Enhancing outcomes for patients and their caregivers

3 technology skill sets nurses will need

Technology is changing the world at warp speed, especially in healthcare. In this article we take a look at three skill sets nurses will need to develop to acquire, use, and integrate these emerging technologies.

Labour Day Focus: Ratios Save Lives

When nurses are overworked, the possibility of medical complication increases, the risk of infection rises and a patient’s recovery time gets longer. This is why the QLD nurses union and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation believe Queensland needs mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios, nurse-to-resident ratios and midwife-to-patient ratios right across our health system.

Life hacks for nursing - Part 4. IV insertion on fragile veins

In this series of Life Hacks for Nurses we will be offering up tips and clever solutions to the problems we face everyday. In Part 4 we take a look at tips for IV insertion on fragile veins.

Panel of Experts - Penalty rates for nurses

Going to work should not mean stepping into the ring

If you or a workmate have been threatened, abused or assaulted at work, you can use this Violence report form to tell the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWMA) about it. You can also report incidents of violence via the NSWNMA phone app.

Supplements supercharge antidepressants

Omega 3 supplements can give antidepressants a boost, particularly in those people who don’t respond well to the medication, a new study has found.

Surgery not a fix-all for back pain

Low back pain is the most common symptom seen in primary care; the underlining injury is often enhanced by psychological and social stressors, write the authors of a Perspective published online today by the Medical Journal of Australia.

Soldiers, mindfulness and mental health

This Anzac Day we take a look at the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on our returned soldiers and how mindfulness can be part of the solution.

Life hacks for nursing - Part 3. Tips and tricks

TED stocking struggles, code brown and NGT troubles? In this series of Life Hacks for Nurses we will be offering up tips and clever solutions to the problems we face everyday. In Part 3 we take a look at tips and tricks to make your shift easier.

Workplace Relationships Between Nurses Important Predictor of Nurse Outcomes

[caption id="attachment_6586" align="alignright" width="110"] Professor Yvonne Brunetto[/caption]

Trips and falls: not just for patients

WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS? Slippery floors can be addressed through changes such as improvements in housekeeping practices (e.g., correctly using wet floor signs, immediately cleaning up spills, correctly removing grease, aggressively mopping building entrances on wet days). Floors that are frequently wet (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens) should be textured so they are not slick when covered with water or other contaminants.

Heart valve procedure could replace surgery

A novel procedure for heart valve replacement surgery could provide improved health outcomes for patients who cannot have open heart surgery, as well as being a cost effective alternative.

Emergency Interview - Ambulance Victoria

Life hacks for nursing - part 2. Sore feet

As a nurse you live on your feet. Standing, walking and running all day can take its toll and leave you with plantar fasciitis, bunions, bone spurs, varicose veins, Achilles tendons, tarsal tunnel syndrome and Morton’s neuroma – all conditions that have affected generations of nurses. To avoid limping through your shift, here some life hacks to keep the bounce in your step. If the shoe fits Supportive walking shoes are the most important factor in preventing foot pain. Have your shoes professionally fitted for the length and width of your feet. Choose shoes that have a stiff mid to back, a wide covered toe box, a rocker in the front and have a rubber sole for shock absorption. It’s advisable to treat your shoes like athletic gear and replace them every 6 months or at least once a year. On the outside your shoes may still be in great condition while the tread and internal support can be breaking down. Support your friends Your feet carry you through life so treat them with kindness. Now you have your perfect shoes, if you have significant foot pain and/or flat feet, you may need a podiatrist. Although department stores sell a wide variety of inserts for flat feet it is hard to choose exactly the right one. A custom insert from a podiatrist will cost more but is more likely to give your feet the support they need. Take a load off Taking regular short breaks from standing can help to prevent foot pain. When you have a break, try to avoid running errands and give your feet a rest. Stretching can also help to loosen up tight muscles and tendons and take the strain off the bottom of the foot. We stretch after a work-out so treat your shift in the same way. Stretch it Stretch 1: When you get home lie on your back and lift up one leg at a 90 degree angle; hold there with both hands. Point your foot down then flex it with a full range of motion. Do 2 sets of 25 point-and-flexes per foot at least two times per week.