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California Travel Nursing Jobs

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California Travel Nursing Jobs 

Being a travel nurse in California opens the door to many wonderful opportunities. Whether you want to live by the beach, in a large city or in a small farming community, California has a place for everyone. As a travel nurse, you will have the pleasure of experiencing the most culturally diverse area in North America. You’ll feel more like you are on vacation than on the job when you become a California travel nurse  

If you are a Travel Nurse or if you are a nurse looking for information about Travel Nursing in California or even if you’re just interested in Travel Nursing topics then you have found the right place!

Below is a list of California Nursing and Travel resources offered by Ultimate Nurse.

We hope you find this to be quality Travel Nursing information for the state of California. We work hard so we can say that Ultimate Nurse is:

“The Ultimate Destination for Nursing Information!”

If you would like to see additional information about Travel Nursing in the state of California, please feel free to contact us any time. We are more than happy to help you find the nursing employment information you are looking for.

While you’re here, please support us by visiting one of our California Travel Nursing sponsors via one of the banner ads on the site or filling out a request for Travel Nursing Information form.

Our California Travel Nursing Guarantee — At Ultimate Nurse we pride ourselves in promoting only the best Travel Nursing Companies and Nursing Employers in California. We have fully researched these Travel Companies and are 100% confident that they treat their travel nurses like Nurses deserve to be treated. If you feel like any of our California Travel Nursing Sponsors do not meet the highest of standards please do not hesitate to contact us or leave feedback via the contact us form, or post in our Travel Nursing and Employers reviews section.

-Ultimate Nurse Staff

Arkansas Travel Nursing Jobs

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Arkansas Travel Nursing Jobs

Become an Arkansas travel nurse and explore the great outdoors. Its diverse terrain ranges from the Ozark and Oauchita Mountains to the lowlands of the Mississippi Delta. There is something for everyone from hiking to fishing to cave exploration. Northwest Arkansas was deemed one of the best places in America to raise a family. Don’t wait to take the next step toward a better life as an Arkansas travel nurse.  

If you are a Travel Nurse or if you are a nurse looking for information about Travel Nursing in Arkansas or even if you’re just interested in Travel Nursing topics then you have found the right place!

Below is a list of Arkansas Nursing and Travel resources offered by Ultimate Nurse.

We hope you find this to be quality Travel Nursing information for the state of Arkansas. We work hard so we can say that Ultimate Nurse is:

“The Ultimate Destination for Nursing Information!”

If you would like to see additional information about Travel Nursing in the state of Arkansas, please feel free to contact us any time. We are more than happy to help you find the nursing employment information you are looking for.

While you’re here, please support us by visiting one of our Arkansas Travel Nursing sponsors via one of the banner ads on the site or filling out a request for Travel Nursing Information form.

Our Arkansas Travel Nursing Guarantee — At Ultimate Nurse we pride ourselves in promoting only the best Travel Nursing Companies and Nursing Employers in Arkansas. We have fully researched these Travel Companies and are 100% confident that they treat their travel nurses like Nurses deserve to be treated. If you feel like any of our Arkansas Travel Nursing Sponsors do not meet the highest of standards please do not hesitate to contact us or leave feedback via the contact us form, or post in our Travel Nursing and Employers reviews section.

-Ultimate Nurse Staff

Arizona Travel Nursing Jobs

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Arizona Travel Nursing Jobs 

Have you always wanted to see the Grand Canyon? As a travel nurse in Arizona, you will have your chance to do just that. Gorgeous scenery and warm days coupled with cool nights makes Arizona the fastest growing state in the country. It is favored as one of the best places to live, work and play. Plus, due to its exploding growth, salaries for Arizona travel nurses are among the highest. So what are you waiting for?  

If you are a Travel Nurse or if you are a nurse looking for information about Travel Nursing in Arizona or even if you’re just interested in Travel Nursing topics then you have found the right place!

Below is a list of Arizona Nursing and Travel resources offered by Ultimate Nurse.

We hope you find this to be quality Travel Nursing information for the state of Arizona. We work hard so we can say that Ultimate Nurse is:

“The Ultimate Destination for Nursing Information!”

If you would like to see additional information about Travel Nursing in the state of Arizona, please feel free to contact us any time. We are more than happy to help you find the nursing employment information you are looking for.

While you’re here, please support us by visiting one of our Arizona Travel Nursing sponsors via one of the banner ads on the site or filling out a request for Travel Nursing Information form.

Our Arizona Travel Nursing Guarantee — At Ultimate Nurse we pride ourselves in promoting only the best Travel Nursing Companies and Nursing Employers in Arizona. We have fully researched these Travel Companies and are 100% confident that they treat their travel nurses like Nurses deserve to be treated. If you feel like any of our Arizona Travel Nursing Sponsors do not meet the highest of standards please do not hesitate to contact us or leave feedback via the contact us form, or post in our Travel Nursing and Employers reviews section.

-Ultimate Nurse Staff

Alaska Travel Nursing Jobs

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Alaska Travel Nursing Jobs

Travel nurses are greatly needed in Alaska in all areas. Along with refreshing, brisk weather, the largest state in the U.S. is home to Alaskan Native culture and many natural wonders including glaciers, snow-covered mountains and abundant wildlife. Bordered by tranquil blue waters and the beautiful Yukon Territory, you’ll be witness to some of the most incredible scenery in the world. So grab your parka and come on!  

If you are a Travel Nurse or if you are a nurse looking for information about Travel Nursing in Alaska or even if you’re just interested in Travel Nursing topics then you have found the right place!

Below is a list of Alaska Nursing and Travel resources offered by Ultimate Nurse.

We hope you find this to be quality Travel Nursing information for the state of Alaska. We work hard so we can say that Ultimate Nurse is:

“The Ultimate Destination for Nursing Information!”

If you would like to see additional information about Travel Nursing in the state of Alaska, please feel free to contact us any time. We are more than happy to help you find the nursing employment information you are looking for.

While you’re here, please support us by visiting one of our Alaska Travel Nursing sponsors via one of the banner ads on the site or filling out a request for Travel Nursing Information form.

Our Alaska Travel Nursing Guarantee — At Ultimate Nurse we pride ourselves in promoting only the best Travel Nursing Companies and Nursing Employers in Alaska. We have fully researched these Travel Companies and are 100% confident that they treat their travel nurses like Nurses deserve to be treated. If you feel like any of our Alaska Travel Nursing Sponsors do not meet the highest of standards please do not hesitate to contact us or leave feedback via the contact us form, or post in our Travel Nursing and Employers reviews section.

-Ultimate Nurse Staff

Alabama Travel Nursing Jobs

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As a travel nurse, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful mountains of Alabama dotted with clear creeks and abundant wildlife. New outdoor adventures are waiting for you in one of the most scenic states in the country. Become a travel nurse in Alabama and surround yourself with American history, Southern culture and breathtaking scenery.

If you are a Travel Nurse or if you are a nurse looking for information about Travel Nursing in Alabama or even if you’re just interested in Travel Nursing topics then you have found the right place!

Below is a list of Alabama Nursing and Travel resources offered by Ultimate Nurse.

We hope you find this to be quality Travel Nursing information for the state of Alabama. We work hard so we can say that Ultimate Nurse is:

“The Ultimate Destination for Nursing Information!”

If you would like to see additional information about Travel Nursing in the state of Alabama, please feel free to contact us any time. We are more than happy to help you find the nursing employment information you are looking for.

While you’re here, please support us by visiting one of our Alabama Travel Nursing sponsors via one of the banner ads on the site or filling out a request for Travel Nursing Information form.

Our Alabama Travel Nursing Guarantee — At Ultimate Nurse we pride ourselves in promoting only the best Travel Nursing Companies and Nursing Employers in Alabama. We have fully researched these Travel Companies and are 100% confident that they treat their travel nurses like Nurses deserve to be treated. If you feel like any of our Alabama Travel Nursing Sponsors do not meet the highest of standards please do not hesitate to contact us or leave feedback via the contact us form, or post in our Travel Nursing and Employers reviews section.

-Ultimate Nurse Staff

Common Errors in Patient Education

Posted in Nursing, Uncategorized

Common Errors in Patient Education

One of the most important aspects of the nurse’s role is to educate patients. To do that effectively, there are a couple of points that nurses (as well as other health care professionals) should be aware of.

One is that health care illiteracy affects over one half of all Americans. Regardless of their ability to read and write, or their level of education, Americans don’t understand the health care system and how it works. They don’t even understand enough most of the time to know that they don’t understand.

The other point is that as a result of this problem, the Institute for Health Care Advancement (IHA)points out that costs are continuing to rise to the point of, “as much as $236 billion in unnecessary health care expenses annually due to the inability of patients to understand what medical providers are communicating to them.”

The IHA has complied a guide for health care professionals and consumers to help eliminate some of these problems. This list is composed of the 10 Most Common Errors Medical Professionals Make When Communicating with Their Patients.

Some of the points in this document include:

  • Prescription drug instructions are often written at a 10th or 11th grade reading level. Most of the population reads at a 5th grade level.
  • Communicating with patients using medical or other technical jargon such as “otitis media” or “myocardial infarction” instead of using laypersons’ terms such as “ear ache” or heart attack.”
  • Telling patients to go read about their condition, treatments or medications on the Internet when this information might be too complex, might disagree with the physician’s course of treatment, or the patient may not have access or know how to search the Internet.
  • Handing out reading material which is printed in too small a font to be easily read, especially by seniors who represent the largest portion of the population.
  • Not using simple graphics or other visual aids to enhance the patient’s understanding.
  • Not recognizing that the patient is nodding or saying “yes” as more of a means to be polite and not necessarily because s/he understands what is being said.

Providers should always ask patients to repeat back to them in their own words what they interpret to be the information or instructions given to them. Tis is the best way for the provider to be sure the patient understands correctly and then to make clarifications as needed.

Not demonstrating cultural awareness and how cultural differences may affect the patient’s ability to comply and to succeed with a treatment or other regimen.

  • Speaking too quickly and not allowing the patient time to formulate or ask questions.
  • Not providing the information and instructions in the patient’s first language.
  • Not taking time to adequately explain the meaning of terms on prescription drug labels. For example, “Take With Food,” is written at a 1st or 2nd grade level, but what does it really mean? Studies have shown that some patients have interpreted this as meaning stuffing the pill into a piece of solid food and swallowing it without taking any liquid. This could have varying degrees of problems depending upon the drug and even the size of the pill.

Other problems patients typically have difficulty with include how and when to make follow up appointments, where to go for tests, and even which medications should be refilled and continued versus a course of antibiotics.

Even the most highly educated patients may not understand medical information. Nurses, as the primary health educators, need to understand how to educate patients as well as how to evaluate the patient’s understanding before they leave.

Resources:
IHA (http://iha4health.org)
Helen Osborne M.Ed.,OTR/L, Health Literacy Consulting (http://healthliteracy.com)
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com

©2008 by UltimateNurse.com All Rights Reserved

Make Sure the Nursing Program is Accredited!

Posted in Nursing, Uncategorized

Make Sure the Nursing Program is Accredited!

One of the most important points in finding the right nursing program is to make sure it is accredited. This cannot be emphasized enough. Just because there is a nursing shortage, does not mean that substandard nursing education will be accepted. Do your homework and don’t be mislead or pressured by programs! Make an informed choice.

Excelsior nursing programs are just one example of nursing schools that have questionable accreditation status throughout the U.S. Many states no longer recognize these schools often because they don’t meet the standard of required hours of hands on experience. Most recently, Georgia has decided not to allow licensure of recent grads of an Excelsior program. (See thread in the Forum.)

It is the duty of the state board of nursing to protect the public. If nursing programs within their jurisdiction do not meet the education standards set forth in the licensing criteria for that state, you will not be allowed to sit for the NCLEX and become a licensed nurse. This applies to LP/VN programs as well as all levels of RN programs.

Don’t waste your time and money attending a nursing school that is not accredited! Begin your search by finding accredited nursing programs and be sure that the state where you wish to practice accepts that program as well. Start with your state board of nursing. Find a listing for RN and LP/VN schools at the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (http://ncsbn.org/515.htm).

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (http://nlnac.org/home.htm) is the primary accrediting agency for U.S. schools of nursing. They publish a guide to undergraduate and graduate schools of nursing which is available on their website as well as from books stores and Amazon.com.

Peterson’s Guide to Nursing Programs 2009 (or Petersons.com) provides a listing of nursing programs in the U.S. which includes information as to the accreditation status of the program. New nursing programs may not be accredited yet, but their application status will be listed. Proceed with caution and understand that they may not be fully accredited by the time you graduate.

The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) also offer accreditation for BSN, MSN and PhD nursing programs. Their website is http://www.aacn.nche.edu/.

Don’t be duped by recruiters and advertisers. Verify the accreditation status before you commit to any nursing education. This is your first big test in becoming a nurse.

By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.

©2008 by UltimateNurse.com All Rights Reserved

Protect Your Patients Get the Flu Shot

Posted in Nursing, Travel Nursing, Uncategorized

Protect Your Patients Get the Flu Shot

The 2008-9 flu vaccine is beginning to appear. This year, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says there will be an all-time high supply of the vaccine as manufacturers predict as many as 146 million doses will be available. This means many more people will be able to be vaccinated than ever before.

Health care workers often forgo the opportunity to be vaccinated and present a risk their colleagues and patients alike. Statistically, about 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu each year and up to 200,000 are hospitalized.

This puts nurses and other health care workers at tremendous risk for exposure. Even when asymptomatic, nurses and other heath care workers can then contribute to the spread of the flu virus.

A recent study of health care workers reported in the August 4, 2008, issue of Advance for Nurses found that 59% of health care workers surveyed did not recall having had any flu symptoms and 28% stated they did not recall having any respiratory illness. This gives rise to a false sense of security and perception that health care workers do not need to be vaccinated.

The ethics of this erroneous perception can lead to a violation of the moral code for health care workers to protect the public. Knowing that the risk of infection exists, nurses and other health care workers need to be vaccinated in order to do their part to help prevent the spread of the flu virus. The public believes and expects that health care workers will protect them from harm.

Last year the flu vaccine was found to be ineffective in covering the majority of flu virus that emerged. This year, manufacturers have changed the formula entirely and it will cover three new strains that research shows will most likely cause influenza this year.

Whether or not the vaccine covers the exact strains of active virus each year, those who are vaccinated and subsequently become infected with the virus will have a much milder case of influenza than those who are not vaccinated which also reduces the likelihood of complications which can lead to severe illness and even death.

Each year in the U.S. approximately 36,000 deaths are caused by influenza and the complications such as pneumonia. Those most at risk should be vaccinated, unless otherwise contraindicated. This includes children aged 6 months to 19 years, pregnant women, those of any age with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and lung diseases.

Those who reside in nursing homes and long term care facilities where influenza can spread rapidly should be vaccinated. Teachers, health care workers, and anyone who cares for the elderly or infirm.

Anyone who cares for or has contact with children under the age of 6 months should be vaccinated to reduce exposure to this age group which cannot be vaccinated.

Nurses need to take the lead and set the example for all health care workers as well as the general public to be vaccinated and protect others from the flu virus. This can be even more important for travel nurses who spend time in many different parts of the country. You can send an E-card from the CDC website to your colleagues, friends and family to remind them to be vaccinated as well.

By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
©2008 by UltimateNurse.com All Rights Reserved

Is Nursing a Profession?

Posted in Nursing, Nursing Jobs, Uncategorized

Is Nursing a Profession?

There are those who say that nursing will never become a profession until all nurses are required to have at least a BSN. There are others who will argue that the diploma and ADN nurses are better nurses. This debate has gone on for years and will continue for some time to come.

There was a point several years back when progress towards making a BSN mandatory was making headway. Hospitals began only hiring BSN nurses and had even begun to cutback on hiring LP/VNs who then had to look to other venues such as retirement and nursing homes for employment. And then the nursing shortage began to make an impact and it didn’t matter what preparation nurses have as long as they are a licensed nurse.

Not all states have the ability to survey, collect and analyze data from the nursing workforce, so we have to look at figures from 2004. At that time, greater than 51% of the workforce had less than a BSN; 17.5% of RNs were diploma prepared, 33.7% had an ADN, 34.2% had their BSN and 13% had advanced degrees of an MSN or a PhD in nursing.

It is doubtful that a dramatic shift in BSN prepared nurses has occurred since 2004, and with shortages of nurse educators it is not like to happen any time soon. Students are pursuing any avenue open to them including the LP/VN route with an eye to bridge to RN or BSN.

And so the debate over whether nursing is truly a profession will continue. The fact is however, that nurses are the backbone of the health care system. The shortage of nurses has made an impact and brought this point to the forefront. Nurses need to continue to demand respect for our contributions and it is essential to continue to conduct ourselves in a professional manner.

Nursing is a lifelong learning process. No student graduates from nursing school knowing everything they will ever need to know. Health care itself is constantly evolving as technology improves and more is learned about medical science. Techniques, procedures, medications and treatments continue to change.

Nursing roles have evolved over time as well. Nurses have many more responsibilities now than ever before, including the fact that early nurses worked very hard and also swabbed the floors and made bandages, etc.

Continuing education is mandatory in most states. Career advancement requires more formal education. Those who prefer bedside nursing don’t necessarily need more formal education. But clinical specialists and nurse managers do need at least a BSN. Nurse educators are usually at least MSN prepared and professors have a PhD.

To the outside world, nursing may not meet the criteria to be labeled a profession but to those who work the work and talk the talk, nursing is one of the most rewarding of all professions.

By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and is the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.

©2008 by UltimateNurse.com All Rights Reserved

New Nurses Need to Learn How to Advocate for Themselves

Posted in Nursing, Nursing Jobs, Uncategorized

New Nurses Need to Learn How to Advocate for Themselves

As a new nurse, you need to learn to advocate for yourself. There is a critical nursing shortage and most new nurses are going to find themselves working on a unit that is very short staffed.

If you are lucky enough to have a preceptor assigned to you, you need to consider the fact that all too often that person isn’t going to be ecstatic about having an extra burden, regardless of whether or not they like being a preceptor.

A Few Tips
Here are a few tips to help you and your preceptor make this a positive experience. Remember that you are not expected to be perfect. You are however, expected to observe the primary rule of DO NO HARM and to ask for help if you don’t know how to do something. If you haven’t been checked off on doing something by yourself, you are expected to ask for supervision.

You are also expected to do your homework. Yes, you still need to do some research and studying on your own time. There will always be new drugs, treatments, procedures, diseases and conditions to learn about.

You should not waste your preceptor’s time. Be prepared. Gather the supplies you will need ahead of time and prepare the patient. Know how a procedure should be done in your facility. (Read your Policy and Procedure Manual, AKA the P&P.) Be prepared to answer questions from the patient and your preceptor. And be prepared to ask relevant questions. Observe and learn the tips and techniques being demonstrated.

Offer to help your preceptor with some of his/her patient load to ease her burden. Help with procedures and routine tasks or care so s/he has time to help you. Don’t do this at the expense of leaving your own tasks undone.

Smile and say Thank you!
Always say thank you, and ask how you can help your co-workers. Smile and use direct eye contact. Be sincere.

Not all preceptors are created equal and not everyone is cut out to teach. If you can’t find a way to work with your preceptor, ask for a change. But don’t place blame and make accusations. Learn to say something like, “Susan is a great preceptor, but I’m more of a visual learner, is there someone else I could work with?” Or, “John has been so patient with me, but I just always feel so intimidated by him because he’s such a good nurse, I think I would do better with someone a little more laid back.”

Speak to your supervisor privately about any issues you have. Give him/her the opportunity to offer suggestions to make this work out. Try them and if they don’t help, stand up for yourself and again say you need something different.

Give Yourself a Year
Be patient. Do the best job you know how to do, and it will all get easier. Don’t expect that to happen for about a year. Think about it, that’s why there are so many books about your first year as a nurse. You’ll get there!

If It’s Too Stressful
If you are way too stressed by your job, you won’t be happy and you won’t do your best. Remember that if the unit is too fast paced and short handed, you don’t have to stay there. Talk to your supervisor and ask for a transfer to another unit where you can have a better chance to learn and refine your skills at a slower pace. It will be better for all. Don’t take no for an answer. Advocate for yourself. If the facility can’t accommodate you, you may need to look elsewhere. This isn’t the only nursing job available!

By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.

©2008 by Ultimate Nurse.com All Rights Reserved

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