How the Wrong People Get Promoted

Have you ever quit a job just to get away from a bad boss? If you have, it turns out you’re in sizable company. According to a April 2015 Gallup study, one in two U.S. workers have at some point in their career felt compelled to make that same difficult choice.

That the business world may be filled with managers who unwittingly drive their people away is at the heart of Gallup’s 50-plus page report "State Of The American Manager: Analytics And Advice For Leaders." What the research reveals is that organizations consistently choose the wrong people for management roles, and pay dearly for it through poor engagement and costly turnover—and the inevitable decline in overall performance.

But Gallup also discovered what distinguishes the very best managers—new and truly groundbreaking insight into the talents, motivations, and practices of bosses who make workers want to stay.

Here are five of the most significant findings of the report:

1. The Majority Of Managers Are Wrong For Their Roles

Perhaps the most important—and disruptive—conclusion from the study is that too many companies have a flawed methodology for selecting people into management.
How? They base hiring and promotion decisions on an employee’s past experience, and then reward them by giving them an entirely different role.
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Tips for being involved in Pain Awareness Month

The month of September has been declared Pain Awareness Month.  Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management.

The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the ACPA led a coalition of groups to establish September as Pain Awareness Month.  ACPA established Partners for Understanding Pain and 80 organizations, both health care professionals and consumer groups, including the NAACP supported the effort. Click here to read more about the history of Pain Awareness Month 

The key to raising awareness is to get involved.   There are many things that you can do to help promote Pain Awareness Month.

• Talk with Friends & Family:  Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month.  “Like” the ACPA on Facebook.  Encourage your friends to do the same
•  Talk with your Healthcare Provider: Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month.

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Coming to WeCareOnline: NEW Medical Transcriptionist course.

WeCareOnline has a NEW Medical Transcriptionist class starting this September.

Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other healthcare professionals make and convert them into written reports. They may also review and edit medical documents created using speech recognition technology. Transcriptionists interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing patients’ medical histories, discharge summaries, and other documents.

Medical transcriptionists typically do the following:

• Listen to the recorded dictation of a doctor or other healthcare professional
• Transcribe and interpret the dictation into diagnostic test results, operative reports, referral letters, and other documents
• Review and edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software, making sure that the transcription is correct, complete, and has a consistent style

You can sign up for this class here:  http://www.wecareonlineclasses.com/courses/states/all_states/medicaltranscription.html

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Learn more: Click HERE.

The Effects of Nursing Fatigue on Patient Safety

Nurses and nurse aides are responsible for providing their patients the highest quality of care. And to ensure that we offer this level of patient care, we should also take care of ourselves by getting enough rest. But with long work hours, mandatory overtime, and rotating or night shifts, fatigue in nursing is a given. We end up overwhelmed and patient safety is compromised. After all, this tiredness is directly related to an increase in medical errors.

How Does Nursing Fatigue Affect You?
Consider the fact that when we are tired, our ability to solve problems and reach out are hindered. In the arena of clinical practice, we are more likely to commit the error of omission when we forget to do important tasks. Our attention spans may become shorter or we may fail to catch important details.
- See more at: http://www.nursetogether.com/the-effects-of-nursing-fatigue-on-patient-c#sthash.wPAWqODP.dpuf

How Does Nursing Fatigue Affect You?

Consider the fact that when we are tired, our ability to solve problems and reach out are hindered. In the arena of clinical practice, we are more likely to commit the error of omission when we forget to do important tasks. Our attention spans may become shorter or we may fail to catch important details.

For More and Original Article.

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The Best Way for Nurses to Thrive

The practice of nursing is ever-changing. There are always new guidelines and regulations that nurses are asked to adhere to, often with little information to accompany it. Nurses sometimes feel like they are just surviving because they are being asked to take on new challenges and aren’t completely sure of themselves. This is because many organizations will give out new job requirements without following up with the nursing staff and providing ongoing feedback.

These actions can be detrimental to the moral of the nursing staff, reduce the level of patient care provided, and increase turnover in staff. In order for nurses to be receive the feedback they need to be successful, it’s important for healthcare organizations to consider the followings:

Feedback is Necessary to Retain Great Nurses

Any nurse who doesn’t love nursing will not last long in the profession.

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Helping residents get Happy and Healthy

When someone showed Stephanie Gumina a Canadian video featuring seniors singing Carly Rae Jepsen’s pop hit “Call Me Maybe” last year, she thought residents of the Belvedere of Westlake in Ohio, where she is program director, would enjoy participating in a similar activity.
“My residents are very animated,” she told me. “Just because you’re a senior citizen doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. We have fun every day. We laugh every day.”

Stephanie found the perfect vehicle for the Belvedere’s assisted living residents to express their energy—and for her to use skills honed in broadcast school—in Pharrell Williams’ infectious, Oscar-nominated tune “Happy,” which is featured in the children’s movie “Despicable Me 2.” And now the world can see the results of their efforts, because Stephanie posted a video of residents and staff members dancing and singing along to the ditty on YouTube, where it has received more than 3,700 hits in the past month.

For More and original blog.

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Boost Your Self-image with 4 Easy Steps

Low self-esteem can negatively affect virtually every facet of your life, including your relationships, your job and your health. But you can take steps to boost your self-esteem, even if you've been harboring a poor opinion of yourself since childhood. Start with these four steps.

Step 1: Identify troubling conditions or situations

Think about the conditions or situations that seem to deflate your self-esteem. Common triggers might include:

• A business presentation
• A crisis at work or home
• A challenge with a spouse, loved one, co-worker or other close contact
• A change in life circumstances, such as a job loss or a child leaving home

Step 2: Become aware of thoughts and beliefs

Once you've identified troubling conditions or situations, pay attention to your thoughts about them. This includes your self-talk — what you tell yourself — and your interpretation of what the situation means.

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Celebrate World Health Day April 7

World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected that highlights a priority area of public health. The Day provides an opportunity for individuals in every community to get involved in activities that can lead to better health. The topic for 2014 is vector-borne diseases.

What are vectors and vector-borne diseases?

Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another. Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by these pathogens and parasites in human populations. They are most commonly found in tropical areas and places where access to safe drinking-water and sanitation systems is problematic.

The most deadly vector-borne disease, malaria, caused an estimated 660 000 deaths in 2010. Most of these were African children.

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CNA's Tips and Timesavers

So, you’re brand new and a little nervous? Thats ok and natural. Being a CNA is a rewarding career, but there are LOTS to learn and lots of cover in those first few days at work! Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit overwhelmed and anxious. Someday–soon- you will be an “old pro” at this stuff. The first part of this is for the new CNA…

The Basics
I remember my first few weeks as a CNA- it was hard to get to know all the residents as well as staff as well as the facility policies and procedures. I was very overwhelmed and looking back now- there were certain things I should have done that would have made my life much easier then! Live and learn….

First, it is a good idea to bring a little notebook to work with you. In here you can write down info you need about everything from phone numbers to resident issues. Jotting down info is a way to remember it! At periodic times during the day check the little book to see if there are things you still need info about. When you think of questions and no one is around to answer them- write them down. Later you can refer back to the book.

Facility Rules/Employment Issues
OK, now onto more things every new CNA should be aware of. It’s always a good idea to know the facility policies and rules before we start a new job.

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Learn more about becoming a CNA.

Pharmacy Tech's Role in Preventing Medication Errors

Pharmacy technicians play a major role in modern pharmacy practice. The pharmacist relies on the technician to provide an extra layer of safety. It is important for technicians to follow system-based processes and inform the pharmacist whenever they have questions, concerns, or feel processes do not work or are unmanageable.

Prescription Drop-Off
If technicians are stationed at prescription drop-off, consider creating a checklist of critical patient information that the technician should obtain from each patient. The date of birth should be written on every hard copy prescription so the pharmacist has a second identifier readily available during verification. Allergy and medical condition (eg, pregnancy) information should be updated in the patient’s profile at each patient encounter and communicated to the verification pharmacist. Knowing a patient’s medical conditions can help the pharmacist uncover errors.

Order Entry
Medication safety is enhanced when technicians know medical terminology and drug names, especially if they enter prescriptions. - See more at: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2010/January2010/MedicationSafety-0110#sthash.GbqDrqg4.dpuf

Pharmacy technicians play a major role in modern pharmacy practice. The pharmacist relies on the technician to provide an extra layer of safety. It is important for technicians to follow system-based processes and inform the pharmacist whenever they have questions, concerns, or feel processes do not work or are unmanageable.

Prescription Drop-Off:
If technicians are stationed at prescription drop-off, consider creating a checklist of critical patient information that the technician should obtain from each patient. The date of birth should be written on every hard copy prescription so the pharmacist has a second identifier readily available during verification. Allergy and medical condition (eg, pregnancy) information should be updated in the patient’s profile at each patient encounter and communicated to the verification pharmacist. Knowing a patient’s medical conditions can help the pharmacist uncover errors.

Order Entry:
Medication safety is enhanced when technicians know medical terminology and drug names, especially if they enter prescriptions.

Pharmacy technicians play a major role in modern pharmacy practice. The pharmacist relies on the technician to provide an extra layer of safety. It is important for technicians to follow system-based processes and inform the pharmacist whenever they have questions, concerns, or feel processes do not work or are unmanageable.

Prescription Drop-Off
If technicians are stationed at prescription drop-off, consider creating a checklist of critical patient information that the technician should obtain from each patient. The date of birth should be written on every hard copy prescription so the pharmacist has a second identifier readily available during verification. Allergy and medical condition (eg, pregnancy) information should be updated in the patient’s profile at each patient encounter and communicated to the verification pharmacist. Knowing a patient’s medical conditions can help the pharmacist uncover errors.

Order Entry
Medication safety is enhanced when technicians know medical terminology and drug names, especially if they enter prescriptions. - See more at: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2010/January2010/MedicationSafety-0110#sthash.GbqDrqg4.dpuf

For More and this original article.

Learn more about what it takes to become a Pharmacy Technician.

Making Your New Year's Resolutions Stick

It can be daunting when your list of New Year’s Resolutions is as long as your holiday shopping list. In addition to the post-holiday slump, not being able to keep your resolutions by February, March or even late January may increase your anxiety. When your holiday decorations are packed up and stored away, the frustration of an unused gym membership or other reminders of failed resolutions can make the later winter months feel hopeless.

However, it is important to remember that the New Year isn’t meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping character changes. It is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes.

“Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

For More and the Original APA article.

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Survival Tactics for Older Job Seekers

Age discrimination is a major reason older workers are struggling. In a 2013 survey by the AARP, 64 percent of adults 45 to 74 years old said they had seen some form of age discrimination, and 20 percent said they had been passed up for a job because of it. Proving you’ve been discriminated against is extremely difficult. “It becomes a lot of ‘he said/she said’ accusations,” says Gene Burnard, publisher of SeniorJobBank.org, a job search site for seniors. Worse, litigants may find themselves blacklisted from future jobs if prospective employers find out they filed a suit.

Rather than fight age discrimination, most seniors have no choice but to try and overcome it. The first hurdle is getting an interview when your resume may indicate you’ve been around the block a few times. Burnard recommends including only the years at your most recent jobs and placing more emphasis on skills than tenure. “Nobody’s interested in what you’ve done, but what you can do for them,” he says.

For more and original article.

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Laughter Reduces Blood Sugar Levels

Laughter, it's said, is the best medicine. And there's lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.

It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.

It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike.

It improves your job performance, especially if your work depends on creativity and solving complex problems. Its role in intimate relationships is vastly underestimated and it really is the glue of good marriages. It synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned.

Laughter establishes -- or restores -- a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people, In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together. And all the health benefits of laughter may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.

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Like your health care career, but want a change of scenery?

No one will argue that the health care field is a challenging career. But even with the challenge, there are sometimes when we get tired of doing the same thing day in and day out. The monotony of a demanding routine can become too much for us and we need a change.

Unfortunately, for many nurses and CNAs this is the time when they decide to leave the bedside and pursue different careers. However, there are so many diverse specialties in this field that you can get a breath of fresh air in your career while still practicing what you love. One of the more exciting career changes you can pursue is flight nursing.

What do flight nurses do?

Flight nurses (also known as aero-medical nurses) play a critical role in patient care in some of the most emergent situations possible. They provide life supporting care while a patient is transported from medical facility to medical facility or in some cases, from the scene of an accident to a trauma center.

A flight nurse will work alongside a flight paramedic to deliver advanced critical care.

For More and the Original Article.

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5 Things Employers Don't Want You to do at Work

Here are five strategies for you to implement today so you can stand out at work and be the best health care employee your employer wants to keep.

Don’t skip breaks. How often do you hear yourself or others boast, “I worked straight through lunch again today!” or, “I’ve worked here twenty years and I never have taken a break!” Often we are so busy taking care of others that we neglect to take care of ourselves. I still remember working with a bulging bladder, without breaks or meals. In spite of our demanding work schedules, our managers and leaders do not want us to neglect caring for our own bodies, minds and spirits. Take 15 minutes two to three times a shift to get away, sit down, breathe deeply, relax a bit, read something inspirational or whisper a prayer. I know your commitment to your patients makes this difficult but it’s important to your survival. Ask a teammate to back you up while you take a break, then return the favor.

For More Tips and the Original Article

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Is an iPad Good for Your Eyes?

In a presentation at the most recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Daniel Roth, an eye specialist and clinical associate professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ, offered new findings on why tablet computers are helping seniors read with increased clarity and speed.

Yes, you read right – technology can make life better for seniors, not worse! Dr. Roth’s test results revealed that participants age 50 and above read about 128 words per minute on an iPad, compared to 114 words per minute with a newspaper. The font size was the same – 10-point.

Dr. Roth suggested that the tablet’s illuminated screen enhances the contrast between the words and the background, easing eyestrain and enhancing readability. Since contrast sensitivity (the visual ability to differentiate between foreground and background information) declines with age, a backlit screen can help seniors see better and read more efficiently.

For More on This Original Article

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5 Tech Gadgets for Aging in Place

We’re hearing the term “aging in place” more and more. Aging in place is the concept of staying in your living space for as long as possible while maintaining your independence, being comfortable, and safe. While typically this refers to a senior’s home, it can also be applied to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) lifestyle choice.

Recently, a blog post on InsideElderCare.com suggested five technology and gadgets solutions for seniors to age in place.


1. Skype or FaceTime – Many seniors are quickly adapting to tech tools that make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Using Skype’s video chat function helps seniors stay connected with family and friends while in their homes, chatting in real time. Apple has a similar application, FaceTime, that allows users to make video calls from their devices – Macs, iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch.

2. Hearing and vision-enhancing gadgets – Devices that work with phones to amplify sounds or offer magnifying capabilities allow seniors to better compensate for diminished hearing and/or vision.

For More Tech Ideas

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Can Artisans Remain Inspired in Senior Living Communities?

Dedicated quilter? Woodworker? Jewelry maker? While the majority of senior living communities offer a varied roster of activities so that residents can enjoy pastimes that suit their preferences, many aging adults have concerns that they won’t be able to find a community that truly supports their avocation or artistic interests.

What if you’re a theatre actor, but nowhere close to retiring from the stage? What if you’re a writer with no intention of putting down the pen just because you’ve reached retirement age? Seniors who want to downsize or who find themselves suddenly alone after years of marriage can find it daunting to think about trying to identify and nestle into a new community that sustains their longtime vocation.

For More and Original Blog.

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We Care Online April Staff Highlight - Amanda Quelland

This month we get to meet Amanda Quelland.

Amanda has worked in the healthcare field for 12 years. From a young age she knew she wanted to have job where she could help people. 

Amanda has a doctorate in pharmacy and completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center.  She works on the cardiac unit and cardiac intensive care as a clinical pharmacist.  

Amanda and her husband have 3 young children who keep them busy. She enjoys playing the piano and reading.  As well, she likes to do Sudoku puzzles and logic puzzles.

 Everyone at WeCareOnline plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible. Amanda is the instructor for the Pharmacy Technician course and also the Medication Aide course for Montana.
  
Amanda has noticed that over the years pharmacy practice has changed to give pharmacists and pharmacy technicians more responsibilities and they have become more involved with the healthcare team.  With pharmacies on every corner, pharmacists are easily accessible to the public and can give out valuable information and help people make general healthcare decisions. 
 

Coping with Job Loss and Unemployment Stress

It’s normal to feel hurt, vulnerable, or angry after losing a job. The good news is that despite the stress of job loss and unemployment, there are many things you can do to take control of the situation and maintain your spirits. You can get through this tough time by taking care of yourself, reaching out to others, and taking the opportunity to rethink your career goals and rediscover what truly makes you happy.

Losing a job is stressful

Our jobs are much more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as the way others see us. Our jobs give us structure, purpose, and meaning. That’s why job loss and unemployment is one of the most stressful things you can experience.

Beyond the loss of income, losing a job also comes with other major losses, some of which may be even more difficult to face:

• Loss of your professional identity
• Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence
• Loss of your daily routine

• Loss of purposeful activity
• Loss of your work-based social network
• Loss of your sense of security

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