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Part-Time vs Per Diem Nurses: What should I hire?

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

Part-Time vs Per Diem Nurses: What should I hire?

The rise of COVID-19 has complicated matters for every business under the sun, but healthcare facilities have arguably been affected the most. Even in normal times, it was very difficult to gauge whether or not hiring “per diem” travel nurses or employees would be the most effective way to tackle increased cases and workload. The rise of the pandemic and the subsequent spike in hospitalizations has forced facilities to face this quandary head on. Hospitals are now scrambling to find the best staffing solutions for their current workforce dilemma. Per diem nurses are an effective healthcare solution that has gained prominence in recent memory. Studies have shown that the per diem nurse staffing industry will be worth 11.1 billion USD in 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% between 2021 to 2028. That being said, any stable operation still needs permanent or part-time employees. Some companies end up having job openings that have been vacant since the beginning of the year. Look no further than the Ascension non profit organization based on Michigan. This company had 170 vacancies since March, with no end in sight in this regard.

Things are not as simple as staffing nothing but full-time or part-time contracts, however. On the other hand, hospitals must contend with their financial restrictions. Operation expenses continue to rise (especially labor related) while profits plummet. Since 2019, revenue has fallen as far as 4.8 while costs for discharges rose to 13.5. Companies have to account for their unique circumstances to find the perfect middle ground between profitability and effectiveness. In the end, what works best for you may not work perfectly for others and that is perfectly normal. How, then, can you select the best possible option for your situation? To answer this, you must consider these critical factors

Account for staffing budget when choosing part time vs per diem

Healthcare is a balancing act between managing cost and upholding a standard of quality. Cutting too many corners will inevitably harm care quality. At the same time, however, sparing no expenses whatsoever is an extremely unsustainable business model for any hospital looking to stay afloat. You need to work within the restraints of your budget limitations, while attempting to achieve the best quality possible with what you have. Consider the following financial-related concerns, moving forward: Can your fixed costs cover a certain amount of salaried healthcare professionals? Does this account for competitive salaries, benefits and training costs? If you cannot cover this, spend on per-diem healthcare professionals instead. You can bring them in when you need them, for as long as you need them.

Look into your facility’s current needs

A hospital or facility’s needs are fluid and ever changing, just like any other market. Hospitals often hire salaried employees to account for a steady demand, over a period of time. In the wake of the pandemic, it has become nearly impossible to predict a volatile healthcare market. Dramatic case spikes can completely throw a wrench in your plans. You may need all hands on deck one week, and much less nurses the very next one. Your staffing needs will change dramatically from week to week. With regards to the part time vs per diem conversation, the latter provides you the flexibility to hire qualified professionals as-needed and account for these sudden changes, as opposed to regular employees. As mentioned above, part-time work does have the benefit of consistency.

Evaluate the size of per-diem pool

Most facilities rely heavily on their regular salaried employees, as well as an internal pool of per-diem, part-time and full time employees. If your facility does not have a pool, it is highly recommended that you consider it as it is an extremely potent way to save on money. Some findings suggest that using this float pool will save you up to 5% on labor costs, if used wisely. Investing in this pool is a potent way to tackle labor issues. If your pool is lacking and you need help filling shortages, partner with Vitawerks to access a deep network of highly-qualified, thoroughly-vetted healthcare professionals.

Consider whether or not you have an immediate need

When a facility is looking for more manpower, chances are they need immediate staffing help. The ultimate knock on part time vs per diem is that very few rookie nurses are immediate contributors, when they enter a team. To realize their full potential, they need to be put through a thorough training program and need a couple weeks or months to adjust to the difficulty of their tasks, the systems in place and the everyday workflow. Recruiting and training employees takes too much time, in this regard. If you need to bolster your staffing in the long term, posting job openings and recruiting employees from your preferred channels is still a valid option. If you have to fill a vacancy as soon as possible, or you need to account for rapidly-changing demand, use internal and external resources to find per diem nurses as soon as possible. They will be prepared to take on jobs immediately and will integrate with the flow of work in no time at all.

State of the labor market

Nursing in both America and the world at large is experiencing a massive case of brain drain that the pandemic has only accelerated exponentially. Thanks to the increased stress and workload, nursing turnover has reached unprecedented heights as of late. HCPs are leaving acute healthcare facilities in droves and are either retiring very early or moving towards less stressful healthcare environments like home healthcare and ASCs, or shifting towards highly profitable per diem or travel nursing opportunities. Retaining part-time, vs per diem talent, is the hardest it has ever been. This is especially true for rural areas– workers in general are leaving those locations as hospitals find themselves perpetually under-equipped to handle the case load that has been thrust upon them.Even urban public hospitals are currently wrestling with rising COVID numbers and limited resources. When you hemorrhaging talent in this regard, technology-based staffing solutions like VitaWerks will help you adjust to these sudden vacancies. Find the best possible per-diem talent in your area to keep your facility running in these challenging times.

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Embracing a new age

In reality, most facilities will be integrating some mix of per diem nurses and part-time or full time employees. Which you devote more resources to ultimately depends on what you are looking for, what you prioritize and what your current situation demands. Per diem professionals empower facilities with the flexibility to adjust for immediate demand. They do not hold you to 3-month contracts like part-time nurses and they provide both employer and employee the flexibility to work as needed. Attracting per-diem workers is also easier in some regards, since per diem work pays significantly more than part-time labor on average. The part time vs per diem debate ultimately depends on your situation. Once the pandemic subsides and hospitals see more stable patient volumes, they can commit to more full time employees. For all the advantages that per diem staffing boasts (and there are a lot of them), part time and full time employees let you better plan for the long term future of your facility. For the time being, however, there seems to be no immediate end in sight for this current state of affairs. While facilities contend with the ongoing COVID-19 dillmea, investing in per diem nursing will let you access the best possible healthcare professionals at the fraction of the time.

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HCP of the Month August 2022 – Naomi T

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month August 2022 – Naomi T

VitaWerks hosts thousands of HCPs. We are blessed to provide our partnered facilities with a database filled with the best, most principled healthcare professionals in the entire country. Words alone cannot express how grateful we are to the HCPs who have joined our app and made VitaWerks what it is today. That is why, every month, we shine a spotlight on the extraordinary stories of some of the HCPs that have worked with us. This is a celebration of not only the individual but every single HCP we have been blessed to work with.

This time, we are thrilled to name Naomi as our HCP of the Month! Without a doubt, she embodies the idea of “going above and beyond.” She dedicates no less than 100% percent of her efforts to both her patients and the facility she is staffed at. Regardless of how long the hours are or how demanding the labor gets, this passion remains a constant. With totally perfect attendance across her previous facilities, you know she will be on time when you schedule her.

Talk to any patients, co-workers, or supervisors, and you will only hear the most glowing praise for Naomi. In particular, a supervisor from one of our partnered facilities labeled her as an “empathetic caregiver with a cheerful disposition.” Regardless of who she was assigned to o where she went out of her way to ensure that a patient’s needs were met. This kindness even extended to patients that were not even assigned to her. Naomi knows that healthcare as a profession extends beyond textbook knowledge or following orders, by the letter.

It is also a job that requires much patience and empathy, to connect with patients and aid them in their healing process. To that end, she engages with patients and patient families on a deeper level. She talks with them, listens to their inquiries, and follows up on their requests.

Naomi started working with us last June and she has not looked back since. We have been happy to provide her with the best service available. Given what she has contributed up to this point, it only seems fair. “(VitaWerks) has always been so kind, reliable, and helpful in any situation,“ she praised. Providing nurses like her with these professional opportunities is why we founded our business in the first place. Nurses like Naomi truly make the healthcare industry a better, more caring place.

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5 ways to deal with personal problems at work

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

5 ways to deal with personal problems at work

Whether it is a health problem, family conflict, depression or a host of other issues, personal problems can be a major distraction at work. You might be present physically, but mentally your mind is completely preoccupied with household affairs. None of us are machines– any nurse will run into this problem eventually, over the course of their career. Though understandable, healthcare professionals have a duty to their patients, co-workers and facility. You eventually have to pick yourself up and carry out the tasks entrusted to you, to ensure smooth operations and the highest quality care available. That is why in this article, we will cover healthy ways to cope with personal problems, so that you can continue working

Adopt healthy habits

Sometimes, all you need is a healthy outlet. You can adopt positive daily routines that let you release tension and stress in a productive manner. For example, taking deep breaths throughout the day, whenever anxiety or tension flares up. When you breathe slower, you signal your nervous system to calm down. It will take some practice, but it is a great way to center yourself and refocus on work. Low intensity daily exercises are another excellent outlet. Increased physical activity releases feel-good endorphins, on top of improving your health overall. Since you already work so hard in the clinic, adopting more low intensity workouts is recommended. Long walks in the park, yoga, swimming or cycling are just a few examples. It helps to find an activity that you genuinely enjoy, as it can become something to look forward to after work.

Take advantage of your benefits

If you are employed by a facility, taking advantage of the benefits available to you can help a great deal. For example, a lot of hospitals offer daycare services, in case you are worried about your young children while you work. If student debt has you down, there are often tuition reimbursement programs where hospitals will sponsor your education while you work. If you just need someone to talk to regarding sensitive personal issues, human resources or employment assistance programs can help a great deal. Be sure to review your benefits packages and consider just how much they can help you with your current issues.

Reach out to others

Sometimes, you just need to have a conversation with people who care. Consulting close family and friends in your support system is a powerful way to work through any problems you are undergoing. They can offer their advice or just invaluable reassurance and comfort. Sometimes, a different perspective is what you need in order to gain clarity on your situation. Professional consultation from a therapist may also be just what you need. You can book for their services yourself, or contact your health insurance to see if it covers therapy. Even if you have your own personal reservations, it is worth giving a try at least. Do not forget to set professional boundaries

Discussing your personal issues with close friends can be a beautiful and helpful experience, but bringing that baggage to work is a different issue. Taking every opportunity to talk about your problems to your co-workers, supervisors or even patients can end up becoming a major distraction for everyone involved. While you are on the clock, you want to focus on saving lives and providing crucial healthcare. You can discuss these problems with HR or outside of work, on your own time.

Take some time off

There may reach a point where the burden is just too much. The severity of your problem is such that it has completely occupied all your thoughts. You try to work through it, but for one reason or the other you just cannot. It is practically impossible to provide top of the line healthcare in this state. If it comes to this, it may be time to slow down and take time off of work. Give yourself the time and space to grieve, reflect, rest and recover. If you are fully-employed, you can take a couple of days off from your PTO. If you are out of PTO but you just cannot continue, you can raise the issue with HR or your boss. For per-diem nurses, it is as simple as not taking shifts for a week or so. These problems do not fade away easily, but some time to yourself can do wonders both in the short term and bigger picture.

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How Nurses Can Cope with Migraines

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

How Nurses Can Cope with Migraines

Stress is an occupational hazard in nursing, and it commonly causes literal headaches. While the toughest of nurses can “shrug off” some of these bouts, migraines are not so easy to set aside. A migraine can be either moderately or incredibly painful headache akin to a throbbing or thumping sensation. It could cause nausea, vomiting or temporary sensory episodes (aura) where you develop blind spots or see flashing lights. Depending on the severity, it can either last a few hours or a couple of days. At worst, you may find yourself physically incapable of doing the most basic tasks, let alone your nursing work. If you find yourself having recurring bouts of migraine, something must be done. In this article, we will go over common strategies used by nurses to treat or mitigate migraine episodes.

Fix your eating habits

Your dietary habits can actually worsen your migraines, if you are not careful. Developing positive eating habits and keeping track of what you eat can go a long way. For example, you want to eat around the same time every day. Whether you eat breakfast and lunch or just brunch, stick to a consistent routine. This lets you avoid skipping meals, which commonly causes migraines. You also want to avoid foods that cause your migraines. Examples include cheese, caffeine, chocolate, wine. MSG, aspartame and more. Try cutting them from your regular diet to see what happens. You can also write down what you ate before a migraine bout, in order to identify foods that are personal migraine triggers for you.

Take a breather

Working through a migraine is the perfect way to make things worse. The moment you feel it coming, you want to give yourself a minute to take a breath (if possible.) Since migraines make you more sensitive to light and sound, try finding a dark and quiet place to sit down. If you can, it is highly recommended that you sleep as well. Putting on either an ice pack or a hot compress is another way to ease the nerves. Ice packs will dull the pain while hot compresses can relax your tensed up muscles. In lieu of this, you can take a hot or cold shower. Consider taking a moderate amount of caffeine. In small doses, caffeine can reduce the pain or strengthen the effects of your pain killers. Be sure not to take too much, since that can either lead to withdrawal headaches or ruin your sleep schedule.

Enjoy some light exercise

Studies have shown that obesity can lead to chronic headaches. Going on a diet and exercise routine is a powerful way to combat migraines and has its own host of benefits. For example, physical activity releases endorphins and other chemicals that block out pain signals to your brain, as well as depression and anxiety. Just be sure to stick to moderate exercise, since more intense routines can exacerbate your headaches. Walks, yoga and swimming are just a couple of good examples.

Improve sleep hygiene

Lack of sleep is another common migraine trigger or irritant. If you are having a hard time getting rest, you want to look into improving your sleep hygiene. Practicing good sleep hygiene simply means placing yourself in the best position to sleep. The first thing you want to do is set a consistent sleep schedule. If you rest at certain times every day, you can sleep and wake up automatically. Be warned that naps longer than 20 to 30 minutes can often mess up your sleep cycle. Be careful with what you consume before bed as well. Midnight snacking, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and heavy meals can all ruin your sleep if you are not careful.

The next suggestion may be a bit challenging for some of you, but you want to remove your electronics for at least 30 minutes before your bedtime. Since technology stimulates your brain, it makes it harder for you to fall asleep and cuts your sleep duration as well. Finally, you want to create a calm and relaxing environment for yourself. Sleep in a dark and comfortable environment with minimal distractions. If you must, you can set some calming music or read a book before you go to bed.

Cut down on smoking

Heavy smoking or being around people who smoke can often trigger migraines. As such, you want to cut down on your nicotine intake. Suddenly cutting off smoking entirely may lead to even worse headaches, so you want to gradually wean yourself from cigarettes instead. Gradually reduce how many cigarettes you take by the day or the week if you must. If possible, contact your doctor to see if you can join an intervention program or get on medication.

Keep a migraine diary

What causes a migraine can vary greatly, from person to person. To find out your own personal triggers, you want to keep track of your headaches with a diary. Record every detail, including when it happened, accompanying symptoms, how long it lasted and the severity of the pain. Try identifying potential triggers as well. Certain foods, stress, lack of sleep, whether or not you are on your period and smoke are just a handful of common causes.

Consult your doctor for medications

Personal lifestyle changes can go a long way, but sometimes it is not enough. If you have done your best but if severe or disabling headaches persist for one to two months, you are best off consulting your doctor, physician or other HCP. They should be able to provide you with prescription medications that will help mitigate the pain. There are also other medications, like hormone replacement pills or birth control, that could potentially cause migraines. If you are on either of those medicines, you can consult your doctor about this.

The road ahead

Nursing is a stressful job and stress happens to be one of the main catalysts for migraines and various other headaches. That does not mean we should give up or consign ourselves to a career of pain. There are many proactive lifestyle decisions and changes as preventative measures. None of these are instant solutions, but they can go a long way if you commit to them long term. Ultimately, finding that balance between your hectic professional life and peace is key to all of this. Not only will you prevent migraines, but you will find a greater sense of work life satisfaction.

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HCP of the Month July 2022 – Ana

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month July 2022 – Ana

We settle for nothing less than the best, here at VitaWerks. Everyday, we are proud to work in collaboration with the nation’s most skilled and exceptional HCPs. To celebrate their contributions to healthcare, we highlight the story of one of these top-notch healthcare professionals. 

For the month of July, we are proud to name Ana as our HCP of the Month! Ever since she joined our staffing platform, she has quickly built a strong reputation among numerous co-workers and partnered facilities. Wherever you go, you will hear people sing her praises as one of the hardest-working, motivated, and friendliest CNAs that you will ever meet. From patients to fellow HCPs, you do not need to look far to hear about her devotion to her craft.

“Without fail, we always notify her about available open shifts,” one manager shared. “We place a great deal of trust in her. When Ana is on board, we are secure in the knowledge that she will go above and beyond the call of duty.” 

Even among other HCPs, her passion for healthcare stands out. Her bright disposition reflects her earnest desire to provide lifesaving care for patients in need. For such a young CNA, her outlook resembles that of a reliable veteran. Not only is she aware of the importance of nursing’s emotional component, she harnesses it and applies it to her approach to healthcare. 

On all levels of healthcare, passion is an invaluable quality. Healthcare can be a challenging and draining profession, both physically and mentally. You are expected to stay on your feet, while exposing yourself to disease, death, and trauma. 

That passion pushes HCPs to work through the long hours, and grueling shifts. Without these HCPs, healthcare was known to be extremely compromised. This knowledge pushes us to provide the best staffing services and rates that we can, to our healthcare heroes. For what they give to the community? It is honestly the least we can do. 

Ana’s HCP journey has just begun. While she picks up CNA shifts, he has shared with us her plans to become a Registered Nurse later down the road. Studying while working takes a lot of dedication and mental fortitude, in order to make work. However, with her studiousness, compassion, and ability, we know that she will succeed. The industry could use more exceptional RNs, and we know for a fact that Ana will eventually get there. 

Thank you Ana for letting us share your story. We hope to support you, on your way to achieving your HCP dreams!

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15 Must-Read Nursing Books

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

15 Must-Read Nursing Books

As a nurse, you have probably done your fair share of reading throughout your career. Whether it is medical texts, physical reports, or study material, you may be at a point where reading in your off time is not even a consideration. However, there is a lot to be gained from these 15 nursing books. Some books provide useful technical information, while others focus on sharing deeply personal nursing experiences. No matter what you are looking for, this nursing book list is full of enriching reads that will deepen your understanding of nursing as a whole.

How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Your Life As A Nurse by Kelli S. Dunham and Staci J Smith

Personally and professionally, a lot will be asked from you from the moment you enroll in a nursing program. Equal parts insightful and humorous, this nursing book covers important topics such as managing stress, dealing with tricky patients and communicating with the people around you, among other things. Dunham and Smith use their own experiences to guide you through a nurse’s professional journey and towards fulfilling nursing career and life. This is a great nursing book for beginners trying to get their footing in the nursing business.

Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities by Donna Maheady

According to research, nurses with disabilities leave the business out of fear of discrimination or fear of risking patient safety. It is a sad reality that certain employers will not consider your application if you have such handicaps. Maheady’s nursing book equips nurses with the knowledge needed to navigate these unique challenges. It goes over all you need to know about existing disability laws and shares several inspiring stories of disable HCPs who still found success for themselves, in this industry.

Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment by by Rosalinda Alfaro-Lefevre

Nursing knowledge and skills in a vacuum benefits no one. Truly great nurses know how to analyze the situation in front of them, in order to find the best solution within that context. Alfaro-Lefevre’s extensive guide teaches nurses how to apply critical thinking and decision making to resolve complex clinical problems. Along with practical advice, the guide also provides illustrative examples and interesting learning activities that will help you become an adaptable and quick-thinking nurse.

Something for the Pain: Compassion and Burnout in the ER by Paul Austin

Burnout has been a long-standing problem in the demanding healthcare industry. This is as true in 2022 as it was in 2009, when this essential nursing book was published. In his accounts, Austin shares to the reader how the brutal hours and mentally-taxing labor of the ER room broke him and turned him into a bitter man. It is past this pain that he eventually finds clarity and redemption. If you cannot stomach such heavy reading, then it may be for the best to skip this book. If you can stomach it however, you will find a truly harrowing yet hopeful read that is arguably more relevant in the present day.

Notes on Nursing: What it is and What It Is Not by Florence Nightingale

It is fair to say that nursing has changed a great deal between 2022 and 1859, when the great Florence Nightingale published this book. Although some of the technical content can be considered “outdated,” it still espouses timeless powerful truths about the nursing profession. Its reflections on patient nurse relationships, women in nursing and what the profession entails laid the foundation for modern nursing as we know it today.

I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse by Lee Gutkind

Of all the nursing books on this list, this one is among the more unique. This anthology runs through the highs and lows of nursing across HCPs in various different departments and positions in their careers. You will read stories of a nurse’s first patient death, their first birth, how they contend with the exhaustion of long and grueling shifts and more. One chapter will cover a nursing home manager while the next will follow the struggles of a nurse-in-training. All these stories show nurses at their most vulnerable, while celebrating their strength as they push through physical and emotional adversity.

Portable RN: The All-in-One Nursing Reference (LWW, Portable RN) 4th Edition by various

If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to registered nursing, this is as good as you are going to get in text form. Portable RN covers all an RN’s expected duties in excruciating detail. From patient-care documentation, to pre/post-operative care, end-of-life care, basic wound-treatment, contagion precautions and more. The 4th edition adds more recent AHA guidelines for CPR and obstructed-airway measures, updated ventilator modes and a host of new developments in the field of patient care. Whether you are looking for nursing books for beginners or you are a veteran RNs looking for a reminder, it is hard to do better than this guide.

Bed Number Ten by Sue Baier and Mary Zimmeth Schomaker

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare nerve disease that leaves you paralized from head to toe. Bed Number Ten is a real life account of a victim’s eleven month hospital and the physical and emotional toll that takes on them. While not a traditional nursing book, it is still a compelling read that can help you build empathy and understanding for the patients you work with. It can be stressful dealing with patients at times, but at the end of the day they are still vulnerable individuals who have placed their lives in your hands.

A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests 9th Edition by Frances Fischbach and Marshall B. Dunning

This essential nursing book for students covers the various laboratory and diagnostic tests you will be expected to carry out. It covers vital information, including differentials for abnormal blood work, nuclear scans, the latest advances in CT scans and more. The book will teach you the correct step by step procedure, how to interpret results, preparing your patient and how to provide aftercare. Best practices are always changing to adapt to the constant shifts of the healthcare industry, and this text is one of the best ways to stay updated.

Neonatal Nursing Care Handbook, Second Edition: An Evidence-Based Approach to Conditions and Procedures by Carole Kenner and Judy Lott

Neonatal nursing is one of the most well-paying specializations, but it is also one of the most fast and unforgiving work environments in the industry. This neonatal nursing pocket guide is a quick reference guide that contains necessary and up to date information on neonatal nursing. Formatted to be accessible and easy to use, it is a great resource for an ever-changing but rewarding career path.

RNotes: Nurse’s Clinical Pocket Guide by Ehren Myers

Nurses are expected to process a lot of knowledge, but it is almost impossible to perfectly retain it all. Whether you are a nursing student or a 6 year veteran, this nursing book may provide you with the refresher or guidance that you need. CPR techniques, laboratory procedures and a host of NCLEX tips are just some of the valuable content covered in an easy to process package.

Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul: Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield and Nancy Mitchell-Autio

Chicken Soup for the Soul has inspired generations of people since 1993, and this new entry is no exception. This collection of true stories range from heartwarming, to tragic, to even hilarious. Through the ups and downs, it celebrates the efforts and sacrifices made by nurses, on a daily basis, in order to make a difference for those they care about. It is a true testament to the spirit of nursing, and a great read for any HCP.

Saunders Comprehensive Review For The NCLEX-RN Examination by Linda Silvestri

Among a host of different NCLEX review books available to you, the Saunders guide is one of the more complete. This 75-question review guide goes over many common NCLEX items. Not only does it provide answers, it also goes in depth behind the reasoning of each answer. This way you truly internalize the information, as opposed to mere rote memorization. In addition, you get a free access code to the Evolve website. This is an additional resource with thousands of practice questions to help you further prepare for the test at hand. As far as books for nursing students go, this one is practically essential.

Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life and Everything in Between by Theresa Brown

Many beginner nurses “know” the stakes of their work, but very few are truly prepared for their first confrontation with sadness and loss in the workplace. In this nursing book, author Theresa Brown reflects on her first year as an oncology nurse and how it forced her to confront the pain of loss and the meaning of life. For new nurses struggling with these thoughts, it is a powerful reminder that you are not alone and that solidarity is crucial for workers to flourish in these challenging environments.

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10 Ways to Gain Nursing Work Experience

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

10 Ways to Gain Nursing Work Experience

No matter where you work, employers highly value nursing job experience. Companies want to hire individuals with proven skillsets who can contribute to operations right off the bat. This makes it tricky for fresh graduates and nursing students to find work early in their careers. As early as possible, you want to build your resume with relevant work experience that will make you attractive to prospective employers. This article will cover 10 unique ways you can gain that work experience.

Look for volunteer work

Volunteering is a great way to get work experience. Local hospitals, clinics, community outreach programs and other healthcare facilities are often looking for such volunteers. You can volunteer after school or work or all throughout summer break, if you are still studying. Not only do you get nursing work experience, it shows your prospective employers or schools that you are invested in helping others and truly contributing to the community.

Find internship offers

Internship programs let you work within a healthcare setting for a limited amount of time. Whether you are in high school or college, this nursing experience hones both your nursing skills and knowledge under the tutelage of industry experts. If you leave a good impression, you will expand your professional networks and open up future job opportunities. You can find internships either through your school, network or job listing websites.

Nurse shadowing

When you “shadow” a nurse, you follow them as they carry out their regular duties. While you shadow them, you will gain nursing work experience under their supervision and instruction. Along the way, you will learn more about nursing and can even start networking. You can find shadowing opportunities either through your school or from local organizations.

Find non-clinical healthcare work

Clinical nursing experience is not the only opportunity available to you. There are many job opportunities within the healthcare field that do not involve direct medical practice, but they still let you build nursing work experience. Nurse research, hospice, or working at a group home lets you learn about the nursing industry and network.

Gain certification in Basic Life Support and First Aid

Basic life support classes (or BLS) and First Aid skills taught by the American Red Cross is an incredibly fruitful experience for nurses. These courses teach you crucial skills, including (but not limited to), cardiopulmonary resuscitation, caring for burns, lacerations, neck and back injuries and more. At the very end, students will be tested on both their knowledge and practical application. Finishing these classes shows your school or facility that you are driven to broaden your nursing experiences and knowledge.

Join HOSA Future Health Professionals

HOSA is an international group meant to support the growth of future healthcare workers and the healthcare industry at large. Through this program, students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships, set realistic career goals and develop necessary readiness and leadership skills,

Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

Becoming a CNA lets you gain nursing working experience the earliest. CNAs primarily assist patients with their daily tasks like bathing and dressing, feeding, moving them from room to room. It will vary depending on the program, but CNA classes typically take around 8 weeks to finish. While pay is lower than most registered nurses, you can take RN courses while you work. As a bonus, CNA experience also looks good in university applications.

Take on a summer job

Summer jobs are an opportunity to earn money on the side while gaining relevant nursing work experience. Caregiver, lab assistant, nurse aide and transporter are just a few great options. Note that the opportunities available to you depend on your prior education. For example, young high school students will not have as many lucrative or challenging nursing work experiences compared to college students and graduates.

Highlight other relevant work experience

Direct nursing experiences are not the only items you can add to a resume. If you have worked extensively in other industries, you can highlight them provided that they showcase relevant soft skills. Examples include attention to detail, communication with teammates and customers, critical thinking and more.

Build and consult your network

Networking is as valuable to nursing as it is to any other profession. When you network, you form friendships and connections with people within your industry. This could be other nurses, family and friends, fellow nursing students, alumni and more. Networking also lets you find more job opportunities, as your friends can notify you early about open positions or recommend you to their employers. You can find a lot of job opportunities on your own, but you can find even more with the help of others.

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The Hardest Nursing School Classes

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

The Hardest Nursing School Classes

No one ever said that becoming a nurse would be easy. Whether you are taking up your BSN or ADN, you will run into many challenging requirements. This includes clinical rotations, laboratory trials and a number of difficult classes. To help you prepare for the challenges ahead, we will go over the hardest prerequisite courses and tips on how to tackle them.

What is a prerequisite course?

Put simply, prerequisite courses provide you with the base for more advanced lessons, later on. Even if they are “foundational,” a number of these classes can be a struggle for the unprepared. All students are required to take at least two of the classes listed below.

  • Pharmacology

The study of medication, which includes memorizing classifications, purpose, potential side effects, differentiating between commercial and generic names and more. With critical thinking and knowledge, nurses are trained to determine when to use medication, and how the patient would physically react to it.

  • Organic Chemistry

Organic chem goes over the natural chemical processes that take place in organic beings (specifically human beings). In particular, students can expect to learn about the effect of certain nutrients and medications on the human body. Commonly includes lab work.

  • Pathophysiology

This class goes over anatomical systems, their functions and how certain ailments can hinder their functions. Students will also learn how these illnesses respond to their medication, and how that reaction can be influenced by pre-existing conditions.

  • Evidence-based practice

Classes train students to analyze and interpret changes in interdisciplinary healthcare research, with the goal of setting best practices. With the healthcare world rapidly evolving, nurses must be trained to analyze these shifts and how they can translate to effective treatments. Between the numerous reading and writing requirements, this class is seen by some as especially demanding.

  • Anatomy and Physiology (1-2)

Covers anatomy and physiology on an advanced level. Examines the various systems of the human body, such as muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and more. Commonly includes lab work, such as dissection.

  • Medical Surgical 1 (Adult Health 1)

Med Surg 1 revolves around common adult health problems and disorders. Lessons are commonly a synthesis and application of concepts from other classes, such as anatomy and physiology. This makes this class uniquely challenging.

Study strategies

Taking on these courses may seem daunting, at first glance. With the right approach and some hard work, however, you are more than capable of managing the workload. To help you get started, here are some study tips that will surely make life easier for you.

Read ahead

Professors will give you a syllabus, complete with all the required material ahead of time. If you want to ace your classes, you have to take advantage of this. Go through chapters before you ahead of time and take notes while you are at it. Any clarifications or questions can be raised once you get to that topic in class.

Flashcards, flashcards, flashcards

Going through so much terminology can be exhausting, as a nursing student. Writing down words and their meanings in flashcards is an effective way to memorize medicines, bodily functions, diseases and more. It even makes studying in groups more fun, since you can use and share your flashcards with your classmates.

Since many of these words are rooted in Latin, words with similar meanings tend to have shared prefixes and suffixes. This makes grouping these flashcards significantly easier.

Go deeper than memorization

Only memorizing terms will only get you so far. When you take in a new term, be it a disease or an anatomical process, you want to understand their meaning and applications in certain contexts. For example, certain medications are not compatible with some pre-existing conditions, and you want to understand how and why this is the case.

Time management is key

This point is probably the most important. To become a nurse, you have to devote much of yourself to your studies. Trying to take it all in at once is a lost cause, however. Human minds are not made to take in that amount of knowledge in a short period of time. Instead, you want to break down your syllabus into manageable segments you can go through daily, for 2-3 hours a day. Give the information time to sink in, before you move on to the next chunk of lessons.

Be sure to set aside some time for yourself, too. It is important to work hard, but burning the candle on both ends will only lead to a premature flameout.

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HCP of the Month June 2022 – Brittney

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

HCP of the Month June 2022 – Brittney

The VitaWerks marketplace hosts a great number of young CNAs. Though their HCP journeys have just begun, a number of these exceptional individuals have made a strong and immediate impact, to both the facilities they work with and the patients that they serve. To commemorate the contributions of our healthcare professionals, VitaWerks proudly highlights one of the many outstanding HCPs that works with us. We are incredibly grateful that we can share their journey with the rest of you. 

This June, we are delighted to announce Brittney as our HCP of the month! To this point, Brittney has already worked with us for more than a year. She joined last March, and by May she was already picking up multiple shifts with two of our partnered healthcare facilities. 

At VitaWerks, we take our agreements with each partnered facility seriously. We want to ensure that our HCPs reliably finish the shifts they agree to taking. No matter how many shifts she takes, this has never been an issue with Brittney. From March to May, she never recorded a single cancellation or tardy day. Managers have praised both her studiousness and unbreakable devotion to world-class healthcare. When she takes a shift with us, we are confident that she will fulfill her obligations exceptionally well and on time. 

Now, Brittney has picked up a full schedule with one of our partnered facilities. She still maintains a perfect attendance record, and co-workers continue to speak of her in glowing terms. Even now, she knows from experience just how good VitaWerks’ staffing services are. She remembers the market leading rates we secured for her, with the best healthcare facilities in her area. As a result, she has started to refer some of her colleagues to us. Whenever an HCP friend of hers is in need of extra work, experience, or cash, VitaWerks is always on standby. 

In the healthcare industry, time is of the essence. Whether you are working on a life-saving operation or reaching out to a patient in need of emotional support, every second counts. Even a split second could mean the difference between a life saved and an unspeakable tragedy. As simple as it may seem, HCPs should aspire towards Brittney’s punctuality. No matter the circumstance, we are secure in the knowledge that she will be there on-time, as necessary. This knowledge alone provides a huge peace of mind for patients, fellow HCPs and managers alike. 

For her outstanding work and character, Britney is a model healthcare professional. We are proud to have a CNA like her as our HCP of the month!

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A Nurse’s Guide on Preventing Career–Ending Back Problems

  • Hello • February 8, 2023

A Nurse’s Guide on Preventing Career–Ending Back Problems

Nursing can be extremely demanding on a physical level. Healthcare professionals spend long and grueling hours on their feet as they perform life saving care. Nurses are also expected to lift and transfer patients onto their wheelchairs/beds or transfer equipment from room to room. It is no surprise that—per the American Nurses Association–nurses rank fifth among all occupations in risk of strains and sprains. Left unchecked, these injuries can pose a serious threat to a staff nurse’s health. In some cases, nurses are even hurt into an early retirement. Thankfully, this can all be avoidable. With the right habits and support, you can preserve your body and increase your chances of a long, fruitful career. In this article, we will go over a number of good ways to prevent severe work-related back injuries.

Practice body mechanics

Poor body mechanics are a common catalyst for back injuries in healthcare jobs. Improving your body mechanics from top to bottom helps you prevent this while making physical tasks a little easier at the same time. Before a nurse or nurse assistant does anything strenuous, set your feet into a solid base slightly wider than their hips as they bend at their knees. Use the energy from your legs to lift, instead of your back.

Proper posture is also important for any healthcare professional. As you lift or bend, hold your shoulders back and keep your head upright to maintain a neutral spine. To do this, you need to bend or “hinge” from the hips, instead of the back. As you lift, you want to keep the object or your patient close to your center of gravity (or midsection) in order to minimize the forces at play.

Know your limits

Say you are a per diem nurse looking towards full integration, or a full time nurse eyeing a salary raise. In this case, you may be compelled to do some extra work in order to meet your goals. No matter how hard you try, some people or devices will simply be too heavy for you. Forcing any nurse assistant to shoulder such a burden is the perfect way to herniate one’s disc. Instead of injuring yourself, you can either use transfer boards or ask help from a teammate or fellow staff nurses. Remember that you are part of a team of capable fellow nurses who should be more than happy to lend a hand.

Regular exercise

Healthy healthcare professionals avoid injuries better. Stronger, more flexible muscles help you handle the rigors of an average nursing shift. At the minimum, you want to reach some minimum level of physical fitness. In particular, leg exercises and trunk stability workouts will give nurse assistants the base and the strength to maintain proper posture as you lift and carry things. Applying for a gym membership, employing a physical therapist or committing to your own garage workout routine are two very good ways to get fit for the workplace.

Better available technology

This is a solution that would require proper support and implementation from nursing facilities. Assistive lift technologies reduce the physical burden of healthcare jobs and greatly lowers injury rates as a result. This includes ceiling lifts, stand-up lifts, electronic transfer devices and other more advanced equipment. The American Nurses Association also recommends that nurses be involved in the process of choosing the right equipment. If your chosen facility has little to no such equipment available, consider bringing it up to HR or advocating for its use. Added costs are worth less injuries to staff nurses, in the long run.

Report any injuries immediately

Healthcare professionals can do everything in your power to avoid a back injury, but sometimes it is out of your control. Do not be afraid to notify your employer as soon as possible. Employers are responsible for taking care of their staffed nurses and your reports can set a precedent to avoid these events in the future. Even before anything happens, you want to contact your state’s or employer’s health department to inquire on their policies. Some places require that injuries be reported within 24 hours, while others do not. In most cases, you can even file a worker’s compensation claim from your employer. Keep in mind that this can only be availed within 30 days between the injury and the filing of the claim itself.

Nurses deserve the best

Everyday, nurses and nursing assistants work tirelessly to protect the ill, the battered and the broken. Healthcare jobs come with both a heavy physical and mental toll, and this damage can add up. An increased awareness of the importance of body mechanics and fitness can go a long way in preventing unnecessary injuries in the future. Nurses also require crucial support from their co-workers, their facilities and the government itself. By addressing the problem before it can get worse, we ensure that the future of the healthcare industry remains as bright as possible.

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