Hello Nurse Talk Family & Friends,

Want to live your life to the fullest? If you’re ready for change, serious about investing in yourself and ready to stretch beyond your comfort zone……this is for you.

We would like to share with you our wonderful co-host Shayne Mason. RN, BSN, PHN, MSN, PMHNP(BC) Shayne is giving a free informational Webinar about one of the top online MSN, (Masters Of Science in Nursing) programs in the country. Shayne is also an instructor and alumni at USF and maintains several clinical practices. He will share the particulars of the online MSN program and the increasing opportunities for nurses with graduate degrees, and how to maximize income potential while doing the greatest good for your community.

The University of San Francisco is a world-class institution and if you are a nurse and have been “pondering” getting your masters—this Webinar is for you.

“I’m very proud the University Of San Francisco has partnered with Nurse Talk radio. As an alumni and current faculty, I have experienced first-hand the commitment to care, the individual attention, and the service to the community a degree from USF offers.”

The University of San Francisco MSN program Webinar will be held on May 30, 2013 12:00 PM PDT. Read more…

While women and men around the world applaud Angelina Jolie for her bravery in writing such a public opinion piece in the New York Times today about her preemptive double mastectomy, some of us know that our breasts and our lives just are not worth as much as hers.

The topics for discussion on every many news programs and across the web seem to be largely concentrating on the genetic testing that can now be done to watch for the mutations that may signal impending cancer and on the benefits and risks of taking the route that superstar Jolie and other prominent women have taken.  Across the globe, the news of this piece has opened discussion, like in this piece in The Guardian.  That opening of dialogue is a good thing.

But what of the women like me who do not have insurance or enough money to take the brave actions Angelina took?  Are we less brave?  We are certainly less valuable in a world that would see any celebrity’s body and breasts as more worthy of attention on a daily basis much less when one of those famous souls must endure some bodily alteration through illness or by choice.  I don’t argue that point here.  Read more…

Something special is coming up from Nurse Talk and our academic partners. Be the change you want to see in the world and put this on your calendar: Nurse Talk is hosting an informational webinar regarding the online MSN program at the University of San Francisco. Your host is Shayne Mason RN, BSN, PHN, MSN, PMHNP(BC). Shayne is an instructor and alumni at USF and maintains several clinical practices. He is also the co-host of Nurse Talk Radio, where he discusses progressive health care policy to a national audience. He will be discussing the online MSN program, the many and increasing opportunities for nurses with graduate degrees, and how to maximize income potential while doing the greatest good for your community.

The University of San Francisco MSN program Webinar will be held on May 30, 2013 12:00 PM PDT. Please click the link below to register:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2138389937501726720

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.  See you there! Read more…

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We are very sad to find out that this year’s Nurses Week was darkened by the death of two RNs and three other caregivers in a tragic limousine fire on the San Mateo Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. California Governor Jerry Brown issued a statement recognizing the incredible contribution of nurses who “work hard every day to make our state a healthier, happier place.” To read more about this tragic event, and to learn how you can support the grieving families, please visit the : www.nationalnursesunited.org/blog/entry/cna-nursing-angels-family-fund.

AND something special coming up from Nurse Talk and our academic partners. Be the change you want to see in the world and put this on your calendar: Nurse Talk is hosting an informational webinar regarding the online MSN program at the University of San Francisco. Your host is Shayne Mason RN, BSN, PHN, MSN, PMHNP(BC). Shayne is an instructor and alumni at USF and maintains several clinical practices. He is also the co-host of Nurse Talk Radio, where he discusses progressive health care policy to a national audience. He will be discussing the online MSN program, the many and increasing opportunities for nurses with graduate degrees, and how to maximize income potential while doing the greatest good for your community. Read more…

This year’s Nurses Week was sadly darkened by the death of two RNs and three other caregivers in a tragic limousine fire on the San Mateo Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. California Governor Jerry Brown issued a statement recognizing the incredible contribution of nurses who “work hard every day to make our state a healthier, happier place.”

These women, Neriza Fojas, Michelle Estrera, Jennifer Balon, Anna Alcantara, and Felomina Geronga, dedicated their professional lives to others every day in our hospitals and clinics, lost their own unexpectedly in this horrific event.

We mourn the loss of these women who were dedicated caretakers, loyal friends and loving mothers.

The members and leaders of California Nurses Association and National Nurses United extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of these women for their loss.

To honor them and assist their families, NNU has established a fund.

“What better way to recognize nurses and those with whom they work than to honor these women who cared for the patients and each other,” said Zenei Cortez, RN and CNA co-president.

“I just want to say thank you to the nurses for all your support, all your prayers,” said Abner Alcantara, husband of one of the deceased nurses, Anna Alcantara. Read more…

When I was pregnant I always prayed that my babies would be healthy, and have ten fingers and toes. I had so many miscarriages after my son was born that I never thought I would have another baby. When I was pregnant with Missy, I knew it would be OK. I prayed that she would just make it the nine months and be born. I didn’t care if she had 9 toes, 6 fingers… hell, I just wanted her to be born. I would deal with anything as long as she made it into the world. I only prayed once to GOD when I was pregnant with her, and that is what I said, “Just let her make it 9 months and be born and I will handle whatever you give me.”

Last year during the cruise contest I got some ugly, mean messages. People told me I caused Missy’s MS, and it was my fault she had it. I got to thinking…maybe in some way they were right. Maybe I should have prayed more when I was pregnant. Maybe I should have said, “GOD make her healthy.”  Maybe my deal with GOD caused her MS. Maybe he was showing me that I got what I wanted.   Read more…

The truth about hospital germs!  GROSS!! EWWW!  Most people think a hospital is a germ free zone with all that sterilization and disinfecting going on right! The most common hospital bacterial infection is C-Diff. which accounts for about 20% of all hospital infections.  Learn what C-diff is, how it is spread, and how you can do your part to fight it.  We look at other common hospital germs…. and practices to make your time in a hospital more germ unfriendly.  You will want to shower when we are done.  Yuck!  And always remember….Get Educated, Get Empowered, Get Healthy!

  Read more…

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Fitness Flops Part One

Fitness was once considered a fad. While fitness is no longer considered a fad, there have been many fitness products that have been sold to consumers wishing to get into shape quickly.

It can be hard to tell the difference between fitness products that work and fitness products that flop.

Today, I’m going to talk about fitness products that did not live up to their promises.

Fitness Flop 1: Electronic Muscle Stimulators/The Electronic Ab Toner.  Cost $50-$250.00

This is a machine that sends electric currents to your abs, making them contract and release. This peroduct is supposed to cause you to burn off body fat.  Losing body fat requires a combination of cardio exercise and a reduced calorie diet. You can’t lose weight or fat by spot reducing or without moving your muscles. The only way to lose fat is to do the work yourself.

Fitness Flop 2: Ab Lounge/Ab Rocker.  Cost-$129-$179.00

The Ab Rocker and Ab Lounge are both a portable piece of exercise equipment that resemble a lounge chair. They claim to work the upper, lower abs and obliques, all while you rock back and forth in front of your television. When a product’s claims sound too good to be true they usually are. Read more…

Who didn’t love the amazing Jonathan Winters? He was the master of improvisational comedy.

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, Casey and Shayne found some interesting gestures of generosity toward those in their profession. One in particular stood out:

It happened in Kearney, Nebraska. A beauty salon (that shall remain nameless) gave nurses free makeovers if they showed up in their scrubs!  Just what you want to do? Lets see…

“Hey Mary, my 12 hour shift is over and I heard X salon was giving nurses FREE makeovers. I think I’ll just swing by and get one.”

“Don’t forget to wear those dirty bloody scrubs you have on or they won’t give it to you!”

As they say, it’s really the thought that counts…

Listen to our guest this week RN Jeff Breslin of the Michigan Nurses Association on The Safe Patient Care Act. “Every Michigan resident deserves to receive safe care at every hospital, every time. Michigan’s nurses are simply asking for our leaders’ support to make that happen.” Jeff will talk with us about this important initiative that is sweeping the country.

And later, a fierce leader, and one of our favorite guests, Healthcare and Human Rights Advocate Donna Smith, will join us. Read more…

The call came in from EMS as “72-year-old man with end stage lung cancer in respiratory distress. Vitals stable. Family requesting transport to the ER for evaluation. He is on Hospice – the nurse tells us the family is no longer able to cope with him at home.” I went to room 7 to prepare for my patients arrival.

My patient arrived 10 min later on the EMS stretcher. His gaunt frame fought to hold up his head. His skin was dry but pale, respirations were labored but controlled at approximately 32 bpm. His eyes were open wide and they never left my face as the paramedics brought him into the room and moved him to the bed. The venti mask covered his mouth, so I couldn’t quite understand what he was saying to me. The paramedic was delivering his report but I was so distracted by the look in my patient’s eyes that I went to him and removed the mask so he could talk to me.

“My wife is coming (breath) with my son (breath) please let her (breath) in when she gets (breath) here…she (breath) has Alzheimer’s (breath) disease and she (breath) is easily scared (breath).”

I placed the oxygen mask back on his face and reassured him “My name is Bobbi, and I will be your nurse tonight. Read more…