Sandy Darson asked:


Since nursing is a booming industry today, there are also a growing number of nursing supplies and tools available. Nurses are no longer subjected to the tired old-fashioned scrubs and stethoscopes of yesterday. There are more tools that can assist a nurse in their everyday tasks, and these tools have a variety of designs. Although a nurse’s tools and supplies vary by their specialty, there are tools and supplies that are common in almost all nursing specialties.

Whenever you are referring to nursing tools, you have to start with the most common tools that a nurse is going to use. The first of these tools is a stethoscope. Today, stethoscopes come in a variety of styles and colors; and, a few of the most popular stethoscope brands include Littmann, Omron, Prestige, and ADC. Some of the newest innovations include lightweight and electronic models, and there are some that are geared toward specific specialties, such as pediatrics. Yet, stethoscopes have a price range that is wider than most nursing tools, as they can range from $20.00 to $700.00 dollars.
Though referred to within the medical community by the proper name of sphygmomanometer, most call this nursing tool a blood pressure pack or unit. Blood pressure units have also come along way, from nurses using a stethoscope and stopwatch to more compact units. Nurses may also need more than one blood pressure unit; since, larger sized patients may require a larger blood pressure unit due to the size of their arms. Even the high-end blood pressure units are usually under $100.00, and some of the more popular types today are the digital wristwatch blood pressure monitors. But, please note that we are only referring to small portable units. The larger units are typically only purchased by the healthcare facilities.

The most common supply among all nursing specialties is a set of uniforms, typically referred to as scrubs. Scrubs or uniforms are often the first thing a nurse buys or is issued by their employing facility. Although nursing scrubs were once predominately white, nursing scrubs can now be purchased in a variety of colors. Typically, nursing scrubs describe a shirt and pants uniform, that was designed to be light weight and allow the nurse to perform duties with ease. They also allow patients to easy distinguish nurses from other medical staff. Scrubs or uniforms may also include a jacket or hat.

Although a nurse’s shoes are deemed as being a part of the nursing uniform, they are not provided by employers as frequently as the nursing uniforms. However, healthcare facilities may place restrictions on the type of shoes that nurses are allowed to wear. Nursing shoes are almost always tennis shoes. Nursing shoes tend to be lightweight and able to handle long periods of standing and walking. They should also provide as much comfort as possible. Nursing shoes are typically white.

A common but critical nursing tool is a gait belt. Gait belts are used to aid nurses in moving and transferring patients. Gait belts come in a variety of colors. Two of the most popular brands of gait belts are Posey and Alimed. Though gait belts range in price, from $10.00 to $200.00; there, are only subtle differences in the majority of these tools. The main reason for the gait belts on the lower end of the pricing spectrum is that the cheaper belts are usually disposable. One of the most popular types of gait belt is one that can easily be cleaned.

Nurses still often need a good wristwatch. A nurse’s wristwatch should have a hand that measures seconds. It is also advised that a nurse’s wristwatch be comfortable, yet worn tightly enough to avoid slipping. It is also recommended to purchase waterproof watch since they spend a great deal of time washing their hands throughout the day.

Nurses are also required to keep a pen with them at all times to be able to record patient’s data. Though there are no real standard for these pens, nurses often take it a step further by using pens that are equipped with a light. It is recommended that they use ergonomic pens due to the frequency of use. Many nurses purchase pocket organizers or penholder necklaces for easy access. Scissors are also part of a nurse’s common tools, because of the need to frequently cut bandages.

In efforts to make things more compact and easy for a nurse to access, most common nursing tools can be purchased as a portable kit. The size and style of nursing tools are evolving as new ways of making a nurse’s duties easier are discovered. Nursing uniforms are now bursting with comfort and color. The only constant is that as the nursing profession changes, the tools are also going to change with it.



MICKEY

Constantly Curious asked:


I DEFINETLY do not want to be bored. But I plan on getting my ASN and doing an internship in a specific branch. so, which is the best for all of you nurses?

IAN

Josh Stone asked:


A nurse is a health care professional who is engaged in the practice of nursing. Nurses are men and women who are responsible (along with other health care professionals) for the treatment, safety and recovery of acutely or chronically ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment of life-threatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings. Nurses may also be involved in medical and nursing research and perform a wide range of non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care.

Nurses develop a plan of care, sometimes working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family and other team members. In the U.S. (and increasingly the United Kingdom), advanced practice nurses, such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, diagnose health problems and prescribe medications and other therapies. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of a health care team such as therapists, medical practitioners, dietitians, etc. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.

According to the US Department of Labor’s revised Occupational Outlook Handbook (2000), “Registered nurses (R.N.s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, responses, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. R.N.s also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.”

The nursing career structure varies considerably throughout the world. Typically there are several distinct levels of nursing practitioner, distinguished by increasing education, responsibility and skills. The major distinction is between task-based nursing and professional nursing.

In various parts of the world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. In some parts of Eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. In contrast, Chile requires any Registered Nurse to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

At the top of the educational ladder is the doctoral-prepared nurse. Nurses may gain the PhD or another doctoral degree such as Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), specializing in research, clinical nursing, etc. These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing and carry out nursing research. As the science and art of nursing has advanced, so has the demand for doctoral-prepared nurses.

Registered Nurses generally receive their basic preparation through one of three basic avenues:

Graduation from an Associate of Science in Nursing degree-granting nursing program (two to three years of college level study with a strong emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills) earning the degree of ASN/AAS or ADN in Nursing.

Graduation with a three-year (Diploma in Nursing) certificate from a hospital-based school of nursing (non-degree). Few of these programs remain in the U.S. and the proportion of nurses practicing with a diploma is rapidly decreasing.

Graduation from a university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (a four - five year program conferring the BSN/BN degree with enhanced emphasis on leadership and research as well as clinically-focused courses).

There are also special programs for “LPN to RN”, for people who hold undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, and for paramedics or military medics. Graduates of all programs, once licensed, are eligible for employment as entry-level staff nurses.

A typical course of study at any level typically includes such topics as:

Anatomy and physiology

Microbiology

Pharmacology and medication administration

Psychology

Nursing ethics

Nursing theory

Nursing practice

Legal issues in nursing practice

All pathways into practice require that the candidate undergo clinical training in nursing. Care is delivered by the student nurses under academic supervision in the hospital and in other practice settings. Clinical courses typically include:

Maternal-child nursing

Pediatric nursing

Adult medical-surgical nursing

Geriatric nursing

Psychiatric nursing

While in clinical training, student nurses are identified by a special uniform to distinguish them from licensed professionals.

In many nursing programs in the United States, a computerized exam is given before, during and upon completion to evaluate the student and nursing program outcomes. This exam upon completion of the nursing program is done to measure a student’s readiness for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN state board licensure exam. The exam identifies strengths and weaknesses and provides the need for remediation prior to taking the state board exam. This is not a requirement of all nursing programs in the United States, but has increased its usage in the past three to four years.

It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles within nursing. Management and teaching positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses who want to continue their education beyond their basic preparation.

Many nurses pursue voluntary specialty certification through professional organizations and certifying bodies in order to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their area of expertise.

All U.S. states and territories require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program which allows the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a standardized examination administered through the National Council of State Nursing Boards. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for state licensure as an RN.

Nurses from other countries are required to be proficient in English and have their educational credentials evaluated by an association known as the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to being permitted to take the U.S. licensing exam.

Government regulates the profession of nursing to protect the public. In the U.S., the individual states have authority over nursing practice. The scope of practice is defined by legislative and regulatory laws which are administered by State Nursing Boards.

Many states have adopted the Model Nursing Practice Act and Model Nursing Administrative Rules created by the National Council of State Nursing Boards (NCSNB). In addition, many State Nursing Boards model their licensure requirements on the Uniform Core Licensure Requirements which set forth competency development and competency assessment principles.

Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued by another state. In addition, the states which have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact allow nurses licensed in one of the states to practice in all of them through mutual recognition of licensure.



EVERETT

Shawn Thomas asked:


It can be a difficult task to figure out how to secure the financing necessary in order to pursue a career in nursing. When beginning this process, it can take some time and persistence. However, you can find many nursing school grants which can help move you in the right direction. 

With a little guidance, you can learn how to secure a nursing school grant, which may pay for some, if not all of the costs for your nursing education. Be sure to give yourself enough time to locate and complete all of the necessary forms. Securing a nursing grant requires diligence, but it is well worth it for the benefit of not beginning your nursing career with large debts that may take years to repay. 

When starting this process, it is a good idea to seek advice from an enrollment or career counselor. Ask them if there are grants for nursing education available from the higher educational facility in which you are looking to receive your nursing education. You may also want to schedule a meeting with the director of the nursing program. This meeting can help provide you with enrollment information as well as possible grants, which can make enrolling in the school much easier.

Nursing is a profession which is in high demand, and because of this grants may be difficult to acquire. Leave no stone uncovered during your search for a grant. The payoff is well worth the effort. Get in touch with other nursing schools about grants that may be available. The school you may be attending may have a completely different list of grants than your second choice school. 

The nursing schools, community colleges, and universities offering nursing education to students, are not the only resources for helping you to find nursing school grants. The community where you live is likely to have few grants that you may be eligible for because of your nursing educational aspirations. Contacting community development services in your area is one option worth looking into. Other good options include asking church, civic, and other community leaders including your own employer, for leads to available grants that you may be able to obtain to help minimize the costs of attending nursing school.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is an excellent resource which can help you explore ways to secure a nursing school grant. Federally subsidized educational and nursing grants are also available and worth checking. FAFSA also supplies helpful information about financial assistance.

Get in touch with local doctors and medical centers in your area. They often have apprenticeships and other opportunities that offer multiple benefits to those pursing nursing careers. Some medical groups offer grants to those pursuing the nursing profession. They also have contacts within the medical community that can lead to your discovery of a grant to help you afford your nursing school education. A work arrangement with them is an excellent way for you to acquaint yourself with the duties involved in nursing while developing the skills needed to help you find the job you want after graduation.

You may have never thought about contacting local, social, political, civic groups and associations. These groups can be beneficial to your search for nursing school grants. For example, family friends and old acquaintances may be able to help your search with valuable information for finding nursing school grants. You have nothing to lose by asking around. In the end, it is well worth it because of the possible gain in financial assistance. By approaching them on your own, or having your parents ask their contacts about the availability of possible grants, you may find the connection which will help you secure a grant to attend nursing school.

The internet provides instant, convenient access to vast amounts of useful information in your hunt for securing a nursing school grant. Exercise caution when utilizing services such as requests for information mailed to your home or workplace, or in filling out online applications to protect your personal information from identity theft. It is an unfortunate reality that identity thieves are everywhere, and this includes the internet. Only provide your personal information after checking the legitimacy of a site. Most of these websites have proper technology in place to help prevent your information from being stolen.

Let the hunt begin for securing a nursing school grant or multiple grants. Finding a grant is important because it helps reduce the costs of your nursing education. By utilizing these suggestions, you should have a much easier time finding a grant which allows you to attend nursing school. One tip to remember is to contact several schools that you would like to attend. Each school may have access to different grants which are available for an education in the field of nursing. Keep searching because new nursing grants become available throughout the year and eventually the grant you have been searching for may appear.



REFUGIO

Shawn Thomas asked:


Today it is clear that the old fashioned image of a nurse no longer holds true. Thanks to the popularity of new medical dramas and sitcoms, people are seeing the field of nursing in a whole new light. We will now look at a few nursing positions that have attracted people from all backgrounds into the field of nursing.

A nurse case manager is a nurse that specializes in tailoring and coordinating health resources and service to an individual’s specific illness or health concern. Though nurse case managers can work for various types of organizations, such as insurance companies, third party administrators, and vocational rehabilitation companies, their ultimate goal is the same. Nurse case managers are brought in to ensure that a patient gets the best care at a reasonable cost.

Nurse educators are the professors of the nursing field, and usually work as consultants. However, the position is primarily designed to teach clinical practices to new nurses and nursing students; and, ensures that practicing nurses maintain their competencies. Similar to other educators, nurse educators spend most of their time working on lesson plans, instructing, evaluating, researching, and helping others solve clinical problems. Though this is a rewarding career path, some nurse educators miss working directly with patients, and are overloaded with paperwork. Those in this position typically work for nursing programs at hospitals, colleges, universities, or staff development organizations.

Though probably not as exciting as it is portrayed on television, forensic nurses use clinical practices and training to help with investigations. Typically services are needed in cases that involve sexual assault, abuse, trauma, and accidental or unexplained deaths. The biggest drawback of this position is that it is new so there are not as many positions available as there are in other nursing fields. Forensic nurses will usually work for a medical examiner, coroner, municipality, or insurance company.

Rehabilitation nurses work exclusively with patients who have illnesses or disabilities that have altered their way of life. So, it is the task of the rehabilitation nurse to help these patients regain their normal way of life. These nurses become extremely close to their patients and share in all of their accomplishments. However, they are usually brought in for extreme cases; so, they deal with their patient’s emotional health, and may have to assistant patients with depression and grief in order for them to progress physically. Usually these nurses work for hospitals, long term care facilities, and special hospitals such as burn clinics.

Since productivity is directly linked to employee health, many employers have decided to retain their own nurses. Occupational or employee health nurses focus on preventing injury, administering non-surgical medical attention and consultation, and assisting in worker’s compensation claims. These nurses may also be responsible for making sure the organization maintains accurate OSHA records and standards, promoting health and wellness, and spotting health hazards within working conditions. The unique thing about occupational health nurses is that the type of health issues you handle will depend on the functions of your organization. For example, corporate occupational health nurses will give physicals and focus on keeping employees working. Those who work for municipalities may find themselves giving trainings, working closely with police and paramedics, or consulting on worker’s compensation claims.

A similar type of nurse as the occupational nurse is the school nurse. Nearly every school in America employs a school nurse, at least part time. This can be a rewarding career for those who love children. You will play a role in teaching and promoting general wellness and a healthy lifestyle as well as dealing with scrapes, tummy aches and the occasional serious emergency.

Trauma nurses treat patients in emergency situations. It is imperative that they use quick thinking and sound judgment to stabilize patients, typically using little or no background information or previous medical history. The biggest challenge to these nurses is that every situation and every day is filled with stress and pressure. Yet, they must overcome obstacles such as language barriers in a matter of minutes. Trauma nurses usually work in emergency centers and specialty hospitals.

Nurse practitioner is a specialty that requires an advanced level of nursing skills. These nurses perform tasks that involve diagnosing, ordering lab and other tests, prescribing medicine, and monitoring patient status. Although these nurses are similar to actual physicians they may face opposition from their colleagues and patients who are unaware of their level of skills. And, they are able to find work at almost any health related organization.

Understand that this is only a few of the career paths in the expanding world of nursing specialties. It is important to note that all of these positions will require a nursing degree and/or certification. If you are interested in any nursing specialty, you should talk to one or more people in that position and in the industry to get a realistic picture of what the position is like. Though there are several types of nursing specialties, not every path is right for everyone.



ROBIN

d l asked:


I,m a Registered nurse in the Philippines,and currently looking for an application for nurses who wishes to apply in the state of Nevada U.S.A. It would be a big help if you assist me on this.Do I need a recruitment agency in order for me to apply on line?

JONAS

Amu-Chiii asked:


What are some of the difficult situations volunteer nurses may have had to face?
Please help? If can be from and article. (but if it is please name it and the person it’s about)

Some volunteer nurses during the civil war:
Louisa May Alcott
Dorothea Dix
Clara Barton
Mary ”Mother” Bickerdyke

Hope you can help! >.<

BRIAN

Kay2006 asked:


I am doing a essay on nurses and I would like to know, how do nurses check to see how far a woman has dialated.

CEDRIC