Have you ever hired a job applicant who everyone loved during the interview process, had high hopes for… only to have them be a flop once hired, or at best be a marginal performer? If this has ever happened to you, don’t be concerned. It happens more than we like [...]
Neonatal nursing is one of the most rewarding and noble professions. Having a baby in the NICU is probably one of the most terrifying experiences a family could go through. During it all, the NICU nurse is there every step of the way. Through all the ups and downs, the [...]
Change ought to be a four-letter word with symbo!s and ast*risks next to it because it conjures up worries and fears faster than a quiet evening on a full moon. Supporting your staff through these times require a delicate balance of determination and love. Kindness and strength. Fortitude and [...]
The signs and reminders are everywhere. Wash Your Hands! There are jingles and timers to help you do it long enough. Hand sanitizer dispensers are conveniently placed in convenient areas, and so are little handwashing sinks. You probably could recite the five steps to a perfect handwash, because after all, [...]
Nursing managers know stress. The nursing management role is not only emotionally draining, but it also consists of incredibly long hours, demanding patients and overwhelming staff needs. The combination of these stressors can overwhelm anyone without proper self-care and support. In 1960, a study revealed that nurse managers suffered from [...]
No, it’s not a bad dream, and neither have you gone back in time to seventh grade. Workplace cliques are a reality that we all must face... even in the NICU. It can be hard navigating the playing field at times no matter if you're new to the unit or [...]
That one NNP opening. You know the one I’m talking about — the one you just can’t seem to fill. The one you lose sleep over. Yeah, that one. The NNP role is a crucial one, which is why you’ll find it harder to fill than most other health care [...]
How to cope with mortality and come back tomorrow without falling apart. I still remember the unusual quiet that fell over the unit that morning as I clocked in for my shift. As I walked past the hallway, my eye caught a little butterfly postcard on the door. To [...]
If you’re having a difficult time recruiting exceptional NNPs, there’s a good reason. For the last several years, community hospitals have suffered a national shortage of qualified NNPs. At the same time, research predicts that, by 2022, the demand for qualified NNPs will grow by 33% — higher than average [...]
Anyone who has ever started a new job can appreciate how difficult it is to get “settled in.” So much information to absorb; so many new rules, systems, and workarounds to learn. And so little time to get up to speed. Adjusting to a new work environment is downright stressful. [...]
