rntoday.com

Yes, Some Nurses Smoke.

According to tobaccofreenurses.org, 15% of Registered Nurses (RNs) and  28% of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are addicted to tobacco. Even though Nurses are smoking  less than they used to, a significant amount (millions) of health care workers smoke.

If you are one of the remaining travel nurses that smokel, this is a survival guide for you.  Even Nurses hooked on tobacco need income. Smoking is a vile, filthy, expensive vice, no one should engage in it, it is dangerous and unhealthy, I encourage everyone to quit. So with that disclaimer said... I am a smoker, now please leave me alone if you see me puffing away when I am not at work. (read more for the answer)

How To Protect Against Flu

(NAPSI)-It's more important than ever to get your facts straight about flu and vaccines. This season, flu may pack more of a punch than usual because of the new 2009 H1N1 flu virus (sometimes called "swine flu").

While H1N1 is likely to be the most common flu virus this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects that regular seasonal flu viruses will cause illness as well and recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza. A separate vaccine has been made to protect against H1N1 flu since this new virus was detected after production of the seasonal flu vaccine had already begun.

(NAPSI)-With a weakened economy, some consumers are unknowingly compromising their health in an effort to save money. Changing daily health care regimens without consulting a doctor or pharmacist can be dangerous and may end up costing you more down the road.

CVS pharmacist Mandy Kwong debunks common myths about health care spending.

When it comes to ethics and integrity according to a Gallup poll published Nov. 2008, Nurses have everyone beat hands down. Perhaps Nuns rank higher, but we'll never know. Although clergy was included in a general sense, nun's specifically were not mentioned in the Gallup's sample questions. One would have to believe that the numbers for bankers, politicians, and congress would still be on the lower end if the poll were taken today amidst the bailout/stimulus infighting.

(NAPSI)-What's the difference between awareness and understanding? The answer could save your life.

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a serious lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe. It is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. A recent national survey found that while awareness of COPD is growing, understanding of the disease, its risk factors and symptoms remains low.

To Tired To STAT? Try School Online!

After my latest Travel Nurse assignment in North Carolina ended,  I thought about what and where I was going in life. The answer was that I wasn't really doing anything except moving around, albeit slower than before. I suppose age is a factor but I would really hate to admit that.

I decided to look into going back to school. Why not? Everyone is doing it these days. If you have a two year ADN you might be interested too, so I will share what I found out. I was much easier to go online than I thought.

I enrolled in the University of Phoenix and am now 3 weeks into getting my BSN degree. I want to teach part time,  hopefully in a nursing program in Florida somewhere. I also would like a little extra something on my epitaph when I go to glory. "At least she got that degree!" they will say at my funeral. I am sure I won't really care, but maybe my family will.