There are tons of asanas (poses) and pranayama (breath exercises) that you can do while you’re at work. Whether you’re an experienced yogi, a beginner,  or just a stressed out executive assistant, practicing yoga at work can help you stay engaged throughout the day and keep you calm when you get that unexpected call into your boss’ office. If you’re trying to make your work environment a healthier place, practicing office yoga and bringing your own superfood smoothies to the office, can be a great place to start.

One of the most important things to keep in mind that will keep your energy up at work is your posture. Practicing meditation posture will keep your body from crying out in distress. Many of us spend our entire workday hunched over a computer screen (yours truly included). If we’re not aware of our bodies, we can end up looking like this fella…

Instead, if you’re going to be sitting all day, the goal is to stay in the position all the way to the right in the image below…

You can get into proper posture by remembering a few simple steps.

Formula for Great Seated Posture

1. Take a deep breath in and lengthen through the crown of your head, lifting your chin away from your chest and telescoping your ribs upward.
2. Exhale. Keeping the lift in the spine, pull the low belly in and tuck your tailbone.
3. Inhale. Expand the ribs outward and make sure that they don’t touch the back rest.
4. Exhale. Pull the shoulders back and drag the shoulder blades down the spine.

Great! Now all you have to do is keep it up. When you realize that you’re sinking back towards the screen, congratulate yourself for catching it, and follow the formula again. You’ll have to do this quite often before it becomes a habit. Also, some of your muscles might actually get sore at first. This is a good thing! Those postural muscles need to work. Just take an epsom salt bath, and know that you’re on your way to better posture.

How do you sit when you’re at work?

Gathering evidence

There really is no typical day for a forensic nurse. Most work in the ER at a hospital and see a wide variety of injuries and conditions. A forensic nurse must on the lookout for possible criminal activity related to the injuries or conditions patients present. For example if a mother brings in her daughter complaining of a sore leg, the forensic nurse needs to not only take the child’s vitals and examine her leg, but make sure she is put into a gown and do a thorough exam of the child to look for old injuries. If anything suspicious is found, the nurse should document this and collect as much evidence as she can to back up her findings.

Most forensic nurses work with sexual assault victims. For example if a woman is brought in who was raped instead of cleaning her up right away, a forensic nurse knows to gather evidence and preserve it for use in the court case. She will also be able to treat the woman with respect and caring. It may go against all of the training a nurse gets to not throw away or inadvertently destroy evidence, but by preserving evidence he or she may help to convict a guilty party.

Another growing field of forensic nursing is called Medicolegal Death Investigation. This involves gathering forensic evidence in order to identify victims of crimes and natural disasters. Forensic nurses work with law enforcement and emergency response teams to gather information and remains in order to find the identity of victims and the cause of their death.

A forensic nurse may work in may places. These include the ER, a medical examiner’s office, as a medical legal consultant, on a law enforcement team, or as an evidence collector trainer. Forensic nursing is more than what you see on television. It is a growing field that is interesting and full of variety and opportunities.

Modern medical terms have their roots in ancient Greek, Latin and Arabic and like these original ancient languages the prefixes and suffixes of words is important to know their meaning. Students must learn to break down terms into their prefix, suffix, and combining forms. Recently I began online classes to become a Medical Biller and Coder. I have a 1,036 page book by Davi-Ellen Chabner entitled, The Language of Medicine, to study from. It has 22 chapters along with a glossary, index, and illustrations. When I unpacked it I was a bit intimidated, but the textbook is well laid out and really puts you through the paces of medical terms and anatomy.

To give you an idea of the terms you’ll be studying here are some examples:

endo- (in, within) + scopy (visual examination) endoscopy – process of viewing inside the body

a- (deficiency) + nemia (pertaining to blood) anemia – not enough blood

para- (beside) + thyroid (thyroid gland) parathyroid – four glands beside the thyroid

Those are just a few examples to give you an idea of how words combine to make medical terms. Repetition and practice are the best ways to remember the terms. If you can make references in your mind about the words, that will help you remember them, too. I have a hard time remembering the term anabolic refers to the building up of proteins in cells, and the term catabolic refers to the breakdown of substances in cells to create energy for your body. I finally figured out to remember catabolic with reference to my cats who like to tear things up. That might sound silly, but it has helped me remember which one is which.

I find it is fun to learn a new language, and the language of medicine is no exception. It is also a challenge and a very necessary skill if you want to join the ranks of caregivers and nurses. Understanding the terms used and the correct names of the parts and organs of the body will help you in your career. So don’t think your education will just be about patient care, you will also have to learn the terms and words used in the world of medicine to be successful.

Education and Certification

Your first step is to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This is usually a two year or four year course. According to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, most pediatric nurses have at least a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. After you pass the NCLEX and become a RN, you can then get an internship in a pediatric setting. This includes hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, schools or intensive care units. Once you gain enough experience you may want to become a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN). The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board administers this exam. You can take it at a testing site or online. As a CPN you can work in many settings caring for infants, children and adolescents. Certification also gives you professional creditability and higher wages.

Salary

There are over 2.5 million RN’s working in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics the median wage for an RN in 2010 was $67,720 or $32.56 per hour. The majority of nurses work in hospital settings with doctor’s offices coming in a close second. The top paying locations for nurses are as follows:

Specialty Practices and Hospitals – $73,280
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals – $68,610
Outpatient Care Centers – $67,550
Psychiatric and Abuse Centers – $65,600
Home Health Care Services – $63,850

How much you actually earn will depend upon your experience, specialty if any, area of the country you live in, and facility. Your salary will be higher if you have a masters degree or advanced degree in nursing.

Is Pediatric Nursing for You?

Nursing is one of the fastest growing jobs in the country, and will continue to be a job that is in high demand through the next decade and beyond. Caring for children and infants can be a challenge and it takes a special breed of nurses to be able to care for very sick children. If you want to make a real difference in the life of a child, why not consider the career path of a pediatric nurse?

Well the answer is yes and no. Right now there aren’t any completely online programs to become a Registered Nurse, but if you are already an RN, there are many programs for you to earn your bachelor or graduate degree. If you don’t have your RN license, you could complete your basic classes online and get credit for them through an on campus RN program. This will help you graduate faster and be on track to a great career.

Online nursing classes are just as rigorous as on campus classes, so be sure you have the time and commitment when you enroll. As a Registered Nurse you will have several options for specialization. You could specialize in neonatal care, hospice, operating room, pediatric, dialysis, critical care, and many more. If you’re interested in specialization be sure to check and see if the school you’re interested in offers it.

Schools That Offer Online Nursing Programs 

Many schools offer online RN to BSN and graduate degrees. Here are a few of the schools you can attend online to earn your nursing degree:

• Post University offers RN to BSN degrees completely online. You must hold your Registered Nurse license to enroll in their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
• Walden University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Liberty University has an online RN to BSN program which is completely online. You must have your RN license to enroll in this program.
• Baker College offers an RN to BSN program which was introduced in 2009. The school also offers an associates degree in nursing which you can use toward your BSN.

There are several more schools offering associate, bachelor and graduate level classes in nursing online. Nurses are in high demand and by furthering your education you not only make yourself more attractive to potential employers, but you will make more money. If you love nursing, consider going back to school to earn your degree.

If you’re considering a career in the medical field, or you’re already a medical professional, you may want to consider working for a health care system. One of the largest is the Adventist Health System. The Adventist Health System has facilities in 12 states across theUnited States. It is a faith based system of health care which puts the emphasis on treating the entire patient’s needs from physical, emotional, and spiritual. It is this faith based commitment to patient care that makes the Adventist Health System different from others.

Florida Hospital Zephyhills

I have personal experience with the local Adventist hospital. Florida Hospital Zephyrhills is located not far from my home and is my hospital of choice. My husband worked there as a CNA in the 90’s and I have been to the ER and admitted there several times. (I have a-fib which sometimes doesn’t straighten out on its own.) The nurses and caregivers at this hospital have always given me and my family the best care both physically and emotionally.

One of the most impressive things about the Adventist Health System is the many opportunities they offer to medical professionals. If you search their job page you can find several positions in patient care, support and facilities management to choose from. They also offer educational opportunities in exchange for service in one of their facilities for a specified amount of time. Several of the nurses in the Zephyrhills hospital come from thePhilippines on their work/study program. It is the largest Protestant health care system in theUS with over 55,000 employees helping 4 million patients annually. As you can see the Adventist Health System offers medical professionals and others several career opportunities and a chance to help make a positive difference in patients’ lives.

Many of the duties performed by medical assistants today were once only done by LPN’s. Under the supervision of an RN a medical assistant can administer medication in a hospital or long term care facility, and can draw blood in offices and clinics. In the doctor’s office, many medical assistants act as medical records and coding specialists. These positions are vital so that patient records are kept current and insurance billing runs smoothly. You can find medical assistants in all types of offices including general practioners, pediatric, dentists, chiropractors, and many other offices. Demand for medical assistants is expected to grow at an accelerated rate (an increase of 34%) throughout 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The salaries for medical assistants are very competitive. Most work in doctor’s offices and clinics and in May of 2008 made an average of $28,710. In a hospital during this time the average salary was $29,720. Your salary may be higher or lower depending on the area in which you work, the amount of experience you have, and if you have any specializations. The top paying states include Alaska, Hawaii, and California.

Today medical assistants are taking their places as vital and necessary members of the medical community. Medical assistants with specialized training have many career options open to them. If you like to work in a clinical or hospital setting, you may consider becoming a medical assistant.

Nursing Pin

If you’re considering entering the nursing field, you may want to know where the jobs are as well as how much you can expect to make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing jobs are expected to be in demand throughout 2018. The medical field as a whole is expected to grow at a greater than average rate for the same time period. Over 2.6 million nurses work in the United Statesand in May 2010 the median salary was $67,720.

Top Employers for Registered Nurses

• Hospitals
• Doctor’s Offices
• Home Health Care Services
• Nursing Care Facilities
• Outpatient Care Centers

States with the Most Jobs for Registered Nurses

• California
• Texas
• New York
• Florida
• Pennsylvania

Top Paying States for Registered Nurses

• California – $87,480
• Massachusetts – $84,990
• Hawaii – $82,130
• Alaska – $79,350
• Maryland – $76,450

Traveling Nurses

Traveling nurses work all over the country.

Another career option for Registered Nurses is as a traveling nurse. According to the Traveling Nurse Databank, you can expect to make $80,000 to $90,000 annually. This would be a good career choice if you don’t like to be tied down and want to see the country. Most traveling nurse assignments last from three months to a year. As a traveling nurse you would work for an agency and get your assignments from them. Many nurses who choose this career path enjoy free housing, reimbursement for travel expenses, and free healthcare.

As a nurse you will have the chance to care for the ill and elderly. You may even go on to teach and share your knowledge. A career as a Registered Nurse will not only give you a very decent salary, but rewards that money can’t cover. It is an interesting and very rewarding career. 

It takes a special type of person to be involved with palliative care. In order to be a palliative nurse you must have excellent assessment skills, be able to handle working with gravely ill patients, and understand the grief and pain loved ones are going through. A strong sense of compassion is necessary to work in palliative care. Many palliative care nurses find this career path very rewarding and fulfilling. In 1986 the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) was formed to help establish a network of support for palliative and hospice nurses. HPNA offers certification and scholarships for nurses specializing in this area. Membership is also open to student nurses to help them get started in this important field of nursing.

From a personal viewpoint I know how special this type of nurse is. My husband was under palliative care as was my mother at the end of their lives. Not only did my loved ones receive excellent and compassionate care, but I was included in all of the decisions and care plans for both of them. I do believe that this type of care is important and makes a huge difference in the care of the gravely ill. The care and compassion the nurses and the rest of the teams showed my loved ones and myself will always be remembered.

Palliative nurses are RNs and generally have specialized training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports RNs can expect to make over $59,000 per year. This may be higher or lower depending on the area of the country you work in and the level of education you have. Nursing is a noble profession and if you choose to dedicate your life to the care of others, you will be rewarded with the knowledge that you made a difference in a person’s life at their more vulnerable time. Nurses and caregivers can add to the quality of life and help the family deal with the reality of a life ending and life threatening illness of a loved one.

Speaking from personal experience I was a bit uncomfortable with the first male nurse I had when I was in the hospital a few years ago, but I found him to be gentle, caring and a really great caregiver. It is good to see the stereotypes being broken down so more men can enter the medical field as nurses and caregivers. There are 20% more men entering nursing school this decade than the last one, and this number is expected to increase according to Minority Nurse. The American Assembly of Men in Nursing (AAMN) Award has been granted to these schools since 2004:

• DukeUniversity
• LouisianaStateUniversityScience Program
• SamuelMerrittUniversity
• UniversityofPennsylvania
• MontereyPeninsulaCollege
• ExcelsiorCollege
• UniversityofPortland
• OhioStateUniversity
• UniversityofTexasatAustin
• EastCarolinaUniversity

The AAMN is dedicated to help increase the men in this important career field by sponsoring nursing scholarships for men who want to become a Registered Nurse. In 2010 the awarded two $500 scholarships for nursing school to winners of their essay competition. Since 2004 the AAMN has awarded over $1,000 in scholarships.

In an independent study done by the Bernard Hodes Group, the top two reasons men became nurses in 2005 were to help people and to make a difference in society. In this study 44% of the respondents went into nursing after another career. Many of the men who enter nursing school are in their mid-30’s and 40’s. Nursing is not just for women anymore. It is a field that is slowly welcoming men and the caring and experience they can bring to patient care. If you want to make a positive impact on someone’s life and have a rewarding career, you may want to consider becoming a nurse or caretaker.