New York recently enacted mandatory BSN legislation requiring all RNs to obtain their BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the act into law which took effect December 19, 2017. The American Nurses Association (ANA) House of Delegates has long championed the idea that all nurses obtain a BSN or higher degree by 2020. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Future of Nursing Report has called for 80% of RNs to obtain BSN education by 2020. New Jersey has pending legislation and several other states have legislation in varying stages of the process to enact laws for RNs ..read more

Why are you exploring the nursing profession? The most frequent answer to that question is “to help people,” which I’m quite sure also tells much of the story about why you became a paramedic. There’s always more to it than that, but the basic reason revolves around helping people.  Other reasons for exploring nursing probably involve making more money, working in a safer environment, having more knowledge and responsibilities as well as more opportunities for advancement and leadership. All of those are quite true. They also come with greater sacrifices and expectations. It’s very import ..read more

Halloween is over and the holidays are rapidly approaching. In addition to the normal wear and tear of the stress the holidays inflict, for nurses you can double the effects. Sick people don’t take holidays and can be even more demanding and challenging this time of the year. As first responders, you know the drill. If you’re lucky to have seniority and a well-staffed company, you might be able to pull rank and get some extra time off. However, for the majority this will not be the case. Overtime is plentiful and often mandatory for the holidays. Illness Doesn’t Take a Holiday For nurses, ther ..read more

We have been inundated with events full of sadness and tragedy in a few short weeks. Just as we feel there’s a lull and maybe we can catch our breath, something else happens. From the 2017 hurricanes to earthquakes to the devastating mass shooting in Las Vegas, there has been no time to regroup much less time to grieve. First responders spring into action and just keep going. Nurses and doctors take over the continuum and carry on, while the first responders jump back into action. Precious life hangs in the balance. Some are saved; and some sadly die. Everyone has a story and six degrees of se ..read more

The nursing profession continues to grow and will continue to experience a shortage well into the next decade. Yes, it’s true there are new nurse grads who cannot find jobs. However, there are many factors that can be the reason this. Not the least of which is competition and how well those applicants measure up on paper and in interviews and employer testing. Other issues include nurses wanting to work and live in large popular cities where there is an abundance of nurses vs. working in small communities and even rural areas where the demand exists. In addition to the geographic issues, if ho ..read more

Nursing opens a whole world of opportunity in the healthcare profession. From bedside care to advanced practice techniques in trauma care, cardiac and other technical care emergencies, chemotherapy or hemodialysis, to fields such as forensic science and informatics.  New fields and options for nurses open rapidly as medicine advances. According to The Campaign for Nursing from Johnson& Johnson, there are currently 104 nursing specialties. There seems to be something for everyone! Many of these opportunities are open to entry level nurses as well as seasoned nurses. Some however, requi ..read more

For the 15th straight year, Nurses were voted to have the highest (84%) honesty and ethical standards as a profession; making them the most trusted profession. The results were published by the Gallup Poll in December 2016. This sets the bar quite high, but nurses have always risen to the occasion, and no doubt will continue to do so far into the future. One way to ensure this is for nurses to be involved in the community and to advocate for choices made for nurses and patients. Understanding the process, as well as the needs of the community and professionals, keeps nurses as that most truste ..read more

Documentation and verbal communication is an essential part of any heath care professional’s daily routine. Any and all discussion and care provided to a patient, caregiver or family member has to be recorded accurately and without prejudice or judgement. Just the facts. Sounds simple, but it can become very complex and time consuming rapidly. If it’s not done at the time, a lot can be lost or omitted. A recent article about a small study done with paramedics using body cameras to verify and improve their documentation actually did support the use of these cameras. They were expected to docume ..read more

In 1974, President Gerald Ford declared EMS Week to celebrate the relatively new EMS profession and the health and safety contributions to the American people. This year the 46th annual EMS Week is May 21-27, 2017. Prior to that, in 1974 before Richard Nixon resigned his presidency, National Nurses Day and Week were established in the U.S. Although there is always some controversy and grumbling about such a contrite event, it is important to honor those who do for us what so many cannot. The healthcare profession as a whole is something that is NOT for everyone. Dealing with matters that can l ..read more

When employers are looking for the best possible candidates to join their team there are eight basic skills that come into play. Most employees will have at least 5-6 of these skills. In professions such as nursing, Paramedics and EMTs, teachers, and therapists such as PTs, OTs and Recreational Therapists, these professionals usually possess all 8 of these skills. The 8 skills are: Problem Solving Team Player Taking Initiative Physical Stamina Manual Dexterity Leadership and ability to persuade others Desire to help instruct or teach others Networking skills/making public contacts The fact t ..read more