Blog

Remembrance

I was in college, finishing my last semester of prerequisites for nursing school, on September 11, 2001. I had an Anatomy & Physiology II lab test that morning. I woke up, got dressed, ate, and drove to school all without... Read More

Nursing Workload Measurement in Ambulatory Care

The Article: Dickson, K., Cramer, A., & Peckham, C. (2010). Nursing workload measurement in ambulatory care. Nursing Economics, 28(1): 37-43. Big Idea: Acute care nursing has a well-documented history of measuring patient acuity and workload to adjust staffing mix. However,... Read More

Waiting Room Divergence

Waiting rooms are interesting. As a nurse, mother, and patient myself, I have sat in quite a few. They are usually targeted to the clientele. It is a conscious business decision. For example, a women’s health office typically has light... Read More

Reducing Costs and Improving Care with Duct Tape and Reflective Sashes

We’ll do just about anything these days to reduce hospital costs and improve patient care. Even if it means going a bit low-tech. Is duct tape low-tech enough for you? That’s right. Good, old fashioned duct tape. You might have... Read More

Returning to Normal When Others Are Not

My family and I returned back to our community early this afternoon. After unpacking the evacuation luggage, picking up the house cleaning where I so suddenly stopped Sunday, and emptying out the fridge and freezer per CDC and Red Cross... Read More

Thoughts During Fire Evacuation

[Puts the phone down after hearing we need to evacuate due to a large wildfire nearby.] Oh my gosh. We seriously need to evacuate. Kids! We need to leave the house because there is a fire close by. We’re going... Read More

Relaxation Turned Evacuation

My family and I evacuated our home this evening due to a large fire in our community. We determined what was important in about five seconds. We left before the evacuations became mandatory, and thankfully so. With only two exits... Read More

Health Care Professionals’ Death Attitudes, Experiences, and Advance Directive Communication Behavior

The Article: Black, K. (2007). Health care professionals’ death attitudes, experiences, and advance directive communication behavior. Death Studies, 31: 563-572. Big Idea: Healthcare professionals have been required to inquire about advance directive creation of all adults since the passage of... Read More

Taunted

  Oh, reading pile. You taunt me so. All your flagged pages, turned corners, and highlighted tables of contents. I have peeked at some of your jewels only to hide them away again, buried under a sea of knowledge and... Read More

One Error. Five Patients Impacted. Forever.

Five Taiwanese patients recently woke up from transplant surgery with a very different prognosis than what was hoped. Yes, they each had new organs – heart, liver, lungs, and two kidneys – all desperately needed; however, all the organs were... Read More