…And now shall we have CLASS war in the USA?March 8, 2011…And now shall we have CLASS war in the USA? George Santayana said, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” And perhaps for those…
‘Tis the seasonDecember 11, 2019Here it is, another holiday season is upon us. One can feel it in the air. The colored lights on the houses, the decorated trees in the stores,…
‘Uniformity’ in nursing: It’s about time…again.June 14, 2011June’s guest, Donna Cardillo, MA, RN, looks at the trend of consistent uniform colors for nurses.In case you haven’t heard, there is a national movement underway to have…
15th time’s a charm!June 11, 2017The December 2016 Gallop Poll announced that once again, nurses were rated the highest for honesty and ethics among professions for the 15th straight year! As we graciously…
5 Healthy Ways to Start Your Day in 5 Minutes or LessMay 25, 2016You don’t need a rigid schedule or even a lot of time to get each day off to an energetic and healthy start. Try a few of these…
A better way to secure Jackson-Pratt drainsOctober 6, 2017Yearly, millions of women and men in the United States return home from the hospital, with one or more drains inserted in the surgical site. The drains are…
A congress of baboons?July 9, 2013 Yesterday, I received one of those chain e-mails that seem to touch on the truth and strike the funny bone
A curmudgeon guide to healthcare reformOctober 12, 2009Curmudgeons’ reputation for malevolence is undeserved. They’re neither warped nor evil at heart. They don’t hate mankind—just mankind’s absurdities. What follows is a curmudgeon’s response to the various…
A day in the life of a med-surg nurseSeptember 25, 2019What is a 12-hour shift like for a registered nurse on a medical-surgical floor? I’ll break it down for you. Imagine you’re working at a restaurant and you…
A lesson learned from an unlikely sourceMay 29, 2018As I recall one of my first experiences as a safe patient handling (SPH) consultant, I’m reminded of an unlikely department that introduced me to workplace injury prevention…
A lesson learned from an unlikely source…continuedJune 27, 2018When most of us entered nursing practice, we recognized that lifting patients is an acceptable part of the job responsibilities, but rarely did we think of it as…
A new twist on diaries in the hospital settingFebruary 13, 2019Patient diaries during and after hospitalization have been used to facilitate coping of both patients and family members. Patient diaries during hospitalization include comments and descriptions about the…
A nurse’s plea to the peopleMay 17, 2017It’s a sunny spring day in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city. It is a city, country I have grown to love and call my second home. I moved…
A nursing perspective on the refugee crisisSeptember 15, 2016I learned at an early age to help those in need. I had amazing role models. My parents always welcomed our friends into our home and treated them…
A whole lot better than good enough!November 9, 2009Progressives are bent out of shape because the newest version of healthcare reform from the House, unveiled on Thursday, doesn’t go far enough because the public option has…
A wound care patientJune 1, 2016Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the book Nursing Is Caring, by Beverly Wheeler, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, clinical assistant professor in the school of nursing at the…
Accepting There Is A Wo-Menopause, What Is The Manopause (Andropause)?May 24, 2013Seems like women are not really interested in whether there is a male menopause
Adapting leads to outcomesJuly 18, 2018In our efforts to bring about effective change to our workplace processes, too often we overlook ourselves as the reason why our initiatives sometimes fail to progress at…
Addressing implicit bias in nursing: What color is your lens?December 4, 2019“Of all forms of inequity, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhuman.” — Martin Luther King, Jr., National Convention of the Medical Committee for Human…
Addressing the nurse faculty shortageNovember 21, 2019Every year across the United States, qualified nursing student applicants are turned away from entering nursing programs secondary to the nursing faculty shortage, and lack of educational space…
American Nurse Today wins 3 prestigious ASHPE awardsMay 13, 2009The entire team at American Nurse Today, the official journal of the American Nurses Association, is honored to again be recognized by the American Society of Healthcare Publication…
American Nurse Today Wins Two ASHPE AwardApril 10, 2012American Nurse Today, the official journal of the American Nurses Association (ANA), today announced that its June 2009 cover, Autism Today, has been named “Best Cover” by the…
AN ABUSE OF PATIENT TRUSTAugust 2, 2011Stating that the hours residents work is “an abuse of patient trust,” patient safety expert Lucian Leape has attacked the new limits on first-year residents’ shifts set by…
An American nurse in London: Is it worth it?September 4, 2019Fresh off the boat was a term I’d heard once or twice amongst my former travels, usually referring to an immigrant who had recently arrived in a new…
An issue nurses can’t avoidFebruary 15, 2012I am sure each of us has our own opinion about insurance coverage for contraception and abortion. And as health professionals, many of us undoubtedly will be dealing…
And now we go to debateDecember 3, 2009The Senate made history Saturday evening at 8 PM, November 21, 2009. It voted to open debate on H.R. 3590, its $848 billion healthcare reform bill.
Angels don’t always have wingsDecember 30, 2017Angels are generally thought of as having wings and appear quietly, but on October 1, 2017, hundreds of angels descended on Las Vegas wearing scrubs amidst noisy chaos.…
Are 12 hour shifts safe?March 28, 201112-hour shifts have become the norm in hospitals and most nurses love them. One can work 3 days and have 4 days off, there is one less major…
Are we jeopardizing healthcare’s future by not hiring our new grads today?August 8, 2011 You’re probably aware that many hospitals (and other healthcare facilities) across the country are not hiring new graduate nurses or are hiring very few.
Art: A healing tool for nursesDecember 20, 2019Art relics have been found in remains of the earliest human civilizations—from the paintings in caves, carved stones, and clay figures, to jewelry made of beads, metals, and…
Attitude is everythingAugust 14, 2018Growing up I heard a lot about the importance of a good attitude and a strong work ethic. As a father I am passing down those life lessons…
Be prepared for anythingFebruary 12, 2020Hurry up and wait. It’s the expression used in the emergency department (ED) to explain the frustration patients experience waiting anxiously for results. It’s the same expression used…
Beyond the bedside: Empowering nurses as change agentsNovember 21, 2019In a healthcare system full of patient interactions, nurses provide the most frequent touch point. From the physician office to the hospital room to home and all points…
Bioidentical Hormones And Compounding Drug DeathsOctober 19, 2012The current tragic situation regarding contaminated compounded steroid injections causing stroke and death should alert women to the danger of using mass produced compounded bioidentical hormones as a…
Break the cycle: A new nurse’s plea to end bullyingJuly 10, 2019Bullying and incivility remain the norm in nursing today despite efforts to raise awareness. Bullying is cyclical—people who were bullied often perpetuate the cycle by becoming bullies themselves.…
Breathing through a straw can make you crabbyJuly 31, 2019“Wait for me in the breakroom,” Mikki, an ICU nurse of 17 years, said to me. I nodded and headed down the hall. It was my third shift…
Can a nurse be too old to work at the bedside?March 25, 2011A recent New York Times article begged the question, “How old is too old for doctors to continue practicing medicine?”
Chock-full of new ideas?November 1, 2013Albert Einstein once said, “The only sure way to avoid making mistakes is to have no new ideas.”
Choosing the right patient-lift equipmentMarch 17, 2017Have you ever been faced with a patient mobility challenge at the point-of-care when your patient had to be moved but moving the patient alone was not within…
Cleveland is backwards on health care reformJuly 9, 2017On June 22, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a 142-page draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA). The measure was drafted in secret over…
Commitment is equivalent to successful implementationsAugust 26, 2017Achieving the values associated with an injury prevention program such as safe patient handling (SPH) is rooted within the confines of its ability to gain end-users’ commitment to…
Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases During PerimenopauseAugust 16, 2012The inability to conceive after menopause is considered to be a major benefit to most women.
Cooling The Hot FlashesJanuary 10, 2013Women are either lucky or unlucky when it comes to the hallmark symptom of the menopause
Cured yesterday of my disease, I died last night of my physicianJanuary 30, 2014Before I write another word.
Customer Service: Can’t Nurse with It, Can’t Nurse without ItJanuary 8, 2020Sometimes, I get really sick of talking about customer service. I’ve worked in various hospital settings where the push for nurse scripting is so fervent that nurses are…
DC Fil-Ams speak out on Trump and immigrationJuly 6, 2017WASHINGTON, DC – What was billed as a briefing by immigration and justice department officials to provide the Filipino community here accurate information on current US immigration policy…
Depression and substance abuse: The danger of being strong for far too longOctober 10, 2018Burnout, compassion fatigue, and lateral violence often coexistwith, or contribute to, depression in nurses. Untreated depression can lead to thoughts of self-harm and in the worst-case scenario, even…
Does higher education lure nurses away from the bedside?March 25, 2011June’s guest, Donna Cardillo, MA, RN looks at higher education and whether it lures nurses away from the bedside. There is a widespread belief among nurses that once…
Don’t take out your hankies yet!August 16, 2010It is said that the famous English statesman Benjamin Disraeli countered his opponents’ claim that “Figures do not lie” with, “There are three kinds of lies lies, damned…
Don’t just do itNovember 27, 2019It’s not enough to motivate people by telling them to “just do it”. Greatness isn’t an accident, and it doesn’t come easy. I love reading and watching motivational…
Donning an identityJune 15, 2016Do the clothes nurses wear at work define their identity as a professional? Currently, the traditional white uniform is rarely worn in the clinical setting. For the nurses…
Downtime: The time to nurseAugust 7, 2019Not long ago, I walked down a hospital corridor of a medical-surgical unit and found all the work stations on wheels (WOWs) flush to one side, with nurses…
Drifting in the sea of an emergency departmentNovember 21, 2018A few years ago my wife came home and told me her car was stalling. I knew this was impossible, so I decided to drive her car just…
Duck or swan?October 31, 2019A conversation with colleagues that addressed cultural challenges and the need for more cultural awareness prompted this blog. Many of us had experienced injustices and situations of apparent…
Electronic health records in today’s political environmentMarch 10, 2017In 2004 President George W. Bush set forth a goal of all persons having electronic health records (EHR) within 10 years. This goal seemed unachievable at the time,…
Empathy for each other: The foundation of a healthy unit cultureApril 20, 2016It wasn’t until about three years into my career that I was able to differentiate between sympathy and empathy. It was kind of like figuring out the difference…
Enable and ennoble: Teaching and learning in nursingOctober 2, 2019This year marks my 23rd year teaching nursing. One habit I have (there is no support group for this) is thinking and ruminating. A few years ago, I had…
Everyday tasks as a link to critical thinkingJanuary 2, 2020One of the most frustrating hurdles for aspiring nurses is to leap and land on their feet while jumping over the directive of “think like a nurse.” Thinking…
Failure is not an option…or is it?March 23, 2018As a soldier, I arrived in Iraq in February 2004. The trip was exhausting but ended with the most spectacular sunset. It was absolutely breathtaking. The sky was…
Family Nurse Practitioner, Denise M. Linton, DNS, FNP-BC, will be Highlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in HealthcareJuly 7, 2017The International Nurses Association is pleased to welcome Denise M. Linton, DNS, FNP-BC, to their prestigious organization with her upcoming publication in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. Denise…
Find your unicorn—be your own unicornOctober 28, 2019Traditionally, nursing schools use an apprentice model for educating future nurses. The traditional learning system casts student nurses as being rule followers by stewards who are heavily policy…
Finding healing through compassion fatigueApril 10, 2019When I joined the nursing profession, I never imagined sharing my most vulnerable thoughts and emotions as a nurse and a human just a few years into my…
First-day jittersJune 5, 2018Thoughts crash in my mind, like a storm brewing in an endless sea of desolation fueled by anxiety and fear. It’s my first day on my own as…
Focusing on Safe Patient Handling 2017-2018January 12, 2018As we ended 2017, I reflected on some of the feedback I’ve received from the blogs that I wrote during the year. Most people’s comments have been very…
Get over it!December 21, 2009Okay, so you are angry about the shameless slicing and dicing of healthcare reform legislation–angry about the inane so-called debate and the blatant lies and fear mongering; angry…
Got nursing skills? What to do in retirement as a nurseJanuary 22, 2018Have you thought about what to do in your retirement? Are you sad about giving up the nursing skills you developed over your years of practice? Have you…
Grandpop’s Hat Isn’t Crooked AnymoreMay 12, 2008Not long ago I traveled a few blocks to visit my daughter. It was a warm day, the windows were open. I knocked a few times but no…
Gratitude to those who trust usFebruary 16, 2018There is a ritual in medical schools to hold a memorial service to honor those who have donated their bodies or body parts to advance medical education and…
Green eggs and heparin: Changes in response to safety breachesDecember 1, 2017Unless you’re from Salem, Oregon or have read USA Today lately, you likely have not heard the story about what happened 75 years ago at Oregon State Hospital.…
Has the Public Option Been Opted Out?August 20, 2009This weekend radically changed the great health reform debate of 2009. With President Obama abandoning the “public plan” option, many on the left think that all that will…
Have we lost our ability (and our sensitivity) to communicate in healthcare?October 1, 2012While recently accompanying a man who had just been admitted to the hospital, the nurse looked at his wife and asked, “Are you his P-O-A?” We all (including me)…
Health Care Reform: Americans WANT a Public Option!October 7, 2009A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll (taken September 29 through October 1, 2009) found a majority of Americans prefer that Congress pass a Democrat-only health care bill that…
Health policy in nursing educationJanuary 13, 2020“We have to solve the access issues in healthcare. We can’t decrease healthcare disparities if people don’t have access to care…this is a political conversation…we need to have…
Healthcare reform act: Who gets paid how for whatJune 23, 2010As healthcare providers (including physicians and advanced practice nurses [APNs]) evaluate healthcare reform’s various payment options, they need to assess the impact these changes will make on who…
Heart, soul, and redemption: My journey to addiction—and backOctober 10, 2018As one life ends another begins—a spiritual lesson and coping mechanism that I taught myself early on to ensure survival. Making sense of the tragic loss of life…
HELLO, ANYONE THERE? OR IS THERE SIMPLY NO INTEREST IN THE “MENOPAUSAL” PATIENT?August 9, 2013Folks, the silence is deafening. Over the last year I have covered multiple topics concerning the healthcare of women
Helping hands of nursesApril 20, 2018In the Army I learned what it meant to never give up as well as what it meant to succeed. I quickly mastered my mind and body to…
Here we go again!October 7, 2011 Few things make people grouchier than change, which may well explain why so many people working in healthcare delivery today are so crabby. Just ask any patient. Change…
Honduras: A land in need of healthcare and nursingNovember 3, 2016Recently I had the opportunity to assist on a medical mission trip to Honduras. Here I share my experience to help others who might be interested in serving…
Hot Flash! There is no predicting the FDA.July 11, 2013A FDA Advisory Committee voted 10 to 4 against recommending approval of paroxetine mesylate as a treatment for hot flashes.
How long has it been going onFebruary 5, 2013My husband, our Miniature Poodle Sunny, and I are very fortunate to live on a quiet street with friendly neighbors. The age-group of the families who live here…
How to be wellOctober 19, 2016What is good health? The absence of disease? What is wellness? The ability to function optimally? These are some of the things I am going to discuss in…
Hurricane Harvey: Nurse on the FrontlinesSeptember 22, 2017Jennifer Gentry, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, is the chief nursing officer at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospitals Corpus Christi–Shoreline & Memorial in Corpus Christi, Texas. She’s also a member of the…
I could never do that jobMay 9, 2016This picture is just a small example of what also happens in a pediatric hospital. My child’s three year battle with infantile leukemia created a unique circumstance introducing…
I dreamed a dreamDecember 20, 2019Ten years ago, an eccentric individual stepped on the stage of Britain’s Got Talent to chase a dream of being a professional singer. She didn’t look the part,…
I’ll bill youSeptember 7, 2016Mrs. Anderson is a well-spoken, poised black woman with a flawless face. She is surrounded by silk-encased pillows and is wearing a tasteful dressing grown with a coordinating…
I’m Not Hungry!April 15, 2008Is it one of life’s little tricks that ultimately places you at the table with a beloved parent who is barely touching – or consuming – their food?
ICU delirium by proxyMay 1, 2019In the intensive care unit (ICU), patients and families learn coping mechanisms to deal with stressful events and potential changes in their lives; however, the length of stay…
If you want to keep patients safe, don’t accept brown M&Ms!April 6, 2018If you grew up listening to rock music in the 1980s, you might have heard stories about the overly demanding requirements of Van Halen and their infamous brown…
Improving in-hospital cardiac arrest survival with innovative CPR trainingSeptember 14, 2018Editor’s note: Griffin and Patterson share their experience with low-dose, high frequency CPR training. Paula Patterson: I had been a nurse for more than 40 years when I had—for…
Improving practice to reduce falls in the nursing homeSeptember 4, 2018Falls, typical incidents among older adults in the nursing home, are associated with debility, functional impairment, and mortality. Falls resulting in injury and medical complication have proven to…
Improving the use of patient-lift devicesNovember 27, 2018As mentioned in last month’s blog, which discussed importance of equipment selections, I stated a few points to consider before making patient-lift equipment purchases. This month I plan…
In-flight emergency: Resolve to care for yourself in 2018January 5, 2018 After a long, arduous winter of work, you have saved up your PTO and fly out to your dream destination for a much-needed vacation. You are miles…
Incident response in the ED: What you need to knowMay 29, 2019It’s one of a healthcare provider’s worst nightmare—a person within the facility has a weapon. What will you do? Who will you call? What can you expect from…
Including people with disabilities into the nursing profession: Looking beyond the ADAJanuary 15, 2020Traditionally, the nursing profession has been selective in terms of who can be successful nurses based on physical abilities. Currently, the nursing profession is encountering issues such as…
Is behavioral economics applicable to health care?June 4, 2010 I got into my car this morning and buckled my seat belt. Why? Well, for starters, if I hadn’t buckled it, my car would have irritated me with…
Is Menopause Bad For Your Health?October 19, 2012Here is a promised summary of what really can happen to the body as a result of menopause. This comes from the established scientific literature; so do not…
Is nursing a profession or a job?March 4, 2013February’s guest, Donna Cardillo, MA, RN looks into Nursing as a profession and not just a job. I recently read an article on the web where the nurse…
Is the obsession with patient satisfaction harming our patients?November 17, 2017In 1885, a young nursing student at Cambridge Hospital in Massachusetts was going through her studies; her brightness and positive attitude quickly earned her the nickname “Jolly Jane.”…
It is time to be presidentialNovember 4, 2010At his news conference on Wednesday, President Obama at least gave lip service to bipartisanship and compromise.
Keeping it simpleFebruary 6, 2019Given the fast pace of nursing work environments, implementing innovative ideas or processes in clinical settings can be challenging. This is especially true if the worker perceives that…
Launching yourself in nursing leadershipJune 15, 2012Editor’s note: At American Nurse Today, we believe every nurse can be a leader. This article is the first in what will be occasional guest blogs by Rose…
Leading innovationMay 22, 2019In April of 2019, I had the privilege of attending the ANA Quality and Innovation Conference where Inspiren, the healthcare technology company I co-founded with fellow nurse, Michael…
LESBIANS AND MENOPAUSEAugust 9, 2012About 5% of women will have their primary emotional and sexual relationship with other women.
Leveraging nursing’s many opportunitiesApril 6, 2016In this second decade of the 21st century, the nursing profession is in the midst of a period of expansive growth with the emergence of numerous gains and…
Life after a lung transplant: A second chance to breatheDecember 19, 2018Have you ever wondered about a patient’s quality of life after receiving an organ transplant? We’ve all heard about the success of kidney transplants, but what do you…
Life Is A JourneyMay 12, 2008Three and a half years ago a tremendous change occurred in my life. While at the shore, I collapsed with a massive brain hemorrhage. I went from enjoying…
Making Retirement FulfillingJuly 3, 2008Retirement can be difficult for men and women for a number of reasons. Many believe that their self worth is directly related to their career. Then upon retirement…
Mass shootings, mental health, and nursingMarch 9, 2018The day after the horrific mass shooting incident at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, I began my undergraduate nursing lecture with a piece on mass shootings. I…
Medication MadnessApril 15, 2008The combined number of pill bottles on my parents’ nightstand totaled 28 when laid end to end. That did not include any repeats – but represented the sum…
Medication with food: What does it really mean?August 14, 2019As nurses, at some point you may have provided discharge instructions or outpatient instructions to a patient that “this medication must be taken with food.” However, does the…
Meds Questions? Just Ask!July 3, 2008If you have ever had occasion to find yourself in the hospital for any length of time, chances are a pharmacist reviewed the medications you were taking at…
Men and Menopause – Is There An Andropause?May 12, 2013What happens to men in middle age? While the Bible described life expectancy as “three score years and ten” and half of 70 years would have meant middle…
Men won’t take ‘female’ jobs, Why?July 10, 2017Wives are partly to blame for the fact that men won’t take ‘female’ jobs, professor says. These days, jobs are plentiful, but good jobs — the ones that…
MENOPAUSE CAN BE GOOD FOR YOUR SEX LIFEJuly 29, 2012Sex does not end at menopause. Indeed, the end of the fear of pregnancy is liberating for many women.
Mental illness and addictionOctober 11, 2016If you have a mental illness, you may be at greater risk for both substance abuse and addiction. If you have an addiction problem, you may be putting…
Mentorship through positive relationshipsJune 19, 2019Mentorship is an important concept for new nurses, as they work to navigate the profession and learn needed skills for success in their new role. The nurse role…
Mindful speakingOctober 29, 2018As nurses we deliver crucial care to patients. We help to support families in times of distress, welcome new life into the world, and help provide care at…
More than just machinesMay 8, 2019Over the past couple of years, I’ve written a lot about the various parts and pieces that make up safe patient handling (SPH) programs. If you’ve followed my…
Musings of a Marine veteran hospice nurseNovember 24, 2017I have been a hospice nurse for 5 years. I have been treading water in an ocean of grief that is compiled of the collective tears of my…
MY OBJECTIVES AND WHO I AMMay 11, 2012Often referred to as the “godfather of menopause”, Wulf Utian, a reproductive endocrinologist and gynecologist, started the world’s first center dedicated to menopause research in Cape Town, South…
Myths about being a new nurseMay 14, 2018During my 8 years as an RN, I’ve had the opportunity to precept several nurses and student nurses. After the students graduate and start their careers, I continue…
New Year’s Resolutions, Old Year reflectionsJanuary 5, 2011January 1 has come and gone, and you know what that means. People are vowing to lose weight, become more organized, exercise more, be more patient, eat better,…
Noncompliance or healthcare illiteracy?April 13, 2016The health care industry is focused on reducing costs and improving performance to maximize reimbursement. Inherent in the success of this is patient education and assumption of responsibility…
Not ‘just a nurse’April 27, 2016It’s just another day for just another nurse as I make my way through the busy corridors of this sprawling facility. The hallways are bustling with activity as…
Notes from a scared hospice nurse: I am afraidSeptember 14, 2017I am afraid…..Every time I read a new hospice referral. I am afraid…..Every time I walk into a dying patient’s room. I am afraid…..Every time I start a…
Now Will You Believe That Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Is Safe?April 22, 2013For the past several month’s I have been working with Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) and a panel of 18 research scientists, clinicians and leading medical program…
Nurse managers: Please intervene when a staff nurse shows signs of burnoutSeptember 18, 2019Earlier in my career, my nurse manager told me I was exhibiting signs of burnout. I was offended. When I was oriented as a new nurse almost 40…
Nurses and customer service: A new annoyance or an old standard?April 16, 2012 I recently overheard a nurse bitterly complaining about the staff on her unit being asked by their manager to address patients by name each time they enter the…
Nurses: It’s time to march!October 16, 2019While many professions may look back at their inception and theories in awe at how vastly they differ from present day, one could easily argue to the contrary…
Nursing homes: Good intentions, sad realitiesFebruary 10, 2018Trained as a licensed practical nurse in 1948, after being a nurse’s aide in Rochester, New York during World War II, Rita Hirschler has cared for the sick…
Nursing my vacation: How being a nurse (almost) ruined my dream vacationFebruary 28, 2017On a hot summer evening during my recent post-doctoral dream cruise, I was preparing to relax and enjoy a show in the beautiful, fabulously-appointed lounge when, above the…
Nursing’s FutureDecember 12, 2012Quite some time ago, I uploaded a photograph of myself for the Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future Mosiac.
Nursing’s future: The door has opened but are we prepared to enter?March 28, 2011As the world around us changes, the demographics and health care needs of the population are evolving and costs continue to escalate out of control. As a result,…
Occupy Wall Street: The America we knewOctober 27, 2011Although it was originally proposed by the nonprofit Canadian magazine Adbusters, Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is essentially leaderless.
Once more unto the breachOctober 1, 2013 In Shakespeare’s Henry V (act III, scene I), King Henry, faced with overwhelming force, urges his soldiers forward
Only You Know What Is Right For YouMay 12, 2008Sometimes you have to take charge of your health problem. For example, I was once diagnosed with a rotator cuff problem and the orthopedic surgeon wanted to operate.…
Ostoporotic Fractures Can Kill, So What Is A Woman To Do?March 8, 2013Osteoporosis was the first genuine long-term major disease proven to be related to menopause
Our Minds, Our Internal Environment, Determines How We React To Physical SymptomsNovember 15, 2012A few weeks ago I indicated how hormonal changes initiated different responses to menopause between women, for example, some women experience hot flashes but others don’t
Overspending on patient-lift devices leads to underproduction: More isn’t always betterFebruary 23, 2018In our efforts to discourage caregivers from manually lifting patients, it would seem logical to assume that the more patient-lift devices made available for staff to use, the…
PART 3: SKIN, HAIR AND BODY WEIGHTJune 15, 2012 Beyond hot flashes and the menopause-transition changes in the sex organs, a lot more can happen to the body
PART 4 – OSTEOPOROSIS, THE SILENT EPIDEMICJune 21, 2012 The direct relationship between failing ovarian function and an increase in bone loss and fractures was one of the earliest observations in the history of the science of…
PART 5 – THE REAL KILLER, HEART DISEASEJuly 12, 2012At the outset of describing the number one cause of death in aging women, we need to understand the terminology
PART 6 – VISIONJuly 12, 2012How frequently do you think eye conditions are discussed during menopause-related consultations
Part 7 – SLEEP, MOOD AND MEMORYJuly 19, 2012There are a number of links between sleep, mood, and memory. Menopause has a major influence on all
Pathway to innovationJanuary 29, 2020Imagine you’ve been trying to get a child to sleep for the past 2 hours. You have tried many strategies, but there also were many things that prevented…
Patience: An antidote to despairJune 18, 2019Some say having patience is a good thing. Ambrose Bierce defined patience as “a minor form of despair disguised as a virtue”. I take the middle ground, believing…
Patient advocacy: Sooner better than laterSeptember 28, 2017This patient could be us, our family, or other people we love. Vulnerable, scared, helpless. Do we listen to our patients? How can we support them and their…
Peaches and crocs: A story of gratitude for nursesNovember 28, 2018My story began when I was 49 years young and told I had Stage IV colorectal cancer. That was almost 12 years ago, and today I am one…
Premium Hikes Resuscitate the Public Option?March 8, 2010As the public option faded—and was declared dead by most—the phenomenon of insurers pricing their policies beyond what consumers can afford took off like a jet!
Protect your nursing licenseSeptember 11, 2019Upon graduation, nurses are expected to uphold professional standards, guidelines, and principles from the American Nurses Association (ANA). It’s paramount for nurses to understand how important it is…
Psychiatric needs of children in foster careFebruary 17, 2017Our foster care system is in dire straits. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in the United States alone, over 400,000 children are currently in…
Ready…set…codeDecember 12, 2018As the clock slowly pushed toward three o’clock, motionless hands grinding the gears that perpetuate the workday stood as a moribund reminder of each still moment. Like the…
Registered Nurse, Katherine Greene Davis, BSN, RN, Featured in the Worldwide Leaders in HealthcareJuly 6, 2017The International Nurses Association is pleased to welcome Katherine Greene Davis, BSN, RN, to their prestigious organization with her upcoming publication in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare. Katherine…
Remember the psych patient care techOctober 11, 2019First let me say, I’m not a published author or blogger of articles for nurses, nor am I your typical administrative type. I like to say I speak…
Removal of ovaries before menopause can cause earlier death or negatively impact quality of lifeApril 8, 2013For too many years the ovaries have been considered expendable if the uterus was being removed for a medical indication (hysterectomy)
Reproductive health in adolescent and young adult cancer patientsDecember 6, 2016When a cancer diagnosis is made, we as providers do everything possible to start treatment immediately. Often times we can overlook the value of reproductive health counseling, as…
Rescuing nursing theoryMarch 28, 2018I recently spent one summer working as a clinical instructor in a course that required 12-hour experiences on a very busy inpatient floor. As any clinical instructor, student,…
ResolutionsJanuary 30, 2019This time of the year is a busy time in the gym as most Americans find themselves replete with goals for the new year—mostly recycled from last year’s…
Revitalizing the VaginaJanuary 24, 2013If only everything else in the body was so simple to treat as the vagina. Despite this good news, just too many women remain ignorant about the options…
Role of the safe patient handling coordinator in equipment procurementMarch 16, 2018In last month’s blog, I wrote about the importance of equipment procurement from the standpoint of streamlining a purchasing process, understanding the complete value of equipment purchases, and…
Role of young nurse leaders in ending bullyingJune 5, 2019Food for thought: Rather than dining on our young, how might we—the next generation of nurse leaders—model positive professional behaviors and help to end the hazing, the bullying,…
Safe patient handling demonstrates professional practiceJuly 28, 2017Many hospitals strive to achieve Magnet® designation to highlight the clinical accomplishments achieved within their organizations. One evidenced-based practice that can be used to demonstrate what Magnet considers…
Safe patient handling equipment and workplace cultureAugust 21, 2018Just this past week, I encountered two situations that I found to be interesting. The first has to do with recommendations suggested by a committee member in an…
Safe patient handling in high reliability organizationsMarch 22, 2019As we celebrated patient safety week this month, I couldn’t help but ponder whether safe patient handling (SPH) practices created the type of solutions that would put healthcare…
Safe patient handling: The process programApril 13, 2018Although safe patient handling (SPH) programs are designed to reduce employee injuries related to manual patient lifting and repositioning, many programs are limited to being marginally effective at…
Save Your Patients Lives – Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease After MenopauseMarch 25, 2013Heart disease kills more women than almost all other diseases combined. But the incidence of this killer disease can be reduced
Seems No One Is Interested In Male Menopause – Or, What Is A Woman (And The Man) To Do?June 6, 2013 It would appear, judging from the number of hits on my previous 2 blogs on the subject of male menopause, that there is no interest in the subject.…
Self-Care: An overutilized word but an underutilized conceptMarch 13, 2019Self-care has become somewhat of a buzzword over the last few years to the point where when I hear someone say “self-care” I get a mental picture of…
Sequestration: Delayed (and somewhat lesser?) painMarch 7, 2013This is definitely a case of delayed pain—that is, the across-the-board budget cuts that took effect March
SEXUAL PROBLEMS AROUND MENOPAUSEAugust 6, 2012Human sexual behavior has come under the eye of medical scientists, and nowadays sex-related problems get diagnosed into specific categories.
Shall we Privatize Medicare?April 11, 2011<p>At the point, I simply do not know what to say about the budget debate – but this much is certain it’s not about money so much as…
Sharing your humanity as a nurseJune 12, 2019Note: This blog is based on a keynote address that the author gave to the graduating nursing class at William Paterson University. As much as you feel joy…
She Did It!April 15, 2008My mother has been in her new home for just over a year. She was among the first residents of a brand new assisted living facility, just a…
Single fathers and health disparities: Will nurses address inequities?May 29, 2019Single parents face many challenges when accessing healthcare for their children and themselves, and have health issues that may go unrecognized, particularly for single fathers. The number of…
Social Security “reform:” Throwing Grandma under the busDecember 25, 2012About the only thing more obnoxious than politicians playing games with peoples’ lives are politicians who have nothing but contempt for the people who elected them to office
SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS MAY SAVE THE COUNTRY ONCE AGAINJuly 15, 2011“We don’t need to tell the rest of the world that anytime people in Congress start throwing a tantrum that we’re not going to pay our bills,” Warren…
Society For Women’s Health Research Clears The Air In A Statement On The Role Of Hormone Therapy After MenopauseFebruary 25, 2013Here is a document I did not write. But I was a key participant in this meeting, and the message is so important, I can add little to…
Sometimes healing requires a “miracle”January 23, 2019I am not a religious man, although I have a system of beliefs. I do not always share my feelings at work, but at one point in my…
Standardization creates limitationsDecember 8, 2017In today’s nursing practice, varying opinions about how to best implement safe patient handling (SPH) programs exist. Some nurses offer suggestions based on personal experiences, which is both…
Staying current on the basicsJanuary 29, 2018Having been a registered nurse for almost 10 years, I’ve been fortunate to have only been a patient for the happy occasions of welcoming my children into the…
Stop bullying in schools and save a lifeFebruary 20, 2019Seven Bridges Charles was born in 2008 with serious health issues that required 26 subsequent surgeries and required him to wear a colostomy pouch. News reports stated that…
Strategies for effective patient communicationJune 12, 2018Communication is an exchange of information between two persons—a sender and a receiver. But it doesn’t end there. Feedback is an essential component because it closes the loop…
Stuck in a hospital room? Maybe notNovember 7, 2018Imagine being stuck in a hospital room day after day, for as many as 21 days, not seeing or experiencing a change of scenery except for a stretcher…
SufferingDecember 22, 2017Suffering is an ephemeral state. Not physical pain exclusively but also the mental state that accompanies pain of all degrees. Pain is what the person says it is…
Super committee’s failure affects us allDecember 14, 2011It was difficult to believe Congress could do more to tarnish its already sad, do-nothing reputation. But the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
Supporting the next generationMarch 30, 2018The greatest impact on who we become as nurses evolves from the transition from nursing school to graduate nurse, a stage of intense vulnerability, uncertainty of expectations, and…
Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care ActJune 28, 2012The Supreme Court today upheld key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but there are still many uncertainties for hospital executives. Two key pieces are apparent even…
Survival skills for new graduate nurses facing bullying in the workplaceMay 4, 2018Even though nurses are part of a caring profession, some of them bully new graduate nurses. About half (48%) of new graduate nurses fear they will be a…
Systematically applying change language to change processesJuly 3, 2019In our efforts as leaders to influence new ideas, strategies, change, and/or concepts, often there are countless theories and ideas to choose from. Depending on what you read,…
The 10-Mile, $1000 Ambulance TripJuly 3, 2008Last October, I finally faced the fact that my beloved father’s life was ending. He was over 96. He had just suffered several major seizures which hospitalized and…
The Affordable Care Act isn’t affordable for manyAugust 13, 2014The Affordable Care Act isn’t affordable for many
The Backwash of War: An extraordinary “lost” classic by an American War NurseMarch 6, 2019Long before the United States entered World War I in April 1917, a trained American nurse named Ellen N. La Motte volunteered to work in a French field…
The catastrophic threat of Clostridium difficileMarch 25, 2017Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is becoming a common microorganism in the healthcare systems and poses a catastrophic threat to the United States. It costs the healthcare system up…
The changing landscape of the nursing homeJuly 3, 2018For the 10 years of my nursing career that I spent in the acute care setting, patient turn around was very rapid. There wasn’t enough time to get…
The do’s and don’ts of triage orientationApril 3, 2019Three months out of nursing school I was assigned to orient to the triage nurse role in a fast-paced urban emergency department (ED). Patients and their support systems…
The down and dirty of triage acuity scalesApril 17, 2019An unexpected fall from a ladder, a motor vehicle accident, a sudden onset of acute chest pain…these are merely a few of the reasons people find their daily…
The fiscal cliff: Who should pay America’s debt?December 12, 2012Politics has a way of shifting attention away from important things and focusing it on partisan wrangling
THE HEALTHCARE IMPLICATIONS OF MENOPAUSE ON PUBLIC HEALTH POLICYMay 18, 2012 Last week I opened the discussion on menopause by addressing demographics. This week I want us to consider what an aging population means in terms of changes in…
The importance of nurses voting: Reflections on Lavinia L. Dock’s activismOctober 10, 2018“ . . . Of all things in the world, the tuberculosis question is a social question and the causes of tuberculosis (outside of the bacillus) are social…
The joy of meaningful recognition: A DAISY Coordinator’s perspectiveJuly 24, 2019Meaningful recognition is considered a simple form of feedback that may involve providing praise or simply saying “thank you”. This kind of acknowledgment not only encompasses the individual’s…
The making of a hospice nurse: Beauty for ashesDecember 5, 2018Sometimes in life, when things appear to be going smoothly, in the blink of an eye, everything can change and your world is turned upside down. Security quickly…
The memory of all thatJanuary 22, 2020There is no telling when, but they percolate into my head unsummoned, like a musical worm whose melody you cannot shake off. Sometimes it comes when I am…
The Most Influential Nurses (Infographic)February 3, 2016Most Influential Modern Nurses [Infographic] by the team at Sunbelt Staffing
THE NIH BILLION DOLLAR WOMEN’S HEALTH STUDY THAT HARMED WOMEN’S HEALTHJuly 12, 2012A firestorm in women’s health erupted on July 9th, 2002 when the NIH prematurely terminated one arm of their Women’s Health Initiative Study
The nursing profession’s potential impact on policy and politicsSeptember 22, 2016Nursing is the largest medical profession in the world with nearly 4 million nurses in the United States alone. As such, nurses have the potential to profoundly influence…
THE REAL EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSEMay 24, 2012In my opening blogs I have hoped that you would accept my observation that the menopause was a critical time in a women’s life cycle
The regurgitated youngMay 18, 2016The image displayed above depicts an inexperienced, light-hearted, eager nursing student. I will never forget the day this picture was taken because it was my first clinical experience. Nevertheless,…
The Snugli storyMay 4, 2016Ann Moore with baby in Snugli. My journey, post-graduation from the University of Cincinnati took me to New York City where I taught pediatric nursing at Babies Hospital,…
The sound(?) and the furyNovember 15, 2019A few of my nursing friends and I were headed to Carowinds, an amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a day of fun when I first saw…
The thin white line: Are we doing enough to prevent violence against nurses?June 20, 2018In 1976, Dallas police officer Robert Wood was shot and killed during a routine traffic violation stop. For 12 years, the killer remained at large while an innocent…
The times—and the nursing job market—they are a changin’July 5, 2012The job market for nurses has shifted permanently. Not only is care, and the relevant jobs, moving out of hospitals and into alternative inpatient care settings, the home, and the…
THE TRUE EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSEMay 31, 2012 In my last blog I promised to explain the impact of menopause-related hormonal changes on body organs and tissues by addressing the critical question –“What really are the…
The unbeaten path leads to a growing nursing careerMarch 31, 2017As a nurse, opportunities for growth and change are constantly at your fingertips. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and work as an expert within your…
The vital role of health literacyAugust 21, 2019Healthcare professionals should know that most, if not all, patients have low health literacy, according to The Joint Commission. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that health…
Time: A nurse’s friend or foe?March 2, 2018Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher from the first century noted, “It’s not that we have little time, but that we waste a good deal of it.” While…
Tis the season for giving: How giving care empowers the gift of learningDecember 15, 2017It’s likely that every nurse who has accumulated a few years of clinical experience can look back on interactions with various medical providers where he or she has…
To complain or not to complain…March 27, 2019It always begins innocently, doesn’t it? “I’m just venting,” you think to yourself. But the more it goes on, the more infectious and toxic it becomes. One complaint…
To isolate or not to isolate in the ED: That is the questionMay 15, 2019Redness, itchy, fluid filled, crusty, fever or no fever. So many rashes, so many decisions. Do I isolate the patient? Is the condition emergent or can the patient…
Treat The Menopause – Don’t Ignore ItDecember 27, 2012Women ignore having their health checked around menopause at their own peril
TRUE EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSE – PART 2 HOT FLASHESJune 8, 2012 Hot flashes and night sweats, after menstrual irregularity, are the most common symptoms of menopause, and can be the most disruptive and disabling. I call these vasomotor symptoms…
Turn Down the Bed- Leave Chocolates (If They’ll Let You)July 3, 2008I feel like every time one of my parents is in the hospital, it becomes a training session for my siblings. Let me share our latest experience. I…
Understanding moral disagreementJuly 17, 2019Moral disagreement can be painful and involve deeply held beliefs. This combination may lead to conflict and even more disagreement—as a pebble dropped into a pool of water…
Understanding the “Blue Dog” DemocratsJuly 28, 2009Blue Dog Democrats are dragging their paws…And Blue Dog, Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, is leading the pack in its “in your face” opposition to Speaker Pelosi’s determination…
Unnecessary premature death as a consequence of the WHI studyJuly 22, 2013 It is never ever pleasant in the practice of medicine to live to see a health warning you issued become fact.
Vital importance of immunizationsMarch 20, 2019As a nurse and new mother, there’s one topic that seems to be at the forefront of many conversations. Immunizations. Are you going to immunize? Are you not…
Vote it up or down, but do not let it just die!March 8, 2010Thursday the 25th is an important day for health reform. The President threw down a gauntlet to Congress: Stop complaining, stop the pork, and come up with a…
Wake up and smell the opportunitiesAugust 5, 2010When someone asked Edward Everett Hale, the first chaplain of the United States Senate, if he prayed for the Senators, he said, “No sir. I look at the…
Warm up to Innovative Cold Weather WorkoutsMarch 18, 2015By Caroline Hill When the weather outside feels frightful—your normal outdoor workout routine starts to feel that way as well. Winter poses a lot of extra challenges when…
What a Great Week For Midlife Women And Menopausal Hormone Therapy – Keeps And Dops!October 19, 2012Ten years ago the bottom dropped out of the use of estrogens and progestogens (EPT) for menopausal hot flashes and prevention of chronic disease
What could derail healthcare reformJanuary 18, 2010 While I am anything but happy with the Senate’s healthcare reform bill (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), it certainly is better than the status quo. It…
What medical groups say about health care billJuly 8, 2017There is a lot of controversy surrounding the health care bill pending in the Senate. Where can someone go to find the truth, with so many conflicting claims?…
What my students taught me about civilityAugust 28, 2019“Nursing students have a responsibility to model civility and encourage respectful social discourse. Collaborating with faculty and taking a leadership role in co-creating classroom and clinical norms have…
What some people didn’t learn in schoolJuly 16, 2012Editor’s Note: Welcome to the first blog from Nancy Brent. As a nurse attorney, Nancy brings a special perspective to the issues facing today’s nurses.
What’s a rapid triage assessment?May 1, 2019Five patients arrive simultaneously into the emergency department (ED) waiting room. Who will you see first? Who will go straight to an ED bed? Who can wait for…
Whats happening on the Hill?June 1, 2010I can’t think of a time when so many people in health care have watched so closely what’s happening on Capital Hill in regard to healthcare services. Here’s…
When it rains, it poursJune 26, 2019Murphy’s Law says that if something can go wrong, it will. There is nothing to prepare an individual for the chaos that consumes an emergency department (ED). Education,…
When nurses experience lossJuly 8, 2017Nursing is a job where exposure to grief and loss may be a frequent occurrence. The nurse is challenged with the difficulty of how to cope while working…
When the culture of compassion fails in nursingNovember 14, 2018Is it incivility, horizontal violence, bullying, ageism, policy failure or racism? It’s difficult to comprehend the lack of compassion and humanness from one nurse to another. It happened…
When You Gotta Go Is Not Necessarily SoFebruary 10, 2013An often-neglected area of women’s healthcare is utero-vaginal prolapse and urinary symptoms
Why can’t we get along?October 1, 2012Rarely a day goes by that I don’t receive a question or call about a nurse being the victim of verbal abuse, bullying, or intimidation, or even being physically threatened.…
Why Everyone’s Menopause Is DifferentNovember 1, 2012We are all different, so why should the menopause experience be the same in all women
WHY IS MENOPAUSE SO MISUNDERSTOOD, SO DISCUSSED, SO DREADED, SO MARKETED?May 18, 2012 Menopause is not a disease, nor a dramatic event leading to sudden behavioral alteration. It remains one of the most misunderstood phases in a women’s life cycle, especially…
Why my nursing practice is driven by Memorial DayMay 22, 2018Memorial Day is one of those holidays that seem to welcome warm weather, barbecues, and time with family. For me and many others, Memorial Day also brings up…
Will the Supreme Court back the U.S. into a one-payer system?May 3, 2012 Nine justices are expected to determine the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in June, but their decision may well push the U.S. whither many conservatives would…
Working in rhythmMay 31, 2017There are two things that I have often thought to be consistent with modern day nursing program’s focus of emphasis: teaching students how to write state boards and…
Working within the parametersOctober 13, 2017Safe patient handling (SPH) is a much-needed solution to address widespread injuries occurring among nurses performing patient care. Injuries that result from manually lifting human beings often happen…
Working-out or lifting patientsSeptember 26, 2018As I prepare for my evening workout at the gym today, it’s more than likely that I will use weights greater than 35 pounds when performing various exercises.…
Yes, Every Woman’s Menopause Experience Is DifferentDecember 13, 2012Menopause is a life-changing event. It is not a disease. Nonetheless, all the available medical research confirms that menopause may be associated with specific symptoms
You want to refuse a flu shot? Welcome to the epidemic!November 28, 2018I cradled a very sick child with the flu in my arms this week and asked why the mother had insisted on her child NOT being vaccinated with…
Your choice but staff’s voiceOctober 23, 2018It’s common for those who see demonstrations of mechanical patient-lift equipment to praise them as excellent tools.But when it comes to using this equipment in clinical practice, do…
Your Friends, Family, and Local Culture Determine How You React To MenopauseNovember 29, 2012Quick review – hormonal changes cause a presence or absence of specific menopausal symptoms
Your injury, your fault?April 27, 2017Ok, so let’s be honest, you were injured on your nursing job because you didn’t follow proper procedural techniques right? I mean, you’ve been taught how to lift,…
Family Nurse Practitioner, Denise M. Linton, DNS, FNP-BC, will be Highlighted in the Worldwide Leaders in HealthcareBy:
Including people with disabilities into the nursing profession: Looking beyond the ADABy: Mariel Lechner, RN
Our Minds, Our Internal Environment, Determines How We React To Physical SymptomsBy: Wulf Utian MD PhD DSc
Registered Nurse, Katherine Greene Davis, BSN, RN, Featured in the Worldwide Leaders in HealthcareBy:
Society For Women’s Health Research Clears The Air In A Statement On The Role Of Hormone Therapy After MenopauseBy:
THE NIH BILLION DOLLAR WOMEN’S HEALTH STUDY THAT HARMED WOMEN’S HEALTHBy: Wulf H Utian MD, PhD, DSc, FRCOG, FACOG, FICS
What a Great Week For Midlife Women And Menopausal Hormone Therapy – Keeps And Dops!By: Wulf Utian MD PhD DSc
