EP 218: Is Healthcare Moving in the Right Direction with Raj Sundar

EP 218: Is Healthcare Moving in the Right Direction with Raj Sundar

Is Healthcare Moving in the Right Direction?

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Raj Sundar. Raj Sundar is a full-spectrum family physician and community organizer. He hosts Healthcare for Humans, a podcast dedicated to educating others on how to care for culturally diverse communities so they can be better healers.

Questions and Topics

  • Can you give us a little background about yourself?
  • Why did you decide to start Healthcare for Humans?
  • Why doesn’t healthcare translate over to culture?
    • Often times we trim down treatment and approaches to patients into set protocols, once size fits all approach. When does that approach fail?
    • It almost seems like the bigger the healthcare system, the less culturally sensitive it is.
  • As a medical director, how can you help push healthcare in the right direction?
    • What does a medical director do?

Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/7U5vRIopXMY

GUEST SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofnursespod/
  2. Cup of Nurses: https://fanlink.to/CONsite
  3. Cup of Nurses Store: https://fanlink.to/CONshop
  4. Free Travel Nursing Guide: https://fanlink.to/Travelnursingchecklist
  5. Nclex Guide: https://fanlink.to/NCLEXguide
  6. Interested in Travel Nursing? https://fanlink.to/TravelNurseNow
  7. Cup of Nurses FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cupofnurses
  8. YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CUPOFNURSES
EP 217: Blood Transfusions and Cell Technology with Carly Newton & Lori Harada

EP 217: Blood Transfusions and Cell Technology with Carly Newton & Lori Harada

Blood Transfusion and Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Carly Newton & Lori Harada, who are both registered nurses working as managers at Terumo Blood & Cell Technologies. Carly uses that experience to educate Health Care Professionals on the most effective ways to prescribe Red Blood Cell Exchange. Lori leads a team of 12 Specialists who train and support their customers on the company’s medical devices. Lori is also a leader in the industry with more than 35 years of apheresis experience. We discuss blood transfusions, donations, the blood shortage, and current technology.

Questions and Topics

  • Can you give us a background about yourselves and how you got involved with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies?
  • What is Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies?
    • What do they do?
    • What is the company goal?
    • Does Terumo do any R&D? What are they currently working on?
  • What is RBC and Plasma exchange?
    • What is apheresis?
  • Where does the blood go?
    • What is the full scope of components you can donate?
    • What patients or illnesses do the blood and its components help with?
  • What are some common misconceptions about donating blood, or where is the lack of education regarding donations or treatment?
  • Why do you think medical sales and pharmaceutical sales get a bad rep?
  • During the pandemic, how did things change for you?
    • Was there a greater influx of donations?
  • What do you enjoy doing on your off time?

Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/uWS0r2d1Qsk

GUEST SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://www.terumobct.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-newton-a98286144/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-harada-6221a815/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terumobct/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/terumobct

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofnursespod/
  2. Cup of Nurses: https://fanlink.to/CONsite
  3. Cup of Nurses Store: https://fanlink.to/CONshop
  4. Free Travel Nursing Guide: https://fanlink.to/Travelnursingchecklist
  5. Nclex Guide: https://fanlink.to/NCLEXguide
  6. Interested in Travel Nursing? https://fanlink.to/TravelNurseNow
  7. Cup of Nurses FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cupofnurses
  8. YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CUPOFNURSES
8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best decisions you will ever make in your nursing career. Of course, just like any other newbies, you can’t wait till you are assigned to a different location.

While waiting for an assignment, it is best to read about the eight mistakes that rookie travel nurses make so you can avoid doing them in the future. Here’s what you need to know. 

Avoid These While Going Through Your Contract

#1. Skimming through your contract.

It is a big booboo on your part if you do not read your contract thoroughly. Your travel nurse contract is an essential part of your assignment, so any responsible nurse will carefully read through it before signing [1]. Skimming through your contract will place you in a situation that you might not like. 

Before signing, make sure to check for accuracy and completeness. Check also for the assignment, pay rate, dates, travel reimbursements, bonuses, time offs, and other special agreements that you may have.

Your agency should be able to answer all your concerns if needed. So, don’t just skim through it; read your contract well!

#2. Being unprepared for your assignment.

As nurses, we are trained to be ready at all times. We can even give boy scouts a run for their money if we talk about preparedness! It is a part of our nurse’s skills to be alert and ready for anything.

However, rookie travel nurses are too complacent about their assignments that they don’t bother preparing – a big mistake! They let their excitement get the best of them. Remember, you are traveling for work, not for fun.

Be in a work-mode mindset as you take on an assignment. While you can still see sights along the way or during your offs, you still have to be prepared to do your nursing duties. Avoid these mistakes that rookie travel nurses make, and you will save yourself from trouble.

Agencies will help you process everything you need – even your license entering a compact state. In short, you have all the help you need. All you have to do is show up on time and make sure that you make a good impression on your first day.

Always bring your supporting documents if your supervisor needs them – it will show how responsible you are for a rookie travel nurse!

#3. Bringing too much stuff with you.

The shortest duration of your assignment is around four to eight weeks, with the longest of thirteen weeks. There’s no need to bring too much stuff with you.

Bring only the essentials, and make sure you have enough to reuse. If you are assigned to a different state during winter, bring clothes suitable for the weather. Other than that, leave the ones you don’t need during this assignment. Besides, the weeks will fly by, and the next thing you know, you are off to another location again. 

Take note also of the place you are staying. Is it furnished or not? See what is included in your accommodation. This way, you can decide whether to bring other items along or not. 

#4. Not asking questions.

As a travel nurse, you will always be the “new kid” in town. And as much as you want to do your job and go, it is not always the case. Whenever you are assigned to a new facility, be sure to ask the right questions.

You need to learn where things are, who you need to call for emergencies, what practices are done, or protocols to follow. Asking these questions will help your survival on each shift. 

Be sure to make new friends too. Sure, you are the extra hand, but it won’t hurt if you greet people and be friendly. After all, you work in the same facility. Besides, having new friends broadens your network.

So, do not hesitate to be nice to everyone you meet along the way. You will need guidance and help as you go. 

#5. Acting like you are not part of the team.

Sure, you may be a temporary nurse extending help, but that does not mean you should also exclude yourself from others. Staff nurses will expect you to do your best. Showing up on time and doing your duties are essential, but you are not hired to work there to separate yourself. 

Try to be a part of the team, be nice to people, be prepared, and do your part. If you work like you are part of the team, your coworkers will treat you the same. Don’t be a total stranger. 

#6. Acting like you know it all.

Another mistake that rookie travel nurses make is acting like they don’t need help from anyone. Being a know-it-all is something you should avoid. Sure, you have the skills and knowledge, but ignoring protocols and not following the standard procedures in the facility you are working in is a huge mistake. 

Take time to listen and learn from your coworkers. It does not matter how long you have been a travel nurse or new to the job. Being open to suggestions and learning the trade is vital if you want to keep your job.

Learning new skills will only strengthen your ability as a nurse. Once you have shown that you are valuable to the team, you might find your coworkers asking for your input. 

#7. Joining the hospital drama.

One mistake that rookie travel nurses make is by joining hospital politics during their brief stay [2]. As a result, they found themselves tangled in the drama that they could’ve avoided in the first place. 

As tempting as juicy gossip can be, avoid engaging in it. Remember, you are only working in this facility for a few weeks. It is always better to build strong relationships than to be part of the gossip crew.

Besides, you don’t know the people involved or the whole story, so why bother becoming a part of it? So, do what you came to do, avoid gossiping, and focus on your patient care. You will be appreciated more!

#8. Working hard or hardly working.

Last but not least, one of the mistakes that rookie travel nurses make is working too much or too little. As a nurse, your work is a priority, but you can become a workaholic when you work too much and don’t pause to breathe.

So find time to balance work and recreation. One of the reasons you became a travel nurse is to see other places, so do it! Take a look at your schedule and plan an activity for the day.

While you are assigned a job, why not take the opportunity to see places? Knowing when to work and have fun has its perks. Besides, after a long day of serving patients, a breather sounds about right. Enjoy the moments while you can! 

Find Balance on Your First Job

Becoming a travel nurse is exciting, primarily if you are assigned to a place that you haven’t been to before. But as you do, find balance in your work and play. Be mindful of your ways, be presentable, arrive on time, and leave work at work.

Over time, you will enjoy each assignment, and you don’t have to make the same mistakes rookie travel nurses make! Being a nurse is a rewarding job, and for you to deliver quality care, you must also take care of yourself.

Hopefully, this list cleared it out for you. Best of luck! 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

 

Your First Year as a Nurse: Advice for New Nurses

Your First Year as a Nurse: Advice for New Nurses

Your First Year as a Nurse: Advice for New Nurses

Congratulations on passing nursing school and making it into the nursing world! You are now a qualified and registered nurse, so how can you survive your first year as a nurse?

Here’s what you need to know.

 

On Your First Year as a Nurse

Working as a professional nurse for the first time is an exciting and scary thought. You are new to the job, but at the same time, you have the skills needed to do it.

Your first year as a nurse is a year for adjustments, and I will be honest with you, it will be difficult. It’s like everything you learned in nursing school is poking you all at once!

You will discover different skills and techniques used in the trade, AND you will probably be tired all the time. Long shifts, overtime, and toxic days are ahead of you.

But don’t worry, if anyone before you made it, so can you! Following these pieces of advice will help you survive and thrive in this wonderful career.

 

It’s OK to not to know everything

One of the anxieties that new nurses experience is that they expect to be good at what they do right away. You are not going to master every technique, procedure, or hospital protocol in one year.

Give yourself some time to adjust to your new environment. Remember, your first year is a year for adjustments, so give yourself some room to learn.

Bear in mind that your new domain is different from nursing school, so relax. It is OK not to know everything. I know you want to be good at your job, but take one step at a time. After all, being a nurse is a job that requires patience, so be patient with yourself. 

 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

As a nurse, you must have a curious nature. If you don’t understand something, ask questions. Many new nurses are afraid to ask questions because it may sound like they admit to something they don’t know.

However, asking questions is also an excellent way to learn. So, don’t hesitate to ask questions. It will show that you are interested in learning something new and that you are open to new things and not afraid to speak up. 

 

Develop your time management skills

One of the skills you must develop during your first year as a nurse is time management. Remember that your priority is patient care, but as you do, you must meet the hospital management’s expectations and coworkers.

Learning how to use your time effectively can help you in this situation. 

 

Get to know who you are working with

Remember your coworkers’ names, and make sure to say hello when you meet them in the corridors. As a new nurse, it is essential to make friends and build relationships with your colleagues. So, be polite and cooperate with your coworkers.

Seek advice from your mentors and colleagues. Not only is this important in your profession, but it will also help in surviving your first year as a nurse. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone you can trust and laugh with on your team when things get tough? Of course!

 

Sign up for classes or volunteer to enhance your nursing skills

Your life as a nurse does not only revolve around the hospital. During your first year, be sure to sign up for additional classes to enhance your nursing skills.

Volunteering for events, internships, and nursing drives also enhances your nursing knowledge. It will hone your skills and prepare you for your career as a full-pledge nurse. 

 

Join nursing organizations 

Becoming a member of a nursing organization is beneficial for a new nurse. Being a part of these networks broadens your opportunity to find work and resources.

It is also an excellent way to make connections in the professional nursing world. If you decide to join a nursing organization, make sure that it is close to the chosen area of the nursing field you would like to work.

For example, if you wish to be a part of psychiatric-mental health nursing, you can join the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. 

 

Prioritize self-care for you. 

Many new nurses experience anxiety and stress during their first year as a nurse. That said, it is crucial to take care of your mental health too. As a nurse, you are the health care provider, but what happens when you are not well yourself?

How can you deliver quality care to your patients? So, take care of yourself; exercise, meditate, eat healthily, and get enough rest. Not only are you taking care of yourself and your mental health, but it will also help you from burning out. 

 

The Reality of Your First Year as a Nurse

It will be challenging, but it will also be one of the best years of your life! As a new nurse, you are like an infant. You may have a license to work as a nurse and the knowledge to apply, but just like a growing baby, you also need to take small steps. 

Of course, there will be days when everything else is extra tricky, but don’t give up! Stay positive, and instead of feeling down, list the things you don’t know of and see what you can do to correct them.

Read new nursing trends, be updated with the latest in the nursing community, and build relationships in and out of your workplace – anything is possible!

Yes, your first year will be tough, but if you focus on the good things, your time will fly by, and the next thing you know, you’re on your way to better opportunities. So, enjoy the experience, and most importantly, enjoy the opportunity of helping others. Good luck!

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

 

EP 211: MICU and Becoming a CRNA with Jenny Finnell

EP 211: MICU and Becoming a CRNA with Jenny Finnell

EP 211: MICU and Becoming a CRNA with Jenny Finnell

Becoming a CRNA is possible for any nurse. It may take time and a lot of dedication, but you can become one too. In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Jenny Finnell. Jenny is a CRNA with experience in MICU, adult open heart, and pediatrics.

She spends most of her time mentoring and looking for ways to build community and resources for our nurses. 

Jenny launched Nurses Teach Nurses in August 2022, a mentorship marketplace for nurses by nurses. She helps nurses by empowering them to share knowledge, promote personal growth and create a culture of support.

She is also the creator of CRNA School Prep Academy, which helps people get into CRNA school and succeed on the job. 

We talk about the life of a CRNA and what it takes to become one and overcome self-doubt in school and on the field. 

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.

  1. Can you give some background about yourself, your nursing experience, and how you decided to become a CRNA? 
  2. Why did you choose to jump into the MICU?
      • How was your experience in the MICU?
      • Any interesting cases? Common things you dealt with?
      • What were the expectations and some things you struggled with?
      • We often hear the phrase that nurses eat their young. Did you feel that way? Is this a good way to teach new nurses?
  3. What are the requirements for becoming a CRNA?
      • What experience is needed?
      • How is CRNA school?
      • CRNA school vs Nursing school?
      • Is there a certain “person” that gravitates to becoming a CRNA? 
      • Advice for future CRNAs?
      • With NP school, there isn’t a requirement to work as an RN. Do you think you really need that ICU experience to be successful as a CRNA?
  4. You’ve been married to your high school sweetheart. How important is having support?
      • Did you always get the support you needed? 
      • Work-life balance? 
  5. What made you start CRNA School Prep Academy?
      • Did you have a mentor in CRNA school? 
      • What can you expect to get and learn at the CRNA School Prep Academy?
  6. What made you start Nurses Teach Nurses?
      • How important is positive nursing culture?

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? 

Links: 

https://nursesteachnurses.com/#
https://www.instagram.com/crnaschoolprepacademy/
https://nursesteachnurses.com/#
https://www.instagram.com/nursesteachnurses/
https://www.cspaedu.com/steps

Here’s her journey from MICU and becoming a CRNA. Watch the full episode here 👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
01:58 About Jenny Finnell
03:13 The Incredible Benefits of Pursuing a Career as a CRNA
04:54 What is the Environment of an Open Heart Surgery look like
08:19 The real responsibilities of CRNA’s
11:09 What does a life of a CRNA look like
13:29 Patient Care Differences Between Adults and Children
15:34 Tips to becoming a CRNA
17:05 How to Boost Your Confidence and Conquer Your Insecurities
23:21 Experiences That Paved the Way to Becoming a CRNA
25:50 Reasons Why Nurses Leave Bedside Care
30:39 The Benefits of Seeking Professional Help from Experienced Healthcare Professionals
34:22 Who are the Nurses teach nurses for
37:28 What is “CRNA School Prep Academy” all about
41:12 Things that need improvement in nursing
43:36 Wrapping up the show