despite the professional and personal satisfaction that comes from applying their considerable skills to help patients heal or face illnesses with dignity, more and more nurses are facing a situation that, by its very term, sends waves of dread through even the most battle-hardened health professional: burnout.

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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

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