Health

Facing the challenges brought by the pandemic can be extremely daunting, especially if you are a parent. You need to make sure that your children and the rest of your household remain safe and healthy. Besides this, you also need to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This way, you can have the right mindset and the strength to help your family stay safe from coronavirus threats. You need to follow strict health protocols imposed by the government and healthcare workers to minimize the risk of catching the virus. Also, you need to perform certain activities to help ease your family’s anxiety and fears brought by the situation.

Keeping Your Family Safe and Healthy at Home

Following health and safety protocols will definitely help you and your family prevent the spread of the virus. However, following such strict rules may affect everyone’s lifestyle because of the sudden changes imposed by the authorities. Of course, you have to follow these rules and regulations for everyone’s safety. However, you need to make sure that you can deal with the additional challenges your family may encounter when following these rules. For instance, staying at home all the time may prevent your loved ones from catching the virus. However, staying cooped up indoors may take a toll on anyone’s mental and emotional health. With this in mind, you have to help your loved ones feel happy, relaxed, and comfortable while dealing with the pandemic. To help you with this process, you can follow these practical tips to keep your family safe and healthy at home:

• Remind your family to practice proper hygiene-Teach your loved ones, especially your kids, to observe and practice proper hygiene at all times. Encourage them to wash their hands often, even when they are just staying indoors. Teach your kids to take a bath and wear clean and comfortable clothes. Remember that staying clean and healthy will prevent people from catching viruses, even when it’s just common cough and colds.
• Ensure you have enough essential supplies at home-Whenever you go out to do some grocery shopping, ensure you prepare a list of items you need to get. This way, you don’t have to go back to the store and take another risk of catching the virus. If you run out of other products, such as your favorite teeth whitening gel kit or skincare product, you can consider ordering from your trusted online shops for refills or restocks.
• Stay physically active through exercise-Avoid boredom by staying physically fit and active. Encourage your family to perform some workout routine for a few minutes each day. Watch a fitness video online and let everyone participate in getting physically active. Exercise helps improve your family’s immune system. It also allows your loved ones to do something that will distract them from thinking about the pandemic.
• Find activities you can enjoy outdoors-Places that you can visit can be limited, but you can still find outdoor activities you can enjoy with your family. If you have a spacious yard or lawn, you can set up a tent and enjoy camping at home. You can also enjoy a simple barbecue party in your garden area. The idea is to find activities that will help your loved ones breathe fresh air and enjoy a simple change of environment aside from the four walls of your home.
• Encourage your loved ones to watch what they eat-Don’t forget to encourage family members to stick with a healthy diet. Avoid your loved ones, especially your kids, to continue eating unhealthy food such as junk food or too many sweets. Remind them of the importance of eating a balanced diet. This way, they will feel more encouraged to follow healthy eating habits.

Helping your family deal with the coronavirus pandemic can be extremely challenging. You will need a lot of courage, discipline, and motivation to encourage everyone to stay healthy and happy at home. To ease everyone’s anxiety, ensure that you encourage maintaining open communication within the household. This means you have to listen and talk about your feelings, especially regarding the coronavirus situation. Everyone should voice out their fears, disappointments, and other negative thoughts. This way, the rest of the family members can provide guidance and support to prevent mental and emotional breakdowns. With this in mind, you also need to take care of your health and well-being. Make sure that you also take some time to attend to your own needs. Don’t hesitate to tell your family if you want some me-time so you can recharge and regain your positive mood and energy.

You’ve been contemplating scheduling an eye exam with a specialist but aren’t fully decided whether or not to proceed. After all, the situation isn’t as dire, and so waiting longer won’t do any harm, right? Well, the truth of the matter is that eye conditions and diseases can go from bad to worse in a short period, and the consequences of delaying could turn out irreversible.

It’s recommended that you have regular eye exams, at least once per year, so that you have an expert check and ascertain that your eyes are in a good state of health. In this article, we share the five reasons why scheduling an annual eye exam with an optometrist in Broadway is essential.

1. Good eyesight in children is a pre-requisite for good performance

We all want our children to excel in everything they do, especially in their academics and area of gifting. Good vision is an essential aspect of them achieving this goal. As a concerned and responsible parent or guardian, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your child is in a perfect state of health to produce that kind of exceptional performance.

The modern-day kid is exposed to more screen time than might be recommended for them. It’s good you think about getting them looked at by an eye specialist. Many parents are surprised that poor eyesight is the leading cause of their kids’ dismal performance in class. You can rule this out by scheduling an annual eye check-up for your kids.

2. Myopia turning into an epidemic

There’s a staggering increase in the number of people developing myopia or nearsightedness. It’s a trend that’s even more worrying among kids as many develop the condition while still early.

Myopia is becoming a primary concern because it could progressively destroy your eyesight if nothing is done to intercept its effects. If you don’t address the condition in good time, it could lead to other severe conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal detachment.

The best approach to managing and treating is early detection, which is only possible if you go for regular eye exams.

3. Vision screenings are not enough

Many people get too comfortable when they know that they passed a vision screening test. This assumption isn’t a good enough indicator that you’re off the hook of severe eye conditions and diseases.

Vision screenings aren’t in-depth and so will not reveal underlying conditions.

For instance, recognizing road maps and other objects don’t give you a clean bill of health. It’s only a comprehensive eye exam that will show the health of your eyes. That means you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist so that you’re cleared of any serious eye problems such as eye cancer.

4. Glaucoma

Many confirmed glaucoma cases are since the patients discovered they had the condition when it was late for preventive measures. The sneaky part of this condition is that there are no signs and symptoms associated with it whatsoever. You won’t have anything to alert you that something is about to go awry wrong.

It’s the reason why eye experts recommend annual eye examinations so that through their professionalism, they can spot it and prevent permanent loss of vision or even total blindness. High eye pressure is the leading risk factor that experts use to blow glaucoma out of its cover, giving you an upper hand at rooting it out even before it manifests. Don’t rely on vision screening because there’s little it can do by itself.

5. Detection of other serious health problems

Eye exams aren’t only good for your eyes. Many people first out that they had other critical health conditions during comprehensive eye exams. Severe diseases like high cholesterol, cancer, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension are conditions that can be detected through eye checkups. The diseases are seen when there’s a change in the appearance of retinal blood vessels.

The importance of annual eye exams can never be overemphasized. Given that they do more good than just assuring you the health of your eyes, there’s every reason not to skip them. People who have diabetes also risk developing a diabetic eye disease, so they need to be proactive with the yearly tests. The good thing with being upbeat is that you give yourself a good fighting chance should it be found that you’ve got a potentially serious eye problem.

Don’t postpone scheduling an eye exam

Everyone needs to have a comprehensive eye exam, at least one eye exam every year. Don’t put them off even if you’ve got the best vision. As pointed out earlier, some of the conditions are creepy, and by the time you realize, they’ll have caught up with you. If you live

Even if you think you have perfect vision, an annual eye exam can be one of the best things you can do to protect you and your loved ones’ overall health and wellness. If you’re looking for an optometrist, start your search today so that you take control of your eye health.

 

With the growing cosmetic surgery industry, many people, including doctors, are taking an interest in this field. One of the most well-known cosmetic surgeries is dermal fillers. It is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a skilled practitioner.

To become a skilled practitioner, you must undergo dermal fillers training offered by an accredited institution. Before that, there are a few things you must know about these programs. This article discusses some key points to remember.

The Syllabus

The first thing you have to understand is that the syllabus, which covers what you’ll be studying in the program, varies from course to course. While they all deliver thorough knowledge on dermal fillers, they also include other topics. Some of them are important, while others may not be so much.

For example, along with dermal fillers, you’re also taught about Botox and chemical peelers. Depending on your career choice post-completion, these will be more or less valuable to you.

Other topics that are covered and are core to dermal fillers are:

• Anatomy of face
• Facial nerve blocks
• Injection techniques for different sections of the face
• Filler complications and treatment

When signing up for a dermal fillers training program, you should inspect the syllabus. Ideally, the more thorough the course, the better it is for you.

The Training Period Varies

Just like the syllabus varies, the training duration differs as well. Some programs will last one day while others can go for a week. It depends on how the training program is structured and how many hours are devoted per day.

If it’s a one-day program, then expect to be engaged for the entire day. Week-long courses might only require an hour or two each day. There are fast-track courses as well. These complete the curriculum in the least amount of time.

So choose a training program in which you can devote adequate time.

There’s an Eligibility Requirement for Admission

Not everyone can take up the dermal filler training course. It is only open to specific individuals with an adequate level of education and experience. Therefore, you need to check your eligibility first.

Generally, you need to be in any of the following professional fields:

• Doctor (MD, DO)
• Nurse (NP, RN)
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Dentist (DDS, DMD, BDS)

You need to have at least two years of working experience in the above fields. For specific Bootcamp programs, you already must have experience in dermal filling. The eligibility requirements are non-negotiable.

You’ll get Hands-on Practical Exposure

Dermal filling is a highly specialized activity. It involves injecting fillers into the facial skin surface. The fillers can be substances like calcium hydroxylapatite, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, polylactic acid, etc.

They fill up the areas under the lips and around the mouth that get thinned due to aging.

When performing the dermal fillers procedure, it’s important to administer the amount. Otherwise, it can lead to certain side effects.

During the training program, you get hands-on practical exposure to administering and injecting dermal fillers. The sessions take place at a medical spa and under the guidance of a medical director.

The practical sessions are crucial for nurses and PAs, more than doctors who regularly perform surgeries. These sessions will improve your self-confidence.

Exclusive Members Pay Lower Fees

Most institutes offering dermal filler programs also offer membership. These members get exclusive benefits which include lower fees on certain programs. So when you become a member, you can expect to pay lower fees on the dermal fillers training program. But only take up membership if you’re convinced that you want to make your career in the cosmetic industry. Otherwise, you’ll be paying the membership fees for nothing.

When considering a dermal fillers training program, you should conduct thorough research at your end. Check if the program is duly accredited and what people are saying about it. Join when you’re convinced it’s the right program for you. With the right certification, you can open up doors of opportunities in the field of cosmetic surgery.

 

Does CBD oil really help with stress? Many people are sceptical about this claim. Some even doubt whether the substance is even real, much less a “cure” for what ails them. People also wonder how they can affordably invest in something like this. The truth is that it isn’t as hard to find CBD oil as you may think. In fact, it’s easier than you may have imagined.

What is CBD?

Short for Cannabidiol, CBD is a synthetic derivative of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. THC has been studied widely as an intoxicant that can bring on serious side effects, including psychosis and schizophrenia, when used over a long period of time. For this reason, any doctor would recommend avoiding it if possible. However, the lack of adverse side effects makes CBD a popular substance to promote medical health.

How does CBD work?

One way CBD works is by influencing the brain chemistry to reduce the production of two brain chemicals, GABA and glutamate. Both play important roles in regulating the nervous system and maintaining normal brain function. As these chemicals are reduced, both anxiety and moodiness are reduced. There is also evidence that suggests CBD reduces the risk of both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, which can only be good news for someone with these diseases. If you are worried about your mind or your mental state, then you may wish to investigate the benefits of this versatile cannabis compound.

Did you know that CBD is the miracle drug that has many people lining up for its purchase? This is because it contains a lot of medical benefits that make it ideal for use in treating different problems. Some of these include stress relief, anti-anxiety, and even pain management! That’s right if you suffer from chronic pain, anxiety, or depression, then CBD can help you.

It acts as an anti-inflammatory

How can it help you? Let’s take a look at how it does so. First of all, it acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can reduce some pain and help you relax more easily. When it comes to reducing anxiety and stress, it can do so without dangerous side effects. Many people aren’t aware that anxiety and stress can be quite dangerous for your mental and physical health.

If you suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or other problems, then you’ve probably heard about CBD. It’s a wonder drug because it seems to help people with all sorts of ailments. You may wonder, though, how it works and whether it could really help you. It seems so strange that it must work, right? The answer is that it just might.

It can help you achieve and maintain a healthier mental state

Many people have found great success in using it to treat their stress. They’ve reported being able to dramatically reduce their level of stress and eliminate symptoms such as depression and anxiety. In addition, many people find that they have more energy, which leads to them being able to accomplish more without getting tired quickly. Some people have also reported less fatigue after taking it. The benefits of CBD can certainly help you achieve and maintain a healthier mental state. After all, your emotional well being is extremely important.

If CBD is as good at relieving stress and anxiety as it is at boosting your energy, then you’re going to want to make sure that you’re purchasing a product that includes this ingredient. It’s important that you check the bottle to make sure that it contains only herbal extracts; otherwise, you’re not going to get the full benefits. Remember, these supplements are meant to supplement your lifestyle, not replace it. If you are looking for a way to combat anxiety and stress, then it’s best to stick to the purest form of this herb, which is CBD oil.

Other benefits of CBD oil

Not only is it extremely powerful in helping people cope with stress, but it has many other uses. In fact, it can be helpful in so many things. People with epilepsy, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few, have found great success in using it to treat these conditions. As you may have already discovered, it helps to improve mood and general well being. If you’ve always wondered what is CBD oil good for, then you should start looking into its many other uses.

Of course, the question of “does CBD oil help with anxiety?” remains to be answered. However, if you give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised! CBD oil is a safe and effective way to relieve many common symptoms associated with various types of chronic anxiety disorders. Whether it’s helping to stop anxiety attacks before they happen or simply helping to keep you calm, it can be an effective treatment for a wide variety of people.

The pandemic transformed many aspects of American life. It caused untold human and economic hardship, moved learning online, and change how millions of people work and communicate. Navigating these monumental changes is a considerable challenge for a family, especially one facing job losses and mounting tensions at home. For residents of Corpus Christi that needed help during this time, they often turned to the support of BCFS Health and Human Services. This is a global nonprofit organization offering an array of services to help people academically, emotionally, and financially.

The organization’s local office is led by Director Robin Soto. She and her team oversee the various family management, planning, and educational services offered through the office. They work creatively to handle problems with a personalized touch, instead of a “one size fits all” approach that would not adequately meet peoples’ needs. The office’s core functions are to provide Corpus Christ residents with career planning guidance, access to mental health services, and other services designed to improve daily lives. During the pandemic Director Soto’s team had to “virtualize” the delivery of various services and content to meet social distancing requirements.

The organization’s efforts resulted in multiple success stories from people that needed a little help. It worked with a young woman named Lena*. She is a hardworking mom of one child who was expecting another. She unfortunately lost her job at the local school district during the pandemic and needed help finding a high-quality new job. She turned to BCFS Health and Human Services for job search guidance and accepted the organization’s offer of a month’s rent payment to help her with the employment transition period. The office also connected her with a local partner that provided various baby items including a new crib.

The organization also helped a different mother during the pandemic. This mom of four needed guidance for managing her kids’ behavioral issues. She took some offered parenting classes that are designed to give parents strategies to understand children’s motivations and needs. She used these courses to successfully decrease the tension in her house and help her kids manage their issues better.

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Clinical experience is a requirement to become a nurse. The experience will help you to put the knowledge you acquire to use. It will also teach you life lessons that will help you steer your nursing career in the direction you prefer.

If you’re a nurse looking for ways to enhance your clinical experience, pay attention to the following tips.

1. Be nice to everyone:

The clinical days can be pretty hectic. You may find yourself lost in thoughts or may feel depressed to treat people. Greeting your fellow healthcare workers first thing in the morning or remembering their names may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a great first impression. We all know the first impression is the last. So why not make a great one?

Being nice to everyone will not only help you to get comfortable and make your experience memorable. It will also help you to get a job. During a clinical, you surround yourself with potential employers. So you want to make sure that they remember you the next time you meet. You also want to ensure that you are pleasant to your patients as they are your topmost priority.

1. Expand your knowledge base

Education does not stop after obtaining your license. A clinical experience is a prerequisite for a master’s degree. A postgraduate degree can help you expand your knowledge and progress in your career further. If you are a registered nurse, and your goal is to secure a top-tier management job, you can enroll yourself in an online MHA program. It will equip you with administration skills better suited for managerial and leadership roles. Positions of power can significantly enhance your clinical learning as you become more aware of how healthcare systems function from a holistic perspective.

The clinical experience is also beneficial for the students of Bachelor of Science in nursing. It helps them to decide on their specializations. For example, you may realize you want to be a family nurse practitioner. Suppose you are a graduate of science in nursing, and you want to pursue your master’s virtually. In that case, a BSN to masters in nursing online can help you specialize while simultaneously working on gaining clinical experience. It will provide you with diverse skill sets. Research also shows that a postgraduate degree reduces the risk of medication errors.

1. Be prepared

It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the area where you will be working. We recommend that you know your assigned unit and the common diseases of that unit. It will help you to prepare for anything and will not throw you off when questioned. When you start preparing for the next day, it will become an excellent habit.

Another tip for being prepared is to show up with a bag with all the medical essentials such as gadgets and whatnot. It will not only save time but also present you as a professional. You can also keep a calculator in your bag. Although it may sound unlikely, you may never know when you need to do a quick calculation of how much dosage a patient needs.

1. Be punctual

Although an obvious tip, but an important one. If you are not punctual, your nurse manager may feel that you have a laid-back attitude. It may also give the impression that you are not serious about your clinical rotation.

There are a lot of tips and tricks that will help you to be punctual. One of our supervisors told us to prep the night before. You can also consider traveling before peak time. You may have to wake up a little early, but you will be able to commute without stress.

1. Asking Questions Is Never A Bad Idea:

A lot of people avoid asking questions. They may feel that their question is obvious, and they feel ashamed. However, that is not the case. One should never feel embarrassed to ask questions, no matter how obvious it may sound. It helps you to understand and learn efficiently. Your clinical instructor will be more than happy to answer your questions and play their part in making you a professional nurse in the future.

If you feel anxious about asking questions, you can say positive affirmations about yourself. It will help you to feel confident. Before asking the question, try telling yourself that you matter and your question matter. We are our biggest critiques, and affirmations can help us to gain confidence in our abilities.

1. Understand yourself

Everybody has weaknesses and strengths. It is necessary to understand yourself. It helps you to identify the areas where you may need to improve yourself. You may need more practice with a task, for example, administering an IV drip. It is also a good practice to set a goal for a week. In this way, you can learn the most during your time. We recommend you keep a record of all the skills and protocols that you learn in a week.

1. Be eager and enthusiastic:

It is always fun to work with someone who has a passion for their work. It can make the experience for you and others around you pleasant. When you are enthusiastic, your aura can influence people positively. For example, you can motivate patients and bring them back to health quickly.

1. Complete your day with a smile

It is always a good idea to complete your day with a smile. We recommend that before leaving the clinic, report your instructor about your day. You may also say goodbye to the patients and pat yourself on the back for completing your day no matter how hard it was.

Conclusion

Clinical experiences will help you prepare for your future. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself and prove that you are cut out to become a nurse. You will be surprised at how much you will learn about yourself and your profession. You must show up prepared and ready to tackle every problem that you face. We hope that with our tips, you will be able to gain the most from your rotation.

 

Your skin performs various functions for your body. Its primary role is to protect your body from the different harmful elements it faces every day. These include safeguarding it from viruses, bacteria, pollution and other substances that surround you wherever you go. Many factors affect the condition of your skin, such as ageing, hormones, genetics, and health conditions.

While you may not have control over some of these internal factors, you can still manage to deal with the external factors that impact your skin. Neglecting to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun to living an unhealthy lifestyle are just some of the things that harm your skin. These are the things you can handle on your end to take care of your skin and keep it healthy. You can also ensure your skin’s health by only using trustworthy skincare products such as Nutraceuticals Phloretin CF.

Below are some useful tips for your skin health.

Have a healthy diet

The food you eat does not only impact your overall well-being but affects your skin. You may have various skincare products that help protect and improve the appearance of your skin. However, these are not enough to sustain your skin’s health. It is essential to eat the right food that contains the nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy. Lycopene from cooked tomatoes, leafy greens, soy, and fruits are just some of the foods that are good for your skin. Olive oil, walnuts, and fish are others that keep your skin fresh and healthy. You should also avoid food that can cause your skin to break out like those rich in sugar and junk food.

Keep your skin clean and moisturised

As you go about your daily routine, your skin is exposed to dangerous elements that you may not see but are present around you. The makeup you wear daily can also damage your skin if you neglect to clean your face at the end of the day. Cleansing your skin gently with a mild face cleanser is essential to rid your skin of dirt and other pollutants that damage your skin. After a thorough cleansing, use a moisturiser to keep your skin from drying. Moisturising day and night is a habit you should develop to keep your skin moist and supple.

Ensure that you get adequate sleep

Everyone knows that sleep is vital to stay healthy. Lack of sleep affects your performance, making you lose focus, and keeping your energy level at its lowest. Your mental state is affected and you are irritable throughout the day. Without getting enough sleep, your skin suffers too. It can break out and you start getting dark circles and puffiness around your eyes. Lack of sleep results in wrinkles as well. Always keep in mind that sleep is essential to keep your body and skin healthy.

As we grow older in years, many things happen to our skin. The dryness that results in wrinkles is one of the noticeable signs of ageing. However, you can do your part in maintaining your skin’s health by making the effort to take care of it with healthy habits.

Vasectomies are a highly common procedure which thousands of men have completed each and every day. This has been generally proven to be the greatest form of contraception that there is and it is for this reason why so many will look to go in for this procedure. In the modern era vasectomies are incredible simply to carry out and in the modern world we can even perform such a procedure without even using a scalpel.

If you are considering this kind of procedure then it is of course best to educate yourself on it first, and here are some things which you may not be aware of regarding the procedure of a vasectomy.

Reversal Issues

It is true that should your family situation change in the future, that you can have a reversal of the vasectomy which will once again enable you to have children should you so wish. What you may not be aware of however is just how tough that procedure can be, and many think that it is as easy as the original procedure. Unlike the 30 minutes which it will take to make someone no longer fertile, the reversal procedure will take place under general anesthetic and it can take up to 6 hours. Owing to the added time this will be a much more expensive treatment and one which requires a great deal more recovery time.

Not Instant

Many think that the moment they leave the surgery that they are infertile, this however is not the case. Ultimately even if you have not been sexually active in the weeks or days ahead of your procedure, there will still be sperm which has found its way to the semen, and that will have to be ‘cleared through’ before you are considered infertile. Generally speaking men are considered as being sterile after 15 ejaculations or 6 weeks following the procedure. In either case your doctor will ask to see you and for you to provide them with a sample so that they can give you the green light.

Recovery

A lot of men ask about the recovery time for this procedure and the great news is that within a couple of days you will be back on your feet and back to normal. At worst men will feel some level of discomfort around their groin and genitals, as the body gets used to what has taken place. Some may feel a touch of swelling but in the main the recovery time is about avoiding further issues and allowing the area which has been cut to recover well. This recommended time off your feet is designed for preventative reasons rather than anything else.

This is a low cost and very easy procedure which is carried out every day. It is a decision which should always be discussed with your partner first, and once you have fully committed you can go to see your physician and put the plans in place to have your procedure booked in. To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

Nurses are an integral component of the healthcare sector. Without their support, doctors and other healthcare workers find themselves unable to perform their duties efficiently. Nurses are the superheroes of real-life who do not fly in the air, neither do they possess supernatural powers. Yet, they play an active part in enhancing humanity. The outbreak of COVID-19 has put nurses at the forefront. They did not show any hesitancy in putting in extra hours and worked tirelessly to serve the community.

Nursing has become a vast field, and today several subfields come under its umbrella. Due to technological advancements, the world’s functioning has transformed on a massive scale, and nursing is no exception. Modern-day nursing practices are primarily dependent on technical devices and new research findings. Still, the primary motive behind the whole nursing field is the same, which is to provide patients with the best possible care and help them recover quickly.

Nurse Practitioners, NP are a crucial aspect of the nursing field. They possess an advanced degree in nursing and have multiple responsibilities. NPS career is dynamic, and they work in a variety of settings. An NP can further pursue a specialization in a preferred area and serve as a specific nurse practitioner, such as family, pediatric, or mental health nurse practitioner. Success does not come easily to people as it requires them to work hard with consistency and determination. Regardless of what field you are serving in, you need to possess some extraordinary abilities and command on your specific subject to become a pioneer in that field. NP’s need to demonstrate their absolute best and work hard to excel in their field. The following are some skills which nurse practitioners need to possess to become successful in their career:

• Willingness to Improve

NPs who have an open mind and look for opportunities to improve their functioning achieve success. They understand that nothing is perfect in this world, and there is always room for improvement. Moreover, discoveries and new technical tools keep on emerging, which bring ease to nurse practitioners’ lives and can enhance their practices. Instead of sticking to the same old techniques, Nurse practitioners who demonstrate a willingness to learn and adopt new ways of providing care to patients flourish in their profession. NP’s get several opportunities as numerous prestigious institutes offer advanced certification programs which help them gain the latest knowledge. They can register themselves in CCNE accredited online MSN programs as e-education offers flexibility. Nurse practitioners can set their schedules as per their preferences. Getting an advanced certification gives them an enriching experience and adds weightage to the resume.

• Leadership Skills

NPS often find themselves in leading positions, and they have to influence junior nurses to work for the shared goal. They need to have leadership skills to persuade their team members and make them work with enthusiasm. Nurse practitioners should have confidence in themselves and should speak persuasively to inspire others. They may have to make crucial decisions on behalf of their team and should possess quick decision-making skills. A strong presence of mind helps them look at their options and predict the impact of their decisions and decide for their team’s betterment. NP’s should have a keen eye and insight into team members’ abilities to delegate tasks as per the competence of their group members.

• Observational Skills

Keen observance helps people noticing minute things and pinpointing the areas that may lead to any problem. Nurse practitioners should understand nothing in their profession is insignificant, and they need to pay attention to detail. To succeed in their careers, NPs need to develop observational skills not to miss anything. They should have a healthy mind that helps them scrutinize situation in one glance and enable them to spot everything. Being keen observers as nurse practitioners helps them detect gaps instantly, and they can work to fill them up.

• Logical Reasoning

They should understand that no two patients are ever the same. Every patient needs to have a separate assessment and dealing. A successful NP goes through every patient’s condition thoroughly and decides the treatment mode after analyzing the case from every angle. Nurse practitioners need to possess critical thinking skills and look for the answers to all questions before taking action. Nurse practitioners should realize that their reasoning may have worked 99 out of 100 times. They should be ready for the time when their strategy fails to bring expected results.

• Adaptability

Irrespective of what profession you are serving, adaptability and flexibility can help you grow as a professional. Adaptability is especially significant for NPs. It allows them to adjust to any environment and give their absolute best to their jobs. Nurse practitioners deal with people from all walks of life, and they need to alter their techniques as per the patients. Furthermore, their work schedules change very often. Their ability to adapt to the changes helps them excel as a Nurse Practitioner.

• Patience

They handle different kinds of patients, and some can be tough nut to crack. They may give NPs a hard time and test their patience. NPs need to exercise patience and deal with them firmly. Kindness is the virtue of nursing, and nurse practitioners exercise patience while dealing with difficult patients. Their quality of demonstrating tolerance takes them to a higher level of their career.

• Effective Communication

Nurse practitioners communicate with various people in their daily lives and narrate all kinds of messages from one place to another. They need to have excellent communication skills, to relate the complete message. Nurse practitioners often have to give unpleasant news to patients or their families. They should have the ability to choose words and tone wisely. On the other hand, they connect doctors, patients, and other healthcare workers. Their communication skills assist them in relating patients’ conditions in their entirety. Practical communication skills help them thrive in their profession.

Conclusion

Nursing is a physically demanding and mentally draining career, yet it is rewarding at the same time. Nurse practitioners show compassion and empathy and leave a positive impact on patients. Nurses feel a sense of satisfaction that they make a positive difference in people’s lives and play their part in helping them get back on their feet. They assist in providing patients better care, diagnostics, and treatments of illnesses and disease prevention. They work hard and put in earnest efforts to cater to patients’ needs. Nurse Practitioners’ job is not easy, and they need to possess a vital skill set to thrive in their career.

 

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The healthcare industry is growing exponentially with time. Technological advancements have affected every sector in the first world, and the medical discipline is no exception. Nursing has established a respected position for themselves among modern-day professions. Deservingly, the WHO has declared 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.”

But these careers do have certain misconceptions attached that have no factual foundations. So, let’s bust some of these myths about nursing.

Eight myths about nursing that are false

1. This career doesn’t have a future

According to one prevalent myth, nurses don’t enjoy a diversity of career choices. Nothing can be far from the truth than a denial of hundreds of alternative opportunities nurses have today. As a nurse, you can always pursue a certificate to switch to a different specialty within the medical discipline. RNs have the opportunity to seek other careers and even work in non-clinical environments. Not all nurses deal with patients. You can choose employment with minimal contact with patients. Nothing restricts a nurse from finding leadership positions in the nursing industry. You can also become an educator or gain expertise in health informatics to contribute to this field’s advancement.

1. It doesn’t pay much

Are nurses underpaid? That’s debatable. Can you not make much money as a nurse? Well, the answer’s negative. An RN initially makes more than $70,000 every year, and experienced ones can earn over $100,000! A nurse’s annual income also depends on her/his location. A New York nurse may receive $80-90 thousand, but a San Francisco one gets paid more than $130,000 every year. Then we have specific careers within this discipline where nurses get paid more than traditional RNs. Which is the highest-paying job in nursing? Nurse anesthetists made $170,000+ two years ago. You need to pass the NBCRNA exam to become one, though.

1. You can’t excel without returning to school

Do nurses have to leave their jobs to rejoin college if they wish for career advancement? Untrue! Though nobody can prevent you from quitting your job to continue formal education. But this digital era allows nurses to seek academic excellence without endangering their current employments. Modern-day nurses can pursue online MSN to DNP programs to access the forefront of the medical industry. Right now, BSN is the minimum educational requirement for registered nurses. But acquiring a higher degree opens up different career pathways for healthcare professionals. So, RNs can now empower their careers without sacrificing their sources of income.

1. Nurses have to work excessively

Another cinema-driven misconception makes people imagine nurses work crazy hours and can’t rest for a moment. Undoubtedly, the nursing profession requires your cooperation with patients and physicians. But these responsibilities don’t compel the nursing staff to work excessively. Nurses who work 8-10 hours daily have a 40 hours per week schedule. But nurses can choose to work 12 hours every day, and then their schedule requires 36 hours per week. It means you get most of the week off since you’re working 2 hours more. This schedule can become more flexible if nurses choose the right career. So, you can spend more time with your family while working “crazy” hours!

1. Nursing’s a woman’s career

We currently live in a gendered world where some qualities are associated with masculinity and others with feminity. Nursing has also become an unfortunate victim of this division. Male nurses have often been the butt of the joke that they’re involved in a womanly profession. Yes, the nursing profession is predominantly female. But it isn’t a woman-exclusive career. BLS reports that around 87.4% of RNs identify as women. And the number of male nurses is increasing as we speak. These male RNs are as competent and effective as their female counterparts. So, if you’re a man who wishes to pursue a nursing career, don’t let negative perceptions demotivate you.

1. Nursing is a menial job

Yet, a different assumption makes nursing look like an effortless profession. This myth states that “nursing is just grunt work,” and these professionals don’t perform anything worthwhile. Contrary to this misconception, nurses don’t just give vaccines or administer drugs. Factually speaking, lesser-educated individuals handle these functions. RNs mostly deal with all kinds of responsibilities, including mundane and nerve-wracking. They console dying patients, break the news to the relatives, and console the bereaved ones. This challenging career also involves situations in which a person’s life depends on the nurse’s alertness. A nursing career demands skilled people.

1. Nurses are assistants for doctors

People watching House or Grey’s Anatomy often perceive nurses as doctors’ gophers who’re supposed to do their bidding. Nurses do assist physicians, but they aren’t doctors’ assistants. They have responsibilities independent of a doctor’s. Also, a doctor isn’t necessarily a nurse’s boss in hospitals. In usual cases, a nurse is answerable to a nurse manager or another nurse who has a higher leadership position. Nurses are hired to cater to patients, and they don’t have the on-duty physician as the person-in-charge. Highly-qualified and licensed nurse practitioners also diagnose patients and treat their maladies. Furthermore, they do advocate for patients and the education of the diseased.

1. Nurses exclusively work in hospitals

Do nurses work in hospitals and clinics? Generally speaking, that’s true. But many nurses also work in non-clinical settings as well. BLS recorded that 3.1 million nurses served the country back in 2019. Around 60% of them did find employment in state, local, or private hospitals. But 20% of nurses worked with ambulatory healthcare services. Then we had 7% of them serving residential care facilities. And not every single nurse is dedicated to working directly with patients. We’ve already talked about different career possibilities for nurses. They can find work engaged in customer service or managing/supervising a facility’s nursing staff as well.

Conclusion

Many professions have different stigmas attributed to them that prove baseless after a careful examination. No, nursing isn’t a female-only profession. Traditional nurses don’t have to work more than 40 hours every week. Yes, this career does have a future, and it also pays you handsomely. However, certain beliefs about this profession are factual. For instance, the United States will face a shortage of nurses in this decade. Many nurses are standing on the verge of retirement, so the national healthcare system will require more youngsters to join the workforce. Moreover, the pandemic has brought a reawakened interest in this noble career where decreasing human suffering your main objective.