Holidays in the Hospital: A Visiting Guide

The Christmas holidays can be the best time of the year for most but for those unable to spend it outside of the hospital it can be a sad, lonely, and frustrating time of the year. If you find that a loved one is stuck in the hospital this year, be sure to go the extra mile to make their holidays a bit better.

There are a few simple, easy things you can do to bring Christmas cheer to the hospital room. While it isn’t always possible to set up decorations, your presence or a thoughtful phone call is often enough to lift someone’s spirits. Take a look at these tips for visiting the hospital during the holiday season:

·       Stagger the Visits - No one person should be the visitor; everyone that is available should visit at separate times so the person that is in the hospital feels wanted. By staggering the visits, everyone has a chance to socialize with the patient and the patient is not overwhelmed with too many people.

·       Bring Festive Food – If it is ok with the attending doctor, bring food that reminds the patient of the season. Sometimes even setting a bowl of festively wrapped candy in the room for those in medical scrubs to munch on can bring a bit of pizzazz to bland walls.

·       Deck the Halls - Who says you can’t decorate the hospital room like you would at home? Ask the person what they think of the idea and what kind of decorations they want. There is no reason why it can’t be fun for them too! Just be sure that the hospital staff approves the décor you put up.

·       Use Technology Available - If there’s a chance you can’t come to the hospital, set up some form web-chat. A phone call is always a good choice as well.

·       Never Overdo It - Never overwhelm the loved one. Visitors are great but you don’t want to crowd him or her with a room full of visitors or a large string of visiting friends. Make sure there is some down time for the patient to get some breathing room.

As either a nurse, doctor, or even a former patient, what are some suggestions you have for those visiting loved ones in the hospital this season?

Advice for Leaving a Great Hand-Off Report

Hand-off reports are timely, consuming, and often considered to be one of the least enjoyable tasks of the nursing field. Yet almost every healthcare system relies on great hand-off reports to better help patients. While it takes time to write a great hand-off report, the benefits of doing so are numerous and help not only the patient but the team as well.

Handing off great reports, also known as change of shift reports, is one thing that most new nurses have to learn on their own as they start a new job. Most hospitals and other healthcare centers have their own procedures when it comes to reports.

To help you out, we have a few general tips that will increase the productivity and overall standard of your nurse-to-nurse reports.

1.     Cross Every ‘T” and Dot Every “I”. Making sure your report is complete is essential. Perfection in the medical world can save lives, as can details.

2.     Anticipate Every Question. If you ask yourself a question about a report, you can expect someone else will do so as well.

3.     Nursing Is A Job That Never Stops. This means that reports will always have to be updated, even if the update is a single item or many.

4.     Stay Organized. Not only should your workstation and scrubs be organized but so should your reports.

5.     Work As A Team. Everyone working together can only mean success. If there’s a system in place for reports, follow it.

Great reports are essential to a functioning, productive work place. Be sure to follow procedure when it comes to reports, and to record what you can. When you hand-off a great report, you are not only helping your patient but also your fellow co-workers.

The Secret to Looking Your Best at Work

If you are required wear medical scrub at your job, there are several things that experts say you should do to keep yourself looking great in the workplace. Just because your fashion choices are restricted does not mean all is lost. In fact, you need not spend huge sums of money to look your best, but there are some solid, reliable guidelines to follow for that proper, professional look, most of which are related to cleanliness and hygiene. Unfortunately, many medical employees ignore these tips and end up with an appearance that is much less than appropriate.

Always wear a clean set of medical scrubs, and never wear faded or worn scrubs. This also applies to shoes and socks, which can make or break an otherwise positive demeanor. Stained, worn, and ill-fitting clothing is perhaps the greatest detriment to your overall look. Likewise, your hair, nails, and teeth speak volumes about your level of professionalism.

Experts on workplace etiquette point out that medical scrubs can look very good unless they are too large or too small, at which point they look simply awful. Shop carefully for scrubs that fit, and then purchase several sets of that size in your preferred colors. If you launder the scrubs regularly and repair or replace torn garments, you will never have to concern yourself with looking less than your very best.

Concerning hair, it is best to keep long hair tied back in a ponytail or braid, but never tuck a ponytail or braid into the back of your scrubs collar. Those who consult about workplace etiquette say this practice is one of the worst habits in medical settings.

By keeping your clothing and body clean and fresh, you will always have a bright, positive appearance while on the job in the medical industry. Clean medical scrubs can enhance your air of professionalism as well as give you confidence in yourself.

Tips for Washing Your Medical Scrubs

If you are in the medical field, chances are pretty high that you need to wear scrubs to work. With that being said, you should also wash your medical scrubs everyday as well. When you wash clothing on a daily basis, however, it will fade and look worn out as time goes on. Since you own fewer sets of scrubs that regular clothing wearing them out will happen much sooner than you expect.

Take a look at these tips that will help your medical clothing look newer a lot longer:

1.     Buy the highest quality scrubs on the market. Whenever you go to buy regular clothing, you probably buy the best on the market. The same should go for your medical attire. Never substitute quality for savings.

2.     Always wash your work clothes separate. Medical scrubs can carry a lot of things home with them but they can also bleed like regular clothing. So make sure the whites stay with the whites and darks with the darks.

3.     Wash your scrubs in cold water, always. Cold water has a habit of trapping the dye and keeping it in your scrubs.

4.     Try adding a single tablespoon of vinegar to your wash before adding detergent or any clothing. This helps stop any bleeding of fabrics.

5.     Always use the delicate cycle.

6.     Mild detergents are always the best. Make sure you let the suds foam up before putting your scrubs in.

7.     Never add softener. However, dryer sheets are okay.

8.     Line dry your scrubs. Never throw your scrubs in the dryer as they could shrink or stain.

Tips to Help Prepare for a Nursing Job Interview

If you are a nurse fresh out of college, then you are ready for your first job as a professional. The first thing you must remember is that the interview process is an important one and should not be taken lightly. Just because you have a nursing degree doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a job sooner or later. Professionalism is a must in this field and, if you follow the tips below, you should have no problem getting a career started quickly.

1. Like preparing for a test, getting yourself ready for a job interview primes a person to achieve. Ask for the basics the moment a job interview is planned. Ask who will be interviewing you and how to enunciate their name (if you are unsure). Confirm where the interview will be held and obtain directions. If the facility is large, examine the site for a detailed layout.
2. To assist you in getting ready for your job interview, search for articles regarding interviewing and types of questions usually asked. Consider how likely it is to answer all of them and write down a list of queries you'll request.
3. Before your interview, get everything together- maps or directions, notes considering the time as well as interviewer's name and telephone number, resume, your phone, along with a notebook together with your listing of questions.
4. Be sure you have your outfit together. Hang your garments so that they’ll be wrinkle free. Iron clothes if need be, and be sure you were something tasteful and conservative. Do not wear medical scrubs to the interview; be professional in your appearance.
5. Gather up information about the company. This step is crucial, as you will likely be asked why you want to work for that particularly company or organization. You will want to know what their specialty is (if any), what their mission is, and one or two things you like about the organization.

While an interview doesn’t always mean a job, every interview will get easier. Be confident in yourself and show respect, and you will do just fine.

The Top Paying Nursing Specialties

After a nurse finishes nursing school, he or she has to choose the right specialty, which soon becomes the chief focus for weeks or even months. There are so many different specialties that a nurse can choose from and that means many nurses are finding it extremely difficult when picking just one. However, when you have nearly every specialty that requires its candidates to turn around and pass a number of exams and then fulfill on-the-job training, it all seems like a race to the finish.

Pay shouldn’t be a nurse’s only concern when they consider a specialty however it can be a factor when looking at choosing between several specialties. There are other things to look at when choosing a specialty like what medical scrubs you can wear, is child care going to be a problem and so on. No matter what your choice is, the important thing is that you should be happy.

With that said, if you do have a degree and are looking to get into a top paying nursing career, one of the following may be for you. Take a look at the top 10 highest earning nurse professions in the country:

#10: Neonatal Nurse whose average salary is $74,000

#9: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner whose average annual salary is $75,000

#8: Clinical Nurse Specialist whose average salary is $76,000

#7: Nurse Practitioner whose average salary is $78,000

#6: Orthopedic Nurse whose average salary is $81,000

#5: Pediatric Endocrinology Nurse whose average salary is $81,000

#4: Certified Nurse Midwife whose average salary is $84,000

#3: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner whose average salary is $95,000

#2: Nurse Researcher whose average salary is $95,000

#1:  Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist whose average salary is $135,000

Picking the Best Nursing Specialty

If you want to have a rewarding career as a nurse, make certain to find a nursing job that fits your personality and capabilities. There are hundreds of different types of nursing specialties from which you can choose, but you need to realize that the profession is quite diverse. Take time to plan your career, even if you have not yet selected the particular nursing niche that is best for you. A good career fit is of utmost importance for any discipline, but especially for nurses.

Before setting out to find that first job as a professional nurse, make a list of your specific job skills and your unique personal preferences for the jobs that are available. Medical workers who wear medical scrubs know that the field is wide open, featuring so many niches and sub-categories that it is easy to become confused. Take time to study the different nursing specialties, making note what types of education each one calls for. Some surgical nursing jobs, for example, typically require one or more certifications.

If you consider yourself a ‘people person,’ then a large hospital might be a good place for you to work. The choices in this case are unlimited. You could pick a career as an emergency room nurse, or work in labor and delivery. The main thing to consider is that hospitals are places of much social interaction. On the other hand, if you tend to work best alone, or with a small group of people, then maybe you should consider home health nursing or hospice jobs. Either way, you will likely be wearing scrubs.

If you make the time to research different types of nursing careers, you will be well on your way to finding the perfect career niche. Remember that with just a few years of experience under your belt, or in the pocket of your scrubs as the case may be, you can earn a good salary as a professional nurse, regardless of the specialty you choose.

Buy Quality Nursing Shoes: You Won’t Regret It!

For more than a hundred years, medical scrubs, uniforms, and nursing shoes have been of concern to health care workers. While many disregard the importance of quality shoes, they do so at their own risk. Especially for those who stand for several hours each day, shoes can have a significant effect on health. In fact, many nurses are on their feet for more than 8 hours per day, and that can lead to all sorts of physical maladies.

Medical scrubs, uniforms, and nursing shoes are probably the three most important articles of clothing in the medical profession. Ankles, hips, and backs take a beating when you stand for long periods of time, and properly cushioned shoes are of the utmost importance.

Nursing shoes should not be a fashion statement. Health care workers need shoes that have good arch support, durable outer and inner lining, and that fit perfectly. Even a shoe that is a bit too big or too small can cause numerous problems for people who wear them. That is why it is important to take time and find a shoe that is just the right size.

Price should only be a factor if you feel that your new nursing shoes are way over the average. Medical scrubs, uniforms, and nursing shoes tend to hover around a solid average price. Anything far above or below that amount should act as a warning sign that the shoe is either of very low quality or is over-priced. If you work in a large health care facility, and if you are new to the profession, ask some of your older co-workers where they buy their shoes, what they paid, and how long they have had them. It never hurts to use the experience of others in the quest for good shoes.

Tips for Dealing With Your Difficult Patients

Being a medical worker such as a doctor, nurse or any worker in scrubs can be hard sometimes, especially when dealing with difficult patients. People come into medical facilities for a variety of reasons and you are there to provide a service; you must remember that. There are going to be times where patients are going to be less than cordial and you have to be ready.

In the daily practice of physicians, psychotherapists and other staff, there’s a very good chance that you will pick up on some of these the unpleasant following behaviors:

• Intense anger outbursts

• Aggressive verbal behavior

• Exaggerated expression of emotions

• Persistent desire for recognition of others

• Distrust

• Lack of follow rules

• Contentious and persistent insistence on personal rights

• Frequent need of help

• Complaining or whining

• Silence

• Constant complaints of being ill, often associated with hypochondriac-type symptoms

• Suicide threats and suicide acts

• Ingratitude

Such "difficult" behavior frustrates the workers, triggers resistance and costs time, money and effort of staff. If, however, it starts to stress the relationship between the workers and patients, treatment success is in question. Interaction skills, awareness and professionalism in dealing with patients is very important- especially with difficult patients- and is therefore a basic prerequisite for any treatment.

Sometimes unruly patients can get very violent and start throwing things. You should always have a spare set of medical scrubs uniforms on hand just in case something goes wrong and you need to change.

Top 5 Worst Styles of Medical Scrubs

Medical scrubs can be fashionable, comfortable, and inexpensive. Unfortunately, they can also be quite unfashionable. It is wise to keep in mind the five main mistakes people make when it comes to medical scrubs. Because scrubs come in so many colors and styles, it’s easy to choose badly. It seems every major medical facility employs at least one worker who “didn’t get the memo” about scrubs fashion and etiquette. 

When it comes to stains, you need to tread very carefully. In the medical profession, permanent stains are considered bad business. Therefore, even if you know that that tiny red stain on your medical scrubs is from strawberry jam, it is best to toss the things if the stain won’t come out. Most scrubs are very easy to clean, and feature treated materials that do not stain easily. But every now and then, a permanent stain makes its way into our lives. When it does, do not delay trashing the scrubs.

Torn pockets are fine, if they are properly mended. The challenge here is knowing when to give up the ghost. Mending once is okay, but mending a second and third time makes your medical scrubs look terrible. 

The third and fourth medical scrubs disasters have to do with color and size. Too small is too bad. No one wants to see a person wearing scrubs that are on the tight side. Colors and wacky patterns can sometimes look awful, so avoid the really frightening hues and insane patterns. 

Last but not least, do not wear scrubs that are too revealing. Save the parade for Fourth of July, and keep the skin show at the beach. Medical scrubs are meant to be worn in a work environment, not a nightclub. Stick to proper sizing, current styles, and comfortable fabrics. That way, you will look great and get the job done.

The Fad of Printed Medical Scrubs

To go with the printed scrubs, or to abstain, that is the question. Recently, printed scrub tops have been all the rage. Regularly seen as fun loving, many nurses consider printed medical scrubs to lift the spirits around their workplace or office. On the other hand, nurses may want to mull over a few things prior to throwing on their favorite cartoon character tops.

Firstly, reflect on you workplace. Cartoon printed scrub tops may perhaps not be sensible while working on an ICU hospital floor. Conversely, when scheduled on the hospital’s pediatric floor, this sort of top is relatively important and may even be encouraged. When dealing with children, fun cartoon scrub tops can make all the difference and can help boost spirits.

Take some time to consider your employer. Remember that you represent your employer as a professional. If sporting frolicking animals printed on your top will affect your credibility in any way, think twice. It may be worth asking the feelings of your employer on the subject, even if you already have a dress code but the topic is not outlined.

On the subject of credibility, bear in mind that you have worked exceptionally hard to get to where you are. In this profession it is important to look the part. Do not wear printed scrubs unless you are certain they fit in at your workplace.

Wearing printed scrub tops can prove to be especially fun. Countless nurses relish in the break from the usual scrubs. So, keep in mind these tips when deciding on your medical scrubs. When coming to a decision on a print, be sure it is acceptable.

Tips to Choosing Work Appropriate Scrubs

Your work scrubs can be considered as your closest companion when you are working so it is best if they live up to your expectations, right? The smallest of details will play the most important of roles every single time. You will have to ensure that you cover all the bases when you purchase your work scrubs, for instance the styling of the sleeves, the patch pockets and even the side slits. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

Mock Wraps versus V-necks- Choosing between these two might be a little harder than you think. This choice is like choosing between wanting a stylish pair of work-wear without the “u-shape”, split neck, scoop neck or any other neck design. Without giving you confidence with that new look you can consider choosing a slimmer look with the mock wrap.

Raglan versus Set-In- You may think that it’s a little on the odd side to figure in the type of sleeves when picking the perfect type of scrubs but when it comes to certain perfectionists it can mean everything. So if you are one, make sure you pay close detail to this part.

Colored versus White- We all know that white is clean and it looks great on doctors but dirt is very attracted to it. Do you really want to go through all that attention to detail, all that cleaning, etc? Chances are, you don’t. So if you work in maternity, pediatrics or the ER… it is very advisable that you stay away from white.

A good pair of scrubs can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort for the course of a shift. So be sure you get what you want, especially as you’ll be spending a lot of time in them!

How To Avoid Fashion Blunders With Your Scrubs

Let’s face it, having to wear scrubs on a daily basis can lead to fashion hum drums. While you can shake things up a bit by wearing bright colors and patterned scrubs, you may be relegated to wearing a specific color based on your position in the hospital or health care facility. Your hospital may let you make a bit of a fashion statement with your scrubs but you want to make sure no matter what you do, you don’t become a scrubs fashion faux pas.

Being professional and dressing professionally is something you want to strive for every day. Avoid coming to work with stained and mismatched scrubs or scrubs that are held together with safety pins. Your scrubs will likely get pretty stained on a daily basis and that is unavoidable, but that, in addition to other fashion blunders are something you need to avoid.

One major blunder to avoid is showing too much. Consider what your front view looks like when you’re bending over in front of a patient or his or her family. You don’t want them seeing your cleavage. If that is a problem with your scrubs, you need to wear a scrub top with a higher cut or wear a shirt or tank top underneath. This goes for men as well.

Stains and myriad unhygienic substances and blood are all part and parcel of working in a hospital. You don’t want to announce to your current patient, however, that you’ve just been in a setting with the prior patient in which you’re covered in stains. Scrubs need to be sanitized and cleaned every day without fail. 

Do a mirror check test before you leave your home. Bend and stretch to see if your scrubs are pulling, tugging or exposing major amounts of flesh. If you’ve gained or lost weight you definitely need to make certain your scrubs still fit. Also, where will you “wear” your pants – above or below your waist? Make sure the length of your pants fits where you will wear them on your waist.

No matter what style of scrubs you wear, you will want to wash them according to the manufacturer label and wash like colors together so they fade evenly. You don’t want your navy scrubs, for example, to fade unevenly or you will look ill-put together when walking around the hospital. Professionalism is the order of the day, especially if you’re working in a hospital with sick patients.

Nursing Career Paths To Consider Pursuing

The aging population brings with it the need for even more nurses than ever. Nursing careers are favored by individuals looking to pursue a great part time or full time position. There are many more patients in need of care and there is a greater need for individuals to pursue nursing careers to fill the need. Nurses may not have to work the brutal length of hours that many doctors do, but their work is demanding and tiring nonetheless. Nurses deal with stressful hospital situations as well as being on their feet all day working with ill and dying patients. Nurses also need to interact with other hospital staff as well as the friends and family of patients. Those who are nurses though, find that being a nurse is satisfying work. 

Nursing careers are as unique as the individuals who pursue them. There are myriad nursing jobs for individuals interested in pursuing a career putting their talents to work helping patients. Nursing careers are: registered nursing/ (RN), licensed practical nursing or licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVN), and nursing assistant. RNs supervise LPNs and nursing assistants. LPN and LVN nurses only are allowed to offer patient care under the supervision of a doctor, nurse practitioner or RN.

As with other careers, nursing careers offer other categories such as: full or part time schedules, contract nursing, office or permanent care nursing, private duty, hospital nursing, industrial or health nursing, travel and psych nursing. Nursing assistants aren’t nurses but they will still wear scrubs to work and will be involved in many daily nursing activities. Nursing assistant duties include: helping nurses carry out tasks, offering hygienic care, providing psychosocial care and other such duties.

As with other professions, full time RNs work at least 40 hours a week in any of the chosen career paths. They wear scrubs while at work and can choose to find employment in any of a number of medical venues in both the public and private sector. The hours of part time nurses vary widely and they also can work as nursing contractors. Pay, benefits and hours vary based on the facility in which you work as well as your longevity in the career, training and licensing and hours worked. There are even some individuals who will retire from full time nursing and take up a position as a part time or contract nurse while some others will become part time nurses to supplement their other jobs. 

Contract RN jobs are favored by many, but those looking for stable positions prefer a full time nursing position. Those who enjoy variety in both their schedule and location will typically opt for contract or traveling nursing jobs. Nursing provides competitive pay and in some cases competitive benefits.