While it's difficult to make definitive statements about what to do and what not to do in every negotiation situation, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of before entering the negotiation process. Here are five of the most common no-nos. *Initiating Negotiations Too Soon* Timing is important here. The appropriate time to negotiate is when a formal offer has ...

We all know that the economy is shaky. People are getting laid off left and right. Luckily, healthcare is one of the few industries that is still hiring. However, this may not apply to every job, every facility, or every region. You job might be at risk. If your employer is considering laying employees off, here are some proactive steps to ...

Would you ever want to give up a healthy chunk of your salary? In effect, that's what you'll be doing if you disregard the various employee benefits you'll have access to in your first job. Many new college graduates simply don't understand their employers' benefits programs or their significance in real-dollar terms. "They underestimate the value of their benefits and don't ...

Few things are more frustrating than working with a charge nurse who just doesn’t get it. But before you blow up, take a deep breath. Then ask yourself: What exactly is the problem? Are you frustrated because your charge nurse asks you to do one thing, then complains because you haven’t done something else? Do they refuse to help out on ...

Hospitals can be crazy places. From ambulances rushing in patients and nurses shouting vitals to security having to deal with frantic family members, you may blink and find you miss an important moment. But for many healthcare professionals, hospitals are their second home. With all the different departments and types of healthcare workers in hospitals, it’s not uncommon for newbies ...

Mad that you were passed over for a big promotion again? Livid that the bootlickers always seem to get ahead in your organization? Perhaps it's time to consider whether the anger itself, however legitimate, is holding you back. Evidence suggests many of us are walking around the office feeling resentful, though we may be unaware of the cumulative toll bitter actions ...

We all want to look good at work, but we want to stay healthy as well. In Part II of The Perils of Beauty, Dr. Brady and Nurse Rebekah talked about white lab coats as carriers of germs. Here, they tackle your hair, hands and face. Nurse Rebekah: Our last stop on this adventure through hospital wardrobe is hair. I have ...

While African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos and American Indians together represent more than one-fourth of the US population, they comprise less than 9 percent of nurses, 6 percent of physicians and 5 percent of dentists. Although more than 16,000 new students entered medical school in 2003, only 2,179 were African American, Hispanic/Latino or American Indian. Meanwhile, by the middle of this century, the ...

It's taken a while, but these days most companies understand that employing a diverse workforce is not only the right thing to do, it's also good business. But good intentions are one thing. Actually hiring and promoting men and women with varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, religions and sexual orientations is another. Here's how companies and workers can do what they ...

Dear Sean, Confession: I’m a new nurse and can’t seem to get into the habit of prepaaring my lunches from home. I always end up eating in the cafeteria and I’m gaining weight! I know different hospitals probably offer different selections, but what would you recommend for a healthy, FILLING lunch that will get me through my entire shift? I’m a ...

"I still don't know what they said to each other," a Texas nurse told NurseWeek magazine in 1999 after enlisting a hospital house cleaner to interpret for a patient who could not speak English. Today, as immigration increases and with the nursing shortage in full swing, the demand for bilingual healthcare workers is growing. The greatest need appears to be for ...

One thing is for sure, in Fortune Magazine's 2008 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, the healthcare industry is well represented. Hospitals and healthcare systems also top the list of the Most Diverse Companies to Work For. Not only are these great places to work because of the benefits, salary, and growth, the following employers offer unparalleled diversity. ...

A new job in a completely different career field may fill your soul with joy, but it can also empty your wallet. Estimating the cost to shift into a new field can make the difference between a smooth fiscal transition and a personal budget crisis, so before you make a move, consider and plan for these costs: h4. Earning a Degree ...

If you're ready to take control of your health, start by washing your hands for 15 to 20 seconds, about as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Doing this simple act, while avoiding certain behaviors -- smoking, excessive drinking and eating too much -- can dramatically improve your health, said internist William Meller, who specializes in evolutionary ...

One of the greatest lessons I ever learned in healthcare happened a few years ago when I worked in an emergency department as a crisis clinician. An adolescent was brought into the code room after experiencing symptoms of asthma. The team worked quickly and collaboratively trying to save him, but their efforts were unsuccessful and he died after about forty-five minutes. ...

A few short decades ago, many thought a woman couldn't be president, because she would become emotionally unstable once a month -- as if she'd hit the red button during a chocolate craving. There have been many misconceptions about women leaders over the years. Here's advice from an expert and women in the field about the state of some classic stereotypes ...

There's an old saying that when two people get married, six people climb into bed together -- two sets of parents and two lovers. (You can tell how old that saying is; it's more likely to be 10 or 12 people these days.) At any rate, the point is this: What you learned about relationships probably came from your earliest memories ...

Successfully navigating a career transition can be tricky. If you're thinking of leaving your employer or venturing into a new field - or if you're concerned about the stability of your job - take some advice from healthcare career experts. Think Ahead Because the healthcare industry can be so volatile, you must be ready for change at all times. Always have ...

When it comes to your career, do you lie to yourself? The answer is most likely ‘yes.’ In an article I read by Sam Sommers, a professor of psychology at Tufts University, he explains how and why we like to kid ourselves. He explains: “People do this all the time. We bend the facts to fit our self-image, perpetuating a ...

Nurses impact lives every day. But once in a while, a nurse comes along who touches the lives of the world, and not just her patients. These women went above and beyond for the field of nursing. They served in wars, broke down racial barriers, and campaigned for women's rights. They have become role models for women everywhere, not just nurses. ...