Category: HCP

Being an HCP is more than meeting the initial education requirements. A degree does not make you a good nurse, nursing assistant, or healthcare professional. On top of all the technical skills, HCPs are expected to provide emotional care for patients going through tough times in their lives.

It takes a special kind of temperament to thrive in a space as high pressure and demanding as healthcare. Today, we will go over key nursing qualities that you cannot quantify. They are both intangible, yet screamingly obvious and essential for an HCP’s success. 

Work Ethic

This should go without saying, but healthcare is a uniquely demanding profession. HCPs of all levels will be expected to carry out physically and mentally challenging tasks, over long work shifts. You are likely to spend a majority of your shift on your feet, regardless of which department you work in. Do not be surprised if you are asked to carry sensitive equipment or patients, as well. To succeed in this industry, a strong work ethic is a must. You must be prepared to give all your effort, regardless of the challenges that you face. Even when you are drained and exhausted after a shift, you need to muster the energy to push through.

Empathy and Compassion

Patients admitted to hospitals experience pain that most people cannot relate to. Chances are they are dealing with serious personal issues, loss, or stress and anxiety over their current condition. Even if that is not the case, a hospital stay can be uniquely isolating. Patients are immobilized and often separated from their family members for long stretches of time. On top of the technical and physical labor, HCPs have to provide emotional support for the patients they look after. This requires a great deal of both empathy and compassion.

You may be asking yourself: “what is the difference?” When you sympathize with someone, you understand what they are feeling on a rational level. You know where it comes from, even if you do not feel it yourself. When you empathize with someone, you feel their emotions with them. Whether you sympathize or empathize will usually depend on your own life experiences. After all, it is easier to empathize with a cancer patient if you have undergone similar struggles. Regardless, both qualities are must-haves for any HCP. When you understand what they are feeling on some level, it is easier to provide effective emotional care.

Communication 

Education is a key component of successful healthcare. HCPs will not be with their patients 24/7 so they need to teach them how to take care of themselves. For example: if a patient is able to take medications for themselves, HCPs must instruct them on the recommended dosages and times they should take them on. If a patient is discharged, you will have to teach them and their families about what to do and what not to do, to ensure that their recovery process is unhindered. 

To properly educate, communication is key. An HCP must learn how to break down complex medical terminology in such a way that anyone can understand. Healthcare professionals also have to effectively communicate with a patient and their family members, at every stage of the healing process. They need to explain the condition they are in, and the pros and cons of each treatment alternative. This should all be done while being sensitive to their cultural background or emotional state. 

Composure 

You cannot expect every shift to go as planned. Sometimes, patients will undergo sudden changes in condition that forces you to rethink the care plan. Other times, you will find yourself working on a time limit to save someone’s life. If a patient is undergoing a mental breakdown or episode, the HCP may be forced to evacuate the premises or diffuse the situation themselves. A healthcare professional must have the composure and wherewithal to gather themselves and respond appropriately, in these situations. This is especially important if you want to work in the Intensive Care Unit or Emergency Department. High pressure situations are the norm, and you must be ready for that. 

Eye for Detail 

At every HCP level, you are usually deferring to someone. Nursing assistants answer to their supervising nurses, while registered nurses commonly answer to the facility’s doctors and physicians, when it comes to patient treatment and medication. Even nurse practitioners cannot act autonomously, unless they have physician approval. An attention to detail is necessary, if you want to follow their instructions correctly. Healthcare is so precise with medication, that slight deviations in dosage or time of administration can have severe consequences. 

This attentiveness is also important, when the HCP is watching over their patient. A patient’s condition and any changes need to be added to a medical report, with appropriate detail. From there, the nursing team can determine whether or not a change in treatment plan is necessary. 

A Critical Mind

Solutions in healthcare are not linear. You cannot memorize a textbook, and expect all similar problems to share the same solution. Critical thinking allows you to see the information presented in front of you, consider context, and find a solution that is not apparent yet is still grounded in reasoning and rationality. Relating to the composure point, you must be capable of doing this within a time constraint, and under high pressure. 

A critical mind is also willing to learn constantly. Healthcare is rapidly evolving every day, so HCPs must stay updated with the latest developments and best practices. This is why most states have a continuing education program. Healthcare professionals need to be willing to learn constantly, if they want to have a sustained career.

LinkedIn is one of the biggest professional social media platforms in the world. There, anyone can search and apply for job openings, post stories about their personal and career journey, and so much more. For HCPs in particular, creating and maintaining the perfect LinkedIn profile could be the key to better job opportunities in the future. Whether you are a fresh nursing graduate or a 10-year HCP veteran, here are a couple of reasons why you should be firing up LinkedIn right now.

Find job openings on the Linkedin Job Board

LinkedIn lets recruiters post openings on their Job boards. You can find job offers across the country, or within proximity to your area. While searching, HCPs can make use of LinkedIn’s various filters, to find their perfect roles. Do you prefer on-site or remote HCP work? Are you looking for jobs within a particular salary range? Regardless of what you are looking for, the filters will keep results relevant to your needs and preferences. For healthcare professionals in search of a new full-time role, LinkedIn is the perfect place to start.

Network with like-minded HCPs

In any career, networking is power. Building and cultivating relationships lets you find job opportunities you would not have found otherwise. Your friends and acquaintances can inform you about potential HCP vacancies you would not have heard about, otherwise. They can also refer you to a potential employer, and vouch for your skills and capabilities. 

Outside of work, networking lets you receive invaluable advice and companionship. Whether you are a Registered Nurse or a Certified Nursing Assistant, HCP work is a unique challenge. Talking with someone who understands the physical and mental demands of the job increases solidarity, and provides a different perspective for your dilemma. For example: if you feel “stuck” with your current HCP trajectory, a friend in the same space could provide suggestions for career paths or further education. Perhaps you are an RN looking to become a Nurse Practitioner in the distant future. You do not have to accept every proposition, but they are always well worth considering. 

You can link up with fellow HCPs individually, or you can join LinkedIn Groups meant to support medical professionals. Within these group chats, you can ask around for job openings or medical advice, while you connect with other HCPs in the same channel.

Market yourself with a strong LinkedIn Profile

A good LinkedIn profile is the key to a good first impression. LinkedIn profiles allow you to create resumes quickly, and conveniently. Users can put their work experience, skills, endorsements, and connections for everyone to see. After you send your application, recruiters will often scan through your profile before they proceed with the hiring process. Recruiters can stumble upon your profile, and reach out to you before you even send your application. Take advantage of the tools at your fingertips, and create the best profile that you possibly can. Take a professional, high-quality headshot, and list all your relevant traits and qualifications as an HCP. 

Sign up for an HCP newsletter

HCPs can sign up for multiple newsletters on the LinkedIn platform. Companies and individuals in the healthcare industry are always promoting their newsletters, which are emails sent at intervals that contain or promote relevant content. If you find a company or individual that you trust, you have a lot to gain from subscribing. Good newsletters help you stay updated with news and ongoing developments in the healthcare world. You can also find helpful professional advice and inspiring stories from medical spaces 

Go out there! 

HCPs have nothing to lose and everything to gain, from creating a LinkedIn profile. The platform helps them connect with fellow HCPs, find job offers as early as possible, market themselves to potential employers and so much more. Provided that you regularly maintain your profile, the website opens up a new world of opportunities in the healthcare industry. 

There are few jobs in the world like healthcare work. At its best, there is nothing more rewarding than providing lifesaving care for patients in need. On the other hand, HCPs at every level are exposed to disease, death, and loss. Everyday, you must provide counsel to patients dealing with serious physical conditions and trauma. Even the most hardened veteran HCPs can feel mentally drained, after dealing with healthcare’s physiological demands. 

Every HCP goes through similar struggles, and seeking help is the first step to healing. Luckily, there are a number of mental health resources available to HCPs willing to look. Between online services, hotlines, and support groups, the options are seemingly endless. In this article, we will go over the best mental health resources available for HCPs. 

The Battle Within 

The COVID pandemic was a uniquely challenging time for HCPs. Healthcare staff on all levels experienced an unprecedented workload, with facilities being filled to capacity. This left countless HCPs feeling depressed, burned out, and anxious. “The Battle Within” was founded to help the first responders who are still dealing with trauma and anxiety thanks to COVID. In this five day program, you will be given the skills and support network necessary to move forward and continue healing.

As a part of this initiative, we recommend that HCPs consider The Frontline Therapy Network. Healthcare workers can enjoy six free consultations with a certified mental health expert. If you live in one of the 20 states this program is hosted in, then we highly recommend that you give it a look. 

Osmosis Nursing Resilience Course

Are you a California-based nurse, looking to strike two birds with one stone? The Osmosis Nursing Resilience Course teaches HCPs how to protect their mental health, while rewarding 3.75 Continuing Education (CE) credits from the California nursing board. The course is remote and self-paced, so HCPs can complete these lessons in between busy work days. By the end of your lessons, you will learn how to determine if you are suffering from stress and burnout, and what you can do to address this healthily. 

Anxiety & Depression Association of America

ADAA is one of the most prominent nonprofit membership organizations in all of America. On their official website, HCPs can match with certified therapists, and go over the forms of therapy available to you. The site also provides numerous helpful resources that teach you how to healthily cope with your mental health issues. This content tackles conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more. Finally, HCPs can learn how to join ADAA’s free peer-to-peer community support groups. 

National Academy of Medicine 

NAM founded the Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience in 2017. In collaboration with 200 organizations, they set out to increase awareness of the dangers of clinical burnout, while educating HCPs and clearing up dangerous misconceptions. Now, the program’s website serves as a valuable compendium of mental healthcare resources. HCPs can search for resources specific to their professions, mental conditions, workplace settings, and more. From medical students to nurse administrators, NAM is dedicated to making mental health support accessible for everyone. 

American Holistic Nurses Association

Mental health is not a one-dimensional experience. Your mental wellbeing informs your physical wellbeing and vice versa. For example: chronic stress has proven, tangible links to heart complications. In acknowledgement of this, AHNA seeks to provide a holistic self-care strategy that addresses the physical and mental struggles of stress. Their goal is to equip HCPs with the skills necessary to deal with stress in a healthy and productive manner. 

HCPs can avail of numerous free resources, but there are also CEs that cost $8 to $15 (depending on if you are an AHNA member.) These lessons are peer-reviewed, and can be online online learning or in-person lectures. In particular, there is a three-session program that is capped off by a final lesson. 

I Am Sober

In 2021, the American Nurses Association projected that up to 14 to 20% of all Registered Nurses in the US had a drug or alcohol problem. Substance abuse is sadly a common coping mechanism for workplace stress and anxiety. If left unchecked, it can lead to a host of physical complications. For HCPs looking to kick the habit, the “I Am Sober” app is a good start. 

It lets you keep track of your progress, by setting sobriety goals and milestones. You can also connect to virtual support groups, where you can confide in your problems or seek actionable advice. There is both a free version and a premium version that charges $9.99 per month. Though the paid version has exclusive features, the free app is still well worth trying.

The Schwartz Center For Compassionate Healthcare

The Schwartz Center offers free and valuable resources for HCPs looking to learn more about mental health. Their content covers a host of pertinent topics, such as managing stress, caring for your emotional health, dealing with burnout and more. Caring for your mental health is a constant struggle, and The Schwartz Center teaches HCPs how they consistently manage their issues in a healthy and sustainable way. If you become a member, you can avail of additional support and exclusive material. 

There are numerous deals and discounts available to an HCP. Considering their contributions to the community at large, some discounts are the least we can do for our healthcare heroes.

Does the sound of a nurse discount interest you? Are you having trouble finding the best nurse-exclusive deals? If your answer is “yes’ to any of the items above, this article is for you. Below, we have compiled a list of the best nurse discounts around.

How can I avail of nursing discounts?

The process of redeeming your HCP deal will differ, depending on the vendor. However, a couple of the steps overlap.

The primary one is creating a SheerID and ID.ME. These are the two most common verification measures for countless vendors, which includes (but is not limited to) Nike, Verizon, Under Armor, and Burton’s. On some occasions, you will be outright asked to present your nursing documentation.

Additionally, you want to see if your employer or professional association provides discount perks of their own.

What discounts are out there?

Listed below are fantastic nursing discounts worth considering, listed in alphabetical order. If you find any labels or brands you gravitate towards, go ahead and avail of some wonderful deals!

Healthcare is a demanding and stressful industry. The long hours, physically and mentally demanding labor as well as the sheer chaos that can occur within a single shift can add up.

That is why work life balance is essential. One needs to find enough time for both their professional duties and their family lives. Thanks to the factors listed above, however, a lot of this is easier said than done.

This article will help you achieve work life balance.

What is work-life balance?

Some readers may be passingly aware of the term, but are unsure exactly what “work life balance” entails.

As human beings, we have to contend with limited time and energy. Some people devote themselves entirely to rest and recreation, which hinders their career path. Other people will work themselves to the bone, while putting all hobbies or relationships on the side.

Both extremes are unhealthy and damaging in the long run. When you achieve work life balance, you are distributing equal time and focus to both your professional success and your personal lives.

In reality, some cannot work more due to circumstances beyond their control. Meanwhile, others have no choice but to work more due to their line of work or employer.

The “perfect” work life balance is not an attainable goal for many people. Regardless, healthcare professionals owe it to themselves to attempt to strike this balance, to the best of their ability.

Why is balancing family and work difficult for HCPs?

Healthcare is a challenging industry. HCPs are expected to provide life-saving care to patients in need. In the case of Emergency Rooms or Critical Care Units, they have to offer this care within severe time constraints and especially high pressure situations.

In reality, every healthcare hero feels stress and pressure on a level that most people cannot relate to. Working hours are long and HCPs spend most of their time on their feet.

All this physical and mental fatigue adds up. Even off the clock, they can end up too tired to commit their time to anything else.

What can be done?

Commit to self-reflection

So you want to spend more time with your family. Ask yourself an honest question: how much time, exactly? Are you also looking to advance your career in the future, with supplemental study? Do you have the fortitude and resources to juggle work, education, and family consistently?

Before you set your work life balance in order, you want a clear vision of your priorities. Write on paper your long term goals and short term goals.

You have to be truthful to yourself and your loved ones. Open the floor with your loved ones about the potential sacrifices that must be made, in both the short term and the long term. Through every step of the process, you want to make sure your family is on the same page as you.

Foster a strong support network

There are times where your work can overwhelm you. It is a level of stress that most people cannot imagine.

In these instances, the value of a support network cannot be understated. Your family will be there to support you and lend an ear to your troubles.

If your situation becomes unmanageable, ask for help from your family and friends. If you have to take an extra shift, do not be afraid to ask if they could look after your family at your house. Just be prepared if they answer no.

It does not stop there either. Having fellow professionals or veterans in your network is also invaluable.Beyond just emotional support, these people understand the challenges of balancing family life with your job. They can provide you with actionable advice and suggestions that are rooted in years of experience.

Treat yourself

The phrase “treat yourself” conjures images of expensive meals or impulse purchases. This is not what we mean when we suggest that you “treat yourself” however.

A healthy body is the key to a healthy mind. You need to give yourself ample time and space to succeed, in this regard, if you want to achieve work–life balance.

Priority number 1 is getting enough rest. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of REM sleep in order to be “well-rested.” When you are well-rested, you have the mental awareness to tackle the various challenges of the day.

You also want a balanced diet. Sufficient nutrition provides you with invaluable energy and strength. Preparing your own meals in advance or finding healthier alternatives to your existing diet (if you can help it) are highly recommended.

Take some time to yourself and your family

Sometimes, a couple days off may be all you need. If you have sick days that remain unused, do not be afraid to use them to buy yourself some personal time with the ones who matter most. How you spend your free day is completely up to you

You can spend it resting, watching TV or even playing games with your family. If you are more active, you can take your kids and spouse that cross-state or international vacation you always wanted to take. What works best for your family may not work for others. Go with you heart, here.

Nurses have to periodically renew their credentials, if they want to keep practicing. Specific renewal requirements and periods will differ, depending on state laws, but pretty much every nurse in America has to go through this process.

This is not a requirement you want to cram. Before your license expires, every document, requirement and payment must be in order. 

Before you find yourself scrambling for your right to practice, here are 5 must-know facts about nurse licensure renewal. 

Look up your state’s licensing requirements 

How many Continuing Education Units (CEUs) do you need to fulfill? When does your license expire? How much do you need to pay, upon renewal? 

There is no universal answer, because each state has their own specific requirements. As soon as possible, you want to familiarize yourself with state-specific requirements. 

You can often find these details on your state nursing board’s official website or nursing portal. Failing this, contact them directly via email or telephone. 

Verify your licensure status 

If you are not already aware of your renewal window, there is a small chance that your license is already expired.  Even if it is active, if you incur certain infractions, this could further complicate the renewal process.

To ensure your license is active and in good standing, you want to verify it before proceeding any further. Thanks to NurseSys, this process can be completed on your local nursing board’s official website or an official nursing portal 

Complete your continuing education requirements 

Every state has different CEU requirements. Most states will make you fulfill a certain number of contact hours, which is 60 minutes of an educational activity. 

In many places, a portion of the requirement can be completed with bedside nursing hours. Other times, you will have to complete  state-approved lectures, webinars or workshops. If your license was suspended or expired, you may be forced to take full courses if you want to practice again. 

Once you are finished, you will be provided with documented proof of CEU completion. You have to submit this in the next step, so be sure to keep it in a safe place. 

Get your documents and payments in order 

Your State Nursing Board will ask you to provide a number of signed documents, before they can process your renewal. Be sure to answer every field with accurate and up-to-date information. This will include (but is not limited to) your legal name, current billing address, social security number and documentation that verifies the completion of your CEU requirements. 

They will also ask you to pay a licensing fee. While the exact amount will depend on the state, it will always go up if you are trying to renew an already-expired license. 

Get everything done as soon as possible 

Cramming your nursing license renewal can lead to unwanted stress and anxiety, in the future. That is why most states let you apply for renewal well in advance. 

Find out when your license expires, as soon as possible. When you know exactly when your license expires, you will know how much time you have to fulfill your requirements.

With this knowledge, you can plan ahead of time. This will let you complete your requirements at a reasonable time, with none of the hassle or stress associated with cramming.