http://forums.nurse.com/blog.php?168021-pammer This is a Nursing discussion forum. en Sun, 19 May 2013 20:52:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.nurse.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.nurse.com/blog.php?168021-pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?377-Carolyn-s-Battle-with-Breast-Cancer Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:45:16 GMT When I think of Carolyn, I remember her smile and her courage. Hobbled by breast cancer for years, it could not suppress her spirit. I think... When I think of Carolyn, I remember her smile and her courage. Hobbled by breast cancer for years, it could not suppress her spirit.

I think about her especially during October-- National Breast Cancer Awareness month—when we are reminded once again by the National Breast Cancer Foundation of how important early detection is.

Carolyn was my brother-in-law’s older sister. I had long admired her when I was growing up in our small town in Iowa. In my eyes, Carolyn had it all. She was vivacious, smart as a whip, attractive, and accomplished. The fact that she was three years older than me added to my sense of awe.

Carolyn lived with cancer as if she were disease- and pain-free. She ran her business as the publisher/editor/writer/proofreader/go-fer of a small-town newspaper up until the end. Whether it was organizing a parade, traveling the world, loving her family, or laughing with her friends, nothing—not even cancer—stopped her.

I remember the last time I saw Carolyn. The cancer had metastasized to her bones and the pain was excruciating. Her feet and legs were shriveled and purple, but she still retained that indomitable smile. Her trademark curiosity and intellect still perked within, even as her body betrayed her.

Meeting for the last time, she showed me a newly framed photo. There was Carolyn, decked out in leather pants and motorcycle jacket, perched on a Harley Davidson. Her hair had been spiked and dyed blue by her friends, who had taken this photo, proclaiming it to be “the real Carolyn”.
That photo exemplifies how I remember Carolyn. Despite the “nuisance” of breast cancer, she lived her life with gusto and flair.

As nurses, I think most of us have been touched by the scourge of breast cancer, just as Carolyn’s struggle affected me. But, as nurses, who is better than we are to advocate for early detection? We need to tell the world that breast awareness through education, breast self exam, and mammograms can make a difference in length and quality of life.

The world has lost too many Carolyns for us not to do something to curtail this dreaded disease. Not only in October, but all through the year, let’s be aware that early detection of breast cancer can save lives. If we can save even one person from what Carolyn endured, either directly or indirectly, we will have succeeded.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc is a charitable non-profit organization based in Frisco, Texas. Its campaign every October, National Breast Cancer Awareness month, is their effort to promote its Early Detection Program. NBCF’s mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
As the most trusted of all professionals, people come to nurses with questions about cancer. Do you have the answers?

Check out the continuing education modules below to update yourself on the latest findings in detecting, treating, and managing cancer.

http://ce.nurse.com/60020/Navigating...ancer-Journey/

http://ce.nurse.com/CE479/Genetics-S...sing-Practice/

http://ce.nurse.com/CE85-60/Advanced...sment-Breasts/

http://ce.nurse.com/CE295-60/Psychol...s-with-Cancer/

http://ce.nurse.com/CE342-60/Cancer-...al-Antibodies/

http://ce.nurse.com/60075/Cancer-and-Chemotherapy/ ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?377-Carolyn-s-Battle-with-Breast-Cancer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?366-Bump-or-Shake Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:33:29 GMT Advocates for preventing swine flu transmission are suggesting a hand bump instead of a handshake. Fine. But in my mind, this presents many questions... Advocates for preventing swine flu transmission are suggesting a hand bump instead of a handshake. Fine. But in my mind, this presents many questions and the huge potential for social dilemmas and discomfort.

We all know the hand bump, seen often on the athletic field. It’s bending the arm at the elbow and raising the wrist to knock knuckles with a similarly close-fisted colleague. That works well on the football field as an expression of mutual acknowledgment for a job well-done. I’m not so sure how it will play in the business and social worlds most of us inhabit, though.

OK. Say we don’t shake hands anymore because that will spread germs. That leaves hand bumps or doing nothing at all as our choices.

Let’s take the hand bump route. I cant visualize just meeting someone new and then raising my fist as if I am about to punch them. I wonder if their reaction will be to duck. Just imagine someone coming at you with a smile on their face and a raised closed fist. Does that seem friendly—or scary--to you?

Also, isn’t the hand bump a little too sporty, frivolous, or even light hearted for most situations? Would you greet another person in a serious situation, such as a new patient, with a hand bump? Well, maybe a 10 year old. But what about his grandmother? What about family members coming to see a very sick patient? Would you hand bump your boss? I have my doubts that a hand bump could ever be a sincere and professional greeting.

Let’s look at what happens if we choose not to offer our hand for a handshake. We might seem cold, aloof, or unfriendly if we don’t extend a hand. We could explain we don’t want to spread disease, which may either offend or scare the other person. It might even make them wonder if we are a clone of Howard Hughes, the eccentric and notorious germaphobe.

Meanwhile, if we don’t offer our hand in our effort not to spread H1N1, what happens if the other person has not gotten the message and extends their hand? In their mind, it's not good if we dont follow through and complete the act. Just think how embarrassed, offended, or awkward someone will feel once their handshake has been rejected.

Of course, for infection control purposes, we wont want to touch someone who wants to shake our hand, but does that mean we should pump hand sanitizer into our palms immediately if our hands make contact, either after shaking hands or even post hand bump? If this were an ethics decision, deciding on the side of doing the greater good would be to do just that—sanitizing after fraternizing. After all, we don’t want to either spread of receive a contagious infection, do we? We just need to be aware how this will affect our business and social relationships.

To hand bump or not; to abstain or not—that is the question. And there are no easy answers. Whatever happens, there will be embarrassment, awkwardness, and misunderstandings.

And I wont even begin to talk about the infection potential generated by social hugs and kisses. Handshakes are as far as my mind will let me go. Anything more gives me a headache. ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?366-Bump-or-Shake http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?353-Meet-Me-at-the-Mosque Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:43:18 GMT Last night, I was a guest at the mosque I drive by every day on my way to and from work. Long shrouded in mystery, I was able to see and experience... Last night, I was a guest at the mosque I drive by every day on my way to and from work. Long shrouded in mystery, I was able to see and experience what goes on there and – yes – even become a part of it.

My Muslim friend, an RN, had invited me to the religious observance of Iftar, the communal evening meal that occurs after the sunup-to-sundown fast every day during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Gihan did not arrive right away and I was early. Swathed from the top of my head to wrists to floor with yards of fabric to show modesty and respect while in the mosque, I waited awkwardly for her outside the mosque, futilely trying not to call attention to myself.

It turns out it was a good thing she did not come right away. This gave me the unique opportunity to see the Muslim people in my community go about their routines, as they gathered together for socializing, praying, and breaking their day-long fast.

As I waited, I heard children—just like children everywhere-- screeching in delight as they raced around the playground. I listened to boys dressed in their karate outfits talk about playing cops and robbers, a game that brought back memories from my own past. Mothers and fathers tended to their children and women laughed and chatted with one another. Men greeted each other with high fives and joked among themselves.

At last, the sun went down and it was time to break the fast before going into the mosque for a short prayer service before dining.

Seeing I was alone and a stranger, two older women made a point of approaching me and offering dates from their package, traditionally the first thing to be eaten at sundown. Others expressed a friendly welcome and thanked me for visiting their mosque. Several young women wanted to lend me their cell phones when they learned I was waiting for a friend.

Nods and smiles greeted me everywhere I turned. I felt welcomed and nurtured.

I marveled at the previously-unknown, exotic setting that I drove by twice a day and at the exotic group of people in front of me—different clothes, different languages, and different customs. Yet somehow, I had witnessed tonight’s scene hundreds of times before.

Happily, I found Gihan. More important, I found and recognized once again what I have always known as a nurse: No matter the setting or the group, people are people and our similarities are greater than our differences.

My visit to the mosque also gave me a better sense of my own community by allowing me to know more about the Muslims who share it with me.

I hope others will have the same opportunity to discover what I did and to treasure the experience, as I do. It will make us all better citizens, people, and nurses. ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?353-Meet-Me-at-the-Mosque http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?329-The-swine-in-my-family Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:06:56 GMT I just talked to my daughter on the opposite coast. She called to tell me she had just been diagnosed with H1N1 aka the dreaded Swine flu. Other... I just talked to my daughter on the opposite coast. She called to tell me she had just been diagnosed with H1N1 aka the dreaded Swine flu.

Other than a cough now and then, she didn't sound sick at all on the phone. In fact, she sounded as if she had just won the lottery. I don't think I have ever heard her that excited to be sick. But then, my daughter has always been a trendsetter ...

All at once this malady that has captured the attention of public health officials everywhere is on my personal doorstep. What before had been an interesting but distant threat is now real.

My daughter told me my 8 year old grandson is also coughing. She plans to bring him in today to see if he also has H1N1.

Am I worried? Not really. If anything, I am relieved. If my daughter and my grandson both have H1N1, I feel confident they will survive. Not only will they survive, my hunch is they will benefit from contracting this disease.

My thinking is that being infected with H1N1 will protect them from getting it again, in the same way a vaccination would protect them.

Antibodies against H1N1 are no doubt on the move in their blood streams right now. Their bone marrow will have manufactured them to specifically fight H1N1.

Once they have accomplished their mission and the virus has been purged, these new antibodies will stick around for a long time, keeping a vigilant guard against any other H1N1 invaders that try to bridge their defenses--even the mutants.

With the fear that H1N1 will mutate into a more lethal strain, knowing two of my loved ones have had the infection brings peace of mind. As a matter of fact, I may just take the rest of my family and head to Seattle so we can all catch it, too.

But then, maybe that's going a little bit too far.

What do you think?
__________________________________________________ __________________________________

For a similar scenario, see my blog about parents purposely infecting their children with chicken pox at http://forums.nurse.com/blog.php?b=267 ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?329-The-swine-in-my-family http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?325-Chewing-the-Fat Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:01:18 GMT Can someone who is a leader for policy to improve health and lifestyle in the U.S. be credible when he or she is a few pounds overweight—even obese?... Can someone who is a leader for policy to improve health and lifestyle in the U.S. be credible when he or she is a few pounds overweight—even obese? These are the questions critics are asking about the newly-appointed Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, MD. *

As the Surgeon General of the United States, Benjamin will head the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and become the spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government. As such, her role will include educating the public about health issues and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices.

And therein lies the problem, some say.

Just when the CDC is set to launch its “Weight of the Nation” forum to address strategies to deal with the obesity epidemic that plagues Americans, we see images of an attractive, but full-figured, woman, who some say is sending “the wrong message as the public face of America’s health initiatives”. **

An extraordinary woman, Benjamin has made her mark as a family practice physician by serving her patients in a poor rural town on Alabama’s Gulf coast. She has given of herself by declining payment for her services, making house calls, and paying for patients’ medications from her own pocket. For her work, she has received many honors, including a coveted MacArthur Genius Award.***

If she were to be judged on her work alone, there would not be a question about her dedication, competence, and her qualifications to fill the position of Surgeon General. However, Benjamin is being judged by how much she weighs. As the person who will represent what is healthy for Americans, many are concerned that how she looks might overshadow any health messages she might send the public.

The question is, can Benjamin be credible in her role of advocating for healthy lifestyle choices when she herself is obese? On the other hand, maybe because she is overweight, she can be more effective in her role because she understands the struggles of weight control.

And another question to ask is, would the issue of weight even be brought up if Benjamin were a man?

I’d love to know your opinion…

*http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/...urgeon-general

** http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=8129947&page=1

*** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Fellows_Program ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?325-Chewing-the-Fat http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?293-Montel-wants-nurses-on-his-show Wed, 27 May 2009 16:41:59 GMT Montel Williams loves his nurses. That’s why he came to New Orleans to speak to the chapter presidents of the American Association of Critical-Care... Montel Williams loves his nurses. That’s why he came to New Orleans to speak to the chapter presidents of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses at their annual AACN conference last week.

Montel knows nurses. He has had more than average contact with the likes of us, both in and out of the hospital. He told AACN attendees stories about his ordeals and how nurses were there to ease the way. Emotions were flowing as he spoke to us from the heart.

We loved hearing about how great we were, of course. Who wouldn’t want to hear such praise tumbling from the depths of a Media Super Star?

Lucky me. I was the only one allowed to interview him after he rocked the crowd with tales of his wrenching experiences. That’s right--me and Montel, sitting down together for a nice friendly chat.

Most of Montel’s healthcare history would make any parent cringe.

At the age of 3, he spent many days in a Baltimore ICU because he had fallen on a stick, which penetrated through his mouth almost to the back of his neck.

Less than a year later, he spent another stint with his nurses. This time, it was for an accidental spill that scalded the entire front of his chest and sent him to the burn unit.

Poor Little Montel, to have so many bad things happen to him at such a young age. Poor Montel’s mom and dad! They must have been a wreck.

There were other unfortunate instances, where Montel came to appreciate who nurses are and what we do.

When he was at the U.S. Naval Academy, a just-out-of-school physician thought he had found breast cancer in Montel. It wasn’t cancer, though; it was gynecomastia, a benign and transient condition commonly found in young men. But it was only after Montel had undergone a bilateral mastectomy that the truth was known.

Can you imagine the rage this physically fit and athletic young man in his prime must have felt when he found out? Whoever his nurses were back then, they certainly had their work cut out for them.

Around the same time, he almost exsanguinated from an unremitting nosebleed, which took 17 hours in the emergency room before its source was found and it could be stopped. Lots of nurse contact there.

And then there is Montel’s 10-year battle with MS, which by all appearances, he seems to be winning. Even so, we know multiple sclerosis is not an easy journey, no matter how well controlled. Oh, yes. We can’t forget about his mother’s lobectomy last year…more nurses.

In Montel’s eyes, nurses are unsung heroes who need to get more recognition. Knowing the importance of someone going to bat for you, in true show-biz style, Montel says, “YOU NURSES NEED AN AGENT,” And he is willing to take on that job. “You helped me. I want to help you,” he says.

Montel has a radio program now and wants to give nurses airtime. He is inviting nurses to come talk on his daily Air America talk show. He wants to give us a forum to tell our stories and to make sure we get the acknowledgement and respect he adamantly proclaims we should have.

I hope there are nurses out there who will take him up on his offer. If he wants to be our agent, let’s give him the chance to sing our praises to the millions who listen to him on his radio talk show.

After all, who knows the healing power nurses provide more than someone vulnerable and in need who has been there and experienced it all first hand. Montel has been there and knows, that’s for sure. ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?293-Montel-wants-nurses-on-his-show http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?267-Partying-with-the-Pox Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:37:41 GMT Purposely infect your child with chickenpox? Is that crazy or what? This is not crazy for certain vaccine-averse parents who are immunizing their... Purposely infect your child with chickenpox? Is that crazy or what?

This is not crazy for certain vaccine-averse parents who are immunizing their children against the varicella virus at the latest immunization venue—the chickenpox party.

This is a familiar concept to me. In the days before varicella vaccine, I did that, too.

As with many other things, what was old is new again, and, purposely infecting a child with chickenpox is making a comeback.

In New York, it is required that children have either been infected with the varicella virus or have received the vaccination prior to entering school. Pox Party Parents say they are allowing their children to be exposed, hoping they will come down with a case of chickenpox because one less vaccination will lessen the chance of their child developing autism.

My rationale was not to prevent autism. I don’t even think autism was a known diagnosis back then. I just wanted to make sure four-year-old John Paul caught chickenpox before he was an adult.

I based my decision on witnessing a 40 year old man with chickenpox on life support who was not expected to make it. He had escaped chickenpox as a child but had inadvertently been infected as an adult, a time when the disease is much more severe and dangerous. I did not want my child to ever be in that situation.

My thinking was that my duty as a parent was to make sure John Paul was infected before he was too old and the consequences would be more serious.

So, when the pox hit our neighborhood, I marched my son over to play with a child who was infected with a mild case of chickenpox—not too sick and only a few breakouts.

It worked. In about 12 days, poor little John Paul was covered with more pox than I had ever seen. If there had been a chickenpox Olympics, he would have won the gold medal.

I learned later that every other case of chickenpox is mild. Catching the virus from a child with a mild case would almost certainly ensure the person he infected would have a bad case of chickenpox. Conversely, the boy who caught chickenpox from John Paul lucked out with a mild case.

Unlike when my children were small and it was the thing to do, controversy is brewing over purposely infecting children with a disease that has a vaccination to prevent it. The data show us that autism is not caused by vaccinations, but some do not believe this is so.

I am not sure it hurts to immunize a child via the old fashioned way of exposing them and letting them come down with this particular virus. One thing we know is children are immunized either way, whether they are infected or vaccinated.

What are your thoughts? ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?267-Partying-with-the-Pox http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?265-Advancing-Directives Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:53:59 GMT When I was a student nurse, one of my first patients was an 18 year old youth who had been paralyzed from the waist down only a month before. The... When I was a student nurse, one of my first patients was an 18 year old youth who had been paralyzed from the waist down only a month before. The other teens did not survive that New Year’s Eve car crash 30 years ago. My patient was “the lucky one.”

From that experience and others that showed me how quickly our lives can change, I understood perfectly the rational for including a discussion about advance directives during a routine history and physical exam, even with those who were only 18 years old.

Working as an NP in the Family Practice Clinic at the University of Washington, Seattle, I discussed advance directives with all patients aged 18 and older. This was the policy of that clinic, which was staffed by me and the medical school faculty from the U of WA (aka U Dub).

The very first item on the history form was advance directives. I would discuss them with a patient and give a handout. If they were ready to make a decision, I would document it and have them sign. If not, advance directives would be discussed the next time the patient was seen in the clinic.

By the time patients were age 25, they would be familiar with the concept of advance directives, as well as the specifics. Additionally, most would have made their end of life wishes known by then.

Discussing advance directives became a routine part of clinical practice, just like listening to heart sounds or discussing allergies to medication. This was good practice and it made a whole lot of sense.

Some might think discussing such morbid topics with a healthy, vibrant 18 year old is not necessary--even inappropriate. But as nurses, we can recognize the value.

We can all recount instances where lives – even young lives -- were cut short or altered dramatically in an instant. And we all know the confusion and angst that swirls around a patient who needs an advance directive but does not have one.

Think about this today, April 16. It’s National Health Care Decisions Day, a perfect time for all adults, no matter their age, to be specific about the advance directives that will tell others how they'd want to spend their final days. These advance directives include medical power-of-attorney papers, living wills, and do-not-resuscitate orders.*

Who better than us to inform patients about the importance of advance directives and counsel and teach them about planning for what may lie ahead.

And while you are at it, take a look at your own situation. Have you made the plans that will guide those you love in the event something happens to you?

*For more about advance directives, go to
http://www.nurse.com/ce/CE535/Advanc...realized-Goal/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/a...irectives.html
http://www.caringinfo.org/index.cfm?page=256 ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?265-Advancing-Directives http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?261-Nurses-Aid-a-Great-Beginning Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:38:10 GMT I'm always impressed when I learn an RN began his or her career as a nurses aid. This indicates to me that person was infected with a bad case of the nursing bug early on and just kept going.

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Mary Wakefield, RN, PhD, appointed by President Obama to be the administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).* HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and on the same par as the CDC and NIH.**

It's a proud moment for nurses when one of our own is running the show at the very highest levels of the federal government.

But it doesn't stop there. Wakefield is not only an RN, she is an RN, who like many other RNs, began her journey as a nurses aid.

When I asked Wakefield what led her to choose nursing, she told me about working as a nurses aid during high school in her hometown in North Dakota--population: 7500 hardy souls. She worked in a nursing home for the evening shift, which ended at 11:30 p.m. At 11:45 p.m., she was clocking in at the local hospital to work the nightshift in the newborn nursery.

She says that while working shifts at both ends of the life span continuum, the nursing bug bit her. After high school, she entered nursing school, continuing the steep trajectory which has brought her to her present high position in the U.S. government.

Wakefield is not the first one I've known who started out as a nurses aid. I know nurses at all levels of education and responsibility who began their careers this way. There must be many more I've met who were nurses aids, but I am just not aware.

So the next time you come in contact with a nurses aid, think of all the RNs who started right where this person is now. You never know if you might be looking at a future RN. And if this nurses aid has not yet been bitten by the nursing bug, maybe you can spread the infection. Remember, nursing has been shown to be contagious!
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________

Were you a nurses aid before you became an RN? Or do you know someone who was? Write and tell us about it.

__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ *Dont miss our special Nurses Week interview with Mary Wakefield in the May 4, 2009, issue of Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek and online at nurse.com.

**For more about Mary Wakefield, RN, PhD, see http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/biography/wakefield.htm ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?261-Nurses-Aid-a-Great-Beginning http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?256-Spread-the-word-to-end-The-R-Word Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:33:33 GMT A dear friend of mine has a granddaughter who has Down syndrome. Just like any proud grandparent, Jane shows photos of an engaging and happy 4... A dear friend of mine has a granddaughter who has Down syndrome.

Just like any proud grandparent, Jane shows photos of an engaging and happy 4 year old decked out in a pink tutu and kissing her doting grandmother. Jane tells stories of Emma's antics and how she delights those who meet her.

It is obvious that Emma is dearly loved and a blessing, cherished by her family and friends. Ask anyone who knows someone with Down syndrome and they will tell you about the love and joy that surrounds them.

Imagine the hurt Emma's family feels when someone thoughtlessly uses the word "retard" to describe someone in a negative way. In an attempt to do something about this, Jane's son and daughter-in-law have joined a campaign to erase the derogatory r-word from our vocabulary.

Here is a letter Jane's son, Dave, sent to bring awareness to this problem:

""Today is a special day. Tuesday 3/31/2009 is a day of awareness, started by the Special Olympics, to end the word “Retard” in everyday language.

People with intellectual disabilities are here to do one thing: teach us all about unconditional love. That is what they are equipped to do. They deserve better and they definitely deserve respect.

Please take the pledge to remove the word from your vocabulary, or to take the time to point out to someone you hear use the word that is it hurtful.

Please help spread the word to END the word.

Check it out at http://www.r-word.org/ ""

Emma's family has raised my awareness and reminded me of how harmful words can be. I have taken the pledge, and I hope you will, too. ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?256-Spread-the-word-to-end-The-R-Word http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?252-Nurses-talk-to-Obama Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:24:47 GMT It was exciting to hear President Obama addressing nursing concerns at his town hall discussion of domestic programs and health care reform at the... It was exciting to hear President Obama addressing nursing concerns at his town hall discussion of domestic programs and health care reform at the White House on Thursday, March 26. Nurses had been invited to participate and give a "nurse's perspective" on what is needed in health care reform. Obama, who agreed, that nurses should be included in health reform negotiations because they have a unique perspective on patient needs. He also told how he liked nurses and was biased towards them. He told stories of how nurses had been there when his daughters were born and when Sasha, his "precious pea", had meningitis as a 3 month old.

Maryland RN Linda Bock talked with Obama about how nurses advocated for patients and needed to be included in decisions affecting patient care. Her interaction can be seen in this short YouTube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWpmO...layer_embedded

Yesterday's event was the first "Open for Questions" online town hall in presidential history, a live webcast. You can see the entire event at www.whitehouse.gov.

These are some things I'd like to know:

If you had the chance, what would you like to tell the president about what is needed for health care reform?

What would you tell him about how nurses can play a role in improving the nation's health and its health care system? ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?252-Nurses-talk-to-Obama http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?244-I-ll-take-a-CSF-with-that-mammogram-please Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:21:01 GMT I just read that the ubiquitous "THEY" have discovered biomarkers that can detect Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms surface. These proteins, found in cerebral spinal fluid, predict Alzheimer's with 87 percent accuracy, long before dementia becomes apparent.

This may open up a whole new chapter in preventive testing. I am all ready to go out and get my CSF checked just to make sure I am clean. And I bet I wont be the only one.

Along with my mammogram, Pap, and colonoscopy, there may be yet another no-fun disease I can head off at the pass. And if I can, I am going to go for it.

"THEY" are saying the ramifications of this test just may prove to be spectacular.

For instance, perhaps mild forms of Alzheimer's can be kept stable and the ravages of late-stage disease can be kept at bay. Rather than mushrooming into full blown manifestations of the disease, AD may be able to be caught and treated in its earliest stages.

Also, by measuring the protein biomarkers in the CSF, disease progression can be monitored. The success of any treatments could be quantified and measured, just as bacterial counts or white blood cells are measured to learn the effects of antibiotics used to treat infection.

Being able to diagnose Alzheimer's in its earliest stages will also be important when it comes to ruling out AD.

Those senior moments can be proven to be just that, which will certainly bring peace to the sound minds of those who worry they may be slipping. They may be slipping, alright, but these folks will be happy to know that at least it's not because of The Dreaded AD.

Yes. Count me in for the spinal tap. If I am going to get Alzheimer's--knock on wood--I want to know about it and be able to do something about it as soon as possible.

If there is no halting the disease, I can at least get my affairs in order--that is, if I can find them... ; ) ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?244-I-ll-take-a-CSF-with-that-mammogram-please http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?237-Downtimes-may-be-good-for-us Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:13:40 GMT In an effort to see the glass as half full, I find myself thinking our financial crisis may actually bring some good. This may be a chance to... In an effort to see the glass as half full, I find myself thinking our financial crisis may actually bring some good. This may be a chance to reevaluate what is really important to us and learn all over again what are the elements that bring satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives.

Before our financial system came crashing down, we had become a consumer-centered society. We filled up our lives and spaces with the things we bought and our dreams consisted of acquiring yet another item. "If only I had a new (TV, car, gadget--fill in the blanks)," we would say, fooling ourselves into thinking happiness can be bought.

We had come to consider shopping as a recreational activity or sport rather than a chore to buy something we actually needed. How many people do you know, who, when you asked them what they would be doing on their day off, answered by saying, "Going shopping."

No doubt, consuming continues to be a central part of our American culture. With limited funds and uncertain times, however, everyone I know is cutting back and going without. I know I am. And that's not all bad.

The times have caused me to contemplate what really matters and it's not my possessions.
What matters is friends, family, health, small moments, and little pleasures. These are the things that bring me joy and enrich my life.

Our economy has allowed me to rediscover those little things that bring happiness. For instance, I have dusted off my good old StirCrazy and now serve freshly-popped popcorn to friends and family who drop by. It's much less expensive and more nutritious than chips or cheese. It's absolutely delicious and so much better than microwaved popcorn.

What's more, I think my popcorn is a people magnet! More people are dropping by these days. Maybe it's the economy that is bringing us together--but then again, maybe it's the popcorn.

Without a doubt, life is different now that financial uncertainty is here. But like so many others I know, I am finding the situation is not ALL bad. I am certain we can learn from this down time and, even though times are tough, I'm confident we will emerge stronger, better, and wiser than we were before.

QUESTION: How has the recent economy changed your way of living? Are there any examples of what you are doing that you think others might like to know about and copy? ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?237-Downtimes-may-be-good-for-us http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?214-More-than-Money Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:14:29 GMT What motivates and sustains us is different for each person. For me, it’s achieving. My greatest satisfaction comes from successfully completing a... What motivates and sustains us is different for each person. For me, it’s achieving. My greatest satisfaction comes from successfully completing a project or reaching a goal. Once one challenge is met, I am off to take on the next.

Even though a paycheck pays the rent and is the primary reason most people are employed, there are many other things that bring satisfaction from working. Even in these uncertain times, it’s not just about the money.

Knowing what motivates an individual or group is important information and can help us to better understand ourselves and others. Once we learn what is required to spark fulfillment and commitment at work, we can go on to seek out or set up situations and events that will meet those needs.

Below is a comprehensive list comprised by LIMRA International, a research association. This list includes almost everything you can think of to motivate others to achieve their best. Try prioritizing this list to see which of these needs is most important to you or to those you know or work with.

INDEPENDENCE: The ability to be autonomous in making decisions and structuring your work responsibilities.
RECOGNITION: The tangible rewards for doing a good job, such as receiving an award or being acknowledged by others.
ACHIEVEMENT: The challenge or feeling you get from successfully overcoming obstacles and obtaining goals.
LEISURE TIME: The amount of time you have away from work and work responsibilities.
POWER: The sense of control you have over yourself plus your feelings to direct or influence the behavior of others.
PRESTIGE: The respect accorded you by your peers and your professional or community associates.
MONEY: Your salary and benefits.
PRESSURE: The expectations for demonstrating a certain standard of performance and professional growth.
SELF ESTEEM: Your feeling of self-worth. How you feel you measure up to others.
FAMILY LIFE: The flexibility work allows to engage in family-related activities, such as parent-teacher conferences.
SECURITY: The feeling of being able to maintain your position or job, or that tomorrow will be at least as good as today.
PERSONAL GROWTH: The ability to grow professionally or personally.

Loving what you do is a blessing. Knowing the driving forces that motivate and sustain us can help us all find the job or position that will best meet our need for fulfillment and satisfaction. Those who are interested, engaged, and enthused about what they do, are rewarded every single day they go to work.

WHAT'S MISSING? Is there something that motivates you that is not on this list? ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?214-More-than-Money http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?202-Certified-nurses-have-their-day Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:13:14 GMT The American Nurses Credentialing Center has set aside March 19 as Certified Nurses Day so nurses certified in their specialties can be honored... The American Nurses Credentialing Center has set aside March 19 as
Certified Nurses Day so nurses certified in their specialties can be
honored for their accomplishments. see www.CertifiedNursesDay.org

Why March 19? That day happens to be the birthday of Margretta “Gretta” Madden Styles, known as the mother of nurse credentialing.

I recently learned about Certified Nurses Day from Joanne Gucciardo, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Director of Professional Practice at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Va. This hospital makes sure its certified nurses know they are special by recognizing them for their achievement. Gucciardo says whenever a nurse becomes certified, he or she receives congratulations from the hospital’s administrative team, whose members go right up to the unit to present the nurse with a lab coat embroidered with “Board Certifed RN” on the pocket. On March 19, the facility will give each of their certified RNs a gift and will honor them with a Certified Nurses Day celebration that will include a program with a speaker, followed by a reception.

Yesterday, I visited Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. The nurses there will also be celebrating Certified Nurses Day. I wonder how many hospitals will be observing this day.

Are you celebrating Certified Nurses Day at your facility? If so, what are the plans?

Why would nurses want to become certified? There are many reasons, according to the National Organization for Competency Assurance.

NOCA says certification affirms a knowledge and experience base for practitioners in a particular field, their employers, and the public. It also represents a declaration of an individual’s professional competence.

NOCA identifies the benefits of certification as –
• Higher wages for employees in the form of bonuses, education assistance, or higher salary.
• A more productive and highly trained workforce for employers.
• Prestige for the individual and a competitive advantage over non-certified individuals in the same field.
• Enhanced employment opportunities.
• Assisting employers in making more informed hiring decisions.
• Assisting consumers in making informed decisions about qualified providers.
• Protection of the general public from incompetent and unfit practitioners.
• Establishment of a professional standard for individuals in a particular field.

If you are certified, do you experience these benefits?

If you are not certified, are you planning to become certified?

What do you think are the barriers to becoming certified?

I'd love to know what you think. ]]> pammer http://forums.nurse.com/entry.php?202-Certified-nurses-have-their-day