Zachary Bax, BSN, RN, was still in nursing orientation this past July when he noted changes in the condition of one of his patients who was critically ill. When the newly hired nurse checked the patient’s pulse, he found none,…
The nursing shortage has hit healthcare hard over the past several years. But future nursing students throughout central Illinois now have additional educational opportunities thanks to a new partnership between Memorial Health and Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing…
Radio disc jockey Kellie Michaels wasn’t expecting an emotional roller coaster after coming out of surgery, but there it was—anxiety, discomfort and an intense desire to go home—all culminating in what she described as “a mini-meltdown.” “I asked the nurse…
When you or a loved one are admitted to the hospital, your nursing care will make an important impact on your recovery. But what makes an exceptional nurse? Some qualities are easy to recognize: a personal touch, an attentive eye,…
Nurses are thought of as compassionate care providers who are the eyes and ears of the physician. While this is certainly true, a nurse’s job description doesn’t end there. Nurses seek to care for patients beyond the bedside in ways…
On April 2, Stephen Wilkin was feeling tired. It was a Monday, and after a weekend of family time and riding his motorcycle, he assumed he was coming down with a cold or the flu. He called his physician clinic,…
Nursing can be a challenging yet equally rewarding career. This is especially true for nurses working in a psychiatric unit, where expressions of anger and aggression aimed at the nursing staff often are more common than words of appreciation. Early…
Kathryn Peterson first started seeing flashing lights out of the corner of her eye last December. Several weeks later, a neighbor rushed her to the hospital in her hometown of Carlinville after the lights and pain in her head intensified.…
Nursing is more than a profession. It’s a calling. A desire to help, care and serve those in a time of need. Each day, nurses make a difference in the lives of their patients. But most will tell you that…
Many say that choosing a career in nursing is more like a calling. It takes a special person to be a great nurse, and each has a story from their early days as a new nurse that confirmed for them…