Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
This a famous essay — written in 1997 by Mary Schmich, a columnist with the Chicago Tribune — which gives some amazing advice for life. Hope you get something out of this. I certainly did. Enjoy!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ‘97… wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are NOT as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Careers in Healthcare – Staying on top of the changes in healthcare. Really?
Careers in Healthcare – Staying on top of the changes in healthcare. Really?
By: Betty Nelson, PhD, RN
Keeping up with changes in healthcare is a daunting task. Some may say it is impossible to do so. It seems as though we are constantly bombarded with the “new” – new medical discoveries, new treatments, new technology, new rules and regulations, new equipment, new policies and procedures, new expectations, new forms – most of which can require some sort of change on our part.
So how do we stay on top of it all? Let me offer an approach:
Step 1: What do you REALLY need to know?
While it might sound radical, I believe an individual clinician does not need to be on top of it all. Identify the areas of the healthcare sector that are relevant and of interest to you. If you are a clinician, you would want to be on top of changes in your particular field as well as policy, technology and regulatory issues.
Step 2: Who are the experts?
Once the areas are selected, identify authoritative sources of information. Professional associations, foundations, and Federal agencies are generally credible resources as are researchers who investigate your selected areas.
Step 3: Where do the experts share their knowledge?
Explore each authoritative source for the methods and vehicles it uses to disseminate new information. Websites, journals, newsletters, daily electronic feeds, and nursing degree programs are typical formats.
Step 4: How can I access the experts’ knowledge?
Join appropriate professional groups, attend relevant conferences, and subscribe to the information sources you’ve identified as important to you. Most foundations provide their information free of charge as does the Federal government.
Step 5: How do I manage the information influx?
This is the most challenging step of all. I recommend starting by developing a strategy that fits your schedule and lifestyle. One idea is to set aside a certain amount of time each day or determine a certain day of the week where you dedicate yourself to reading and brushing up.
If you commit to the idea that being on top of the latest changes in your selected areas of interest is integral to your practice, and if you follow the first four steps, you’ll develop a mechanism to stay on top of the most important information to you. Also, many nursing degree programs offer training on best-practices and the most current initiatives in their curriculum.
I’d like to hear from you. How do you keep current? Please share your methods or strategies with your fellow readers by sending them to me at healthcare[at]americansentinel.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.
About the Author: Betty Nelson, PhD, RN, a registered nurse with more than 30 years experience as a clinician, administrator and educator, is an adjunct professor in Health Sciences and Nursing at American Sentinel University.
About American Sentinel University
American Sentinel University is an accredited online university that offers affordable and convenient healthcare degree programs. Their online degree programs are designed especially for busy, working professionals who need maximum flexibility while balancing school, family and work. To learn more, visit us at www.americansentinel.edu/healthcare/ or to hear from our students, visit our video library.
hardcore gamers justified?!
Being a casual gamer myself, I need to share this with you guys. I had gone to playing games from the family computer, to the PS1 to online games. I had a year in my college where I spent more time playing than studying. Will this justify me and other gamers? Read the article below. You decide.
Study shows that better gamers have bigger brains, are better learners too
While we can’t say for sure that videogames, as your grandmother insists, do indeed rot your brain, thanks to research conducted at a variety of Universities around the States we know that better gamers tend to have more gray matter than others — at least in certain areas. Kirk Erickson, Ann Graybiel, Arthur Kramer, and Walter Boot worked together to form a study in which 39 participants’ brains were scanned before those subjects were asked to play a game called Space Fortress (which looks a little like an Atari-era Geometry Wars). Players with larger nucleus accumbens did better learning the game early on, while those with larger caudate nucleus and putamen did better at playing with distractions. There was no sign that playing games actually increased the size of those areas of the brains, meaning some people are just born with a Power Glove on — and that it’s only a matter of time before MRIs replace aptitude tests.
Source: Engadget
More on: Physorg
Work Experience: 2 years and counting…
In a couple of days, I’ll be spending my 2nd year anniversary in my hospital. A lot has happened since then. From being assigned to a medical ward for a month to scrubbing and circulating in the operating room. I remember, when I was still assigned at the floor, I was extra cautious of the things I did. I asked and asked. I didn’t hesitate to ask for help especially when I was doubtful of what to do. Nonetheless, these days, I still do ask. It’s always good to ask relevant questions. Anyway, working in the operating room complex has always been one of my choices. Fortunately, my request was granted and in no time I was scrubbing. To point out, I really love scrubbing for orthopedic cases. My undying obsession to use the disposable gown during ortho cases still lives on until now. I still didn’t have the chance to wear the blue gown (sob). Now, my chances are even slimmer. I seldom scrub. I “leveled-up” to be a circulating nurse (humility aside). I could say that being a circulating nurse is very different from a scrub nurse. It’s more tasking and you have a lot of responsibilities. Still, I enjoy all the ups and downs inside the OR. As I look back at my 2 years of experience, I just couldn’t help but smile all the bloopers I had – to preparing major instruments for minor cases to circulating cases I’m not familiar with. All these, thanks to those who supported me – God, my family and friends. And a special mention, Boss JohnGal, who advised me to be assigned in the OR. True! Boss JG was right! I’m enjoying my stay inside the OR! I look forward to what lies ahead. ^_^
2009
With just hours before the year closes, let me say Thank You to all the readers of this blog. I had fun writing, working and waking up this blog from its slumber. I look forward to sharing more things to you guys. Enjoy the rest of the hours of 2009. It was a good year. Enjoy and more to come from nKini for year 2010! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009!
Hello! nKini wishes you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009! ;D
JCI Accredited Chong Hua Hospital
Almost two years has passed since I started my profession as a nurse. I remember, I only applied to one hospital – Chong Hua. I had to make sure that I wouldn’t take no for an answer. Why? Because I believed that it will be a good working place that’s close to what’s being read in books. I kept in mind that the institution will hone my knowledge, skills and attitude.
October 2007. I took the entrance exam and passed. I went for the initial and final interviews and started my training and modules. I think it took about 3 weeks. Here, I found out that Chong Hua is applying for international accreditation. To what’s used to be JCAHO, is now Joint Commission International (JCI). JCI is a non-profit organization that assess and evaluate a health institution’s system to focus on quality and safety of patient care to international standards.
2008. Modules were held every afternoon. These not only served as a refresher course but improvements were also refined. Ongoing physical construction to improve facilities were made as well.
May 2009. We had the “mock survey”. It didn’t seem to be a mock survey. Everyone took it seriously. This was the trigger for the institution to whether pursue for the final survey or not.
May 2009 – 2nd week October 2009. More and more policies were revised and implemented. Facility improvements are on its final phase.
October 19-23, 2009. There’s no holding back. This is survey week. All efforts are put to the test.
November 2009. I was on a night shift when our station nurse got a text message from the administration that Chong Hua has passed the accreditation. I was happy but not convinced. I needed physical proof. Like what our chief nurse used to motivate us - a JCI seal in our hospital.
December 2009. I saw in the newspaper: Congratulations to Chong Hua. The first and only JCI accredited hospital outside Manila. To confirm, I surfed the web for more proof. Having seen all these, I think I rest my case. Kudos to Chong Hua and to all it’s employees especislly to us nurses where we account the biggest percentage of institution. CONGRATULATIONS!
100 Useful Continuing Ed Links for Nurses
Quote:
” Hi Andrew,
I’m writing to let you know that we posted an article, “100 Useful Continuing Ed Links for Nurses”. I just thought I’d share it with you in case you thought it would appeal to your readers.
Thanks for time!
Amber Johnson”
I just read the message. I really haven’t had the time to fully check the site/link yet. Though, I had a glimpse of it. I think this will really be useful for me and to others as well. I’ll sure be using these links. Thanks for sharing Amber Johnson. Hope to hear more from you.
Quote:
“A career in nursing is busy enough without having to worry about where you will find continuing education resources. Check out these useful links to help you find exactly the courses you want or need. Browse through the lists of sites offering multiple courses on a variety of topics, links to courses based on specific topics, or links by the type of nursing you perform. Many of these courses are free and others cost a bit, but all of them are sure to help you achieve your continuing education goals. Be sure to verify with your licensing agency that courses will count toward your continuing education requirements.”
>>> 100 Useful Continuing Ed Links for Nurses from http://www.onlinenursingprograms.net/
Efren Peñaflorida: CNN Pushcart Hero of the Year
Folks, the Filipino has done it once again! After the great victory of Manny Pacquiao, another hero emerges to the world. CNN awarded Efren Peñaflorida as Hero of the Year for his dedication to helping street children receive education. Believing that education is a factor for the success in life, he goes around in areas with his Kariton (pushcart) classroom and hold classes in places such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump. Together with his team of volunteers they teach children of different ages basic reading and writing, Math, English and Science.
In his very inspiring acceptance speech, from by CNN, Efren said: “Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”
“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”
Truly, the Filipino becomes global. Let us be inspired by his dedication and accomplishment.
my brother the reviewer
Lately, my schedule has been a bit busy. Our hospital has had it’s Unique charity cases. This is where the hospital would grant free screening to admission to surgeries – absolutely 100% free. Anyway, this is not I want to share about. I’d like to share something different today. It’s has no regards to nursing at all.
For months my brother, wenbert of eKini Web Developer Blog, has been participating for a publishing of a book- Zend Framework 1.8 Web Application Development. He got his early copy of the book just recently. I took hold of the book and could not comprehend it’s contents. I could only recognize that these were codes that had explanations. Proud of my big brother, I have to show you these:
