EP 209: Being a Clinical Instructor and Healthcare Couples With Lindsey Mcniff

EP 209: Being a Clinical Instructor and Healthcare Couples With Lindsey Mcniff

by | Apr 1, 2023 | Podcast

EP 209: Being a Clinical Instructor and Healthcare Couples With Lindsey Mcniff

Being a clinical instructor in nursing school is rewarding. We’ve all had our favorite clinical instructors while we are in nursing school. Most of them are nurses who became teachers helping student nurses become the best future nurses.

But how different is being a teacher of nurses from being a nurse? And how can nurses become clinical instructors? If you are a nurse and considering the role of an educator, this episode is for you. 

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Lindsey Mcniff. Lindsey is an ex-travel nurse now working in nursing education. Her background includes telemetry, medical-surgical, stepdown, and cardiac cath lab.

She is currently a clinical nurse educator, professor, and clinical instructor.

We talk about dating in healthcare, transitioning from bedside to education, and we offer some advice every nurse should hear. 

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. Please give us a brief background about yourself and your nursing experience. 
        • What made you decide to get into travel nursing?
  2. What’s the role like of a clinical instructor? How is it different from regular bedside? 
        • What are some common themes nursing students struggle with?
        • What advice can you give nursing students struggling in clinical or just finding it difficult? 
        • What education do you need to become an instructor?
        • Calendly – “In my experience with nursing students, the ages can range from 18 to 50 years old as nursing is an extremely popular career. The younger students typically need more conservations around maturity and professionalism whereas older students may come with enhanced wisdom and forget to proceed new challenges with caution that some younger learners possess.”
  3. What are some of your favorite aspects of being a clinical educator?
  4. How is it working as a healthcare couple?
        • What are some benefits of you and your fiance having a healthcare background?  
  5. What are some outdated nursing traditions that we need to break free from?
  6. Have you considered nursing as a second career? 
  7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to advance their nursing career?
  8. What is your current obsession? 

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: IG: Lostwithlindsey

Be inspired and become a clinical instructor in this episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
01:26 About Lindsey Mcniff
07:33 Travel Nursing as a couple
09:26 Tips For Dating In Healthcare
11:21 Preparing to Become a Travel Nurse with One Year of Experience
13:30 Transitioning from Bedside Nursing to Education
17:14 The Impact Of Compassion Fatigue
23:44 Mental Health and Self-Care for Bedside Nurses
27:59 Building Confidence And Friendships On The Unit
31:30 The Cohesive Diversity In Teaching New Grads
33:23 The Changes in Nursing Practices Over Time
35:54 The Outdated Nursing Traditions
40:49 Funny Moments During Nursing Orientation
44:22 Exploring Nursing as a Second Career
47:51 Advice For Nurses Considering Advancing Their Career
50:19 Wrapping up the show

EP 208: Headache and Migraine Relief with Jono Taves

EP 208: Headache and Migraine Relief with Jono Taves

by | Mar 24, 2023 | Podcast

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? 

We would like to introduce you to Dr. Jono Taves in this episode. 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.

  1. Can you give us a little background about yourself and how you’ve gotten involved in pain relief, specifically headaches? 
  2. Is there a difference between a migraine and a headache? 
      • Different types of headaches?
  3. Are there any misconceptions about headaches? 
      • For example, some people think that only women get recurring headaches
  4. Can headaches or migraines cause any damage? Or are those pains a signal that there can be potential damage?  
  5. Where do headaches or migraines stem from? 
      • Are there multiple causes, or what can worsen them? Dehydration, stress, lack of sleep….
  6. 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 their headaches or prevent them?

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://www.instagram.com/noveraheadachecenter/?hl=en
https://www.noveraheadachecenter.com/
https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZTszj6q8MGsOQl9kMBXKW 

To rid yourself of your headaches and migraines, watch 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

EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

by | Mar 17, 2023 | Podcast

EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

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 these can help save your patient’s life and 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

  1. 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

Reports on Patients Falling in Hospitals

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 of Patient Falls

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:

  • Failure to Call a Nurse for Assistance
  • The Bed-Exit Alarm is Not Set
  • Patients are on High-Risk Medication
  • Patient Inaccurately Assessed
  • Delayed Response when the Nurse is Called
  • Nurse and staff shortages
  • Slippery floors and surfaces
  • Inefficient work environments
  • Poorly lit or obstructed views

According to the joint commission, the most causes of falls are:

  • Fall risk assessment issues
    • Inconsistency in the rating of patients (Hester Davis tool)
    • Risk assessment tools not being an accurate predictor of falls
  • Handoff communication issues
    • Inconsistent or incomplete communication of patient risk for falls between caregivers
  • Toileting Issues
    • The patient did not seek help and fell while toileting
    • Medications that increase the risk of falls combined with toileting
  • Call Light Issues
    • The patient did not know, forgot, or chose not to use the call light
  • Education and Organizational Culture Issues
    • Lack of standardization of practice and application of interventions
    • Fall prevention education for patients and families is not used or is inconsistently used
    • Patient awareness and acknowledgment of their own risk for falls
  • Medical issues
    • Patient on one or more medications that increase the risk of falls (e.g., diuretics, laxatives, narcotics, antipsychotics, or anti-hypertensives) 

 

Sources:

https://www.vanweylaw.com/insights/top-reasons-hospital-falls-occur-medical-facilities/
https://www.jacksonwhitelaw.com/az-personal-injury/causes-of-falls-for-patients-in-hospitals/
http://www.hpoe.org/Reports-HPOE/2016/preventing-patient-falls.pdf 

To avoid this situation, watch 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

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

by | Mar 10, 2023 | Podcast

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

Marriage and family therapy is a good way to work out issues within the relationship. If you know that your marriage is on the rocks or have family issues that need to be addressed and resolved, going through therapy is a big help.

Sometimes, some things can be resolved without ending in a bitter divorce or separation. It is why therapists and marriage counselors exist. If you are in this predicament, this episode is for you.

​​In this episode, we welcome our guest, Ashley Turner is, a yoga–meditation expert, Licensed Psychotherapist, writer, facilitator, and 7-figure wellness entrepreneur.

She is the founder and CEO of The Center for Yoga Psychology – an innovative, scientifically grounded training center for yoga teachers, mental health clinicians, and dedicated students fusing yoga, mindfulness, trauma resolution, shadow work, and neuroscience.

It has fast become a go-to resource for evidence-based yoga, meditation, and breathwork for mental health. 

Ashley has graced such lists as:

  • 100 Women in Wellness to Watch ~ MindBodyGreen
  • 100 Most Influential Yoga Teachers in the US – Sonoma
  • Top 100 Psychotherapy Blogs – FeedSpot 

She is also a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and presenter at conferences and events worldwide. Her mission is to integrate yoga and meditation into the mainstream medical and educational systems by training highly-skilled professionals and helping them build fulfilling, highly profitable businesses.

www.AshleyTurner.co | www.Yoga-Psychology.co

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!

  1. Can you give a background about yourself and how you became a therapist, facilitator, and Priestess?

2. Being an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), what do married people and families struggle with? Why do those people seek therapy?

3. What advice can you give people before they get married or settle down?

4. What are some things people should know before they start a family?

5. What is some advice you can give to healthcare professionals?

      • People that work in an environment that revolves around life and death? 
      • Are people struggling to find a balance in their relationships or family? 

6. Have you had any personal struggles in relationships or family? How did you overcome them?

7. You also describe yourself as a priestess: what does that mean?

8. Is yoga for everyone?

      • What’s the best way to get started?

9. What role do you see yoga and meditation playing in healthcare?

10. What are some proven scientific benefits of yoga? What holistic interventions can healthcare providers operating in the traditional medical system responsibly offer patients?

11. What type of meditation and yoga do you practice? Why?

      • What do yoga and meditation bring you?

12. What is trauma-informed yoga?

13. What Trauma-Informed care can we offer in healthcare settings to take care of the “whole person”?

14. What are the chakras?

      • How do they connect the body and mind? 

15. And how could they be referenced in modern healthcare?

16. You speak a lot about addictions, traumas, and chakras; how are they all related?

Ending Question

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: 

Learn all about marriage and family therapy by watching the full episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
02:10 About Ashley Turner
05:20 Recurring problems that arise in married life
08:54 How to Establish Effective Communication in Difficult Situations
14:44 How To Build And Foster Trust In Relationships
20:28 How To Identify The Ideal Relationship For You
27:04 How To Clarify Core Values & Priorities
30:30 Self-Care Strategies for Resilience in Healthcare
36:11 The Pathophysiological Benefits Of Yoga And Meditation
39:17 Yoga Meditation for Total Mind-Body Wellness
45:56 Trauma-Informed Yoga: Exploring Its Benefits and How It Works
52:09 Integrating Chakra System into Modern Healthcare
1:02:58 Wrapping up the show

EP 205: 9 Qualities of a Good Nurse

EP 205: 9 Qualities of a Good Nurse

by | Mar 3, 2023 | Podcast

9 Qualities of a Good Nurse

In this episode, we will discuss the nine qualities of a good overall nurse. It is undeniable that nursing is a noble profession that requires a unique set of skills and qualities.

It is not an easy job, and nurses must possess several qualities that make them stand out. In this podcast, we will discuss nine qualities that every aspiring nurse should strive to have.

1. Be a team player – hard work ethic.

One of the most important qualities of a good nurse is being a team player with a strong work ethic.  Nurses should be willing to work collaboratively with their colleagues and be proactive in helping them.

Even if your shift is difficult, can you still go out of your way to help another nurse? What if you’re busy and your co-worker wants a 15 min break? Will you say no? Do it for the squad! In some units, you know the team got you back.

2. Learn to communicate with everybody on the healthcare team

Communication is another critical skill that every good nurse should have. Nurses interact with several people, including patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.

Therefore, excellent communication skills are a must. Nurses should be able to convey information, listen actively, and respond appropriately. Effective communication ensures that patients receive quality care and that the healthcare team works together seamlessly.

3. Flexibility in your shift – going with the flow

Flexibility is also crucial in nursing. Nurses must work flexible hours, including night shifts, weekends, and holidays or even deal with floating multiple times a shift as we did in our travel nursing contract.

Flexibility helps ensure that patients receive the care they need and that the healthcare team is adequately staffed. Can you float as a nurse without negatively impacting your team?

4. Don’t be hyper-independent and not help others

While nurses need to be independent and resilient, they should also be careful not to be hyper-independent and not help others. Nurses work in teams, and every team member should be willing to help their colleagues.

Being a team player means being willing to lend a helping hand, ask for help when needed, and work collaboratively to achieve the best patient outcomes. This is what makes you a high-quality nurse to be around. 

5. Having empathy – compassionate 

Empathy is another crucial quality of a good nurse. Nurses should be empathetic and compassionate towards their patients.

They should be able to connect with their patients, show them kindness, and provide emotional support. Having empathy helps patients feel valued, understood, and cared for, which can positively impact their recovery.

6. Emotional Stability – Tempered 

Nursing is a challenging job that can be emotionally draining. Thus, a good nurse should be emotionally stable and tempered.

They should be able to manage their emotions, remain calm under pressure, and handle stressful situations effectively.

Emotional stability helps nurses provide quality care and maintain a positive work environment.

7. Attention to detail 

Attention to detail is another critical quality for nurses. Nurses are responsible for administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing treatments. Therefore, they should be meticulous and detail-oriented.

Paying attention to detail ensures that patients receive the right medication, dosage, and treatment, which can significantly impact their recovery or potentially cause harm.

8. Problem-solving skills – a Critical thinker 

Problem-solving skills are also essential for nurses. Nurses encounter complex problems daily and must be able to solve them effectively. A good nurse should be a critical thinker and possess problem-solving skills.

They should be able to assess a situation, identify the problem, and develop a plan to solve it. If you don’t know how to solve the problem, who can you escalate the situation to (chain of command)? 

Problem-solving skills help nurses provide quality care and improve patient outcomes.

9. Patient advocate 

The core of nursing is centered around being a patient advocate. They should speak up for their patients, protect their rights, and provide the best possible care.

Being a patient advocate requires nurses to be knowledgeable, assertive, and proactive in advocating for their patient’s needs.

In Closing

In conclusion, becoming a successful and effective nurse involves possessing several qualities. These qualities include being a team player, having excellent communication skills, being flexible, empathetic, emotionally stable, detail-oriented, possessing problem-solving skills, and being a patient advocate.

Every aspiring nurse should strive to possess these qualities to provide quality patient care, maintain a positive work environment, and achieve the best outcomes for patients.

Do you have all the qualities of a good nurse? Check out the full episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
02:09 1. Be a team player – hard work ethic
04:00 2. Learn to communicate with everybody on the healthcare team
06:03 3. Flexibility in your shift -going with the flow
09:50 4. Don’t be hyper-independent and not help others
13:32 5. Having Empathy – Compassionate
17:53 6. Emotional Stability – Tempered
23:47 7. Attention to detail
27:02 8.Problem-solving skills – Critical thinker
29:53 9. Patient Advocate
35:02 Wrapping up the show