Addicted ?
On the forefront of nursing care, we are now challenged to relieve pain and suffering while preventing narcotic addiction. This is an overwhelming goal for all healthcare staff. Let’s take a look at the problem. In the 1990s, the pain...
A Tale of Two Deaths
So many healthcare advances, targeted immunotherapies for cancer, robotic surgeries, and so much more. Yet, here we are, still making life-altering and life-ending errors in the profession of delivering healthcare services. How can this science be so advanced and still...
Happy Holidays?
No one goes into bedside clinical care with the notion of having every holiday off. Healthcare is a ’round the clock business, after all! Early in our nursing career, we have to accept that “Yeah, it is Friday!” has no...
#vhd: Heart Valve Assessment
Like many focused assessments, a cardiac assessment requires a systematic approach–partly so we don’t miss anything indicating dysfunction, and partly because there are so many important components that give a complete picture of cardiovascular function. Following a review of patient...
Handling the death of a patient
Whether a nurse’s first experience with the death of a patient is during their time as a student or as a nurse, the experience comes with responsibilities and emotions. It is an honor to bear witness to and provide dignity...
NCLEX updates for 2019
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops the nursing licensing examinations – NCLEX- RN and NCLEX-PN. In September, the NCSBN held their yearly conference to discuss the tests. Here are some of the things we want to...
Hey iSBAR, pick up the PACE!
Transferring the responsibility of caring for a patient between two nurses is commonly referred to as change-of-shift report or handoff report. This report ensures continuity of care across time. It is best done, at least partially, at the patient’s bedside...
Concept Mastery: Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis means the liver is scarred beyond repair. This normally rubbery, vascular, filtration organ, the liver, becomes so scarred that it cannot carry out its duties. In addition to not being able to perform correctly, a cirrhotic liver causes many...
Brain injury basics
The brain contains nerve cells that manage thoughts, behaviors, sensation, and movement. The brain is divided into two hemispheres lobes, each with specific tasks to control. The cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brainstem communicate with the spinal cord and nerves to...
Critical Thinking, UGH!
Critical thinking – Critical reasoning – Clinical reasoning – Clinical Judgment From day 1, the nursing professors and instructors talk about how students have to use critical thinking. WHAT IS THAT? Critical thinking is a mental process. It requires observation, experience,...