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6 Confessions: What I wish I knew Before Becoming a Nurse
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Since elementary school, I have wanted to be a nurse. I grew up with a mother who works as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurses) for an internal medicine office. I also grew up with an aunt who serves as an RN in various capacities, from obstetrics to emergency nursing, to telephonic nursing. I heard so many stories that made me want to join the medical field. I knew I wanted to help people. As a veteran nurse of almost 15 years (where has the time gone?), I can truthfully say that I do not regret my decision to become…
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Identifying Human Trafficking in Healthcare for Nurses
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin An estimated 24.9 million people are victims of human trafficking (Human Trafficking Statistics & Facts, 2022). Of these 24.9 million people: 16 million people are trafficked for forced labor for private individuals, groups, and companies. 8 million people are trafficked for forced sexual exploitation. Of these 4.8 million people, 3.8 million are adults and 1 million are children who are forced into commercial sexual exploitation. 1 million people are trafficked for state-enforced labor. (Human Trafficking Statistics & Facts, 2022). Human Trafficking: Defined Human trafficking can be defined as “the practice of exploiting adults and children for use as commodities, or…
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Laws and Ethics in Nursing: The Importance of Maintaining Your Professional Education
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Graduates of nursing school take the Nightingale pledge during the pinning ceremony; this pledge indicates a commitment to ethical action throughout the entirety of one’s nursing practice. Regardless of when nurses take the Nightingale Pledge, they promise to act in accordance with its principles. The importance of this pledge warrants a reminder of what it entails. Code of Ethics in Nursing The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements often referred to as ‘The Code’ forms “…the social contract that nurses have with the U.S. public. It exemplifies our profession’s promise to provide and advocate for safe, quality care for…
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4 Simple Alternative Methods to Pain Relief
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Chronic pain of any kind can be debilitating. Though we are often afraid to disclose this information, 20.4% of adults live with chronic pain. 7.4% of adults suffer from chronic pain that frequently limits their activities (Zelaya et al., 2020). A variety of nonpharmacologic treatment options can help provide pain relief. Examples include massage, acupuncture, yoga, reiki, and meditation. When used in conjunction with conventional medicine, these therapies are complementary medicine (Brennan, 2021). Acupuncture The World Health Organization recognizes over 30 conditions that can acupuncture may help. One of these indications is pain relief (Brennan, 2021). …
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3 Ways to Identify Domestic Violence in the Clinical Setting
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Did you know that every minute, approximately 20 people become a victim of domestic violence at the hand of an intimate partner in the United States? One in four women and one in seven men have been the victim of severe physical violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.)? Domestic Violence – A Short History Domestic violence has existed since the dawn of humankind. Elaine J. Alpert M.D., M.P.H. (2002) states, “Although pandemic in scope, domestic violence until recently remained secret and undefined, in part because historically there was no common language to name the problem, describe its scope, garner…
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An Essential Look into the Prescribing of Opioids
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Pain – by the Numbers The National Health Interview Survey 2019 indicated that approximately 20.4% of U.S. adults suffered from chronic pain. Age groups, gender, race, and location differentiate the statistics: White adults (23.6%) were more likely to suffer from pain than non-Hispanic black (19.3%), black (13%), and non-Hispanic Asian (6.8%) adults. Women (21.7%) were more likely to suffer from chronic pain than men (19%). Adults over age 65 (30.8%) had the highest likelihood of chronic pain compared to other age groups. Adults living in a rural area (28.1%) were more likely to suffer from chronic pain when compared…
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Medical Marijuana: Novel Advice to Practicing Nurses
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin With the legalization of medical marijuana, cannabis use has grown. The cannabis industry makes billions annually, and projections suggest that number will continue to increase. In fact, by the year 2025, the medical marijuana industry expects to earn $100.03 billion (Gilbert, n.d.). With the industry gaining traction, many healthcare workers wonder about the legality of their consumption of medical marijuana. The Laws Surrounding Medical Marijuana Since its 1996 legalization in California, medical marijuana has been legalized in 33 states, and four million Americans now use medical marijuana. Although more than half of the…
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Travel Nursing: A Detailed Look at Why Nurses are Making the Transition in 2021
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Travel nursing has always been a lucrative branch of nursing. Sounds like a dream, right? Exotic locations, paid living expenses, and higher pay top the list of reasons why some choose travel nursing. Some nurses, however, prefer to stay home rather than travel because of the strong ties to family, friends, and home. However, the traveling nursing profession has seen a significant rise in 2021 (Press, T.A., 2021). According to Miranda L. with NBC News (Miranda, L. 2021), Cross Country Healthcare, a medical staffing agency, reported a 50 percent increase in travel nurse orders during the second quarter of 2021. So what drives nurses from their hometowns and communities? …
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Continuing Education: The Controversial Switch to Online Learning
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin A variety of professions and industries require continuing education. Through continuing education, individuals can not only learn new skills and improve their marketability, but they also can expand upon their current knowledge with additive knowledge in the field (Cohen, 2015). In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected every industry on some level. The pandemic’s impact on individuals gathering in crowds forced the area of continuing education to evolve into a predominantly online industry. While distance education has been around since the 1800s, these recent shifts in our society have applied pressure on each industry to rethink current…
