Why did I choose nursing? Think about what brings you the most fulfillment in your work and choose a specialty that will help you achieve that.

Which setting suits my personality best? Think about whether you thrive in fast-paced, constantly changing environments, such as an Emergency Room. Or whether you prefer something with a slower, calmer pace with opportunities to build long-term relationships with your patients such as home health.

Which population do I prefer to work with? Think about the population that you would most like to provide care for. Do you prefer working with children, adults or the elderly.

Also, research typical salary to make sure that it is aligned with your expectations, certifications you will need and the educational pre-requisites.

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There is a great career outlook for the nursing profession. The projected growth is faster than other occupations because of the aging population and there is always a need for healthcare. There are many specialties to choose from and opportunities for growth. For example, a nurse can advance into leadership positions such as becoming a Charge Nurse or a Nurse Manager.

Nursing offers a competitive salary and many employers offer benefits such as healthcare plans, 40K/retirement plans, continuing education reimbursement etc.

Nursing provides you with the special opportunity to help and care for others and is a rewarding and meaningful career.

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A hospice nurse visits patients to assess their medical and emotional needs, as well as the support required by their family. One of the main goals of hospice nursing is ensuring the patient is comfortable by providing the appropriate medications, therapies and support.

Hospice nurses have the opportunity to build close relationships with their patients and families. They also get to work independently with the support of their team. One of the challenges is learning to deal with the loss of patients. One of the rewards is knowing that you provided them with the best care and support possible. There is a great sense of accomplishment in knowing that you made a difference to a patient at the end of their life.

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First, remain calm by not taking the situation personally. Remaining calm will allow you to see the situation more clearly which will help to respond more effectively.

Empathy is crucial and one of the quickest ways to calm an angry patient. Empathy is showing the patient that you see the situation from their perspective and that you care.

If the patient is making unreasonable demands, it is important to set boundaries. One way of setting boundaries is by setting expectations, for example, by telling the patient when and how often you will be checking-in on them and then following through.

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Communication skills are vital for successful patient care. As a nurse you are continuously speaking with patients, their family and members of the team. Communication also includes non-verbal communication and active listening. Examples of non-verbal communication are maintaining eye contact and adjusting your tone of voice. Active listening is a type of listening used in order to understand the patient and not just in order to respond. These techniques will help to improve your level of patient care.

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Home care nurses treat patients for an array of health conditions and are responsible for providing nursing care, record keeping and building relationships with their assigned patients. Visiting patients at home enables them to gain a better understanding of how to tailor the treatment according to their patients’ needs. They typically make repeat visits to their patients which allows them to gain the satisfaction of seeing their patients’ progress over time.

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• Breathing is a great way to quickly relieve stress. Breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Talk a problem through with a positive thinking friend or colleague to help you problem-solve and to look at the situation from a new perspective.
• Exercise by taking a walk, ideally in nature or just by using the stairs during a break.
• Take time to relax, by listening to music, taking a warm bath or spending time with friends and family.

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Nurses should stick to a regular sleeping schedule as much as possible, which helps the body to regulate itself and know what to expect. Ensure that your sleep space is comfortable and conducive to restful sleep by investing in black out curtains or an eye mask. Avoid caffeine towards the end of the shift which can lead to increased alertness and may make it difficult to fall asleep.

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