Hospital Writer, Author at Downtown Hospital

Is a Career in Nursing Right for You?

May 13, 2017 by Hospital Writer

Let’s be honest, nursing is not for everyone. It can be a demanding career physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Different nursing specialties will have different demands. For anyone considering a rewarding, but challenging, career in nursing consider the following questions to see if this is a good career match for you.

Can you work well in a team?

Nursing often involves working within a multi-disciplinary team compiled of various members. This may include physicians, administrative support, occupational therapists, dieticians, physiotherapists, and, of course, the patient and their family, to name a few. Being a good listener, providing your own input, and respecting each other’s roles can help optimize patient care.

Can you adapt to changing environments?

Ask yourself if you can be adaptable to changing needs and degrees of workload in a short period of time. It only takes one emergency or an abrupt change in a patient’s condition to have a steady day turn into chaos. Even in a community setting, if an outbreak occurs or flu season strikes the necessity to work harder, faster, and longer can be a reality.

Nurses are also expected to attend conventions and conferences where they learn about new technologies and treatments that affect all areas of the nursing profession. Sometimes these conferences are paid for by a nurse’s employer. And sometimes they aren’t, and they are expected to afford the cost of the trip with a travel discount site like http://coupongo.org.

Do you enjoy the sciences?

nurses career Certainly nursing knowledge includes learning biology to understand how the body works. However, also be prepared to embrace chemistry and math. For example, consider pharmaceuticals and what knowledge is required to understand how medications work within the body, or how calcium ions affect the heart rate. Or, consider how the doctor may be prescribing the medication but it is important for nurses to double check dosages based on age and weight. This is not to discourage people who do not excel in the hard sciences from a career in nursing, but is a consideration to be prepared to work and study hard.

Do you enjoy psychology and sociology?

How people think, interact, portray emotions, and behave in society and with others can have a huge impact on their health. Having an interest in human behavior rather than preferring, for example, computer programming can distinguish personalities that may be appropriate for nursing.

Can you advocate for others?

Identifying the needs of people when they are in the vulnerable position of being a patient and having the confidence to speak up to advocate for those patients is a valuable trait in a nurse. It may be too easy at times to just perform the basic job requirements and go home. However, to make a difference in people’s lives and to achieve greater job satisfaction, advocacy can be a powerful tool.

Are you a strong communicator?

Strong written and verbal skills are required in nursing in order communicate with patients and with your colleagues. Communicating and charting accurate assessment findings for the health care team as well as obtaining important information from patients requires confidence and skill as a communicator. Even if a language barrier exists, it is necessary to value the importance of communication. For example, this may be done by arranging a translator or trusted family member.

Do you have a strong work ethic?

This is an important question to ask yourself. Valuing confidentiality, equality of care, and hard work, are all examples of what it takes to be a successful nurse.

Are you sensitive to cultural and socioeconomic differences?

Patients come from all back grounds and all walks of life. It is important to know your own bias and prejudice towards other people who may be different from yourself. All patients deserve your best care regardless of differences. A useful guiding principle is to treat all patients the way you would want your loved ones treated.

Do you enjoy continuing education?

Health care is not a stagnant field. Research is continuous and keeping up to date with information, skills, and professional development takes commitment. Continued education can be in the form of on-line courses, weekend workshops, or returning to school to do another degree or masters level program. It can even be reading up on topics as you experience gaps in your knowledge. Health care becomes a life-long learning process.

Are you compassionate by nature?

Compassion is a difficult trait to learn. Ask yourself, do I genuinely enjoy helping others or would I only do it for the money? It is difficult to perform some of the bedside nursing skills for patients with grace and composure unless you truly want to help. For example, assisting a patient maintain their self respect after being incontinent of stool from a side effect of a chemotherapy medication takes genuine compassion.

A career in nursing can provide a lifetime of exciting options

Career Options in the Health Industry

January 22, 2017 by Hospital Writer

Healthcare is one of today’s largest and fastest-growing market sectors. Job opportunities in this field are expected to grow at a high rate in coming years. The healthcare field offers vocation possibilities for those who have a variety of different backgrounds, experience levels, and skill sets. The best 5 careers which are in demand in this growing sector include pharmacy technicians, healthcare managers, medical bills, medical assistants, and registered nurses.

1. Medical assistant

Medical assistants are accountable for carrying out various management and clinical tasks. They typically are employed in a doctor’s office or a medical center. The specific responsibilities of medical assistants vary subject to their employer and state regulations. In certain offices, they’re more hands-on with patients. In others, they mainly provide back office service.
Standard clinical duties include things like recording vital signs, writing down patient histories, and giving tests. Medical assistants perform a significant role in assisting medical offices run successfully. Apart from certain clinical duties, they are in charge of making appointments, documenting and keeping data, bookkeeping, and processing forms.

While a few medical assistants get on the job training, the vast majority of employers prefer prospects who have undergone certain training and education. Local community colleges and vocational schools often provide inexpensive classes that prepare students for this particular vocation route. Here is an overview of the job and the requirements.

2. Medical billing and coding

Medical billing and coding technicians are responsible for processing insurance claims and producing invoices for medical facilities. They submit documents to insurance companies and figure out if the patient will need to make a co-payment. Almost all medical billers are required to undergo training before getting hired. A lot of doctors work with over twenty insurance carriers, and medical billers have to be familiar with all their rules and guidelines. Thanks to an increase in the number of patients looking for medical care regularly, medical billing and coding is among the top in-demand careers in the medical sector.

3.Health education

This involves teaching the general public about proper health care and maintenance. The goal in this career option is not only to prepare people with knowledge but also to create an attitude to take constructive action in healthy behavior.

4. Healthcare administration and management

Health care administrators ensure that medical clinics and facilities run as smoothly as possible. In small offices, they manage the entire business. In large facilities, they’re usually responsible for one section. Based upon their employer, health administrators can be in charge of following departments, supervising employees, and hiring qualified health care professionals when needed. They need to have a good knowledge of business management, finance, and health administration.

5. Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists with a number of chores. Most pharmacy technicians work in retail locations, while others work for mail-order pharmacies. Their specific obligations depend upon state regulations. Most include labeling medication, managing patient data, and processing prescriptions. They are generally accountable for receiving prescriptions from a patient or by phone and verifying that the information given is accurate. In lots of pharmacies, they also fill prescriptions by putting the proper medicine into containers and labeling them. While formal training is not required, it is immensely important. The majority of employers seek out applicants who have finished an education program or have working experience.

Why should you choose career in Nursing?

January 18, 2017 by Hospital Writer

There is hardly anything more satisfying and fulfilling then taking care of someone ill. This makes getting a job in nursing one of the most satisfying careers as it can ensure that you get the much needed job satisfaction. Nursing is one of the most respected fields and is in great demand all over the world. If you are looking to consider getting a job in nursing then here are some of the top benefits which you should consider.

Huge demand

The biggest benefit of getting a job in nursing is that they are in huge demand. If we look at the statistics then there is a shortage of about 800,000 nurses in the world. Medical care on the whole is on a big rise and which is why the demand for nurses is not going to plunge anytime soon.

High job flexibility

There are hardly few jobs which provide more flexibility then a career in nursing. Here you can work as per your need and work on a specialization that you are most comfortable in. Work hours are also very flexible as you can either choose to work full time or part time.

Personal satisfaction

Field of nursing is one of the most respected professions in the world. Nurses are considered as a key element between patients and doctors and act as a caretaker of those who are in need of help. In healthcare every situation is different and many times patient will need a lot of help from the nurses more so 18then doctors. In most of the cases, care and help received by the nurses is the prime reason for patients to recover.

Work in different places

Nurses are required all over the world. There is no different education required for different places which is why you get a very good career mobility. If you have completed your education in one part of the world and are looking for work in other part even then you can get very well respected jobs. You can work in any state, any country and even get a freelance job as a nursing consultant.

Good as second career choice

The best thing about getting a job in nursing is that you can even look at it as a part time career option. It can act as a backup for career and provide you good pay till the time you do not get settled in your major career.