A Summer Hello
As August winds down, we have a couple of interesting reads for you to take out by the pool at that plush resort you are vacationing at....OK, OK, so you're stuck at your computer, maybe at work, maybe at home. I STILL think you'll enjoy what we have to offer this month. An interesting take on the new "face" of nursing and another marvelous slice of adv ice from that old pro career counselor, Marty Nemko. Enjoy!-Conrad

Sponsored by Lloyd Healthcare

Never Look Back

And If School Is On Your Mind

New Blog on Travel Nursing

This Issues Feature Article – Sponsored by Lloyd Healthcare

The Changing Face of Nursing
By Vicki Salemi

Forget the stereotypical nurses dressed in all white, catering to doctors' every request. Today's nurses are leaders, technology gurus, and patient care managers, thanks to LPN to BSN (Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs that prepare them for professional success.

Karen Daley, RN, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU, Danbury, CT), can attest to this. "My graduates are assertive, innovative, and have the ability to make science-based independent care decisions."

In fact, by teaching medical surgical nursing, nursing practicums, as well as leadership and management over the past few years, Daley has noticed a significant change in curriculum. "We moved away from teaching a medical model [memorizing diseases and treatments]. Now, we emphasize conceptual nursing so students can problem-solve and think critically in any situation," she says. "We encourage independent thinking, assertive communication, and professionalism."

Debra Lajoie, MSN, assistant professor of nursing at WCSU, concurs that today's nurses assume an increasingly professional role, and by doing so, become the "glue that holds the health care system together." She emphasizes that in addition to having strong assessment skills and a strong theoretical base, nurses need to be experts in technology-, informatics-, and evidence-based practice. "Nurses look at the patient holistically and manage interdisciplinary care. We truly see the whole picture."

It's no surprise then that these intellectual nurses comprise ........................

Article continues...

My father is a Holocaust survivor who lost his entire family to the Nazis. After the war, he was dumped onto a cargo boat and dropped in the Bronx, with no English, no money, no education, and knowing no one. His first job was sewing shirts in a Harlem factory. On the weekend, he sold shirts he had sewn on the streets of Harlem, out of a cardboard box. He did that until he had saved up enough for the first and last month’s rent on the tiniest, smelliest store in New York City: 105 Moore St., Brooklyn. On one side was a live chicken market, spewing the aroma of stale blood. On the other side was a Puerto Rican deli. So the blood smell merged with that of chiccarones (deep-fried pork intestines).

When I was about twelve, I asked my father, “Dad, how come you never complain?” His response was the most important lesson anyone has ever taught me. He said, “Martin, the Nazis took five years from my life. I won’t give them one minute more. Martin, never look back; always move forward.”

That lesson was so valuable because every time.........................

Article continues...

As Summer gives way to September and the kids are returning to school, we often take inventory and start thinking about putting a little polish on our resumes.

Nursetown has an active education section the site where you can obtain free information on all variety of higher education.

* Are you an LPN interested in becoming an RN?

* Are you an RN who would like to finish up and get a BSN?

* Want to get a Masters so you can teach or simply learn more?

We have information on all of the above. Some of the degrees can be earned online.

Here are two links to get further information:

The College Network

Another List of Nursing Education Information Sources

Article continues...

A few months ago I began a blog on travel nursing. It is going to answer your questions, give specific information on travel locales and contain my musings on the state of travel nursing in general. Hopefully you will find it both fun and informative. Write and let me know what you think, (or post a comment on the blog itself). You can get to it by going to Ask Conrad!

Enjoy!

Article continues...

Have a comment, a problem with nursing, or a story to share? Send a letter to the editor.