• American Nurses Association Urges Registered Nurses To Get The H1N1 Vaccine 

• Best and Worst States for Sleep
• Statin drugs may lower death from flu: study
• Flu Shots for Moms-to-Be Benefit Babies
• Obama to life HIV/AIDS travel ban

• Medical Supply Madness: Should we Standardize?

• Nurse Practitioner Faith Coleman Named a CNN Hero
• When the Doctor is Distressed

• How health care overhaul could change Medicare
• Over 65? Take lots of vitamin D to prevent a fall
• Infant heart defects linked to overweight moms
• Low-Cost Drugs Prevent Heart Attack, Stroke

• Pause and Communicate

• Shortage of doctors could damage healthcare reform
• New York State Senate Passes Nursing Care Quality Protection Act
• The 'problem with nurses' is a problem with healthcare
• Docs, nurses use and recommend diet supplements
• Nurses Call On Rep. Miller To Support Amendment Allowing States To Enact Single-Payer Health Reform

• New Hope for Fixing Broken Hearts
• Poll Still Finds Public Support for Health-Care Reform
• Parental Stress Boosts Kids’ Asthma Risk
• Kids’ lower IQ scores linked to prenatal pollution
• FDA Urges Consumers Not to Purchase or Use Certain Gel-Filled Teethers
•  

Happy Friday everyone! Today I want to announce that Julie Pare is the winner of last month’s Editor @ Large Contest. Julie, an LPN on a Pediatric floor, loves her Koi scrubs and here’s what she had to say about them:

 “As a petite sized nurse, it has always been difficult to find scrubs that fit. I have tried many brands that are too long, too short. Or, if the length is right, they are too small or too big in the waist. That was before I found KOI scrubs by Kathy Peterson! These scrubs are perfect for me! Not only are they sized right, but they are stylish and functional, too! As a float pool nurse, I may be on the medical floor one day and in the emergency room the next, but I don't have to worry about whether my scrubs are going to keep up with me. There are roomy pockets, durable fabrics, and shapes that flatter. These scrubs hold up to a hard job—the colors don't fade and they are so easy to clean! No more paying for alterations here, KOI is the only brand I hang in my closet now! Thank you Kathy Peterson for being such a great designer and thank you Lydia's for carrying such a great brand!”  

For her winning comment, Julie will receive a $50 gift certificate for new medical uniforms and she says she can’t wait to wear her new scrubs to work and show them off.

If you want to win your own $50 gift certificate take a minute to enter this month’s Editor @ Large Contest. And don’t forget to check out the news from this week:

Healthcare Professionals in the News:

• Is Drug-Company Money Tainting Medical Education
• Docs seek gag orders to stop patients' reviews
• State Senate Introduces Bill To Protect Pennsylvania's Patients And Nurses
• Coalition Targeting Nursing Shortage Will Take Aim At Education, Funding

Health News:

• Better together: Food combos amp the nutrition
• Baby bottle companies to stop using BPA
• At Summit, Obama Urges Solutions for Rising Cost of Health Care
• Lead levels in kids drop significantly
  
• Wine May Cut Risk of Esophageal Cancer

Blog Posts:

• Are You the Bearer of Bad News?
• Low Cost Medicine

Are you one of those people who are obsessed with Facebook gifts? If so, we’ve got something just for you. Yesterday we made a new Facebook application specifically for all of you who wear scrubs, use medical supplies and can’t get enough of Facebook gifts; we created a Send a Lydia’s Stethoscope application. It’s simple to use, just choose the stethoscope you want to send, pick who you’re sending it to and that’s it! It’s a fun way to show some love to your healthcare friends on Facebook, while also showing pride in your profession. So go check it out and see what you think. If you love it, let us know by becoming a fan. Or leave a comment here and share your opinion.

The holiday season is here and we want to wish you Happy Holidays by offering you two chances to win free medical clothing uniforms from Lydia’s. Tons of new designer medical scrubs, lab coats and medical supplies will be available soon in our new catalog and on the web site so now is the perfect time to win a Lydia's gift certificate.

Enter our Holiday 2008 Photo Contest and you could win a $100 gift certificate or enter our Editor @ Large Contest and you could win a $50 gift certificate; enter both and double your chances of winning free scrubs!

To enter our Holiday 2008 Photo Contest all you have to do is click here and send us a picture of you in your holiday medical scrubs. I’m excited to see all of your photos so I hope you take the time to enter. The contest ends on January 7th, 2009 so get your camera out this week at work.

To enter the December Editor @ Large Contest just share a funny work story. Visit my blog post here to read all the details and enter now.

Good luck to all who enter; I can’t wait to see your pictures and read your stories.

I bet most of you accessorize your scrubs, although you might not think of it that way. The accessories probably don’t come in the form of pearl earrings, a silver necklace or an expensive watch. They’re more likely to be along the lines of a dependable stethoscope or a bag that you tote your belongings in on the way to and from work. These practical and functional pieces are what make your medical uniform complete. 

Many of you might think of Lydia’s Uniforms as a place to get your scrubs and medical coats, but not as the store for all those other helpful accessories. If you  fall into that category you should check out the medical supplies section of our    web site. In this section of the site you can find a watch to match almost any nursing scrubs, the perfect work tote and adorable stethoscope covers that are great for the Pediatrician’s office. There is also a large selection of medical supplies including tools like stethoscopes and thermometers.

I know when I’m shopping online I love being able to get everything I’m looking for in one place. It saves on shipping and it’s just more convenient. So hopefully next time you’re shopping for your medical uniforms (including accessories and medical supplies), you’ll be able to get everything you need in one trip to Lydia's.

P.S. As a thanks for reading, the first three people to comment on this post will receive a free tote from Lydia's. So let's hear what you have to say!

Happy Friday everyone! Here’s the news from the week:

Healthcare Professionals in the News:

• When The Patient Can't Decide: Study Looks At Physician Perspectives On Surrogate Decision Making
• Possible Age Bias Among Emergency Medical Personnel
• Initiatives | Two Florida Universities Partner in Effort To Boost Minority Nursing Population
• 'Medical-Surgical Nurses Week' To Honor Nurses' Life-Saving Work
• New rules proposed to protect anti-abortion doctors

Health News:

• Genetic traits linked to bipolar disorder
• Blood protects against long-gone killer 1918 flu
• FDA Warns of Deaths by Diabetes Drugs
• Scientists make red blood cells from embryonic stem cells; may someday help transfusion supply
• Jump in US measles cases linked to vaccine fears

Press Releases:

• Healthcare Reformers Hold Reception for Congressional HR 676 Caucus at Democratic National Convention, Tues. Aug 26
• Largest gift in MSU College of Nursing history will fund building project

Blogs:

• Thoughts on routines and such
• The Heart as Electromagnet

And if you haven’t already created your wishlist at LydiasUniforms.com, don’t forget to do so! It’s your chance to win $250 worth of free nursing scrubs and medical supplies. One reader left a comment saying she wants to win the contest so that she can try a pair of the Earth Solar Shoes. What items are at the top of your wishlist?

If you haven’t already heard: the Lydia’s Win Your Wishlist Contest is back (I love being the bearer of good news)! Just in time for fall we’re giving you the chance to score $250 of stylish uniforms.  Entering is extremely simple. Whether you’re looking for men’s nursing scrubs, medical supplies or a new lab coat, just login to your Lydia’s Uniforms account, find your favorite items and add them to your wishlist. You have until August 31st to create your wishlist and I’ll be announcing the winner the following week.

                  

To read all the official rules and details of the contest click here. And if you happen to know where I can score my own free work clothes just by browsing an online store, let me know!

I love reading, but I hate getting excited to read a new book and then discovering three pages into it that it's not at all what I expected (in a bad way). So that’s what’s great about today’s post; today my post features an excerpt from a book titled Hot Nursing Careers for the 21st Century by Micheline Birger. Not only does it give you a sneak peek into the book, but there’s also a Q&A that I did with the author and the chance to read the first 20 pages of the book online!

The book consists of 111 questions and answers about virtually everything to do with nursing. After reading the intro about the author and her 36 years of experience in the field, doing everything from pediatric neurology to insurance reviews, I was a bit intrigued.

So if you’re a nurse, you’re in nursing school or you’re thinking about doing either, there’s a chance you might want to read this. Here’s an excerpt from Hot Nursing Careers for the 21st Century:

6. Suppose I don’t want to work in a hospital, what other places can I work in as a nurse?
That depends on the individual nurse and what their specific qualifications are. For example, suppose a nurse has a background in sales. He/she could be hired to market pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Usually the employers will put them through their own training program for the particular product that they are marketing/selling.

If the nurse has a background in the written word, they may be hired for medical editing or medical journalism. A nurse may have a computer background. They could be hired as consultants in planning medical information technology. A nurse may also work with lawyers or do chart reviews for insurance companies. Once again, usually this requires solid hospital experience.

Generally, if a new nurse wants to work in an alternative setting such as a clinic or doctor’s office, the one year of solid hospital experience generally applies. Again, this is a highly individual process. Each potential employer will evaluate the specific skills of the nurse.

8. What kind of money will I make as a nurse?
That’s a good question. It depends on location, location, location. Initially, in order to entice new graduates to hospitals, hospitals offer high starting salaries for new grads. If a nurse decides to stay in a particular facility then they would receive yearly increments or cost of living increases. Places like New York City and San Francisco pay nurses more but the cost of living is much higher than other areas of the USA.

Generally speaking (and this is subject to change in a heartbeat and a sneeze in health care), the Southern States pay less. The best way to find out is to look on the Internet and do a search under Career Builders or some other job search engine. But, no matter which way you cut, dice or splice it, you can make a living as a nurse. If you want to get rich as a nurse, write a best-selling book, win the lottery or have a relative who is a savvy investment whiz show you how to leverage your hard-earned money.

19. Suppose I don’t want to work nights and week-ends when I graduate. Will I be forced to do that once I am hired as a new graduate in a hospital?
Once again, that all depends on you and what you want to do once you graduate. In general, if the hospital needs a night nurse and you need the experience then one must do what one must do in order to get where one needs to go. Look at it as a win-win situation. You get a job, you get experience and the hospital gets a night-nurse. Usually there is no way around it unless you marry the Chairman of the Board or the Head of the Department.

As if answering 111 questions for her book wasn’t enough; I asked the author a few questions of my own.

What prompted you to write Hot Nursing Careers for the 21st Century?
What prompted me to write the book was nurses themselves. I had worked a lot of travel nursing assignments nationally and the nurses that I would come into contact with were looking for alternatives to the traditional hospital setting. They were experienced but weren't quite clear about what their next step would be. They were looking for ideas. A lot of them didn't want to get their Masters and teach, they weren't interested in administration. They knew that they wanted to continue in the field but were unsure about what was available.
 
Another thing that prompted me was people who thought about nursing but didn't know the questions to ask or how to get started. Face it, the average person thinking about the field of nursing thinks of the shows ER ,General Hospital or MASH! It is/was my intention to educate, enlighten and entertain people about learning more about the nursing profession. I used to think there has to be a book out about that kind of thing that wasn't overly academic and so dry that would put me to sleep. Then I thought, well then, I guess I have to write it. It was an organic process. It just kind of unfolded. As I kept asking questions, I kept getting answers. I wish when I started out in nursing 100 years ago that I had this book.
 
What is astonishing to me is, even nurses that have been nurses for years didn't know about some of the directions and other disciplines in nursing. It was news to them! That is why I included on the cover - A Practical Guide for New or Seasoned Nurses. I also think with the general state of the economy as it stands now; people are worried about their futures and their families. Face it, without the nurse in society, medicine could not function. That is why it is specialized knowledge. People want to enter into something that pays decently and is respected in society. Also I wrote the book to help demystify all the questions that people want to ask but didn't know how to ask them.
 
What is the single most valuable tool that you've found for acquiring a nursing job?
I do believe that the single most valuable tool is being positive. Smile a lot. Answer the questions that the interviewer poses to the best of your ability. Depending on what type of nursing job do your homework about the facility itself and how you would be an asset to the organization. Other than the standards of dressing nice and being polite, be approachable and likable. Be classy.
 
 
What do you think the outlook for the nursing industry is for the future? 
Nursing/health care is one of the big growth industries for the 21st Century. We live in a specialized society and so any special/technical education will always be an asset. I do strongly emphasize that a new RN gets experience. Experience is paramount! Ask questions....do your homework. There is no substitute for a firm foundation and knowledge base.
 
 
Out of all the jobs you've had in this industry which one did you enjoy the most and why? 
Interesting question, each job that I have had in the industry has always been a learning situation. When I first got out of school in the 70's I worked in Adult Neurology and Neuro- surgery. At that time I thought it was fascinating to see how the brain controlled the body. I gained valuable experience in addition to critical thinking skills.

But to answer your question, which job did I enjoy the most and why I would say that anything that involved teaching or directing groups. I worked in one of the premier psychiatric facilities and ran groups in a Day Hospital. I loved teaching my seminars on laughter and health when I was on the West Coast. I taught nurse's aides for their certification. In all that I always had stories to give the students because I had such an abundance of experience.
 
 
If you had to give one piece of advice to someone starting a nursing career what would it be? 
Make it a priority to have fun in your life. Don't forget to laugh. Don't throw other ambitions by the wayside. Keep a well-balanced life.  Strive for excellence. Also, remember that the people that you serve are just that - just people. Treat them with respect. Treat yourself with respect. Another thing to remember is customer service. Always have good customer service skills.

Also, keep expanding your horizons.  Once one has the firm foundation of the education one has a solid basis in life.
 
In the introduction to your book, you stated you only went to nursing school because your mother wanted you to.  After 36 years in the profession, are you glad you did that?
Yes, I do believe that the knowledge I have gained throughout the years has been invaluable. More importantly is the insight one develops working with people on such an intimate level. One sees people at their worst most times, and that is where you truly learn about life.

When I watch the TV journalists conduct interviews about anything to do with health care I laugh. It all sounds so Madison Ave. Real healing, the kind that transforms life is a personal journey of insight/acceptance and self-love. I'm not talking a narcissistic love but a true acceptance of ones failures. Failures as well as successes. And more importantly the ability to forgive oneself or others. One must learn to take personal responsibility for their health/life.

So, to answer your question, yes. In today's oversaturated conflicting information boom I am glad that I have the knowledge about health care and what I can do to keep myself sane and healthy on an ongoing basis

So if you would like to read more, the first 20 pages of this book are available here. These pages really give you an idea of whether or not you want to continue reading the book. They contain an introduction about the author, a list of all 111 questions included in the book, and the first 27 questions and answers.

If you have any other book recommendations for nurses or nurses to be, leave a comment and share your suggestions.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading about everything from spacious nurse uniforms to designer medical scrubs this week.  I love how there are so many new things for me to write about now that the stylish scrubs for fall have arrived. Who knows what I’ll find to write about next week.

Now, taking a break from medical uniforms (just for a minute), here are some news stories from the week that you might find interesting:

Healthcare Professionals in the News:

• New nurses need criminal record check
• Dental Care Shortages, Reimbursements Need To Be Addressed In Health Policy Debate, Experts Say
• GenVec receives funding for foot-and-mouth vaccine program
• Most Generalists Reluctant To Provide Primary Care For Young Adults With Chronic Illness
• Doctors’ opposition to home nursing riles midwives, moms
• As Doctors Cater to Looks, Skin Patients Wait

Health News:

• Experimental Alzheimer’s drug shows early promise
• Pre-pregnancy diabetes tied to more birth defects
• Artificial pancreas just years away, experts say
• Does Bush proposal threaten access to the pill?
• L.A.: No new fast-food outlets in poor area

Opinion Piece:

• PRICE: Transforming health care

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and if you’re planning on purchasing any apparel scrubs, lab coats or medical supplies in the next few days I suggest you keep an eye on your e-mail for an opportunity to save a little cash when you do.

If you’re anything like me (and I know I’m not alone here) you might have a mild addiction to social networking sites. Who knows how clean my house would be or how many books I could have read if they didn’t exist, but regardless, I still love them. If this sounds familiar, you’ll be happy to know that Lydia’s Uniforms has found its way onto MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. So why not increase your friends list (and ours!) and add us on whatever site you like best, or all three if you want. Need more convincing? Here’s my logic:

There are all sorts of benefits that come with being connected to Lydia’s Uniforms through these sites. For example, through Twitter you can find out via text message or IM the moment that we’re running a sale on a specific brand or style. Being one of the first to know, you have the opportunity to shop the sale immediately before sizes and colors disappear. We also constantly update our MySpace and Facebook friends on sales, promotions and contests and sometimes even have offers exclusively for our friends. Right now our MySpace and Facebook friends have the opportunity to receive a free messenger bag in the mail (there’s still a chance to get in on this offer if you friend us now!), just by explaining why they love Lydia’s.

So if you’re constantly visiting Facebook, MySpace or Twitter (like me), add Lydia’s as a friend and stay in the know on the latest in medical uniforms, medical supplies and more! And if these social networks aren’t for you, keep reading the blog because I’m not going anywhere.

Lydia's on Facebook
Lydia's on MySpace
Lydia's on Twitter

P.S. Check back tomorrow to see the web team’s favorite new scrubs for fall!