60http://blog.revitals.comen REVITALSREVITALSmikedougherty@revitals.comnohttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/04/25/stretching--for-nurses.aspxREVITALSBoring title, huh? Stretching. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzWell, look, stretching admittedly is not the most stimulating topic in the world, but truth be told, it is definitely one of the most important yet under appreciated components of physical fitness. For anybody - Nurse or not - stretching should be a daily routine item, much like brushing your teeth. But too many times, stretching gets ignored. (I'm definitely guilty of it too!)Stretching can be awfully boring and be uncomfortably annoying. It takes a solid 10-15 minutes to do it properly - time that most exercisers feel they ...Fitness and Wellness for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/04/25/stretching--for-nurses.aspx#Comments47394840-e6a6-42a5-938a-db71f70d56c8Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:35:21 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/04/13/shift-preparation-food-choices-and-sleep-tips-for-the-rn--on-video.aspxREVITALSI came across these videos on YouTube this morning and thought they'd be worth posting. I think they source from something called Expert Village, which is a site that includes user-submitted videos for how to do anything and almost everything. The woman in these videos posted her tips for preparing for a shift, including food choices, work bag preparation, and sleep. When you're done with these videos, if you have more interest on tips for better living while working the night shift, check these two links: The Importance of Breakfast for a Nurse ...Stress Management for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/04/13/shift-preparation-food-choices-and-sleep-tips-for-the-rn--on-video.aspx#Comments6201a7a9-158a-418a-85c0-8397133b257cSun, 13 Apr 2008 07:37:07 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/31/curing-the-fear-of-public-speaking.aspxREVITALSLike me, you've probably read or heard that public speaking is the #1 fear reported by people in the US, a fear reported even more than that of death. Today I did the obligatory Google search to find out the source of this statistic. Apparently it was first published in a 1973 London Sunday Times article citing the results of a survey of 3000 Americans, and has been verified by countless other studies and surveys in the years since. The original Times study found that 41% of respondents listed "speaking in public" as their biggest fear, with ...Stress Management for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/31/curing-the-fear-of-public-speaking.aspx#Comments5a53eaba-546b-4371-9e0c-7c3700b8690cTue, 01 Apr 2008 08:09:33 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/24/a-fitness-routine-for-nurses--stat-workout-3.aspxREVITALSThis week's STAT Workout for Nurses continues with some Leg exercises but incorporates more upper body work. You will need a sturdy chair for this week's routine -- no chair on rollers and no chairs that show any instability. You will also need two equal light weights - use whatever -- 2 books, two 1-liter bottles of water, whatever. As usual, our workout principles remain the same. Check out the STAT Workout Introduction for a brief refresher on our principles and what this series is about.Print this page, head to work, and bring it out when ...STAT Workoutshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/24/a-fitness-routine-for-nurses--stat-workout-3.aspx#Commentsfcc338a6-27ee-4ac6-8a8f-95aace064ebcMon, 24 Mar 2008 10:46:25 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/19/resume-tips-for-nurses.aspxREVITALSOne of the coolest parts of my job is the process of hiring a Nurse and then doing my part to help her achieve her personal and professional goals. Some RNs look for scheduling flexibility to have more time with family, some want help getting in shape, some (read: most!) want more money. Whatever the end goal, working through the details and building a plan with the RN is very rewarding. But this posting isn't some dopey soul-bearing narrative about work and passion. Instead, it's about Resumes. I review a number of them on any ...Miscellaneoushttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/19/resume-tips-for-nurses.aspx#Commentsd7a78b5f-1f1e-4157-a0fd-e5cbe6ae4debWed, 19 Mar 2008 19:35:46 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/17/exercises-for-rns--stat-workout-2.aspxREVITALSOne of the keys to maintaining your fitness is to change up your routine a lot. Many people make the mistake of always doing the same routine when they exercise and can't understand why they're not shaping up. If you're a gym-goer, you've probably seen it: the guy with the doughy arms who has been ripping out 3 sets of bicep curls with the same weights every day for the last year.Truth is, your body learns to adapt remarkably quickly. On the plus side, adapting quickly means your body finds a way to rise to the ...STAT Workoutshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/17/exercises-for-rns--stat-workout-2.aspx#Comments0e31f7b2-6c16-4da8-850d-e2193d8a5433Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:12:17 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/14/nurses-in-the-media.aspxREVITALSThe Center for Nursing Advocacy is a great organization - all RNs should be familiar with their message. This is a group that is tired of the way Nurses are portrayed in the media, and are working towards change. For the purpose of 'good television', the role of Nurses is many times misrepresented, inaccurate or inadequate. For the millions of casual TV or movie viewers, like anything, perception has a way of becoming reality. The Center points out many striking examples of poor Nurse representation throughout movies, television or other media outlets (even crossword puzzles!). ...Miscellaneoushttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/14/nurses-in-the-media.aspx#Commentsc1af9dd2-0c42-46cb-a7a2-a5d0b97aadc6Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:45:18 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/08/introducing-the-stat-workout--stat-workout-1.aspxREVITALSI suspect many RNs have great intentions when it comes to working out and maintaining their fitness, but get sidetracked because of a crazy work schedule. Let's be fair - a 12 hour shift is no easy feat. For those of you who start the 7A shift, you're usually leaving the house sometime just after 6AM to punch in on time, and not returning home - exhausted and hungry - until 8. Where's the time to work out? (Damn those lucky nine to fivers.)Introducing the STAT Workout. This is a new section I'm creating and ...STAT Workoutshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/08/introducing-the-stat-workout--stat-workout-1.aspx#Comments99a41e39-1192-4f08-986f-b6f1c89e46feSun, 09 Mar 2008 01:37:09 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/03/secondlife--for-the-nursing-community.aspxREVITALSI really try my best to keep this blog focused against topics of which I have at least a bit of understanding. Let's be honest, I need to stick with stuff I know. I can't make up for a lack of substance with verbal - er, written - gymnastics (see?). My vocabulary stinks and my prose probably annoys the hell out of the Grammar Curmudgeon. So I'm sitting here staring at a screen with a lot of white space trying to figure out how to start writing about the virtual reality world called Second Life (where ...Miscellaneoushttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/03/03/secondlife--for-the-nursing-community.aspx#Commentsfb169e57-93be-45bf-9988-9fc3e020468fTue, 04 Mar 2008 10:12:44 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/28/new-ziploc-bags-make-it-easy-to-eat-healthy-while-at-work.aspxREVITALSI found a neat new product in the grocery stores that is a PERFECT way for Nurses to eat healthy while at work. Most Nurses only have access to a break room with a small refrigerator and microwave. To pack a healthy meal usually means shoving a Lean Cuisine in your bag or a can of soup. While not the worst choices, both are high in sodium and generally low in fulfillment. I know personally, I would eat anything in sight a few hours later if that was dinner. Ziploc has come out with a ...Nutritionhttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/28/new-ziploc-bags-make-it-easy-to-eat-healthy-while-at-work.aspx#Comments6b86d4e1-5aef-4d52-a6ff-5ab0b87c00bdThu, 28 Feb 2008 16:11:55 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/23/vitamin-d-and-the-night-shift.aspxREVITALSThe Graveyard Shift is aptly named because of the eerie quietness and because most people who regularly work it tend to feel like zombies, even on non-work days. (sorry, I know it’s cliché – but I had to do it! With over 7 million hits on YouTube, it's obviously still popular.) Unfortunately, night shift nurses know this feeling all too well. Your body can never become fully acclimated to working a night shift, but there are things you can do to reduce the negative effects. Check out some of my Night Shift related ...Nutritionhttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/23/vitamin-d-and-the-night-shift.aspx#Comments59f44f3f-5810-4316-9295-c5dd665e38e7Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:03:17 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/20/instore-walkin-clinics--what-a-nurse-should-know.aspxREVITALSNurse.com ran an article recently about Wal-Mart opening close to 400 new in-store, walk-in medical clinics in their stores nationwide. This is an interesting trend in retailing and health care that offers new channels of employment for Nurses, especially Nurse Practitioners. First, some background… Retail grocery chains all across the country are trying to figure out new ways to drive shoppers into their stores and compete with Wal-Mart and other big box retailers. These grocery chains are losing shopping trips every day as consumers are flocking to Wal-Mart and Costco to stock-up and buy in bulk ...Nursing and Nursing Issueshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/20/instore-walkin-clinics--what-a-nurse-should-know.aspx#Comments75a403cc-9de9-4559-8140-64b96da46b9dSat, 12 Apr 2008 16:43:04 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/16/what-to-eat-for-breakfast.aspxREVITALSWhether you work the day shift or not, the importance of a well-balanced breakfast cannot be stressed enough. Click here for some thoughts on why. As noted in the above link, breakfast gives you the energy and stamina to stay sharp throughout the morning, and it refuels your system and prevents your body from digging into its own muscle reserves for energy. Many people – RNs included – eat nothing at all for breakfast, incorrectly assuming the calories skipped in the morning will help them lose weight. Later in the day, these same people end up ...Nutritionhttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/16/what-to-eat-for-breakfast.aspx#Commentsa63d8744-890e-4626-bddb-0c2befabc19eSat, 23 Feb 2008 11:02:44 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/15/the-importance-of-breakfast-for-a-nurse.aspxREVITALSLet me know if this sounds about right:You woke up, ate nothing for breakfast, and headed to work. It’s now 11AM, you’ve been on your shift since 7AM, and you’re absolutely starving and cannot wait to tear into your lunch at 12. Despite the feeling of wanting to eat everything in sight – food, furniture, etc – you’re proud that you’ve ‘survived’ another morning of fasting and eliminating morning calories from your diet. That’s more or less how it goes, I think. Many nurses skip breakfast and justify doing so by claiming it’s ‘part of their ...Nutritionhttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/15/the-importance-of-breakfast-for-a-nurse.aspx#Comments74ca1a32-056f-4a07-819b-8d64fd14a02bSun, 17 Feb 2008 10:08:21 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/12/avoiding-back-injuries-for-the-nurse.aspxREVITALSIt’s fair to assume that most nurses don’t get into the profession because they’re danger seekers. Sure, they’re aware of the inherent risks involved with handling needles and dealing with the sometimes unpredictable behavior from patients. But an oftentime ignored fact is that Nursing is one of the riskiest occupations in the US for back injuries, and has the second highest incidence of all types of non-fatal work related injuries across any job or industry in the US. Think about that....according to statistics, a nurse is more likely to be injured on the job than a construction ...Fitness and Wellness for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/12/avoiding-back-injuries-for-the-nurse.aspx#Comments03c0d400-eb6a-4440-a597-4757bced229eSat, 12 Apr 2008 16:44:20 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/07/do-cardio-before-or-after-weight-training.aspxREVITALSA question came in the other day from a female RN dedicated to her fitness routine:“I spend a lot of time working out, both with weight training and cardio. Some days I do both in the same day. If I’m looking to burn fat, should I do cardio before or after weight training?” This is a great question, one that stirs a lot of debate in the fitness community. Google the topic and you’ll see opinions and perspectives that are all over the map. Some say cardio before weights is the best; others say the ...Fitness and Wellness for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/07/do-cardio-before-or-after-weight-training.aspx#Comments34867ba6-321c-479f-91d3-eb22aa585c17Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:42:08 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/05/managing-stress--for-rns.aspxREVITALSStress management is a critical issue for the Nursing community. High, prolonged job-related stress ors have been shown to lead to Nurses leaving the profession. Results from a global research study show that 43.2% of nurses scored in the "high burnout range according to norms", and only 69.5% of respondents to a separate survey reported being even "moderately satisfied" with their jobs. (By contrast, 85% of workers in other industries and 90% of professional workers reported being satisfied.) Ultimately, one in five nurses will leave his/her job due to burnout and stress. Read more about ...Stress Management for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/05/managing-stress--for-rns.aspx#Comments913ed354-c56f-4dc8-ac20-fbcf41886e00Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:57:38 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/04/google-results--super-bowl-nursing.aspxREVITALSSo the Giants pulled the upset last night in dramatic fashion. I'll assume you are one of the 90 million + people who saw it! (ratings are not out yet, but Fox is hoping to eclipse 94.08 million, the number of viewers who watched 1996's SuperBowl between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers).This morning I Googled "Super Bowl Nursing" just to see what would pop up. Results were all over the board: A nursing community complaining (but not really surprised) that they received higher than normal 'sick' calls on gameday and the following morning. ...Miscellaneoushttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/04/google-results--super-bowl-nursing.aspx#Comments7628fcf5-e029-4d96-a8a5-faf48f6e6f09Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:49:51 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/03/stress-management--its-impact-on-the-nursing-industry.aspxREVITALSIf you've been reading our blog for any period of time now, you know our passion is for helping Nurses be their best through an increase in physical fitness and exercise. We believe a healthy mind, body and soul is critical to providing top-notch patient care throughout every shift. You can read up on any of our fitness-related tips throughout this site; maybe this is a good one to start with.It's not all about exercise, though. In fact, exercise is just one part of the puzzle. The greater issue for Nurses - for which exercise acts ...Stress Management for RNshttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/03/stress-management--its-impact-on-the-nursing-industry.aspx#Comments36824a3a-2191-420a-a026-68b43cefb6f6Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:50:39 GMThttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/02/bringing-nursing-back.aspxREVITALSJT would be so proud.Hang in past the first minute with this one! _____This blog is maintained by Re Vitals Nursing - www.revitals.com. Visit us! ...Miscellaneoushttp://blog.revitals.com/2008/02/02/bringing-nursing-back.aspx#Comments23adf0f1-ca19-4190-9b0d-887940921ea3Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:21:39 GMT