Breastfeeding 101: Nursing Basics for New Moms

Making the choice to breastfeed your new baby is one of the most important and far-reaching decisions you will make as a new mother. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant nutrition for the first year of life.

The current AAP breastfeeding policy states,"Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ markedly from it." Why?

As acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the exact chemical make-up of breast milk remains unknown and cannot be duplicated. Each year, synthetic baby milks are found to be nutritionally deficient as scientists expand their knowledge of human milk.

Some of the known benefits of breastfeeding are:

* Breastfeeding is your baby’s perfect nutrition.

Breastmilk is a living substance that changes to meet your baby’s nutritional needs, both during individual feedings and as he or she grows. Plus, you never have to worry about breastmilk being recalled for contamination.

* Breastfed babies have higher IQ’s.

Formula feeding is associated with lower IQ’s and cognitive development. A recent study found, on average, children who were breastfed to have a three to five point IQ advantage over their formula fed peers.

* Breastfed babies (and mothers!) are healthier.

Breastfeeding is proven to reduce risk of infection and disease by aiding in immune system development. Breastfed infants have lower incidences of asthma, gastrointestinal illness, diabetes, cancers, and are less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). They are additionally better able to absorb ingested nutrients, and receive greater immunity from childhood immunizations. Breastfeeding also lowers a mothers lifetime risk of many cancers.

Preparing to Breastfeed

Even though breastfeeding is a completely natural way of feeding your baby, knowing how to do it properly is a learned skill and takes practice. How can you prepare for a successful nursing experience?

* Take a class.

Most hospital’s and birthing centers offer a variety of classes to new mothers on parenting, birthing and breastfeeding. Check your local offerings and sign up in advance. Classes often fill up rapidly, so don’t wait.

* Read good books.

Many excellent titles are available to answer all the questions you forgot to ask your health care provider (and those you were too embarrassed to). Consider, “The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding,” by Gwen Gotsch, Anwar Fazal, Plume, Judy Torgus.

* Think about what you’ll need to make life easier.

Breastfeeding has the advantage of being the most simplistic way of feeding a baby—no bottles to wash and carry or formula to buy. But that doesn’t mean a few well chosen accessories can’t enhance the experience. Will you want others to be able to help with feedings, or do you have plans to return to work after your baby’s birth? A hospital-grade breast pump might be in order. Might you be more comfortable during long nursing sessions having a nursing pillow or foot stool? How about breastfeeding in public? Consider the options of a sling or nursing cape for discreet public feedings—and don’t forget to be sized for a properly fitting nursing bra.

Birth and Beyond

Your baby has arrived and you’re ready to put all your months of preparation to the test. Remember:

* The lactation consultant is your friend.

Many hospital’s and birthing centers (and pediatrician’s offices too!) have lactation consultants on staff that will be happy to get you and your baby off to a healthy start in your nursing relationship. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet with a consultant for practical, hands-on advice about the mechanics of breastfeeding.

* Keep score.

Unlike bottlefeeding, you can’t measure how much milk your baby is getting through breastmilk, so keep count of your baby’s wet and dirty diapers to make sure he or she is receiving adequate nutrition. Although it is very rare a mother does not produce enough milk to feed her baby, if you have any questions, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

* Give it time.

Nursing your baby is a dance that takes time to learn. Though some babies are champion nursers from the beginning, many new moms find it takes some effort to perfect the skill. The first few weeks are often the most difficult, but if you experience problems, don’t give up. Given the right assistance, the vast majority of woman can successfully breastfeed their babies. Meet with a lactation consultant or attend a local La Leche League meeting. Utilize the support of other nursing mother’s.

Most of all, pat yourself on the back for making the choice to give your baby the best start in life you can offer, and health benefits that will last a whole life through.

About The Author

Barbara Eastom Bates is the author of the upcoming release, "Basic Training for Brides-to-Be," and editor-in-chief of Operation Military Spouse, http://www.operationmilitaryspouse.com.
opmilspouse@yahoo.com

How Will You Pay For Skilled Rehabilitation In The Nursing Home

One of the most frustrating events for individuals facing rehabilitation is thinking that their insurance is going to pay for everything and finding out that their insurance will not pay for the complete services required for a successful rehabilitation.

Nursing home skilled units want to be assured that the necessary steps will be taken to assure that they will be paid. Nursing homes are most familiar with Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Managed Care Plans, Medicare Preferred Provider Organization Plans, Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Medicare Specialty Plans, federal employee health program, military health program and railroad retirement programs. If your patient has one of these, they will be highly considered once that payer source is verified.

Medicare Part A is the primary source of insurance that will pay for a skilled nursing home stay. Medicare pays 100% of day 1 through day 20 and from day 21 up to day 100 Medicare will pay everything less $114.00 per day co-pay as long as the resident is making progress towards their rehabilitation goals.

If, Medicare is managed through a HMO (Health Management Organization) it usually pays 100% of the rehabilitation stay. The HMO determines the length of stay by the assessments provided to them by the nursing home rehabilitation staff and the level of independence required where the resident will reside after their rehabilitation stay. The HMO utilizes a Nurse Case Manager and a Medical Director who is a physician to make this determination.

Secondary insurances with Medicare Supplemental Coverage will usually pay the $114.00 per day co-pay from day 21 through day 30 up to day 100 depending upon the tier level of the insurance plan and some tiers will some times pay up to 120 days. It is important for you to know what your insurance will cover.

If you have the resources you can of course pay the Medicare $114.00 per day co-pay privately.

Most states offer a Medicaid Program for individuals who meet the financial eligibility and medical need criteria. Please contact your State’s Department of Human Services Income Support Division (local Medicaid office) to see if you or your loved one meets the criteria for assistance. Most individuals fear that they may loose their home or all of their income and assets if they apply for assistance. There are laws and regulations in each state that provides Medicaid to protect the home or homestead and to protect the spouse from poverty. There are also attorney’s that specialize in Elder Law that can help you protect your income and assets and plan for the transition to State Medicaid Assistance when you or your loved ones resources become exhausted.

Nursing homes generate income from providing rehabilitation services to keep financially afloat. They check to see that they will make a profit from providing the patient the services they need. That means that everything the patient needs in the way of treatments, therapy and medications must be covered by your insurance before they agree to accept a patient from a hospital.

The nursing home will also want to get an understanding of the patient’s cognitive status and psycho/social-well-being to see that they are appropriate for their facility unless they have a contract with the discharging hospital. Keep in mind that not all nursing homes are adapted to serve all types of patients. If you or loved one has some behavioral issues, related to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric problems they may not be accepted for admission. You may need to find a nursing home that specializes for those types of paient needs.

Understanding your insurance benefits and your needs will get you the services you require for a successful rehabilitation stay.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_818.shtml

Choosing the Right Travel Nursing Placement Agency

Travel nursing is becoming one of our nation’s fastest growing professions, and it’s no surprise. If you love seeing new places and enjoy exciting new experiences that evoke the feeling of taking an extended vacation, then the career of a traveling nurse might be just what the doctor ordered! Travel nursing enables many people to stay on vacation for two to six months in free luxury accommodations while earning high hourly wages at the same time.

Yet despite all these advantages, many nurses describe to me that they’ve shied away from the traveling profession. Why? Because bad experiences with placement agencies have left them with nothing but a negative impression. They’ve been underpaid or lacked benefits, and I can’t tell you how many nurses have complained to me about inadequate housing or recruiters who were unkind, uncaring, and just plain unavailable. The sad result is that nurses end up jumping from one agency to the next, always in search of the perfect package that’s never there.

In this light, choosing the right staffing agency requires a nurse to consider everything that is offered. Some nurses emphasize pay as their top priority. Others require an excellent benefits package. Many travel RNs are location-specific and want to experience the lifestyle in the country’s hot spots. Career flexibility is often a pivotal factor, along with customer service. The bottom line is, your agency choice depends largely upon one of the four following criteria.

SALARY

No question about it, there are some agencies that offer more money than others. So the first thing to remember is that agencies may base salaries upon things like location availability, need-to-fill assignments, and cost of living.

Some agencies must offer noticeably higher rates if they expect to fill certain assignments where nurse-to-patient ratios are very low, or where a facility has extreme patient needs. If you’re a nurse who is attracted by very high dollars, be alert for a potentially desperate situation you might be entering, and the workload it could bring. You may make more money, but you’ll earn every dollar and more.

Location also factors into salary. The California bay area and many larger east coast cities definitely offer more lucrative pay rates. It’s also much more expensive to live in those places, so recognize the relationship that exists between salary dollars and cost of living. I’ve seen nurses return from Hawaii saying they had a great vacation and made a lot of friends—but their purses were lighter, not heavier from the experience. You might get less money in an exotic location and come back with more money from a not-so-exotic location. My point is, your criteria will determine your priorities.

BENEFITS

What some companies may lack in salary, they make up for with benefits. Many agencies offer benefits programs that revolve around monetary bonuses or discounted luxury housing; and I have even observed a trend with several newer companies that offer entirely free housing to all their nurses. Take note, however, that those agencies may not ante up the really high salaries. It’s a trade-off, so they compensate you with benefits to save you daily, monthly, and annual expenses. Every nurse should be aware of what benefits they need the most, and then ask their recruiters to assist in developing a package that is tailored to their individual needs.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

To many traveling nurses, customer service and aid are the most important attributes a placement agency possesses. If you called ten agencies and only talked with one live recruiter, it’s probably best to narrow it down to the agency where individual placement specialists were easily available. After all, if you’re ready to proceed with a new assignment you’ll want an agency that can make it happen fast and has recruiters available who already understand your criteria. In fact, your criteria may change from one assignment to another, so customer service is paramount. Determine what you want and then find out which agencies can make it happen.

FEATURED LOCATIONS AND HOT SPOTS

While for some nurses, salary, benefits, and career flexibility might be the number-one interest, many others just want the obvious—to travel and see the world. If you’re an adventurer who cares more about the travel experience than the money, then you’ll need an agency that can offer you the locations you want.

Not every agency can send you just anywhere. Figure out where you want to go, and then call around to discover who can send you there.

A travel nursing career is absolutely one of the best, most rewarding choices any nurse can make, but it’s important to select a company who will partner with you every step of the way. Before you jump in, do your homework and research all the best placement agencies. Finding the agency that fits your unique wants and needs will drastically increase your chances of success and happiness in your career.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_392.shtml

Top Ten Travel Nursing “Hot Spots”

The great thing about being a traveling nurse boils down to one key component – it’s about the travel! For those of us who love moving around and seeing the world, travel nursing is the profession of our dreams. There are many travel destinations available, based on weather, activities, cost of living, and salary. Therefore, I have gathered a list of my “Top Ten” destinations that nurses choose, based on the number of travelers who inquire about each location every month. Are you a travel RN scouting a new assignment? Then I’d like to suggest the following ten “Hot Spots”:

HAWAII – It’s no shock that Hawaii generates over 500 travel nursing inquiries per month. The wide range of outdoor activities from snow-capped mountains to snow-white sandy beaches elevates Hawaii to one of those meccas where you can build a snowman or a sand castle all in one day. Nurses tell me that you’ll discover virtually every type of outdoor activity imaginable—hiking trails that wind through erupting volcanoes, secret beaches, and lush green ranchlands. Many travelers also hunt, mountain bike, go rafting, and golf on some of the world’s most extravagant courses.

ALASKA – Travel nurses are intrigued by the possibilities of Alaska’s rugged mystery. Alaska is a huge wilderness with beautiful scenery, and travel nursing assignments offer plenty of time to see and do everything you want, whether in winter’s darkness under northern lights, or the glorious spring and summer where it’s light most of the time. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Alaska for its’ wildlife, spectacular natural landscape, and fishing expeditions where the fish really are as big as the stories about which they’re told. Countless day cruises and sightseeing expeditions abound, as well as opportunities to hike, kayak, canoe, ski… Need we say more?

MONTANA – Whether photographer, adventurer, or both, Montana is truly a state that beckons with open arms. River trips, fishing and camping, history, snowy mountain ranges, and waterfalls are what you’ll encounter, along with plenty of open space to explore. Assignments in Montana appeal to those travel nurses who just need some time to break away from their city grind to enjoy marching to the beat of an entirely different drummer. The Big Sky Country boasts some of America’s most famous mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands, and caverns, and many travelers find it just irresistible enough to keep coming back.

MAINE – Maine’s splendor has inspired artists like Georgia O’Keefe and three generations of the Wyeth family, since the mid-nineteenth century. Travel nurses can’t resist at least one adventure in this charming getaway. Whether you embark on outdoor adventures like skiing and snowmobiling, or if you prefer the cozy ambience of antiquing through charming villages or just strolling or riding horseback on miles of sandy beaches in the smell of salt air, Maine is legendary and offers some wonderful travel nursing experiences. Its’ unique culture is outdoorsy and quaint, and of course you get to enjoy lobster as the locals do—fresh from the ocean!

CALIFORNIA – Warm weather and world-famous beaches make California a favorite choice for traveling nurses. Nine-hundred miles of coastline gives nurses in all locations the chance to spend many hours near the waves; and for nature lovers, California is home to many wildlife parks, remote wilderness areas, and safe-havens for endangered animals. If you’re an excitement junkie, you can scout out a wide selection of theme parks; and no matter what your taste in music, concerts abound in every type of venue. Historic sites and museums invite, as do five-star restaurants and clubs in which to see and be seen. The shopping is unparalleled, whether it’s trendy Melrose Place, La Jolla, or the strand in Venice Beach; and of course it’s home to Hollywood, and, yes, movie stars. Whether northern, southern, or coastal locations, traveling nurses return to California time and again.

WASHINGTON – The Evergreen State boasts the gorgeous Pacific Ocean, the Cascade Mountains, desert experiences, rain forests, towering volcanoes, glaciers, and lush wine country. Washington State rates high on the list of many nurse travelers. Must-sees are the Space Needle and Coulee Dam. The culture here is incredibly diverse; sophisticated, outdoorsy, and loaded with resorts, history, parks, museums, and botanical gardens. Whether touring downtown Seattle for cozy antique and book stores, exploring ancient Indian grounds, or hiking and biking mountains or trails, Washington holds a strong allure for many nurse travelers.

SOUTH CAROLINA – Endless adventure, excitement, fun and exploration represent why South Carolina is always a favorite destination for travel nurses. America’s oldest landscaped gardens frame mansions rife with historical heritage, in addition to pristine beaches and legendary marshy wetlands. For all you golfers, with over 330 golf courses, there’s always a new place to swing your clubs. But what fascinates many traveling nurses is the rich heritage in which South Carolina has paved the roads of culture, art, and folklore in our past. You can visit several historical areas and discovery centers of American history, including the American Revolution and the Civil War.

COLORADO – World-class winter skiing and summer music festivals in the mountains are just two reasons that nurses love traveling to Colorado. Boasting four spectacular seasons, Colorado is where travel nurses get to explore the state’s 18 million acres of state and national parks, forests, and monuments for biking, hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, and kayaking, to name a few. Colorado has many cultural treasures, including ancient Native American sites and dinosaur fossil exhibits, historic ghost towns, and even award-winning vineyards in Grand Junction. And for those who enjoy city life, amid all this natural beauty lie wonderful metropolitan areas like Denver and Boulder, full of shopping, performing arts, and professional sports.

TENNESSEE – From energetic nights of blues on Beale Street, to gorgeous rolling acres of Tennessee Walker horse country, to peaceful Smoky Mountain sunsets, Tennessee is a vacation that offers many world-renowned attractions. Nurse travelers who visit Tennessee will find that they’re within a day’s drive of 75-percent of the U.S. population via quality interstates and highways. Attractions in Tennessee include the Jack Daniels’ distillery, Elvis’s Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and lots of southern hospitality. And don’t forget the crown jewel of the southern Appalachians, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

ARIZONA – If you adore the outdoors, then the Grand Canyon State might just be for you. The nurses who go there just rave about Arizona’s landscape which takes in tall mountain ranges, swift rivers, grasslands, sand dunes, and cactus forests all set against a beautiful sky that glows pink in the sunset. The traveler nurses who enjoy history will find plenty of it here, including Old West reformations, Native American nations, and Spanish-influenced areas all in one state. Arizona is also home to the nation’s greatest golf courses, resorts, spas, cabins, and ranches.

As you can see, limitless possibilities exist for those nurses who want travel, fun, and adventure to be part of their daily lives. If you’re a nurse who travels and it's time for you to move on to a new location, try one of these top travel nursing destinations and see what new experiences lie ahead.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_408.shtml

Travel Nursing Career - A Dream Come True

Deciding what job to pursue after college entails more brain cells that most activities. Unlike deciding on what car to buy or what clothes to wear, one must give the decision its due because it will effect your happiness and quality of life for the next three to four decades.

Most people believe that a career in travel nursing is stuff that dreams are made of. For those currently following this career path… most of those who have experienced this lifestyle agree that it is a great way to make a living but there are a few who argue and refute this. But all agree that it's entirely up to you whether your career in travel nursing becomes to a dream come true.

How do you start on a career in travel nursing?

Let's divide the answer into two parts: travel and nursing. We'll tackle the latter first. To be able to pursue a career in travel nursing, you must of course be equipped with a creditable nursing degree. Now some may possess one-year-diplomas and call themselves professionals but unfortunately for them, not all hospital or healthcare employers accept that as enough credentials. If you only have a vocational degree tucked under your belt, then perhaps you'd rather pursue a career in care giving rather than travel nursing. Caregivers, after all, still get to travel across the globe. It all comes down to the skills.

The second half of a Travel Nursing career is the traveling. So you're the proud holder of a nursing degree and you're duly licensed to practice nursing. The next step to tackle then is learning how to go about your travels. Most people prefer to seek recruitment agencies for help in this matter. These agencies are ably experienced in assisting people interested in making a fortune in travel nursing. But you must beware! There are several recruitment agencies that may just be a scam to whisk your money away. And remember, using their services means paying some fees and if in some instances the fees are high so be careful and be wary. Ask questions and don't go with any agency that you don't feel is being 100% honest with you and if there fees are out of line then find another agency or you can always go it alone.

A few things to consider when traveling are the need of a passport. First, check with the embassy in your country of choice and see if they require a visa. Second, make sure that all your nursing documents, proof that you have graduated from a reputable school and have passed the necessary examinations, are all duly authenticated. A career in travel nursing may mean jumping from one country after another so it would definitely reduce your stress level if all your papers, even your resume, are supported with valid reference documents.

How do you adjust or embark on a life of travel nursing?

Experienced travel nurses provide us with plenty of advice and tips to make sure that first time nurses in this particular career will have an easier transition into the field.

Double-Check Everything

At least three to five days prior to your departure make sure that you haven't forgotten anything. Make a checklist of all essentials and cross them off the list as you pack them. From documents to the clothes you've packed, make sure that everything in your list is accounted for. A career in travel nursing is a demanding job and leaves little room for error so it's best to start on the right foot.

Research Your Destination(s)

A travel nursing career requires that you to go to different countries meet different people and adjust to different cultures. Researching destinations beforehand will help avoid miscommunication, reduce the possible culture shock and basically just make your experience a whole lot more enjoyable and less stressful.

Ask For An Early Move-in

An early move is suggested by experienced travel nurses because it enables you to relax and breathe a little before embarking on your new travel nursing job. Familiarize yourself with the place and the people. And best of all, enjoy the new sights because one of the major perks of having a career in travel nursing is of course... the travel.

While the compensation and perks are quite exceptional because the Travel Nursing Career is such a high demand, highly sought after position it's a bit more difficult to secure than most other nursing positions. As a result, most employers are very picky so make sure that you have what it takes. And if you don't, then improve your skills (education and / or experience) or find another sector of the nursing profession to make your career.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/self_improvement_and_motivation/article_2814.shtml

Mommy & Baby: Nursing Questions & Answers

Q. How often should I nurse a newborn infant?

A. No fewer than 8 times per day, depending on how long he gives you at night. If he can go 4 hours, you’ll probably see two feedings in between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. If you tank him up right before you go to bed, you may only have one.

Q. How often should I nurse an older baby?

A. Depending on your child’s age, you should be on a 3-4 hour routine during the day. Remember, as your child gets older, the frequency of nursing sessions will drop off, but he will be eating more at each session. If you are committed to nursing past 6 months of age, it’s not recommended that you drop below 5 feedings per day. If you believe your milk supply is waning and you don’t want to stop breastfeeding, add a feeding or two to your daily routine in order to increase your milk supply

Q. How do I drop a feeding as my baby grows?

A. The most common changes are moms who want to switch from a 3 to a 3.5 hour routine or a 3.5 to a 4 hour routine, babies who are ready to drop their middle of the night feeding, or parents who are ready to stop the late-night feeding.

Most often you’ll know when your baby is ready to switch by a change in his sleep patterns. A baby on a 3 hour routine typically takes 3 naps per day (morning, afternoon, late afternoon) and the switchover to a 3.5 hour routine will see a shortening of one of those naps or the dropping of the last nap of the day. Babies are generally ready for this switch by about 12 weeks of age.

Dropping the middle of the night feeding is most often accomplished by the baby himself between 7-14 weeks of age. You’ll know your baby is ready when he doesn’t wake you up until 6:00 a.m. or so, and you’ll probably wake in a panic that morning, realizing you weren’t beckoned in the middle of the night. He will require more food during the day from this point on, and your breasts will likely be overly full for several days, but it’s all good!

Stopping the late night feeding is typically the trickiest to do. Many parents are reluctant to drop it, thinking that if they do, their baby will wake in the middle of the night, starving. If you think he cannot drop the feeding completely, back it up in 15-minute increments until you arrive at your desired time. If his last two feedings of the day are closer than your flexible schedule says it “should be,” don’t worry. It’s a temporary fix, and that’s what flexibility is all about. The routine serves you, not the other way around.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/parenting/article_500.shtml

A Peek at Nursing as a Career

We need more people to choose nursing as a career. There is a national shortage, so the career choice would guarantee future employment fresh out of school.

Just last week, as I was taking care of a patient of mine, a doctor asked, "Kim, how did you decide to become a nurse?" That question caused me to reflect over nearly 25 years, and it still causes me to wonder sometimes. You see, I was not one of those little girls that wished to be a nurse, although I really liked the head nurse on Emergency. I told her, "You know, I think nursing chose me."

I went on to explain that I had changed my career path my freshman year of college. I was taking courses that I found to be interesting, along with the 'basics'. After a year of not committing to a degree plan, my dad put his foot down and he strongly encouraged me to find some direction.

I remember thumbing through the college catalog and finding the degree plan for nursing. I was surprised to see that I had taken nearly every prerequisite course except for anatomy and physiology. I applied to the program, was accepted and the rest is history.

Being a nurse has real advantages. Continuing education is an integral part of most professions. Nursing is no exception. This knowledge actually saved the life of one of my children!

Patrick was almost 4 years old. He was enjoying a piece of Halloween candy. My husband was watching him, and he called me in when he saw that Patrick was choking. I gave those 5 abdominal thrusts as if I did it every day of my life, when in fact I had only performed it on a few mannequins over the years. That piece of candy shot out, just like in the videos that they would make us watch. Never again do I groan when the lights go down and we have to watch that same training video.

Scrubs

Another advantage to this profession is the uniform. What other profession allows you to wear clothes that are as comfortable as pajamas! And they are so much more colorful than that starched white from years ago. I had to wear a nursing cap with the white uniform and the white hose and shoes when I was in nursing school. Now you can tell what Holiday is around the corner based on the attire of the nursing staff.

Another change for the better is that more men are entering the profession. I think that it has bettered the salaries. For fear of making sexist or offensive remarks, I will leave it at that.

Continuing in my footsteps.

Today, my oldest child is attending a nursing program. She will be a nurse in less than a year. I have no doubt that she will be an excellent asset to the profession. She did not decide to do this as a career until she was in college for a year.

Choosing nursing as a career

If you like working with people and helping them during some of the most important times of their lives, then I have no doubt you would thrive in your career as a nurse

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_1252.shtml

Nursing Degree Applications Up, But Demand Still Exceeds Supply

For the fifth year in a row, applications have increased for schools offering a nursing degree according to American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Unfortunately this continuing increase still can’t keep up with the demand as over 32,000 students were turned away.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Registered Nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012. According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012.

Students are either looking for other careers or looking for other schools. One resource that many students are finding helpful is the website www.best-nursing-degree.info . In many cases students are finding out about nursing programs within their area, but offered by schools other than their closest public university.

One option that is growing in popularity is the accelerated bachelor nursing degree. This program allows students with a bachelor’s degree in a different field to obtain a BSN in 12 to 18 months. This program has grown from 31 schools in 1990 to 168 today. The program is intense with 40 hours of class and lab time per week plus study time. There are usually no breaks between terms either. The cost is steep as well--$30,000 but many students are able to qualify for grants and loans.

At the other end of the spectrum are part-time students that are looking to change careers or need to work full-time. These students take one or two classes per semester and will take several years beyond the standard 4 to complete their degree.

The payoff? Starting salaries from $45,000 and up. There is of course more advancement to the levels of nurse practitioners and graduate degrees.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_383.shtml

Going Back To Work When You’re Nursing

If you’re planning to return to work after your baby is born, you may be concerned about managing both effectively. It is a time consuming choice, but many women do continue nursing even after they go back to work. And, in spite of the amount of time and dedication it requires, most women who have tried it, have been happy that they did. Here are some tips to help you manage the two successfully.

First, decide how you’re going to feed baby while you’re away. Some women have the caretaker feed the baby formula; others express breast milk for use while they are away. Either way, you’ll need to get your baby used to drinking from a bottle. At about six weeks old, introduce at least one bottle a day, filled with breast milk or formula, depending upon which you plan to use when you go back to work, at a time when you will be working later. Also, be sure to have someone else feed the bottle to the baby sometimes. This should help your baby get ready for the new routine.

Once you return to work, you’ll need to express milk at work for feeding to your baby the next day, if you plan to supplement with breast milk instead of formula. Be sure to figure out in advance where you’ll be able to nurse. Fortunately, more and more workplaces are creating private areas for nursing mothers. It’s also wise to freeze some breast milk before you go back to work, just in case you have a day at work that is so harried that you find yourself unable to nurse.

When you return to work, be prepared for some adjustment time for you and the baby. If possible, go back part time at first, to make this adjustment easier for both of you. And, if you can wait until baby is sixteen weeks old to go back, the adjustment to the feeding change will be even easier, because the breastfeeding routine will be better established.

There are many good reasons for continuing to breastfeed after returning to work. In addition to your baby’s continued nutritional benefit, you may also find that it’s easier to return to work knowing that you still have the close breastfeeding bond in the morning and evening. Take it slow, work out the kinks, and you and baby should be well on your way to a very rewarding situation.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/parenting/article_815.shtml

Benefits of Travel Nursing

Want to see places, yet be on the job? Many careers offer that pleasure, but none like travel nursing jobs. It’s exciting to experience different cultures, and it is equally rewarding to know many kinds of people in travel nursing jobs. Think about it. Travel nursing jobs will not only offer you excellent money in addition to free housing and insurance, they will also let you see the entire country, experience different cultures, taste different cuisines, and above all meet new people. But there is another advantage. By opting for travel nursing jobs, you are adding to your unique experience of multiple nursing abilities.

A travel nursing job is a temporary requirement of the mobile health care provider who is able to attend contracted assignments for a health care facility. Normally, these assignments are for a term of 13 weeks, but may vary subject to terms of agreement. The travel nursing job differs from agency nursing whereby, in the case of the latter, the service provider is a local nurse whom hospitals contract mostly for single-shift assignments.

In view of shortages of experienced nursing staff, there is a good scope for travel nursing jobs. Since hospitals can hire experienced travel nurses, by so doing they can save on their resources that would have otherwise been spent for orientation of new nurses or extending matching employee benefits.

Though there is no dearth of travel nursing jobs, a prospective candidate will do well to do solid homework before joining the fray. Here are some pointers:

1. Before You Apply

You need minimum of one-year experience in nursing. Also, you must have nursing license for the states where you wish to practice. A new state license usually takes not less than 6 months for issuance. If you are licensed in a state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement, the usual wait to obtain a new license may be waived.

2. Which Travel Company To Choose

This is an important step in finding a suitable travel nursing job. Be diligent and try to unearth as much information as you can. For example, if you can locate other travel nurses, do ask them pros and cons of a company’s service. Not all companies measure up to expectations. Does a company issue paychecks in time? Does it stand by you in emergency? Does it offer free housing and insurance? What is the standard of housing offered? Will you get travel reimbursement? For all these and much more extensive information, think of participating in various travel nurse forums.

3. After You Choose Travel Company

Now is the time to arrange all your papers and start applying. When your application is accepted by a company, you will be asked to select from among several travel nursing jobs. Use some time to research the hospitals of your choice by visiting their websites. After your confirmation, and once your profile matches with the requirements of a recruiting hospital, you will need to establish communication for a phone interview with a company representative. If your interview goes well, you may land the job.

4. What Next ?

Okay, you are now ready for your travel nursing job. But wait. Scan the contract papers thoroughly. Remember what is not written is not guaranteed. So, if there is something amiss in the contract papers, ask for it. Ensure that you perfectly know what is expected of you when you start your new assignment. If this is mandatory on your part, there are other pressing needs you must attend to. Gather information about the new place, its climate, the people, the facilities, where and what to eat, places to see, taxes and levies to think about and so on.

If you are a willing nurse eager to try out travel nursing jobs, an exciting career awaits you. You will get to work in top-ranking hospitals with cutting-edge technology and innovative practices. You will become a good manager of your finances and have more control on your career. But perhaps the most redeeming feature of travel nursing jobs is the incredible opportunity to visit many places and know many people. What could be better? Indeed!

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_7059.shtml

Nursing Career - A Smart Choice

If you have been considering entering into the healthcare industry as a professional nurse, here are some points to consider….

Nursing careers encompass a wide range of activities related to the field of delivering healthcare. As pure healthcare professionals employed in hospitals and similar other healthcare units, people in nursing careers cater to 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.

Additionally, nursing careers also span many non-clinical functions, such as medical and nursing research, forensic research, nursing education, medical insurance, serving medical, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and so on.

In the United States, it is estimated that nursing careers of about 50 percent of nurses start at hospitals of all hues. Indeed, hospitals remain the largest employers of registered nurses. But there are other avenues for promising nursing careers, some of which are enumerated below:

• Working in specialized healthcare units and long-term care facilities (hospice nursing, standalone nursing homes, patient rehabilitation, etc.).

• Assisting medical specialists like surgeons, ophthalmologists, obstetricians and others.

• Nursing-on-call on private duty for home patients (home health agencies).

• Serving in outdoor community health clinics.

• Educating aspiring nurses as teachers.

• Engaging in medical, nursing and forensic research, either self or as assistants.

• Independent nursing careers like legal nurse consultants, medical writers, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and so on.

• Serving international organizations, like United Nations, Red Cross, etc.

• Serving insurance companies and managed care centers.

• Serving in statutory bodies responsible for hospital regulations.

• Serving companies engaged in healthcare and medical business.

Job consultants have long noted an increasing uptrend for nursing careers. By all accounts, the employment opportunity for registered nurses is expected to grow at a much faster pace through 2014 compared to all other occupations. Since the occupation is very large and in view of rising median age of registered nurse population, the requirement of registered nurses is likely to create the second largest of new jobs among all occupations.

Even though nursing careers are on an upswing, there are not enough facilities, competent to meet the growing demand. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that the shortage of faculty in nursing schools has reached an alarming proportion. This is happening because on one hand the present faculty workforce is fast approaching retirement, and on the other, the pool of younger replacement faculty is decreasing.

This has thrown a unique opportunity for experienced registered nurses to pursue nursing careers of teaching and counseling new students. Among other considerations in favor of teaching profession, higher emolument is surely a big motivating factor. Since teaching requires higher education in nursing (masters degree or higher), experienced nurses who already have bachelor degrees, may consider enrolling for higher education in order to enhance their nursing careers. At the same time, as the nursing institutes re-organize their teaching facilities, school-level graduates may find nursing careers lucrative to pursue and excel.

Many institutes of repute offering nursing courses, for example University of Northern Colorado, Duke University School of Nursing in Durham and SDSU College of Nursing to name a few, are offering accelerated BSN programs (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) as a direct response to shortage in nursing. These programs allow students, who already have a degree in another discipline, to earn a BSN degree in only 16 to 20 months instead of traditional 4-year program.

Often people in mid professional career feel that nursing careers are more suitable for them. Accelerated BSN programs aim to hasten their journey back to their heart’s desire. In order to sweeten the things for them, many hospitals in fact sponsor students for these programs to assist their nursing careers. They pay tuition fees in lieu of their working for them after graduation. Hospital authorities are effusive in their praise for second-career nursing students. They say that students, who opt for nursing careers after having spent early life in other fields, often make terrific nurses. They come as matured persons, broadly educated and knowing how to conduct themselves in the workplace.

Nursing careers have several tales. The ability to serve mankind is certainly one of them. Bravo to that.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_7127.shtml

Advance Your Nursing Career Work As An Independent Nurse Contractor

Many nurses today are frustrated with their work situation. Are you one of them? If so, it is time you take control and make that first step. Quit thinking about a change ...DO IT ...quit saying I am going too... DO IT...Quit day dreaming, procrastinating, making excuses, waiting for “the right time” ....DO IT. Now is the time to expand your nursing career and enjoy the many benefits that is offered as an Independent Nurse Contractor.

Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity. Are you tired of having no input in your career, little money in the bank, lack of respect for your profession and little compensation for the long hours and years of dedication? Independent Nurse Contractor is a great way to renew your interest and rejuvenate your nursing career. As An Independent Nurse Contractor you will Gain back your independence and enjoy freedom: more choices; as to how often, when and where you practice, substantially increase your wages, increase overall job satisfaction and best of all just plain recognition of your worth as a professional. Now is the time to Achieve your goals and recognize your dreams Do not settle for mediocre pay and benefits when you can have the best .

An exciting, yet somewhat frightening career alternative for nurses, is business ownership. Owning your own business is a risk, but there is no better prepared professional than the nurse to take on the business world. Nurses are often risk takers, that demonstrate confidence, ambition, and a sense of personal accomplishment and can easily channel their expertise into personal, financial, and professional success.

Nurses are the perfect business owners. They have the communication skills and the ability to assess, implement and organize a plan. These are the same criteria that any business owner uses.

An Independent Nurse Contractor contracts with a healthcare facility to provide nursing services, usually by the hour. An Independent contractor can contract his or her nursing services directly with a healthcare facility or with a patient and continue bedside practice. The contract is similar to those used by nursing agencies and travel companies outlining the services to be provided, the responsibilities of both the healthcare facility and the nurse, and the length of time the services are to be provided.

Nurse Contractors practice in all aspects of the Healthcare Industry; Home Health, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Rehab. Centers, Doctors Offices and all aspects of Nurse Consulting just to name a few. No advance degrees are necessary unless your business includes diagnosing and treating medical problems.

State nurse practice acts for registered nurses do not prohibit independent contracting, consulting, entrepreneurship, or small businesses ownership.

When you are a self-employed Nurse, your hard work and professionalism benefits you, not your employer. Your job satisfaction will increase to unexpected heights and frustrations will disappear! Be your own boss. Never be fired, laid off, called off, forced to work, forfeit family vacations or feel trapped again. Enjoy your career and feel satisfied again.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_7456.shtml

Online Nursing Degrees - Don't Knock It Till You Try It

Keeping pace with today’s digital era, education is fast becoming a commodity that can be acquired online. This has paved the way for those students who wish to earn degrees, yet not in a position to attend regular classes in a university or a college.

Online nursing degree programs have particularly gained prominence of late, because among other reasons, the demand for nurses is estimated to grow exponentially in the coming decade. An online nursing degree program is aimed at preparing you for the mainstream job market while you retain the advantage of learning from a place of your choice and at a pace of your liking.

Since nursing as a subject requires practical competence, many online nursing degree programs will only allow you to complete the non-clinical portion of your coursework via online classes, while arranging clinical lessons at a medical facility near your home. As you can imagine, there are no schools that allow you to fulfill clinical requirements online.

Let us now look at some important features of online nursing degree programs:

1. Compared to easy pacing of coursework by some programs, many others that are affiliated with traditional universities will require online students to maintain same quarter or semester schedule as on-campus students.

2. While some online nursing degree programs allow the students to commence the course at any time, there are many that are structured like traditional classes/degree programs, which means that students are made into groups and scheduled to go through together. In the latter case, there will usually be a designated start date.

3. Although online nursing degree students generally do not meet instructors and classmates in person, it is seen that communication via email or online discussions often proves equally rewarding. The other benefit in favor of online students is that they usually receive instructors' lectures in written form.

4. Online nursing degree programs commonly offered are RN-to-BSN and MSN degrees. Although some institutions do offer a variety of advanced degree and certificate options, but they are rather few. In most cases, only one or a handful of degree programs are offered online.

5. Students, who wish to receive credit for work experience while pursuing online nursing degree program, generally have one or two options depending on the institute they plan to attend. Many institutes now allow students to complete proficiency exams such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) in lieu of course-work in areas in which they have work experience or knowledge gained though independent study. If you are planning to enroll in an online nursing degree program, you will be happy to know that there are certain distinct advantages associated with it, enumerated below, though not all may be available together for a particular program. 1. You will be able to complete your online nursing degree coursework quickly and conveniently.

2. Online nursing degree programs are less expensive than traditional programs. While the cost widely varies by school and degree program, students may expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 dollars a credit, with average tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities generally falling in the $110-170 range. In addition, registration or enrollment fees may also be charged, though out-of-state tuition is not typically charged. Overall however, online nursing degree programs cost less than their traditional counterparts.

3. Flexible online nursing programs allow you to work around personal commitments. This is especially true for female nurses who are would-be mothers or have home and kids to look after.

4. Your curriculum can be tailored to meet your specific goals and you may be studying an up-to-date curriculum that addresses the critical needs of the health care industry.

5. If you work hard, you may look forward to completing your online nursing degree in just 2 to 3 years, or even sooner if you have qualifying credits or prior work experience.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_734.shtml

Advanced Nursing Degrees

There is a general feeling that nursing as a profession needs more of hands-on experience than pure academic knowledge. There is a reason or two there. We are known to laud the role of nurses who have excellent practical abilities and management supervision skills.

But apart from the too-obvious hospital care jobs, nurses have definitive roles to play in many other healthcare functions, and even in stellar roles in healthcare industry. It needs no telling that higher education in nursing is imperative for nurses to work in senior positions, many of which are suitable for none else than nurses themselves.

In practice however, there is lukewarm response among nursing students to pursue higher degrees, perhaps for reasons of convenience and cost. For example, though numbers of nurses having a BSN degree has increased during the last four decades, yet only about 44% of 2.7 million nurses currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Given the advent of advanced medical treatment and progressively longer lifespan of people, there is no denying that the nursing practice is set to undergo many changes in sync with technology and need. Keeping this in perspective, in October 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) agreed in a resolution to support the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) as a terminal practice degree. The DNP will be different from the PhD in that while the PhD has wider acceptance as being research-focused to supplant the master’s degree, the DNP is proposed to be for those nurses who want an advanced practice role, such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist. However, perhaps very few schools like University of Kentucky have embarked on this new educational path to offer the DNP degree.

A brief round-up of various advanced nursing degrees is provided below:

1. RN to BSN If you commenced your career in nursing with an associate degree or a diploma, you may consider attaining your bachelor’s degree. Many advanced nursing positions today are increasingly looking for a minimum of bachelor’s degree. The good news is that a number of distance learning courses has made this a viable option for quite a few of you who are working professionals. Besides, there are flexible programs in addition to distance learning that can be suitably timed around your work schedule. In some cases, universities are known to consider your work experience toward academic credit, which means your cost and time to complete your degree reduce substantially.

2. RN to MSN and beyond Positions in higher management, clinical positions and educational institutes require a master’s degree. When you pursue a master’s degree, you typically learn to focus on management and / or clinical specialties and if you so choose, you may prepare to teach nursing courses upon completion. Nursing educators are much sought-after in US, so teaching can very well enhance your career to help shape the future of nursing.

3. Nurses as “doctors” As discussed above, the top echelon in advanced nursing degrees belongs to PhD and now the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). In recent years, more nurses are proceeding to go for a doctorate degree in nursing, and accordingly, many institutions too are expanding their basket of course offerings to appeal to more students and also to meet this growing demand. In fact, about a dozen institutes have added a DNP program in their curriculum, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and more plan to start in near future. A doctorate degree in nursing is helpful to teach at university level, conduct research, and even work in clinical settings or hospital management.

4. Other options Among other careers pursuable for advanced nursing degree holders while remaining in a nursing discipline, nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist must come first. In case of nurse practitioner, it is usually an offering of master’s degree, whereupon you will qualify to take the national nurse practitioner certification exam. A qualified nurse practitioner is able to diagnose and treat many common illnesses as well as to prescribe medications.

On the other hand, after attaining a master’s degree, if you are interested in becoming a nurse anesthetist, you need to pass a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) certification program. A qualified CRNA can be expected to work independently or in association with other anesthesiologists to provide anesthesia services in case of both surgical and obstetrical patients. A CRNA’s work may be patient-intensive during preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative periods.

As can be seen from above discussions, there is no dearth of career opportunities for advanced nursing degree holders. In fact, as experts opine, the advancement of medical technology will continue to enrich and enhance the requirement of nursing personnel who are equipped with one or more advanced nursing degrees

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_977.shtml

Vocational Schools That Specialize In Nursing In California

Research has shown there is a shortage of nurses in the United States. This is because there are a lot of people who are getting older and many graduates would prefer to work elsewhere.

Given the situation, a lot of vocational schools in California have invested a lot of money into advertising in the hopes that many will answer this call.

Here are a few schools worth checking out.

If the person lives near Disneyland, a great vocational school that will teach everything there is to know about being a nurse is Bryman College located in Anaheim.

The school has a program called Vocational Nursing Certificate or LVN that can be finished in 18 to 24 months depending on the progress of the student. Those who graduate will have the tools to work in an entry-level position in hospital or clinic.

West Coast University in Los Angeles, California offers students an Associate of Science in Nursing. Some consider this to be better than earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing that takes 4 years because people who take the 2-year course are able to finish the program faster and earn more money.

The California State University in San Bernardino offers advanced training for people who took up the basics in nursing. The student can upgrade to get bachelors or a master’s degree in nursing that will prepare the individual to handle a ward or a wing in a big hospital or in a small clinic.

The vocational nursing schools mentioned are just three of more than 20 campuses stretching from San Francisco all the way down to San Diego. The person should check these places in the Internet to find the most convenient place to go and learn about nursing.

Shifting to another career is an option for many Americans. This is because many people have realized that nurses’ get paid more that the salary offered in the current job.

If the individual is thinking of leaving, it will be a good idea to check which school will offer the best program. Should the person not have enough money to hit the books again, the school can accommodate this by allowing the student to work and study part time.

The person can never be too old to get a vocational certificate. This is because there are students who are in the late 30’s and up who have joined the ranks of nurses working in some of the most prestigious hospitals and clinics in the country

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1005.shtml

Part-time Nursing Students Working Full-time Jobs

Usually, part-time nursing students are those who are interested in a nursing career but have other responsibilities that interfere with their abilities to attend regular classes. Of late, there has been a good rise in the number of part-time nursing students for a variety of reasons. Looking at the overall scenario, it appears that the looming specter of nursing shortage is the common driving force behind large number of students opting for part-time courses.

As per February 2004 projections by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (RNs) will top the list of 10 occupations that have the potential of the largest job growth in the years 2002-2012. It bears recalling that RNs have listed among the top 10 growth occupations in the past, but for the first time in recent history, RNs occupy the top rank.

BLS' 10-year projections are widely used in career guidance and come in handy for concerned institutes in planning education and training programs and also in studying long-range employment trends. Thus, the BLS' report that more than 2.9 million RNs will be employed in the year 2012, up 623,000 from the nearly 2.3 million RNs employed in 2002 has meant that many aspirants have now decided to study and pursue a career in nursing.

Unfortunately, there has not been commensurate increase in nurse educators as a result of which nursing institutes are unable to increase seats in regular courses. Seen in this backdrop, let us examine some common indicators behind the increase in part-time nursing students. 1. Second Career It's true that the momentous events of 9/11 disaster have triggered a rush for second career in nursing, because people want a job in which they can make a difference in others' lives. But while this trend has more or less ebbed over time, the popular choice of nursing as second career continues to rise on account of projected shortage of nurses in the coming decade.

Helen Taggart, a professor of nursing at Armstrong Atlantic State University, says, "A critical shortage of nurses is creating a crisis in healthcare that impacts both the preparation of nurses and the ability to provide quality care in the region." In keeping with this daunting prospect, her association, the Coastal Georgia Nursing Consortium (CGNC) plans a news conference shortly to announce a special program on Nursing as a Second Career.

In most cases where aspirants have decided to opt for nursing as their second career, it is seen that they are already engaged in full-time jobs either in healthcare industry or in a completely alien field. Such career choosers are often reluctant to let go their employment and therefore likely to opt as part-time nursing students.

2. Admission Problem As noted above, the rising trend of requirement of qualified nurses has not translated into matching availability of seats in nursing institutes. This has meant that aspirants who would have otherwise gone for full-time courses, have to settle for part-time education in nursing. Since scholarships and grants are usually less available for part-time students, they need to find jobs – often full-time jobs – to run their personal and education-related expenses.

3. Higher Degree When a sector undergoes a period of high demand, lots of churning takes place, many of which act contrary to one another. The same thing is happening in the nursing sector. On one hand, there is a shortage of sufficient nurse educators because of which nursing seats are not expanding. On the other, qualified nurses who are already working full-time albeit in lower ranks, are pushing to up their qualification to take advantage of empty positions in high-ranked jobs.

In a way, this is inevitable because people have it in them to pursue higher goals, especially in situations that are now prevalent in nursing sector. On account of this, full-time nurses in various categories and disciplines are actively seeking to improve their nursing degrees by enrolling in part-time courses. Many nursing institutes have come up with innovative courses to cater to the long list of part-time nursing students who already have full-time jobs. Some examples are weekend courses, evening classes and even distant coaching. It is expected that such facilities will continue to maintain an upward trend in the foreseeable future


http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1072.shtml

Ouch That Hurts! A Nursing Mom’s Guide to Treating Plugged Ducts

A plugged duct is a mass of milk or cells that cause the flow of milk to become "stuck". It often happens to women who have an abundant milk supply.

You may feel a hard bump on your breast, or have swelling and tenderness. You may see a red area on your breast, or it may look streaky. It may also feel warm to the touch. Plugged ducts usually affect only one breast at a time but there are exceptions.

Plugged ducts can be caused by several things including: pressure on the duct from ill fitting clothing or a bra (especially too tight or underwire bras) or even baby carriers that put pressure on the breast. Nursing schedule changes that contribute to baby nursing (or Mom pumping) irregularly, stressful times like holidays and vacations can cause it too.

A clogged duct is uncomfortable but thankfully, there are several things you can do at home to treat it.

The most important treatment is to keep nursing. Some Moms are told that they have to wean their babies when they experience a plugged milk duct, but this is false. Weaning would mean more pain and the simple plug could lead to a more serious infection or abscess. Keep nursing your baby and offer the breast with the plugged duct first. Baby sucks with more vigor at the beginning of the nursing.

This may require some contortion, but try to "aim" the baby's chin towards the plugged duct. Her suction will be strongest in the area of the clogged duct, helping clear it out.

Get lots of rest! Plugged ducts are often a symptom of Mom doing too much too fast after having a baby.

More tips:

· Use a warm compress and gentle massage on the breast with the clogged duct.

· Get in the shower and aim the shower head on your sore breast. Get the water as hot as you can comfortably stand, then massage your breast. Start from high up on the chest and rub down, towards the nipple. You may see milk shoot out, or a stringy looking ribbon, or even a crystallized, dried milk clump if the duct clears out. As soon as possible after doing this, nurse your baby to empty the breast further.

· Loosen clothing and bra so there is less constriction on breasts while nursing. If you use underwire bras, switch to a soft cup style for awhile, or permanently if plugged ducts are an ongoing problem.

Once the blockage is gone, the hard lump will disappear and tenderness will go away. If the pain or swelling becomes worse or you have flu-like symptoms, you may have mastitis. The remedies mentioned above can heal mastitis, but if it doesn’t respond to home care in two days, call your Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League leader for recommendations.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/parenting/article_1408.shtml

Online Nursing Degree - Get Ahead With Your Nursing Career Without Losing Your Paycheck

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? This is a concern that rides the minds of many high school and college graduates alike. It can be difficult deciding on a future career. After all, we figure we're going to have this position for years to come. This is why it's very important to choose the right one that makes us happy and pays the bills.

One of the more famous and desirable fields to pursue these days is nursing. Have you considered a career in the medical field? While nursing degrees have always been well known for their dependability and benefits, more recently they've become even simpler to reach. Yes indeed, now days you can acquire an online nursing degree from the comfort of your own home.

Ever since I can remember, my mother has been a registered nurse. I recall her telling me about the time she earned her nursing degree. Of course it wasn't an online nursing degree back then, but who had Internet access in the 60s? She enjoys the working in the medical field and helping those in need of regular care. There is always a certain enjoyment involved when you strive to make others feel better and live longer.

By the time I reached high school, it was clear to me that my mother made a decent income as a registered nurse. She was taking care of three boys on her own, but we always lived well. Not to mention the insurance benefits were perfect. That is something to consider if you're looking into a medical degree. When you work for the state, there are many perks. After twenty years at the same hospital, my mother was able to retire with great benefits.

Are you looking into an online nursing degree? You have to admit, it's great to have access to so much from home. Never before could we achieve so much learning and education from our homes. With a nursing career, you will soon learn that there are many benefits and transfer available.

I watched my mother only work on weekends the entire time I was growing up. How can you beat that schedule? If you are interested in acquiring an online nursing degree, get online today and sort through your options. This very well may be the career choice for you. Cyberspace can give you the rundown on everything the online nursing degree has to offer.

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1117.shtml

Nursing Home Abuse: An Issue You Should Be Aware Of

If you have ever had family members stay in a nursing home you know how big a deal nursing home abuse can be. Staff members at a nursing home have been known to physically and mentally abuse their patients for reasons known only to them. While this problem is rare it can be a serious issue which can lead to injury or death in some cases.

There are some basic steps you can take to ensure that nothing happens to your loved ones in a nursing home. The first is through research. Check out the nursing home and find out if there have been complains in the past regarding their care. You should also check out the employees to make sure that they haven’t ever been abusive to anyone in the past.

The next thing you should find out is weather or not the nursing home is in a safe neighborhood. If the neighborhood is known for violence then there is a chance it could reach your loved ones. This is because a lot of businesses will hire people who live locally.

Add a phone to the person’s room if the room has a phone hookup. This will ensure that they have a way to contact you if something does happen. It might also help prevent abuse because they will know the elderly has a way to contact help if they need it.

Try to talk with some of the elderly who live in the nursing home. If they suspect that there is abuse or if they have firsthand experience you know you don’t want your loved one staying there.

If the proper steps are taken nursing home abuse can be stopped. If you think someone you know is going through this type of abuse or if you think a staff member at a nursing home is abusive, call the proper authorities. With the right kind of care and awareness elderly abuse in nursing homes can be prevented

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_2456.shtml

Nursing School Rankings

The US News & World Report and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Report on Research Funding conduct nursing school rankings to measure the status of quality of different nursing schools nationwide. Various factors affect how nursing school rankings are determined but it all serves the purpose of providing more information to anyone in search of a nursing school.

As you evaluate different leaning institutions for your nursing education, nursing school rankings should supplement your own research. First, determine which specific nursing program you wish to enter and then based on that look at nursing schools in your chosen location that offer that specific program. You can use nursing school rankings to find out the areas of strength of a particular school and if it matches your interest and needs.

In general, organizations determine nursing school rankings by gathering data through surveys that are prepared by professors and other scholars. Survey respondents can be present or past students or administrators and other high-ranking staff members of the nursing school. The survey contains both objective and subjective questions, and a complex method is used to process the answers. The statistics of the school are also one of the factors used to determine nursing school rankings.

For instance, the US News & World Report evaluates NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) accredited nursing schools and their programs by surveying deans and other faculty staff members of each nursing school. The respondents will review and grade other schools based on a set of criteria. Some of the factors that affect nurse school rankings are student-to-faculty ratios, rate of job placement after graduation and etcetera.

Nursing school rankings from the National Institutes of Health focus on the overall amount of grant funding received by the research programs of individual nursing schools. Research institutions and those who would like to pursue research work consider NIH rankings to be strong indicators of outstanding research programs.

Nursing school rankings are just one tool to help you evaluate a nursing school. There are so many other factors to consider when choosing a school such as the quality of student life, cost, availability of financial assistance, board passing rates, affordable housing on or near campus, among others.

Be sure to look at the complete picture when making your decision. Get to know more about a certain nursing school by looking at the school’s website, requesting for an information packet or going to the school’s information session or open house

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1137.shtml

Retirement Communities or Nursing Homes - Post retirement planning beforehand

A proper, beforehand planning is necessary to safeguard self-dignity and to attain a secured after-retirement life. We all admit that.

Life is never the same after-retirement. Some people want to live close to the hard-earned friends or family whereas some people want to live unaided or in Nursing Homes, Retirement Communities, Home Health Care, Retirement Homes, Active Adult Communities, Senior Apartments. Whatever the reason be, some basic calculations are necessary for a better future.

Let us answer two simple and primary questions-

What is my primary consideration in the decision on where to reside?

It may be closeness to family, state retirement benefits, medical reasons, dream location, specific medical care or other reasons.

Which type of care am I searching?

It may be assisted living, nursing home, retirement community (Active Adult), Residential Care, Home Health Care, CCRC, hospice care or some other types.

Individuals must explain each little question to themselves to live a hustle-free post retirement life. At times, the simplest of the task turns out to be an epic one.
For example, selecting the right nursing home is often a very hectic job as different nursing home specializes in different features.

Some minute details, in general, tend to be of high importance while selecting a nursing home for future, like the distance from a specific location. Apart from taking information on costs and fees, one must also note the types of care offered and types of aid accepted by that particular house. Even climbing stairs may be a bigger problem in future.

Budgeting is one of the most important aspects that need repeated critical assessment. The financial condition is not the same for everyone and one must sensibly figure out the budget on which he or she can comfortable sustain themselves for rest of life. Additional and hidden costs must be clarified beforehand.

One must take care of some seemingly insignificant issues that in future may become critical. It is always better if the home is in an easy-to-visit location for family and friends.

It is always recommended that the nursing homes should consult the family physician before consulting somebody else. The family members should make it sure that the nursing home uses or may use (if necessary) hospitals where the family physician practices.

Direct interactions with the present residents of the nursing home always provide a lot of information about the living standards and other characteristics.

The post retirement life should be self-planned to seize the most out of life, for which you have worked so hard so far.

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Nursing the Noble Vocation

If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there are many things you need to know and consider first. Choosing your nursing school may not be as easy as you expect. There is research that needs to go into it to be sure you get the best school available to you. You are going to want to look into different college programs, where they are located, how much they cost, what degrees they offer as well as information about scholarships and more to help you make an informed decision about which is best for you.

Getting your nursing degree is no cakewalk. It won’t be easy, especially if you have to keep a job or if you have a family and children to take care of. However, if you push yourself, you will be very happy with the end result. It is a profession that is very rewarding and fulfilling.

When it comes to the actual profession of nursing, it is very diverse. There are many different areas you can choose to work in. You can be very hands-on, dealing mainly with patients. Or you might choose a specialty area such as pediatrics or to be an ER nurse. You can even do work in a research facility or plan to work in management.

If you are working on getting the perfect school for nursing, you need to also consider what specialty you plan on doing – if you have one. This will help you get the right degree. Most nursing programs have very generalized programs but you may have the option to add on extras if you choose such as in a specific field.

Nursing is an excellent career choice. There are many different options for you to advance over the years or even to change your field if you chose to. With nursing, you get the opportunity to work with a large variety of people. You will generally have good working conditions and good pay. You also have personal satisfaction that you are helping someone or being productive with your life. It is a very rewarding career.

It’s easy to find a great job in nursing. There are so many places in your area that need nurses. You should call the local hospitals, clinics and other medical offices to see if they have openings. You can also use the Internet to your advantage since you can apply for jobs online and also look up information about a particular job you are interested in.

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When is a nursing home appropriate for the Alzheimer's patient

Caring for an Alzheimer's patient can be a huge burden. When it becomes too hard and too time consuming for you to take care of your loved one, it may be time to look for a nursing home.

When you feel comfortable, then you can start planning ahead which will help avoid crisis situations later. You may not ever need a nursing home, but act in a proactive manner just in case the day comes. It is well known that making decisions in a crisis situation can be very difficult and stressful on everyone, so make sure you plan ahead of time.

You may find information and a list of nursing homes in your area from your local Alzheimer’s Association, or an elder law firm. They are most likely to have a list of facilities that offer dementia care or at least a dementia unit.

When you find the nursing home that will be the most appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer’s, make sure you check the following:

• What is its appearance?
• When was their license accredited?
• Is the facility location convenient for you and your family for frequent visits?
• How does the staff react to questions -- are their greetings warm and welcoming, do they interact with your loved one?
• How well do the resident participants socialize with other people?
• Are visits allowed and are they encouraged?
• What is the staff ratio per patient? It should be at least 1 staff member for 8 persons.
• Is it possible to take a tour of the facility and the rooms?
• If there is a waiting list, how long will it take before your loved one
  can be accepted?
• Do they have a single room or do they share with another patient?
• Are these rooms furnished or unfurnished? If unfurnished, you will be able to bring your own furniture and decorate your room as wanted.
• Are there elevators? What kind of emergency plan do they have if a patient needs to be evacuated promptly?
• How do they handle patients that wander and what kind
  of security do they have?

These are some of the questions you can ask on your first visit. You can always come back later or give them a call later if you have other questions.

Another aspect of the nursing home to take into consideration is the financial issue. Most insurance companies will not cover these costs. When your loved one is being admitted in the nursing home you selected, the admittance staff will be able to assist you and discuss the payment options with you. Make sure to ask what
is included in the fees or contract:

• Is there an ongoing process for assessing a resident's need for services and how often are those needs evaluated?
• What additional services and staff are available if the resident's needs change?
• Is there an agreement available which discloses healthcare, accommodations, personal care and supportive services, all fees, and admission and discharge provisions, emergency services if necessary?
• Is there any government or other programs available that may help
  covering the costs?
• What happens if funds are used up and full payments can no longer be made.
• Does the facility accept Medicaid?

You want as well to have a good knowledge of the environment and the type of healthcare your loved one is going to receive:

What type of healthcare and personal care are
available?

Do they have routine exams available, like vision and
dental?

What is the qualification of the staff members?

Is the
staff available to assist residents who experience memory loss
or disorientation, and how do they handle it?

Does the staff
take care of the doctor’s appointments?

Do they drive them over
there and wait for them?

There is one more thing to consider when deciding if the nursing home is appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Will he/she be happier than at home? Many people do quite well in nursing homes.

Once your loved one enters the nursing home, he/she can still leave for short trips to sleep over at family and friends. If he/she is unhappy, a transfer to another facility or a return home with assisted living may be an option.

You may also doubt how beneficial a dementia care unit can be for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s. If the dementia unit is developed and staffed correctly, it can be very valuable. The idea of a dementia care unit is to provide specialized care.

This includes staff training specifically for dementia, smaller units to ease feelings of being overwhelmed, a quieter environment to prevent over-stimulation, and a locked unit safe for wandering and pacing.

Wandering and pacing are symptoms that most Alzheimer’s patients experience. Instead of trying to stop them from this behavior, dementia units let them continue it in safe surroundings. Most facilities for Alzheimer’s care have their own activity director and many times the direct care staff are also trained to participate in activities with the residents with dementia.

To obtain more information on facilities in your area that offer dementia care units for Alzheimer’s patients, contact your state’s Department on Aging

Is Nursing A Profession

The question "profession or not" has never been satisfactorily answered, not least because the definition of 'profession' is not exactly a fixed item.

However, some aspects of the definition might be considered 'core items'.

1. A profession has a unique body of knowledge and values - and a perspective to go with it.
2. A profession has controlled entry to the group eg registration
3. A profession demonstrates a high degree of autonomous practice.
4. A profession has its own disciplinary system.
5. A profession enjoys the Recognition and Respect of the wider community.

1. Nursing DOES have a unique body of knowledge and values, but all too often adopts the medical perspective over its own; most acadamic nurses these days don't try very hard to inject new nurses with any values other than the medical model (Yes, there are exceptions!). In that sense, nursing can only ever be a 'profession allied to medicine', not a true profession in its own right.

2. Nursing does have controlled entry - most countries have a legally-enforced registration. This is beyond doubt, but of questionnable value, to some degree, it's a cheat - "Nursing is a profession because the law says it is".

3. Nursing has a variable degree of autonomy, but for the most part (Yes, there are exceptions!), has very little real freedom; indeed, nursing management, with it's 'cost saving' mentality, does its utmost to strangle any independent thought or action, for fear of expensive litigation; there are 'protocols' for everything, these days, and woe betide the nurse who dares to use initiative (Yes, there are exceptions!).

Nurse practitioners (etc.) usually take orders from docs and are accountable to them, because their specialties are branches of medicine. But in many areas, nurses are responsible for *nursing* and in that sense are (still) independent of doctors.

It is a shame - but historically beyond doubt, that nurses tend to give away the areas they are most expert in; physiotherapy and occupational therapy both grew out of a nursing role, respiratory therapy is going the same way. Stoma therapy is an area that utilizes many core nursing skills; how long before it breaks off to become a profession in its own right?

Perversely, wound management was, until recently, a medical responsibility, though nurses applied almost 100% of dressings. Now, specialist nurses are teaching others the principles of wound care.

4. In many countries, Nursing does have its own disciplinary system - but in many of them, this is being eroded in favour of making nurses "accountable to the public" - understandable, but reflecting a view that nurses "cannot be trusted" to deal with there own problems - this is a diminution of professional resect and value.

5. Nurses are recognized as 'nice', 'deserving better' and 'sexy' - the jury is out on whether any of those assist in the definition of 'professional'.

External recognition is vital, just as the legal side is 'so what' - few people would ever argue with doctor and lawyers as 'true' professionals; when the 'Church was one, united, catholic church', priests were similarly respected - I'm not so sure that's generally true any more; individual clergymen are respected by individuals, and by their own community; as are individual nurses. But both fall shy of general respect to the level required, sadly. (Though both are streets ahead of journalists, real estate agents and heating engineers!).

To conclude, part of the problem is the poor self respect of nursing; just twenty years ago, the Process of Nursing, care plans and nursing diagnosis looked set to sweep in an era of nursing confidence and a bright, professional future.

Why did it fail? This is not the place to discuss that in detail, but factors include:

• Overconfidence and a needless challenge to medicine - little illustrates the power of language better than the blinding stupidity of the term "nursing diagnosis". Nursing assessment, as a serious, conscious, methodical activity was in its infancy, when 'nursing diagnosis' was invented. this simple act guaranteed a fear reaction and backlash from doctors, themselves under attack from the accountants and litigators. From being our allies, doctors become distanced at best, enemies at worst. All that could have been avoided by a few minutes invested in Roget's thesaurus or a good dictionary
• A too rapid flight to academia - it is hard to argue against developments in Nurse education; God knows, a bit more has to be a 'good thing'; but talk of a graduate profession form a tiny graduate base in less than twenty years meant that many mediocre people were sucked into senior postions; many good people were seduced away from clinical nursing, and many clinical idiots became academic idiots. Sad; and bad because instead of supporting and defending clinical nursing, academia began to control it, and did not defend it.
• Failure to resist the suits - The inexorable rise of the accountant, who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing, probably could not be stopped; but it was allowed to ride roughshod over nursing, destroying confidence and stopping development dead in its tracks

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Does Team Nursing work

Team nursing is the polite term for task allocation. It completely destroys all lines of accountability and responsibility as no individual nurse has both control of and responsibility for the care of any individual patient.

Team nursing consists of dividing the nursing workforce into two groups and then treating one group (staff nurses ) as too important ever to do any manual labour whilst treating the other group (HCSWs) as too gormless ever to do anything else. Then we go around looking puzzled at the fact that we don't get on! It does however make for a good ideology to justify ignoring the patients call bell if you are a staff nurse.

Team nursing reminds me of the joke about the office where four people called Everybody, Nobody, Somebody and Anybody worked - Everybody thought that Somebody would do it ; Anybody could have done it but in the end Nobody did it. Each job and patient needs one nurse who IS responsible for them not four who might be.

Team nursing also means all HCSWs are permanently confined to basic tasks regardless of their level of knowledge and experience which will ensure that the good ones quit and only the timeservers remain. Team nursing does my head in. We need a national database of all wards which practise patient allocation and which practise bloody team nursing so we know which places to go and work and which to avoid like the plague!

Not a quick fix for understaffed wards

Andrew Heenan wrote this in 2004

There really is no quick and easy answer; there are so many variables; you could just as well argue "nothing works".

A better question would be "How does it work", followed by "(How) can I apply it my area.

Team nursing will not, by itself, improve morale or reduce staff turnover; but it can (applied appropriately in suitable environment) improve nursing care, which can then contribute to staff job satisfaction, then morale, then staff turnover.

If, for example, the nursing home is on two levels, then there is a good case for considering having a team for each level; staff would know where they'd be working each day, thus reducing instantly a major anxiety for some people. If one area is seen as 'harder work' then you could arrange to periodically rotate staff, or adjust staff numbers in each area. Such increased stability would lead to better staff understanding of the need for flexibility in the case of sickness, for example, rather than (for them) a random allocation with no continuity for them or the residents.

'Geographical' division is just one perspective; are there any other ways the resident group naturally divides?

There are other issues, such as skill mix and leadership - could it be practical to have two teams, but one leader (it would need to be a good leader!)

That's just one scenario; it all depends on your local situation.

To me, primary nursing is the ideal, as I believe it offers the patient the best continuity and least potential confusion; team nursing - in practice - has almost always been about stretching resources, not really about improving anything.

In recent years, team nursing has increasingly involved RNs leading a team of untrained staff, whose 'care' the RN is accountable for. This means (of course) that the one person with nursing skills cannot actually use them, because of admin and safety responsibilities. The end of Real Nursing as we know it.

But primary nursing (in my view) cannot work in an under resourced unit, as the primary nurse and the relationship stand to 'take the blame' for the failings of the organization.

Personally, I prefer a 'group nursing' system; smallish teams, with primary nursing within the group - each member being associate nurse for the other nurses' patients. This can reduce the number of individuals involved in each patient's care, and can allow for mentorship and teambuilding within the group.

In fact, I don't know of any system that is safe when nursing is under resourced - but while nursing models have had their reputation blackened by a plethora of time wasting jargon-ridden twaddle based on poorly researched undergraduate course work, promoting independence and involving significant others remains a "least worst" option.

When planning a system of nursing, there is never - ever - a 'quick fix'.

© Andrew Heenan RGN, RMN, BSc(Hons). July 2004, revised February 2005

A Career in Nursing Can Be Very Lucrative

Health-care workers including nurses are in especially high demand nowadays. With the advances in medical technology Americans seem to be living longer than ever before. That, coupled with the fact that America's baby boom generation is reaching retirement age, means that more healthcare professionals are needed now than have ever been needed before. The future career prospects for the nursing industry are great.

Demand for and more nurses is a problem found almost everywhere in the United States. Nurses today perform a wide variety of duties including giving emotional support and medical advice to patients, helping patients and their families understand how to manage medical problems, performing diagnostic testing, among others.

Explaining home care techniques and treatments to patients and their families is another responsibility of today's nurse. Some nurses are also required to provide grief counseling to family members who have the critically injured relative. Nurses are also crucial when it comes to health screening, blood drives, health seminars, local immunizations, and other community needs.

Many nurses today choose to specialize in one field. Nurses have many fields of study to choose from. Some of which include mental health nursing, private duty nursing, hospital nurses, clinic nurses, emergency room nurses, surgical nurses, as well as career opportunities in oncology nursing, geriatrics, pediatrics, pulmonary medicine, family and elder care nursing and many other options. To widen their field of expertise many nurses today will study in more than one of these specialized fields.

There seems to be the greatest demand for nurses in countries with aging populations. There are career opportunities for nurses in every country of or world today.

If you are considering a career as a nurse, you will no doubt have no problem in securing employment. With the shortage of nursing staff it's more likely a nurse will have problem scheduling time off. Vacation time and personal time to spend with your family may be hard to come by until such a time where more nurses are in the workforce