My Strong Medicine

The adventures of a male nurse navigating through life, staying fit, surviving the journey.

Posts Tagged ‘health’

Change Of Shift |CoS: INQRI Blog

Posted by Sean on February 26, 2010

CoS

The latest installment of Change of Shift is up over at INQRI Blog.

There are a lot of great submissions as always. This installment is all about Nursing Educaiton! Be sure to check out the latest edition of our beloved blog carnival.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.. not only did I not submit an entry – but I’m almost a week late posting Change of Shift. Sorry, this semester is grueling.

As always a BIG THANK YOU to Kim over at Emergiblog for getting the CoS party started, and keeping the fire going!

Carpe Diem

Posted in health | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Change of Shift |CoS

Posted by Sean on February 7, 2010

CoS

The latest installment of Change of Shift is up over at Rehab RN. I’m a couple days late.

There are a lot of great submissions as always. Rehab RN always makes blogging a good time. Be sure to check out the latest edition of our beloved blog carnival.

I’m on the ‘failed’ list. I just can’t seem to make a submission these days. (I’m sorry) At wits end

As always a BIG THANK YOU to Kim over at Emergiblog for getting the CoS party started, and keeping the fire going!

Carpe Diem

Posted in health | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

How Can A Career Obligation Get You Arrested??!!

Posted by Sean on February 7, 2010

“We’re just in disbelief that you could be arrested for doing something you had been told your whole career was an obligation.”

Texas Nurse to Stand Trial for Reporting Doctor – NYTimes.com

This is just unbelievable. There is a lot more to this ‘small-town’ story that I’m anxious to hear. A nurse from a small community hospital reports a doctor for actions that warrant compromising patient safety and for practicing ‘bad medicine’.

Somehow the nurse was fired without explanation and is now standing trial on felony charges!?

What happened to do no harm?

What happened to advocating for the patient?

What happened?

Posted in health, opinion | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

The Media CONTINUES To Give Nurses A Bad Name And Bad Image

Posted by Sean on January 29, 2010

 

Come on! Seriously Mariah??

I’m having a hard time not losing my cool over this recent (attempt) music video by Mariah Carey. Yeah, yeah I know it’s a music video. Yeah, I know it’s all in fun and for entertainment. BUT, when is society and the media going to put a stop to the ‘sexy nurse’?

Gee. Maybe I should put one of those outfits on? What do you think? White skirt with my high heels, pretty lil white cap and of course the over-the-top red lipstick?

I’m a nurse.. so it should elicit the same response right? It’s sexy right?

Listen up people!

This persona and fantasy only makes my job tougher. It degrades and denounces the very fabric of our job and our careers. I  am in the business of saving and impacting lives. When I have a bad day – someone gets hurt. We don’t wear those outfits. We don’t saunter to our patients’ room. We SURE don’t wear high heels!

It really angers me to the point of exhaustion when we keep allowing the media to bash and abuse this old, and frankly disgusting portrayal of nurses.

Yeah, I’m fully aware of the difference between fantasy and reality. I have a firm grasp on fact versus fiction.

But, I’m not the rest of society.

Grr.Angry

Posted in health, opinion | Tagged: | 15 Comments »

Being A Nurse And Paying Your Taxes

Posted by Sean on January 24, 2010

Yeah, I know, not two concepts that are normally in one sentence. As a nurse, I can’t say my taxes are on the forefront of my mind. Not even during ‘tax time’.

I can vaguely remember learning how to do my own taxes as a high school senior. I even DID my own taxes for a number of years. Then as my work and work-related experience became more complex, coupled with the horribly confusing school, school loans, and differing tax forms I deferred doing my taxes to the professionals. More specifically, I handed it over to those wonderful tax preparation specialist – I won’t name any names, but you only know their names because of the dooms-day April deadline every year.

Since then, every year I simply gather all that is necessary, shovel it over to my professional tax preparing service and…….

….hope for the best.

Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s not what you would call a very proactive attitude. I for one hate anything and everything that has to do with taxes – even though I’ve been paying them since I was eligible.

So taxes and nurses? Do we nurses have special needs when concerned with qualifying for deductions and maximizing our return?

Heck yeah!

I for one have learned over the past couple years that we as a work force spend A LOT of money for our job. Expenses that go unnoticed. Everything from work-related supplies like scrubs and shoes, to our journal subscriptions  and our memberships to national organizations. Apparently they qualify for a tax deduction.

They are all cost expenses we always forget when divvying up yearly actions. I don’t know about you, but over a year’s time – that money spent can get quite high.

Wouldn’t you like to be reimbursed for all that you spend?

If anything how about making us aware of what qualifies and what doesn’t when it comes to taxes and tax preparation?

Well it seems someone has that very thing.

The first and only online tax preparation service specifically for nurses, TaxReturnsForNurses.com uses a customized approach and recognizes the unique tax needs of these professionals.


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New Online Tax Preparation Service – www.TaxReturnsForNurses.com – Fills Need for Customized Tax Return Preparation among Nursing Community

www.TaxReturnsForNurses.com is First and Only Service Designed for Unique Needs of Nurses, Helps Nurses Get the Highest Return they Deserve

Nurses throughout the United States now have the opportunity to file their personal tax return online through www.TaxReturnsForNurses.com. This is the first and only online tax preparation resource developed to meet the unique needs of nurses.  Most tax preparation services use a “one-size-fits-all” approach; however this approach does not always address a nurse’s specific tax issues.

Through a customized approach to tax return preparation, www.TaxReturnsForNurses.com helps nurses get the largest tax refund they are eligible for.   The service considers potential tax deductible expenses associated with nursing, such as mandated dues, continuing education fees and uniform.

Costs will be $14.95 to complete a state tax return and will range from $14.95 – $49.95 for federal filing.

The service management team has significant experience in the tax preparation, and financial and consumer products industries.  www.TaxReturnsForNurses.com utilizes world-class software, featuring a calculation engine supported by CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, a tax business leader since the inception of the federal income tax in 1913.


I was contacted by a representative for this new service in hopes of passing on the word. It definitely has sparked my interest.

I for one don’t want to abuse or manipulate the tax system, but if I can maximize my deductions and increase my tax return – heck I’m game!

Check it out folks. Tell me what you think?

Posted in health | Tagged: , | 4 Comments »

Does A Test Score Define You?

Posted by Sean on January 15, 2010

sleeping_in_classI have asked myself this question throughout my many years as a student (MANY YEARS). Does your test score fairly reflect your performance as a professional?

The following article sparked my interest – Do Test Scores Make the Doctor? – Well Blog – NYTimes.com

Whether it’s being a Physician, Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Occupational Therapist, etc. Does your exam score quantify you and your skills in your chosen profession? Does a poor test score equate to poor skills or worse yet a failure? And the opposite, does high performance test scores reflect superb skills and being a success at your job??

I for one think it’s hog-wash. It’s a balance. We as professionals need all of the above to do our job well, and do deliver the best care possible. I agree, knowledge is the key, but if you cannot apply the knowledge, or use the knowledge in everyday functioning what’s the point?

I think it’s the age-old debate between ‘book’ smarts and ‘common’ sense (sometimes called street smarts).

You need to be equal parts ‘nerd’ and versatile ‘Joe’. In the ‘thick’ of it, you need to draw on your education and knowledge as well as perform and utilize critical thinking skills ‘in the moment’ to properly and effectively do your job.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one!

Posted in health, opinion | Tagged: , | 4 Comments »

Change Of Shift | CoS

Posted by Sean on November 27, 2009

CoS

A great Thanksgiving treat – Change of Shift style!

The latest installment of Change of Shift is up over at Emergiblog, with Kim as our beloved host.

Kim took on the daunting task as host during the holidays to ensure our awesome blog carnival continues! Be sure to check out the latest edition of our beloved blog carnival.

I really have no excuse for not submitting besides being a tad lazy – and life just got a little busy with school wrapping up and work. I vow to have submissions for the next edition!

As always a BIG THANK YOU to Kim over at Emergiblog for getting the CoS party started, and keeping the fire going!

Posted in health | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

Celebrating 2009 Perioperative Nurse Week!

Posted by Sean on November 12, 2009

image  2009 Perioperative Nurse Week November 8-14

I wanted to send out a *HIGH FIVE* to all my fellow nurses working within the realms of the Operating Room. Thank you for all that you do and all you sacrifice.

Be sure to pass it on!

Posted in health | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Up and Down..

Posted by Sean on November 8, 2009

Tired_by_billysphoto  Image Source:deviantART

For the count that is. Have I mentioned how much the night shift and I do not get along? (You’re probably getting sick and ‘tired’ of hearing it from me)

Here’s my problem. I’m a light sleeper. So light of a sleeper that the wind outside wakes me- not a lie. So ‘forcing’ myself or convincing myself to sleep is just impossible.

I’m all out of sorts.

My body is rejecting my F’d up circadian clock right now. It doesn’t know if it’s coming or going. Day or night? Stay awake.. or sleep?

When I want or need to sleep.. I’m wide fricken awake!. When I want or need to stay awake.. I’m peeling my eyelids open just to focus! I have to convince my synapses they need to fire.

My mind’s not right. My brain is hazy. And my attitude has gone down the toilet. My poor wife has suffered the most. She gets to listen to me whine.. and she gets the whipping end of my short-fuse. I seem to be snapping and ‘biting’ at all the small things – and I KNOW I’m doing it. She’s so good to me, tolerating me and my down-right miserable-ness. These are one of the million times I am truly lucky to be her husband. She makes me a better man by simply being her – because no one else would tolerate me and my bitterness. I love you angel.

Grr.

I hate this.

I hate the ‘me’ I see.

Posted in health | Tagged: , , | 13 Comments »

The Dangers Of The Night Shift

Posted by Sean on November 7, 2009

Image Source: aplusteacherfitness

the abnormal sleep and fall in vigilance demonstrated among intensive care unit nurses may have implications for patient safety

Abnormal sleep may increase nurse errors – UPI.com

I can relate to this dangerous possibility.

*SIGH*

Posted in health, opinion | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

 
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