International Nurses Association

Notes are critical to patient care.   They must be detailed and accurate, yet not go on and on so that the reader gets uninterested.   Notes should always be clear and precise, and it's a good idea to go back and read them after you entered them.   Read them as if you did not write them, and as if you are reading them from someone else. Documenting Documentation is vital in a nursing role. Lack of documentation is a serious mistake, and is not tolerated by medical facilities. Many nurses put the emphasis on patient care, which is great, however documentation is part of that patient care. Nurses are busy, everyone knows and understands that, sometimes there is not a moment to breath, and it's hard to find time to document.  The document portion of the job should be considered as important as medication administration, it must be done. Often the busiest times are the times that r equire the most extensive documentation, it's actually an extension of the busy time in ma

Care plans are not a favorite among most nurses. It's difficult to develop plans for someone that is hospitalized, and you are unsure how things will go.  However, as time consuming as they are, they are an essential part of nursing.  The Need for a Care Plan Care plans are individualized plans specific to that patient. They are based on the exact needs of the patient, and it coordinates with the patient's diagnoses, and their specific needs. The care plan is designed to inform the following shift exactly what is being done for and with the patient. This is a way of communicating, similar to a log book passed on from staff to staff.  Care Plan Contents In addition to the communication aspect of a care plan, it should provide instructions so that a nurse unfamiliar with the patient could step in and know what to do. This would include special request of family members or the patient themselves.  Care Plan Guidelines Care plans must be completed for every patient tha

There is one aspect of nursing that seems to be the same regardless of where you work or how big the facility is. That is, nurses help nurses. The caring nature of nurses does not stop at patients, it continues on with coworkers.  There is no profession that has more workers willing to help one another.  Nurses want their coworkers to be successful, and for the patients to receive the best care possible.  A Nurse’s Story Jaden started to work at a small private practice in her home town, right out of school. The practice was very small, and the physician could only offer employment on a limited part time basis. After 4 months of employment at the practice, Jaden decided to look elsewhere for work. She secured a job in a larger city, and arranged her move in accordance. After relocating Jaden prepared for her first day of work at the hospital. She left home for work in plenty of time, thinking she could stop for breakfast. Once on the road, she realized she grossly underestimated t

More than half of the American population says they would consider being an organ donor.   Approximately 22% of all people with a driver's license have indicated they are an organ donor on their license.     Facts about Organ Donation Around 120,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. Another name is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes. On average, 22 people die every day from the lack of organs for transplant. One deceased donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation. Organ recipients are selected based primarily on medical need, location and compatibility. Over 650,000 transplants have occurred in the U.S. since the late 80’s. The cornea is the most commonly transplanted tissues. A healthy person can become a ‘living donor’ by donating a kidney, or a part of the liver, lung, intestine, blood or bone marrow. About 5,000 liv

Despite the fact that coal mines produce our country's coal, the conditions and safety for the workers is often deplorable. Personal events are recounted by Susan, a retired nurse.   Black Lung Disease Black lung disease is actually a common name for any lung disease that develops from inhaling coal dust. The name comes from the fact that those with the disease have lungs that look black instead of pink. The technical name for this condition is coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). There are two types, simple CWP and complicated CWP, which involves progressive massive fibrosis.    The inhalation and accumulation of coal dust into the lungs increases the risk of developing chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The cause of this condition comes from working in a coal mine, or other coal industries. The dust in the lungs may appear and get worse during the exposure to the dust or after the exposure has ceased. Related: Nursing In

More and more people are choosing to return to school and study nursing at a later age.   If you have always had a desire to be a nurse, why not consider it, regardless of where you are in life.   Nursing is a blend of science and technology with the art of caring and compassion. Nursing professionals provide preventative and restorative health care to patients in a variety of settings. Every day on the job nurses use the science they learned in nursing school, and when employed, they take continuing education courses on a regular basis to keep up with the latest in the medical and nursing sciences. Nurses work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illnesses. Nursing is a science that requires in-depth knowledge, skills and understanding. Nursing deals not only with a person's biological needs, but their psychosocial and cultural needs as well. Nurses work closely with doctors and other health care professionals, and serve as the advocates for