Parts of being a nurse involve the things ordinary people don’t do. Yes, nursing is exciting, but as exciting as it is, many nurses have seen and experienced things at work but have not discussed them. It is also true that it’s one of the most stressful jobs in the world. While nursing is rewarding, there are also many challenges regarding life-and-death situations and patient care.
Nursing is one of the most underappreciated professions, yet, the most regulated. It is because nurses are handling the lives of people every day. Not only their patients but the lives of nurses too. It is why there are also the worst parts of nursing. What are the painful parts of nursing? And what can nurses do?
We Can’t Save All Lives
The sad reality is nurses deal with death and dying patients every day. It doesn’t matter what kind of area they specialize in; nurses deal with death. The worst part is that nurses are human beings, and it’s not easy each time they lose a patient. Many nurses wish they could cry with patients’ families, comfort them, hold their hands, hug them, and grieve with these families, but they can’t. Nurses refrain from crying not because we can’t but because we must stay professional. We need to stay strong for the families left behind.
Nursing is not for the faint of heart. You will see many things that make an ordinary person queasy or heartbroken. Patients’ suffering is part of our daily lives, and whether we like it or not, we deal with losing them the best way we know how.
We Handle All the Gross Stuff
Handling the things no one else will touch is part of a nurse’s daily life. From body fluids, mucus, blood, sputum, and phlegm – we handle them. Lucky for us, we were taught earlier about these things in nursing school. And you must provide nursing care for patients suffering from all kinds of conditions, including those that secrete the grossest things. We don’t shy away from these things because it’s part of the job.
Seeing the Bad and Sad Side of Life
It is a known fact that medical work can expose you to some horrific things that can take an emotional toll on you. And a nurse is one of those healthcare workers that sees these things up close and personal.
As nurses, we see the terrible things that would make you question life. How can a 5-year-old go through multiple heart operations? A 20-year-old who needs a heart transplant because of drug abuse? We’ve seen a young mother of four battling cancer. We’ve seen healthy people robbed of a good life because of a botched medical procedure. Let’s not forget those who said goodbye to their loved ones who’ve gone too soon—all of these and more. Being exposed to these things and seeing them unfold in your eyes makes you wonder why life is unfair to those who need it the most. It can be hard to deal with and sometimes affect your mental health.
You’ll feel unappreciated and overworked
Sometimes, you feel burned out from working too much. As nurses, we work endlessly, and sometimes we feel unappreciated. Long shifts, understaffed units, increased patient ratio, and Covid-19 made this job more demanding than it used to be. Our sacrifices and compassion go unseen by the public and administrators. Sum all that, and you have an exhausted nurse who is on the brink of giving up. And we cannot avoid this. It’s there, an ever-present occurrence that many nurses experience. It’s a problem that nurses face, but at the same time, something that we cannot resolve entirely.
In Closing
While we experienced many losses, touched many gross things, and did so many overtime hours, nursing is still one of the most rewarding jobs. It is an honor to be called to be a nurse. And while many nurses are made, only a few are born to be one. If you are one of them, stand up and be proud. Nurses are heaven-sent!
EP 208: Headache and Migraine Relief with Jono Taves
Headaches or migraines can affect anyone. Blinding migraines can also stop someone in their tracks. And when it can’t be relieved, it can lead to a more serious condition. What headache and migraine relief can you do? Is there something you can do to relieve your headaches?
In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Dr. Jono Taves. Dr. Jono is the owner of Novera: Headache Center and host of The Headache Doctor Podcast. He specializes in relieving headaches and migraines for patients who don’t get enough of what they need from traditional treatments. He believes everyone deserves a life free from intrusive pain and unwanted medication so that they can excel in everything they do.
We discuss the different types of headaches, why you’re getting them, and how to relieve the pain.
Questions for Our Guest
The questions below are some we’d like to tackle. We often go off-topic, so we don’t expect to hit them all. If you have any ideas, please let us know.
Looking forward to our conversation!
These are the questions you had in Calendly. We’ll go off your questions and wherever else our conversation goes.
Can you give us a little background about yourself and how you’ve gotten involved in pain relief, specifically headaches?
Is there a difference between a migraine and a headache?
Can headaches or migraines cause any damage? Or are those pains a signal that there can be potential damage?
Where do headaches or migraines stem from?
Are there multiple causes, or what can worsen them? Dehydration, stress, lack of sleep….
How can migraine symptoms stem from the neck?
Is pressure being put on the spinal cord like in a pinched nerve?
Is there an abnormality in the spinal column that causes head pains?
Does it have anything to do with the muscles around the neck?
7. Does the location of the pain play a role in what’s causing it and how to treat it?
8. How do you treat migraine or headaches?
9. What tips or recommendations can people use to relieve or prevent their headaches?
Ending Questions
Before we end the show, we have one last question we like to ask all our guests. If you had the opportunity to have a Cup of coffee with anybody one last time, who would it be & why?
Learn how to get rid of your headaches and migraines by watching the full episode here 👇
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction 01:44 About Dr. Jono Taves 05:57 Understanding the Difference Between Headache and Migraine 09:23 Anatomy of the Upper Neck and Its Relationship to Pain 15:51 Understanding the Causes of Neck Tension And How To Avoid It 18:57 The Link Between Muscle Tension and Headaches/Migraines 20:53 Sleep Position Recommendations for Neck Pain Relief 23:50 The Psycho-Emotional Impact Of Neck And Migraine Pain 27:10 Steps to Relieve Headache and Migraine 29:43 The Impact of Chronic Pain on the Brain 32:38 Headache Locations May Reveal Source Of Pain 36:27 Benefits of Neck Cracking in Physical Therapy 39:41 Using Joint Mobility To Alleviate Muscle Tension And Migraines 42:15 What a Session with Dr. Jono Looks Like 44:09 Tips For Preventing Migraines 47:54 Proper Neck Support Tips for Intubated Patients 50:52 Improving Sleep & Reducing Snoring Through Pain Relief 52:18 Wrapping up the show
Being a travel nurse is not for everyone. This is one of the only areas in healthcare where you can simultaneously travel and work around the US. If you have doubts about becoming a travel nurse, here are the reasons why you should consider becoming a travel nurse in the future.
1. There is career growth.
One main reason some nurses enjoy being travel nurses is the career opportunities. When you travel to different medical facilities, there is always a chance to meet other healthcare professionals. It allows you to build your network and learn new skills while on the job. Creating connections as references for future work is excellent when you are a travel nurse. Also, working in different locations shows how adaptable you are to change, and there is a chance you can land a permanent position.
2. The schedule is flexible.
As a travel nurse, you will work for short-term employment. It means you get hired to work within a specific timeframe. Because of this setup, you can choose the days for your vacation and work. You have time to do other things or focus on yourself and rest. This kind of freedom is not something you see in other jobs, so if this is not a good reason to become a travel nurse, I don’t know what is.
3. You have higher pay.
By standards, travel nurses earn around $25 to $40 per hour more than staff nurses [1]. However, since most hospitals are short-staffed, travel nurses are in high demand. You can expect higher offers and more opportunities to work overtime with shift differentials each time you get hired. Sign-on bonuses and contract renewal incentives further increase your income..
4. There are fewer workplace politics.
It is not uncommon for a workplace to have some drama. When you work in a permanent hospital setting, tensions can arise. It can cause conflicts and arguments among staff nurses. However, if you are a travel nurse, you can avoid these situations. You don’t need to be involved in whatever drama is going in your work setting. All you have to do is go to work and fulfill your duties as a nurse. You can focus on your position and provide better care for your patients.
5. There is a chance to live your dreams.
Becoming a travel nurse gives you a chance to live out your best life. If you are into adventures, meeting people, and going to different places, this is the perfect job. You can choose the location for your next assignment, which means you can have time to do whatever you want. Whether hiking or checking local brunch spots, it is good to know that you are not so tied down with a staff job.
6. They have reimbursements.
As a healthcare professional traveling to work can seem expensive. However, plenty of travel nurse agencies can reimburse you for your expenses on gas, scrubs, and other things you need for traveling. They can arrange everything for you; even better, some agencies allow you to bring your spouse or beloved pets.
Your Takeaway
The outlook for travel nurses has never been better. As the pandemic continues to roll, more and more nurses are needed across the country. If you are a registered nurse looking for something more, becoming a travel nurse is an excellent opportunity. With the increasing demands and higher pay, this could be an opportunity of a lifetime. Send us an email or reach out on social media, and we can help you get started. t. We hope that you find this post enlightening; good luck out there!
Patient falls are one of the many incidents that could happen to patients in hospitals, and as much as nurses do their best to prevent this from happening, it cannot be avoided. It does happen. But can you avoid this incident? And what are the usual or common causes of patient falls? Knowing this can help save your patient’s life and avoid losing your license. It’s best to be prepared at all times.
In today’s episode, we will discuss our experiences when a patient fell. We’ll also discuss how it happened, how we felt, and what we had to do. In addition to that, we will also discuss what to do when a patient falls and the most common causes of it.
What to Do When a Patient Falls
Call for help and stay with the patient
2. Assess the patient for any injuries
Ask what happened and if they have any pain or hit their head
If the patient is unable to respond appropriately, assume they hit their head
Are there any visible injuries?
3. Notify MD, Charge, house supervisor
4. Take the patient to CT
5. Notify family if needed
6. Make the patient a forever high fall risk
7. Chart what happened
8. File an incident report
Patient Falls
Each year, somewhere between 700,000 and 1,000,000 people in the United States fall into the hospital. A fall may result in fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding, increasing health care utilization.
Falls occur at a rate of 3–5 per 1000 bed-days
Resulting in around 250,000 injuries and up to 11,000 deaths
Approximately one in four falls result in injury, with about 10% resulting in serious injury.
Most Common Causes
We looked at several websites to see the most common causes of falls. According to some law firms, the most common causes of falls are:
Falls can be prevented; learn all about it by watching the full episode here 👇👇👇
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction 03:02 Matt’s Patient Fall Experience 10:20 Peter’s Patient Fall Experience 16:46 Who is liable for patient falls 20:26 What to do when a Patient Falls 24:55 LAW FIRM: Most commons reasons why patients fall 28:44 Healthcare Joint Commission: Most commons reasons why patients fall 37:52 Wrapping up the show
Social media posting and being a nurse are exciting, but their potential has been underutilized. Nowadays, social media is being utilized by nurses to educate people and voice their concerns. However, it is essential to understand what nurses can and cannot post on social media platforms. Are there any limits to what they can post? Here are helpful nurse tips for social media posting.
What Can You Post on Social Media as a Nurse?
So, posting stuff on social media is pretty fun, right? But as nurses, we must take responsibility for what we put out there. No need to panic, though. Here’s how we can be responsible with our social media presence:
Avoid posting ANY patient information
Sharing any information about your patient online is strictly prohibited. You may discuss certain aspects of what you did for your patient, but avoid divulging their personal information. For instance, if your patient gave you a thank-you card, you may post a picture of the card without revealing who it’s from. You may also share what they wrote, but keep their name and location confidential.
Avoid taking photos or videos of your patients on your phone, as this violates patient confidentiality and could lead to a lawsuit against your workplace. Although asking permission from your patient may be an option, if your employer has strict rules against it, do not risk it. Even if your patient does not report or sue you, your workplace can still take action against you for violating their rules.
Would you like to see an example of how we navigate healthcare on social media? Check out our Cup of NursesInstagram orFacebook page.
Keep it Professional
Sometimes we must be more thoughtful about what we post on our social media accounts. If we’re not careful, we can hurt people or ourselves. Others can misinterpret a seemingly harmless post.
Healthcare professionals must be mindful of what we say or post on social media. It’s important to draw a clear line between our personal and professional lives. Remember to keep it professional and avoid posting anything unkind or naming names, especially if your employers monitor your account. Keep your posts clean to stay out of trouble.
Check Your Privacy Settings
When it comes to social media, not everyone on your friend list is actually your friend. Some people are just there to watch your activities. While some are genuine, it’s important to be wary of those who aren’t. Luckily, you can control who you share your content with on social media. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow users to customize their privacy settings to share their content with only those they want.
Check your privacy settings and review your friend list. You can remove or block people, not within your circle of friends. You can share your posts with the public or only your real friends on Facebook. However, while these settings provide privacy, they can also give you a false sense of security. As a rule, only post things you’re comfortable with employers, patients, or coworkers seeing. Always be aware and mindful.
Think Before Staying Connected with Patients
Nurses love our patients dearly, but sometimes we must establish boundaries. It is different when you care for your patients in a hospital setting compared to when you are friends with them online. In this case, boundaries are essential. Although many patients are comfortable with us, and vice versa, if you ever decide to accept a friend request from them, make sure to keep your posts as professional as possible.
Remember, just because a patient added you on social media doesn’t mean you have the liberty to discuss them or their medical case. Always exercise extreme caution with each interaction, as this could breach patient confidentiality. If you are not careful, you could lose your license..
Join Healthcare Discussions
Participating in healthcare discussions is a great way to stay active on social media. It helps you stay visible and relevant. By expressing your interests and passion for healthcare, you can also spread awareness about the industry and inspire others to join the field. Additionally, this can give you an advantage if your employer checks your social media account, as it shows your dedication to your career.
You can join our healthcare discussion on our Cup of Nurses Facebook.CLICK HERE.
Hold the profession accountable
Nurses must uphold strong ethical and moral standards, which apply to social media. If you see a fellow nurse or colleague breaching their patient’s privacy, talk to them about the importance of patient privacy and any content that could harm or expose a patient’s right, privacy, or welfare.
If you’re unaware of your company’s policy about social media posting, learn them now to set boundaries for your posts. Be always mindful and exercise caution to protect your patient’s personal or professional confidentiality. And when in doubt, don’t post it at all.
Hope this post gave you insight into navigating social media as a nurse. These six awesome tips allow nurses to use social media without being unprofessional. The tips are pretty simple: don’t post patient information, keep it clean, make sure your privacy settings are on point, think before connecting with patients, join healthcare discussions to empower nurses, and ensure you’re living up to the profession’s standards. It’s super important to be ethical and respectful of patient confidentiality on social media, so ensure you’re doing your part! If you’re interested, check out theCup of Nurses podcast. It’s a great listen!
If you’re interested in nursing and healthcare, you can join the Cup of Nurses Facebook group to join the discussion and stay updated on industry news and topics.CLICK HERE.
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