Tips on Networking with Other Nurses

 It does not matter if you are still pursuing your nursing study in Canada or practising as a nurse, networking can help you advance your career considerably. From meeting your colleagues at work to connecting with a popular nursing professional on LinkedIn, networking can help you discover who you are and why you are special. 

If you are completing your nursing education, networking can help you connect with fellow students. On the other hand, if you are a professional, networking can empathize with your everyday struggles, celebrate your success, and help you know the latest nursing trends as well. 

Irrespective of how you understand the nursing profession and what it brings with it, networking is extremely important for your career. Below, we have mentioned some tips on networking and how they can help your career. 

1. Building Professional Networks: One of the best ways of networking is by joining professional nursing organizations that offer many benefits for meeting other nurses and building professional relationships. 

Some nursing organizations also offer online forums and social media pages for connecting. You can find education webinars and annual in-person conferences very easily. At such gatherings, it is easy to meet others who have come from far and wide. Nurses must look for both regional and national nursing organizations to find the one that meets their needs completely. 

2. Attending Networking Events: Networking events are organized by colleges, universities, professional nursing organizations, healthcare facilities, etc. Whether you are completing your nursing education or you are looking for nursing, participating in these events can offer many tangible benefits. 

Some events can help you meet with recruiting officers and at other times, you can also meet with a respected faculty member as a guest speaker. During the COVID times, many organizations have shifted online which makes the process convenient. 

3. Social Media Networking: In case going out on events is not your thing then you can network using social media from the comfort of your home. 

While maintaining a presence on each platform necessarily, it is important to understand which social media platform serves your needs. 

4. Relationship Building: For building a strong career network, you must first start meeting people and then knowing them. Trying to go out of your way to strike up conversations no matter where you are will help you build relationships.  

Things like calling others by name, asking questions, and listening to what they are saying can be helpful in attracting people towards you. When people will be interested in you, it will become easy to build relationships. 

5. Using Existing Connections: The professional network does not just include the people you know. It is beyond that because the people you know have connections who have other connections and so on. 

You can reach out to your fellow colleagues in the medical world and ask for introductions to people they think you should know. Networking is a two way street in nursing. It is reasonable to look for one’s own professional interests but it is also important to help someone in need. 

Conclusion: 

Professional networking is one of the best methods to get the job you want. If you have put a lot of work into building your skills and knowledge, you must also take your time in building your network so that you can grow professionally. 

Read more

Simulation: An Intrinsic Element in Nursing Education

Technology plays a momentous role in every profession. It has crossed all the dimensions of healthcare field too. There is an obvious advancement in the technologies used in hospital settings as well as education settings. Starting from the assessment of patients  to the treatment modalities, a wide range of equipment has taken over the role of nurses. For example, Electronic health record has replaced the manual documentation of patient care. The electronic health record was integrated into the clinical workflow to maintain right documentation of patient details and care,  and to ensure safe, quality care to the clients. Similar to the clinical setting, technological innovations are advancing in the field of nursing education as well. The introduction of simulation in nursing has bridged the gap between classroom knowledge and clinical practice.

 

What is simulation and what role does it play in the nursing education? It is the imitation or replication of a situation or an event that one would confront in the real world (Sasser, 2011). Simulation has been used in the health care field for quite some time now. It has undergone an event of changes from the first life size manikin popularly known as Mrs Chase to the high fidelity full body patient simulators. A nurse gains knowledge through academic studies, practical sessions, case studies, conferences and so on. “I hear I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” This Chinese proverb applies to nursing education too. Nursing students learn theory in school and get their practical exposure in the clinical settings. In many cases students are unable to think critically and are anxious while providing care to the patients. Moreover, their confidence level is pretty low that affects their overall performance. Simulation plays a central role in today’s nursing education.

Nursing in Abroad:- Going back to early 1900s, nursing students practiced their skills on injection pads, IM injection on oranges and so on. After few years, the life size manikin Mrs Chase took over the nursing skill area and she became more popular nationally as well as globally. Over the years, the simulation or the simulators underwent appreciable changes and now it plays a crucial role in improving the nurses’ practical skills. There are different components of simulation which includes task trainers, computer based programs, games, partial task trainers, standardized patients, role play, instructor regulated simulators etc. Task trainers are partial manikins that are used to practice definite skills like catheterization, IM injection, suctioning and so on (Kyle & Murray, 2008). Standardized patients are well-trained individuals who mimic a role so that the nursing students can practice their skills of assessment and improve their communication skills. Integrated simulators are again divided into low fidelity, moderate and high fidelity manikins based on their functions. High fidelity manikins are used in the educational set ups to enable students practice and improve advanced nursing skills. These are instructor driven and allow students to practice their nursing , critical thinking, decision making and communication skills in a given patient scenario. Simulation is helpful in many ways. It improves essential nursing skills like critical thinking, decision-making, assessment and permits them to handle challenging situations in a safe and controlled environment. This in turn improves the student confidence in dealing with a similar situation in the near future. In addition, nursing students are allowed to make mistakes in a safe scenario.

In Nursing schools, before the simulation session the students are asked to complete pre-exercise or pre-simulation activities such as reading lessons, listening to a recording or going through a power point presentation as preparation. The instructor divides the students into small groups and gives them a scenario. The students are expected to use their nursing knowledge and other skills to encounter the situation within the given time frame. Later, after the simulation session, reflective  feedback or debriefing is done by the instructor to make the students realize their strengths and weaknesses. Debriefing session helps the student to review their performance and understand their mistakes, which helps them in advancing their existing skills. Similarly, simulation sessions are conducted in hospitals for medical professionals to upgrade their professional practice skills, promote patient safety and to improve teamwork.

In short, nursing simulation scenarios mimic real patient situations in a safe controlled environment. It promotes active learning, team building, communication skills and self-efficacy. Students assume the role of a nurse and take the responsibility of providing comprehensive care as the patient takes a turn for the worse. Learning from mistakes is one of the best ways to improve skills and moreover building confidence. Present nursing education has made many revisions and simulation classes are an integral part in the present curriculum. All the colleges and universities have introduced simulation-based trainings in their nursing curriculum to improve the student performance and to upgrade their nursing practical skills that would ultimately transform them to competent and intelligent nurses in the future.

Top 5 Useful Apps for Nurses

There is an app for everything these days. Mobile technology is providing nurses and nursing students some helpful Smartphone Apps, which can help them in the pursuit of their nursing career. As per the studies, seven out of ten nurses use their Smartphone’s at work. Using the right nursing app can reduce the risk of errors and can help increase your productivity.

Here are some of the most popular Nursing Education Apps:-

• Micromedex Drug Information: This Nursing App has a comprehensive drug database with all generic and trade names, dose recommendations, off-label indications, interactions and more. This application is available as a Free Download on iOS & Google Play.

• ABG Stats: This is a must have App for any Nurse. This app helps interpret ABG’s, Anion Gap, A-a Gradient and Oxygen Content among many other things and provides detailed possible causes and potential correction for the same. This app is beneficial for Nurses working in Critical Care Nursing.

• Epocrates: It is one of the most beneficial Nursing Apps. It is not just an App but a mega medical online tool. Epocrates app is an all-in-one clinical reference app that provides you will searchable drug and disease monographs, and diagnostic tools. App has six main sections: drug information, drug interactions, pill ID, app directory, disease information and diagnostic/lab tests. This application is available as a Free Download on iOS & Google Play.

• Skyscape: It is an app that helps Nurses take right clinical decisions the right way. Skyscape App is loaded with comprehensive drug information, medical calculators, clinical information and more.

• Medscape: This app features news and alerts in 34 specialty areas, evidence-based articles by leading experts, drug review and continuing education programs.

Download these Nursing Education Apps, and make your daily tasks easier.

How to Blog Like a Professional

I am a nurse by profession and was wondering a few weeks ago on how to write a blog. I was confused on what to and what not to write. But I worked through my confusion and apprehension, and have decided to share my conclusions.

Nursing education- Choose Objectives for Your Blog

Select your potential audience. Then, decide upon the content you’d write about based on your areas of interest and how well you know your subject.

What to Write?

Your blog can be on multiple topics. The quality of your writing & how interesting your blog is to others would depend on your writing ability, creativity, and talent. Be clear of how you would make your blog & writing interesting to others, & ensure that you have the necessary knowledge to write upon the subject you choose. Your blog writings could take the following form -

• Essays: These might be stories, sketches, and anecdotes about your daily life. Many personal blogs use this type of content. For example, see this article, Critical Thinking in Nursing – An Indispensable Element
• Reviews: These could be product or service reviews. For example, see this article, Honor International Women’s Day by sharing one simple story from ONE that makes a difference. Easy.
• Expert: Blog posts focusing on a subject matter written by experts in the field. These have an educational focus. Blogs by professional Nursing organizations such as INSCOL academy often take this form.
• Opinion/editorial: A favored form in the political blogosphere. For example, see this article; Let Ontario nurses prescribe basic drugs: Editorial
• Career prospects: Such posts usually have explicit links to nursing careers. For example, the Global Nurse program by INSCOL Academy.
• News/events: Everything from gossip, news, rumors, reports, and analysis to entertainment news. For example, Workshop on Role of Ergonomics in Healthcare

How to design?

• Create your blog title name, tagline, & a logo if applicable.

• GlobalNurse4U is the title name
• Tagline is Global Best Practices for Indian Nurses

• GlobalNurse4U is the title name
• Tagline is Global Best Practices for Indian Nurses

Some additional tips -

• Choose an online design template.
• Headlines must be search engine friendly keywords.
• Use visuals in the blog to attract audience.
• Use tags to make it easier for search engines to index your site.
• Link to other blogs whenever it makes sense for your post.
• Use spell check and proofread.
• Create a comments column for viewers to leave their thoughts & to initiate a discussion.

For example, see the blog post” Importance of Team work in Nursing.”  This, particular, post or article incorporates a catchy image & allows readers to leave comments.

HAPPY BLOGGING NURSES…!!!

Critical Thinking in Nursing – An Indispensable Element

Nursing is a promising and in-demand career for those who love challenges and have a mind to care for the sick & aged. Nurses work and use their skills to promote health, prevent illness, and guide patients in overcoming ailments. The healthcare environment is, constantly, subjected to dynamics which put nurses in demanding situations. In order to provide holistic nursing care and to confront these challenging scenarios, it is mandatory for nurses to develop and improve their nursing skills. When we talk about nursing skills, it is not only communication skills, or powers of observation, or their dedication or sincerity, or their mastery of nursing procedures that nurses ought to possess. Rather, there are other critical skills that ought to be considered. One important skill needed in the nursing profession, in order to administer safe and competent care, is the ability to think critically.

What exactly is Critical Thinking? It is a discipline that focuses on the thinking & reasoning ability of individuals to reach sound conclusions & make competent decisions. It is a discipline that can help nurses think effectively, and reach safe, appropriate, & timely decisions in a clinical setting. It is an active, organized, intellectual process that enables a person to examine their thinking as well as others’ thinking (Funnell & Koutoukidis, 2009).

How does one develop critical thinking skills? Is it inborn or a skill one learnt over time through childhood & nursing school? Critical thinking is an integral part of nursing because it is vital in prioritizing the needs of patients and making clinical decisions for them. To start with, nurses must have a thorough knowledge of nursing content & theories. Next, nurses must develop & hone their ability to understand a clinical situation, and interpret their observations correctly & in a timely manner. Eliminate insignificant, unreliable information, & observations. Explore objective & inferential data using logic in order to reach a rational conclusion. A nurse should rely on valid and pertinent evidence to support her clinical decisions. Next, they must have an inventory of available options when possible, and knowledge of the possible & logical outcomes of each choice. Nurses should develop the quality of active-mindedness that enables them to react to fluid situations & permits them to plan improved nursing interventions.

Let us illustrate with an example. You are a nurse working in a medical unit. Your patient reports feeling hungry but refuses to eat when food is served. What would you do in this situation as a nurse applying critical thinking skills?  In this scenario, the nurse should concentrate on patient needs & must not rely on assumptions. It is easy to believe that the patient is lying by stating that he is not hungry. However, there might be more to the scenario than what meets the eye. Another flaw might be making a presumption that the patient has difficulty swallowing and, consequently, notifying the physician of the need for alternative feeding methods. Some nurses might also force their patient to have food. What, properly, must the nurse do?

Nursing courses in canada​

First, understand the situation clearly. Your patient is hungry but is not eating after food is served. Think as a nurse. Use your nursing knowledge and apply it to the situation. Collect required information regarding the patient’s problem. A thorough assessment is the right, first step the nurse should take in this scenario. Talk to the patient, & ask relevant & probing questions as to why he does not want food despite feeling hungry. Based on the information collected & after relevant analysis, the nurse can plan relevant solutions and intervene. Objective assessment is the, key, first step in such a scenario. In this situation, it is vital to know exactly what’s happening to the patient. Is the root of the problem owing to the patient’s present condition, or the treatment he is undergoing, or his overall physiology, or his psychology?

In practical, clinical settings, critical thinking skills are essential in all units whether it be an operating room, an acute care complex, or a community care center. Nurses need to use their critical thinking & nursing skills in interpreting observations & making informed decisions. Critical thinking skills do improve over time and an expert critical thinker has experience, proficiency, patience, and commitment. A novice nurse might face difficulty in the process of critical thinking but with time, dedication, & perseverance, she would find an improvement along with increased knowledge and better insight. It helps to introspect by monitoring, evaluating, questioning, & managing one’s own thought processes.

For this reason, nursing schools emphasize critical thinking exercises in nursing curriculum’s to hone reasoning and other decision-making skills of their future nurses.

In life, we face many problems. Choosing a solution without thinking critically can lead to adverse outcomes. This same is applicable when one cares for a patient. Patients deserve quality care and it is the responsibility of medical professionals to design, plan, and implement right treatments using exceptional reasoning & intellectual skills to achieve healthy outcomes for their patients.

Importance of Team Work in Nursing

Team work is an integral part of any healthcare division. Isolated work is not possible when it comes to the nursing profession because of the, highly, interdependent nature of work. Continuity of care is only possible when there is an effective team which communicates effectively, shares responsibility, works with greater mutual understanding, and establishes collegial relationships.

In a healthcare setting, each task is done collaboratively setting aside individual benefits to save a life. A plethora of research has proven that teams that are trained and debriefed together have better patient outcomes.

A nursing team is a group of nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills who work together for the best clinical outcome. Nursing education career is an ideal option for those who can set aside individual differences and work together to respect and save a life.

Within the nursing profession, teams are not only, highly, interdependent but also interdisciplinary which include doctors, paramedical staff and administrative help. The best outcome is achieved when there is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities and effective communication among these team members.

A typical nursing team comprises of nurses of various clinical skills, unit managers, student nurses and nurse specialists who are involved in direct or indirect patient care. A team leader is a person who is a responsible decision maker, self motivated, one who encourages closed loop communication, is capable of resolving ethical and professional conflicts, delegates roles and responsibilities diligently, and most importantly adheres to commitments. A successful nursing team is built upon mutual trust, loyalty, effective communication, multitasking ability, and a commitment to quality care. Virtual teams are nursing professionals that work together from distant and different sites such as within tele -nursing.

There are numerous factors owing to which a team might not perform at its optimum. A few of these factors are competency of members, emotional conflicts, personality differences, improperly delegated roles. Each member of the team ought to work cohesively and collaboratively to achieve excellence in patient care. The decision makers should understand the skills, knowledge, capabilities and expertise of each member and assign roles respectively. For example, a palliative care nurse may not perform at her best when assigned to a critical care unit.

Continuing nursing education and reinforcement of ‘team work’ is crucial to keeping a positive morale within the team. Self reflection and open communication is an important tool to gain cohesiveness among team members in order to achieve the best clinical outcome, client safety, and their well being. The primary and central objective of a nursing team is to preserve & prolong patient life that supersedes each team member’s individual goals, differences, and tasks.

Disagreement, distress, burn out, personal differences, and emotional outbursts are part of life but when it comes to patient care, individual considerations are to be kept aside regardless of individual roles and responsibilities. Despite all the physical and emotional constraints of individual team members, patient well being, his recuperation & his healing are the goals of nursing.

The chief characteristics of a successful healthcare team are mutual understanding, trust, and paramount focus on a positive clinical outcome for the client. The benefits of teamwork in nursing include shared responsibilities, reduced workload, focused care, and constructive feedback which would all, ultimately, improve the patient’s well-being & reduce his hospital stay.

Healthy Study Habits to adopt in Nursing School

In this modern era, society demands more efficiency in all the aspects, it may be Commerce, Technical field, Marketing, Management sector or Healthcare system. Colleges are more concerned about healthy study habits as there is more competition and the subjects are more sophisticated.
Studying nursing courses is a challenge, as it covers many subjects which include different types of medical and social aspects. Nursing programs includes variety of subjects from anatomy to psychology.  Nurses need to adopt healthy study habits in nursing schools. New Nursing programs are evolving, as there is a need for specialties for the sake of quality care. Nursing is NO MORE a generic term now, it is getting more specialties every year, such as Palliative care, Geriatric care, Critical care etc.
Nursing as a profession is growing rapidly throughout the world. Many people are recognizing nursing in abroad.  Nursing has a wide scope throughout the world and Indian nurses are availing the opportunities for their higher studies in international nursing universities. Indian nurses are becoming more aware about international nursing, but there is an absolute need to understand that the nursing training in international universities is different. Nurses need to cope up with different education systems, by developing healthy study habits.

According to the Texas Tech University, some of the important healthy study habits include:

• Before studying anything, plan properly.
• Never study randomly.
• Each day’s study schedule should be planned.
• Take away all the things that distract you, for example, Mobile, Music, Television, Magazines etc.
• First try to understand which type of a learner are you and then study accordingly. There are different types of learners such as visual learners, kinetic learners, auditory learners etc.
• Don’t just mug up, instead try to understand the concepts.
• “Repetition” is important. You may pass exams by studying just before exams, but remember you are going to use this information on patients in the future. Repeat and update yourself.
• Take help from teachers whenever necessary.
• Discussion with friends will make you to understand better and you will not forget the details.
• Use mnemonics wherever necessary.
• Simulation is the best way of learning for nurses. Nurses can practice different procedures on mannequins.

To conclude, healthy study habits play a very significant role in relation to improve the learning experience of the nurses and become efficient Nurses. As there is a huge difference between Indian Nursing and International Nursing, we need to focus on healthy study habits which can bridge the gap between the two. At the same time, it should enable Indian Nurses to imbibe confidence and cope up with International Nursing.