A Nurse is Not ‘Just’ a Nurse – We Tell You Why

Whether or not you have ever been unwell, everyone’s heard of a nurse. Moreover, regardless of anybody's notions about nurses, they are not just nurses anymore, and they have never been “just” nurses in the past, either.

Not sure if a nursing career is worth your time? Here are five eye-opening reasons why a nurse is not “just” a nurse.

1. You're an Educator - As a nurse-to-be, know that you're not ‘just’ a nurse. You educate your patients and their families on their diagnosis. Start looking at yourself as an educator, too. You are educated in a plethora of signs, symptoms, treatment options and medications of many ailments and diseases. You may have to teach something concrete, such as how to apply a dressing to a wound. Alternatively, it may be more abstract, such as the signs and symptoms of worsening diabetes.
2. You're a Bridge Builder - As a nurse, you become the bridge-builder between the patient and the healthcare organization. In this way, you manage to offer the best possible care to patients. At the same time, nurses hold a great responsibility to provide the best possible care to their patients while embodying their healthcare organization’s values and mission.
3. You're a Chemical Analyst - Whom-so-ever said that nurses are just an intermediary between the doctor and the patients, is very wrong. Nurses are trained to acquire vast medical knowledge. The specialty programs available turn nurses into a reservoir of extremely technical knowledge that is vital to the healthcare system.
4. You’re also a Counselor - As a nurse, you see life coming into this world, and you also see life leaving. You get the privilege of building relationships. Patients and their families ask you questions, and you tend to advocate for those patients. To many patients and their families, a nurse is their lifeline to the entire workings of the healthcare facility. By answering questions and listening to concerns, a nurse act as an ambassador for a patient.
5. You're a Friend - As a nurse, you don’t just support patients with physical care only; you also become emotionally attached to them. Many times, in your entire career, you'll come across situations when patients won't even need physical care, and instead they'll need your emotional support. 

Nurses, for sure, are not 'just nurses' and in fact, they are so much more than that. Nurses are the front line of care, compassion and duty. You're not just a nurse; you're a human being who puts something beautiful into the world.

Are you in search of the best Nursing Programs in Canada? Check out the handpicked courses offered by INSCOL. Keep shining on!

Greta Friedman: Nurse in the Iconic WWII Times Square Kissing Photo

Via Getty Images

Caught & Clicked!

This candid picture of a nurse kissing a sailor created buzz for a long time. Many women claimed to be the nurse however; Friedman was identified in 2012 as the nurse in the famous picture.

Greta Friedman is the woman in the iconic photo of a nurse and sailor kissing in New York City’s Times Square during the end of World War II. This popular nurse died on September 8, 2016 at 92 years of age. This news was confirmed by Friedman’s son, Joshua, to CBN News and the New York Daily News soon after.

Flashback:

On Aug 14, 1945, when Friedman was just 21 year old, she heard the news that Imperial Japan’s forces had surrendered and she immediately left her office, rushing to Lexington Avenue to learn more.

The moment she reached Times Square, she was grabbed and kissed by George Mendonsa, a former sailor. Alfred Eisenstaedt, a Life Magazine photographer, snapped the photo of a nurse and sailor kissing but wasn’t able to get their names.

The photo remains one of the most iconic images in American history and was a huge hit. This iconic pose has been recreated hundreds of times by couples in Times Square.

In the book The Kissing Sailor: The Mystery Behind the Photo that Ended World War II, author Lawrence Verria confirmed that Friedman and Mendonsa were the true subjects — a belief widely shared today.

In 1956, Greta married a popular doctor named Mischa Friedman. She had two children with the doctor before his death in 1998. Friedman is survived by her two children, Joshua and Mara, and her grandchildren, Caroline and Michael Friedman, the New York Daily News reported.

Many other nurses have changed the world with their contributions and initiatives to improve patient care. To read more about other famous nurses in history, visit INSCOL blog to read Iconic nurses every student should study.

(Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/tamerragriffin/greta-friedman-vj-day-photo-dies?utm_term=.nkOMvWv22#.ihgvQeQgg)

3 Best Hairstyles for Busy Nurses!

As a nurse and always on your toes, you just don’t have time to worry about  your hairstyle. To help you look presentable and poised, here are three great hairstyles for busy nurses.

1. Flipped Ponytail

Via Pinterest

Nurses are always in a rush, and don’t have much time for fancy hairstyles. A flipped ponytail is simple and looks clean and elegant. 

Here are basic steps to get started:

• Comb your hair and tie it up in a regular ponytail. Secure with an elastic band. Make sure it’s not too tight. 
• Divide your hair into two parts, right above the elastic band.
• Hold the end of your ponytail and insert it in between the two parts. 
• Carefully pull the end back until it looks like a flipped ponytail.
• Your flipped ponytail is done and you are all set for work!

2. Top Knot Bun 

Via nursebuff.com

Having a bad hair day? This top knot bun is your savior for bad hair days. Follow these simple steps to create this chic hair-do.

• Comb your hair backward and make a high ponytail.
• Don’t tie your hair with an elastic band, rather  twist it clockwise. Keep repeating it until it wraps around the top of your head like a coil.
• Secure your bun with either bobby pins or an elastic band.

3. Bow Bun

Via nursebuff.com

If you want to look simple yet stylish this bow bun is for you. It takes just a few minutes to make and gives you a sassy look.

• Tie your hair in a ponytail and secure with an elastic band.
• Make a bun and leave some hair on the top of your head.
• Divide the bun in the middle so it resembles a big bow on the top of your head.
• At the back of the bun, pull the ends tight.
• Secure the bun with bobby pins.

To read more tips for nurses, visit our blog. You will find blogs on career, jobs, nursing specialty, nurse humor, nurse education, and more. And, if you are looking for specialty nursing programs in Canada, browse the courses available at INSCOL.com.

4 Myths about Nursing Schools, Busted!

If you are thinking about going to nursing school, you may have heard some ugly and weird rumors about nursing. If you have, then this post is for you. Here we bust some of the most common nursing myths.

1. Instructors are mean - Nursing schools are well-known for their stringent rules and instructors who have a stern and strict attitude. However, once you become familiar with the rules, and the environment, you will realize that it’s simply that your teachers have extremely high expectations, from you. They treat candidates more like peers and less like students. Instructors are serious about the course, while also being firm and polite. There may be some instructors who are terrifying, but it would be unfair to label them as mean. 
2. Trying to weed out the weak too early - Many students have the notion that schools try to weed out the weaker students. It’s just that Nursing schools have different criteria for passing. Here, students who score 90% get a B and students who score a 74%, fail! Competition is higher in nursing school, and weaker students tend to fall out on their own. Once you are adjusted to this competitive environment, scoring 90% will be perceived as normal. 
3. Exams are impossible to pass - Nursing school exams are certainly tough, but to say impossible to pass is a myth. You just need to be focused and need to acquaint yourself with attempting NCLEX-style questions. NCLEX-style questions have four correct answers, out of which one answer is ‘More Correct’. Students often go through a dilemma wherein they feel either all of the answers are correct, or none of them are. Yet, there is always one answer that is a tad more right, than the others. Therefore, in order to ace an NCLEX exam you need to get used to this style of testing.
4. You will hardly ever see your friends and family again – You will hear this myth quite often. You can turn a deaf ear to it, because it is entirely untrue! You just need to be more organized and able to prioritize your time intelligently. This will enable you to take time out for friends and family. A nurse’s life is hectic but they need to make an honest effort toward some “me” time and family time. Initially it may seem tough but with planning, it can be done.

If you are aspiring for a nursing career in abroad and looking for the right nursing course for you, then explore the International Nursing Programs offered by INSCOL. 

All-New Nursing Technologies that Recently Made Headlines

Without a shadow of doubt, new nursing technologies have entirely changed the way nurses work today. The technologies too are constantly evolving and have made the health care arena much advanced than ever before. Not only have these technologies increased patient satisfaction, they have also helped in reducing clinical errors and decreased the amount of paperwork that nurses were required to do before these technologies evolved. 

These advancements in the field of nursing have been embraced with open arms by most healthcare organizations. Read on to know which new nursing technologies have made it to the headlines recently…

The Point-of-Care Technology

Thanks to this nursing technology, access to patient records, X-rays, medication information and the ability to seek a second opinion from another health care professional have become easier than ever before and can be done directly from the bedside. The bonus point is the fact that software and computer companies are trying to advance this technology and customize them as per hospital requirements. Just by using a wireless network and a computer - nurses in a number of hospitals are able to access a broad variety of information right from the bedside.

The Hot Topic – Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records have been the hot topic since long. The ongoing talk is that there should be a standardized EHR system. However, very few nurses are actually using the technology – less than one in five nurses. According to an industry report, usage of computerized documentation is directly proportional to nursing excellence and good patient outcomes. The higher the number of nurses using the EHR technology, the higher will be the accuracy and the fewer will be the medical errors. Not only will patients be satisfied, there will be an overall hike in the quality of treatment outcomes.

The Increasingly Important – Patient and Staff Identification Systems

Of course, there should be no mix-ups in the people who enter a facility or access the records that are not meant to be accessed by an unauthorized person. Patient and staff identification systems such as radio frequency (RFID) devices, bar codes and wristbands –help in tracking and identifying patients, thereby reducing errors and most importantly in keeping the hospital population safe.

Not to forget the life support systems, smart beds and computerized staff schedules that have evolved through the advancement of technology.

A nursing career is the best option for those who want to enter the healthcare sector. Having said this, are you searching for the best Nursing Programs for International Nurses? INSCOL not only offers international nursing programs, but also provides all the assistance required to pursue a bright and a successful nursing career in countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, UK and US.

Advantages of Continuing Education in Nursing

Many nurses find it difficult to invest time or money to pursue higher degree in nursing, especially when they are into full-time jobs. However, regardless of the extra effort required, there are many benefits of earning higher degrees such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Let us talk about the Advantages of Continuing Nursing Education -

• Updated Nursing Knowledge: It is vital for nurses to update their knowledge frequently. The healthcare field is constantly changing and new inventions are changing the face of healthcare services. Moreover, we are witnessing new illnesses and advancement in techniques for the treatment and new medications. Therefore, it is important for a nurse to stay updated with current research to provide better patient care services. This can only be achieved by continuing nursing education. 

• Diverse Nursing Career Opportunities: Higher degree will help you to move into a clinical specialty, such as cardiology, emergency, critical care, medical-surgical, transport, neurology, pediatrics, pharmacology, and physical assessment. Various Continuing Education courses are available for nurses such as regulatory, leadership, occupational health and safety, infection control, learning, communication, patient safety and legal.  

• Keeping Your Nursing License: To stay certified, some states require Registered Nurses (RNs) to renew their nursing licenses and for renewal, you may need to complete continuing education classes. If you fail to do so, you are at risk of losing your nursing license. 

• Earning Higher Wages: Many employers consider education as a key factor in their employee evaluations. Nurses with higher degrees can get higher pay package and better growth opportunities.

• Qualifying for Supervisory Roles: Continuing education in Nursing can help to improve your leadership skills, decision-making, critical care skills and to learn better strategies to manage your staff. This makes you eligible for positions such as head or staff nurse, department chief, or an administrative manager. 

• Easy Transition from an RN License to a BSN or MSN Degree: Many nursing schools offer courses structured for those who are into a full time job and looking to complete a degree that fits into their busy lifestyle. With the availability of many different schools and nursing programs, nurses should take their time in choosing, which program is the right one for them. 

Not to mention that you have to choose a college where they teach the specialty you want to excel in. Secondly, do not forget to check the advanced courses offered by INSCOL - Centre of Continuing Education. Here, you'll be trained as per the standards and you'll get exposure to the industry's best simulation equipment. 

Atmosphere Matters - An INSCOL Student Shares Her Experience

Do your colleagues, family, friend come to you for your opinion and guidance? Do you feel that you have the skills to lead others? Do you strive for excellence not only in yourself but in others too? Well!! Then the Nursing Leadership and Management Program is the best option for you. 

There are certainly some people who are born leaders and managers, yet there are some others who learn to develop the qualities of a leader. No matter how proficient and practiced you are , a structured course, along with the practical knowledge and a great study atmosphere impacts the way you understand and learn about the profession. 

Apurva Sharma (INSCOL Student, May'16 Intake – Nursing Leadership and Management, Seneca College, Canada) shares her learning experience at INSCOL and says that she adores the warm and learning oriented atmosphere she experienced here. 

Have a look at the message she has for all nursing aspirants – 

 

INSCOL takes pride in providing the learning atmosphere that will help Apurva excel as a bright student and have a successful career in Canada as a leadership and management nurse.

The truth is – eyes are the mirror to our souls, and they tell a story more truthfully than words can ever do. One look at Apurva’s eyes... tells her story. We want to thank the student for having faith in us.

INSCOL will always strive to provide with the best knowledge, skills and expertise to nursing professionals.

In the meantime, if you are looking for the best nursing leadership and management programs in Canada? Take a look at the courses available at INSCOL. A bright career awaits you.

Until next time.