As a nurse or other health care professional, we have a special relationship with our patients. People expect a nurse to act in the patientās best interest and to respect their dignity. It is extremely important for a health care professional to maintain a therapeutic relationship with the patient. A therapeutic relationship is one where the nurse can apply her professional knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences to meet the patientās health care needs. When patients need health care, … [Read more...]
The Problem with Multiple Professional Licenses
Did you know that if you have professional licenses in more than one State and an action is taken against your license in one of the two, it is most likely that an action will be taken against your license in the other State as well? Did you also know that if you have a license that is no longer active in another State, that State then can still take action against your license? These are examples of what I call, āthe domino effect.ā Are you wondering how these things can … [Read more...]
Dirty Little Secrets
It is with a bit of embarrassment that I share this story with you but in my opinion the teaching points are important. Those who have read my books have heard of the man who coded early in my nursing career. While the more experienced nurses went to his aid, I was asked to watch the other patients on the floor. I was new, I was scared and glad it wasnāt my patient. In the midst of this crisis, one of the nurses came out and asked if I could go to central supply and pickup some equipment. … [Read more...]
Fitbits in Nursing
I guess Iām a little bit of a techie and just got a Fitbit which monitors my steps and activities. I enjoy watching my number of steps throughout the day. When I was a nurse, I would spend my time walking down large halls to see my patients and back to the nurseās station to chart. Once I became an attorney and sat at a desk, things changed. Not only did I lose my figure but my nursing bladder as well! My Fitbit is helping me be conscious of my activity. Earlier this week, I was with a … [Read more...]
Communication In Nursing
It is really sad to listen to the stories I hear from some of my clients about communications in nursing. Nurses talk behind each otherās back, complain about each other and, sometimes, have no hesitation in putting down others, right in front of each other. Itās sort of like middle school. I know I used to be quiet and keep things in which really bothered me. Now my motto is if it crosses my mind, it crosses my lips if my comments can be a contribution to the other person. Remember you cant put … [Read more...]
