Nurse Attorneys Work for Change

Nurse Attorneys Work for Change

You might have heard of nurse attorneys, but do you know what they do? Is it something you might consider as a career?

Nurse attorneys usually work in an several roles, using their dual degrees in nursing and in law to match their interests with a need. Holding dual nursing and law degrees also means a nurse attorney is in a unique position. They can use their nursing degree or law degree exclusively and have no overlap, or they can use both together.

Nurse attorneys can help the public at large by advancing health care policy in both government or private sectors. They can also use their legal expertise to work in courtroom settings either as a lawyer or as an expert. When health care issues are prominent, they use their professional expertise to inform about everything from health disparities to legal liability issues. And they can work as experts with insurance companies especially as health insurance continues to undergo a massive shift in the United States.
In a strictly health care role, nurse attorneys can advocate for and be in a position to bring change in a health care setting or in an administration role. They can also bring their knowledge into a medical editor position on journals or in other medical publications.

How can they do that? Using both degrees helps nurse attorneys spread knowledge about issues that affect health care workers and patients and bring about the change in the most effective arenas to make make change happen. They can work with or for hospitals and health care facilities, lobbying organizations, nursing associations, and as advocates when health care issues are especially at stake. Nurse attorneys are able to speak out on insurance issues, health law practices, and hospital policy because they have the academic and hands-on experience in both sectors. They can also provide consulting advice to health care professionals who need specific legal advice.

If you’re considering a nurse attorney path, concentrate on getting your BSN and some nursing experience before applying to law school. (Some, of course, do the reverse and attend law school first, then get their nursing degree.) Getting the nursing experience helps you use your degree to the fullest and narrows down your professional and personal focus so you’ll be able to shape how and where you apply to law schools. Would you like to work most on legal issues that impact nurses and nurse practitioners? Does the idea of helping a nurse navigate all the legal steps to start a solo practice interest you? Or would you like to work on health care policy the most?

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys has lots of information about this career and how to use it in the way that will meet your own goals.

The satisfaction from overlapping these two degrees holds big appeal for nurses and lawyers who want to use their knowledge to bring about the most impact. If this interests you, a career as a nurse attorney might be a great option.

7 Organizing Tips for the Holiday Crush

7 Organizing Tips for the Holiday Crush

Holidays got you running a little ragged right now? With presents to wrap, goodies to bake, shopping to finish, and parties galore, it’s a wonder there’s even time to fit in all that normal stuff we do.

Here are a few last-minute holiday organizing tips that can help keep you sane this next week.

1. Become a List-o-Maniac

The problem with doing so much is that we can only remember so much. Take a tip from many super-organized people and learn to love lists. Even if you aren’t in that camp, this is the time of year to jot down some lists – presents to buy, cookies to bake, chores to do, points to cover in your next meeting – so that nothing slips by you. Update the lists regularly and cross things off as you go. Trust me – it will make you feel like you have accomplished something!

2. Sweep the Clutter

All those unannounced visits by neighbors or friends in the area can make you cringe if your house is a mess. Try to keep the parts people will see the most – maybe that’s your kitchen or living room and a bathroom – in top shape. Keep counters clear and wiped clean and put piles somewhere else.

3. Keep Something Quick to Eat

Plan ahead for the unexpected. For those surprise guests, have a coffee cake or a pound cake in the freezer ready for quick thawing and serving. Or even just have a bag of nice cookies or cheese and crackers ready to open. You don’t have to offer a visitor a full meal, but being ready with something to nibble makes you feel more hospitable.

4. Stash Fun Presents

Did you forget someone? Keep some nice wrapped gifts ready to give when you are caught off guard. Chocolates in tins, movie or coffee shop gift cards, pretty note cards. or a box of special tea are all nice gifts that most people will appreciate.

5. Organize Receipts

Any time you buy a gift or stocking stuffer, tuck the receipt into a big envelope. That way, if you need to do a quick return or if there’s any kind of problem, you know where to look.

6. Cover Your Back

Allow extra time for events, parties, and even mall trips. Traffic, weather, unimaginably long lines, and tired kids can throw off a perfectly timed schedule. Adding extra time up front will keep you sane. In the same line, buy a few extras of things so there’s no last minute rush to the store when you rip your last pair of hose, run out of cold medication, or forget to pick up tissues.

7. Keep Your Humor

Yes, it’s crazy and you’re probably behind on at least something. But the season doesn’t last too long, so sometimes just finding the humor in the craziness helps.

Here’s hoping you enjoy your holiday season! 

How to Combat Holiday Weight Gain

How to Combat Holiday Weight Gain

Thanksgiving is over; Christmas will soon be upon us and then New Year’s festivities. Fall and winter holidays are celebrated with food…and lots of it. The typical person gains on average 1-2 pounds per holiday season. Working as a nurse during this season makes it even worse with all the sweets lying around the workplace. How do you keep it all in check and avoid the extra poundage this year?

  1. Learn to say no. Say no to the constant smorgasbord of holiday goodies on every shift. Sure the major eating holidays only come around once a year, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat continuously from Halloween to New Year’s. Turn down that cookie every once in awhile. You will survive if you let the gingerbread man stay put with all his gingerbread man buddies.
  2. Take a brisk walk. Instead of hanging out at the nurse’s station (where all the goodies usually are) walk the halls when you get a chance. This way you’ll burn calories instead of accumulating them and be available to co-workers when they need help.
  3. Remember your regular exercise routine. Some people let their workout routine go when the weather is chilly and this in itself can contribute to weight gain.  Make it a point to stay on your routine as much as possible during the season.
  4. Drink up! Water that is! Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep the munchies away. Staying hydrated keeps you from thinking you’re hungry when you are actually thirsty.
  5. Decrease stress. Many focus on family and friends during the holiday season, but sometimes focusing too much on others can stress you out. Remember to take care of yourself during this season by doing what you enjoy; read a book, take a bubble bath get a massage… you get the picture.

In addition to working as a FNP, Nachole Johnson is a freelance copywriter and an author with her first book, You’re a Nurse and Want to Start Your Own Business? The Complete Guide, available on Amazon. Visit her ReNursing blog at www.renursing.com for more ideas on how to reinvent your career. 

 

 

 

3 Easy Tax Tips for December

3 Easy Tax Tips for December

In between all the holiday festivities this month there’s one more thing you might add to your to-do list – taxes. Before you roll your eyes and move on, consider this – the payoff is worth it. If you can spend just a little time this month organizing your files, getting things in order, and making sure you have all the information you need, you can save money and headaches come tax time.

Why start now? As the end of the year draws near, deadlines are important so you don’t want to miss any important ones.

1. Consider Donations and Deductions

Donations to reputable charities are a great way to share what you have and help give you nice tax relief. You have until December 31 of this year to make any donations you can claim on this year’s taxes, but keep a few pointers in mind. When you donate to a reputable place, pay by check or credit card so you have a good paper trail of the amount you gave. Cash donations are much harder to prove to the IRS, although it’s possible if you get a specific receipt – not just a scribbled note.

If you can’t donate cash, you can give goods. Take a good look around your home and donate things you no longer want, need, or use but are still in good shape. Local charities or larger organizations like the Salvation Army are always happy to take items in good condition they can resell. Itemize each item on a list and snap a few photos of what you are dropping off so you can attach it to the receipt you receive.

And for any donation you make – whether monetary or in goods – make sure you get a receipt to keep with your tax records. If you are ever audited, the IRS will want to see those receipts.

2. Pay Help Legally

If you have a regular sitter, nanny, housekeeper, or other type of caregiver, you are responsible for paying taxes for them if they meet certain requirements. If you pay someone $1,900 or more in a calendar year and they perform duties for you according to your specifications, you are considered their legal employer. This group doesn’t include a company that is independently owned (like Merry Maids or your local lawn care company), but probably would include your neighbor who watches your kids for 18 hours a week or the caregiver who takes care of your mom 3 days a week.

If you neglect to pay legally, you are potentially opening yourself up to charges of tax fraud and hefty fines, penalties, and back taxes. Setting up a household employer system is a little time consuming at first, but it’s your legal responsibility. If you are unsure how to do it, hire a firm experienced in household tax help.

3. Use Flexible Spending Accounts

It’s not to late to use up any of the funds you might have in your FSA, but you have to get busy. Most of the time, you have to use the funds in the account by the end of the year, but check with your employer because each has individual requirements and deadlines. With that in mind, set up any last-minute appointments for dental work for anyone in your family, see if you can get that full-body skin check at the dermatologist or order any specific skin treatments you need, or even order spare glasses or your next supply of contact lenses now. If you know you are having that root canal in January or February, see if you can pay ahead for some of it before the end of the year if necessary.

Always keep in mind that keeping up with tax issues will very likely save you money in the long run. Take stock now – you still have some time left this year to make a small effort for a big reward.

7 Ways to Ease Up this Holiday Season

7 Ways to Ease Up this Holiday Season

The holidays are here! Are you behind yet?

No matter how well prepared you are, the holidays always seem to throw a couple of surprises to catch you off guard. Maybe you got the flu or one of your kids was home with strep for two days. A snowstorm on your day off might have caused a ruffle in your shopping and errand plans. And the nights you planned to get all those holiday cards off your desk (or the kitchen table)? Well, that evaporated in a cloud of school concerts, nursing classes, or just general business.

With just a couple of weeks left in this holiday season, how can you gain control and enjoy this special time of year?

1. Ditch the Perfect

Perfection rules in lots of the nursing profession because lives depend on it. But perfection doesn’t have to carry over to your personal life. You’ve heard it said over and over – excellence doesn’t mean perfection. When it comes to the holiday season, feel free to ditch the idea of perfect and grab hold of good enough. Good enough means letting go of the idea that your perfect party has 10 appetizers and a once-a-year-because-it’s-so-time-consuming main course. Good friends or family and a lasagna (or, yes, even pizza!) is all you really need.

2. Embrace the Easy
2. Embrace the Easy

Who says you can’t get the dessert from a bakery? Who says you have to wrap every present with flair? If you can grab a few extra minutes for yourself or to watch a movie with your family, do it. Easy doesn’t mean you’re skipping out on the holidays. Easy means you have more time to enjoy them.

3. Shop Online
3. Shop Online

I can’t say it enough. Get those presents online and then support your local merchants for smaller, specialized gifts. Shopping online saves gas, time, money (go for the free shipping!), and sanity.

4. Take the Time for Fun
4. Take the time for fun

Did you actually say you couldn’t go sledding with the kids or to a movie with your girlfriends or to dinner with your spouse because you had to go to the mall and get your shopping done? Really? Squeeze in the shopping where you can and put the important people first in line. That’s what makes your holiday season memorable, not the shopping. Doing it the other way around brings on the holiday crankiness faster just about anything.

5. Get Outside
5. Get Outside

Yes, it’s cold. Yes, it’s winter for many of us and not exactly beach weather. But getting outside is the best antidote to the holiday overload. A short walk, a trip to a botanical garden, stopping to look at an expanse of lake or beach, a cup of coffee standing by your car on top of a big hill with a view makes you grateful for the day. That’s a perfect mindset for all the holidays are about.

6. Be Good to You
6. Be Good to You

There’s so little time right now, just falling into bed can feel like being good to you. But that’s not really giving yourself what you need. Take the time to rub nice lotion into your work-worn hands and your long-suffering feet. Enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee from the coffee shop when you’re running errands. Call a friend. Send an overdue thank you. Pick up a movie you love or a new CD that will make you feel happy. You don’t have to spend money – you have to treat yourself like you would your best friend every now and then.

7. Honor the Season
7. Honor the Season

Whatever you believe or think about the season, it comes only once a year. You might not be much of a holiday person, you might be struggling mightily this year, or you might just be worn out by now. If so, that’s okay. Find something about the season – the crisp air, the sparkling lights in the windows, the longer nights, the scents – and focus on why they give you joy. Then seek those out whenever you can and appreciate it in the moment. This time of year is unique and doesn’t last very long. You should enjoy it as much as you can – and you can start by taking it easy!

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