Do you want to pay fewer taxes, go fishing or get/keep a job?

            On March 6, 1945 I was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My mother saw my eye defects before the doctor saw them. What it was called back then I am not sure, but now it is known as coloboma—which comes from the Greek word meaning “curtailed”. The word is used to describe conditions where normal tissue in or around the eye is missing from birth.

Since graduating from Beverly Hospital School of Nursing in 1965, I have worked fulltime at many different jobs, owned a temporary nursing agency and now have my own business providing Hypnosis, Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique. 

Until 2000, I had good corrected vision in both eyes. Then I was diagnosed with cataracts as a result of 30 years of smoking. Yes, smoking can cause cataracts—back then I was never warned and even stopping smoking 15 years earlier and it didn’t help— the damage was already done.

When I went for an interview at a nursing home I recognized “trouble” when I could not see the application well enough to complete it. I went home and went into a depression, not wanting to see or speak to any of my friends. I soon realized I had a choice— I could stay depressed or get help. I realized when you make the choice to take control and take action the fear drops away. Fear is a result of inaction.

            A call to my state department of low vision (services for the blind and visually impaired) resulted in a visit the next morning and delivery of a free zoom text program for my computer and large labels for my keyboard.  A job coach came to the house the next day.   As luck would have it, just before she arrived a flyer showed up in the mail with information about a company looking for night nurses to do telephone triage. I thought— this sounds perfect!  When you take action the universe provides everything that you need to succeed. You only have to learn how to recognize it.

The coach helped me rework my resume. She prepared everything for me, coached me on how to handle the interview and drove me to the agency. The next day I had the job. After accepting the position, I told the agency that I had low vision and the state department of low vision would be providing all the necessary tools to assist me free of charge. I have been there over 4 years and love the job.

My business is also thriving and I am always looking at new avenues to apply my skills using Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Many of my sessions can be done by telephone so in the event that I can no longer do nursing triage—I will have a good income.

When I was diagnosed as legally blind, which I waited to do because I was in denial, I found out that in Nashua, NH when you are legally blind you can get half of your property tax taken off and a FREE FISHING LICENSE! So for 2 weeks I was walking around the house saying “You know GOD I would rather pay my full property tax and get my vision back”…. Besides I don’t like to fish.

Nurses with disabilities should consider holistic nursing. A nurse with low vision or hearing loss can be a hypnotist or Reiki Master.  Our intentions as caregivers can be very strong and so enhanced when we take the holistic approach. Visit the web site of The American Holistic Nurses Association for more information http://www.ahna.org.

For those of you who are already nurses, you need to know that you have an incredible set of skills that can be applied many different ways. It is like a tapestry where you weave your skills in with your challenge to produce a work of art.

 For those of you who are considering nursing and have been told it cannot be done find a different way, create a new way and never take “no” for an answer unless it is your decision. All no means is next opportunity! Ask for help from people who will encourage you every step of the way. Be only in the presence of those who are a positive influence. Einstein said” Matter is energy”. My dear friend and mentor Pat Crilly says “It’s energy that matters” If you think it you can create it.

 Susan Nordemo, RN, CH, Reiki Master Teacher lives in New Hampshire. Her business is called Monarch Healthcoaching  http://www.monarchhealthcoaching.com. She continues to do telephone triage with Ali Care Medical Management. Susan can be reached at sue@monarchhealthcoaching.com.

Read more about Susan in chapter 14 of “The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities” edited by Donna Maheady, EdD, ARNP. https://a.co/d/dgdj8aF

So, do you want to pay fewer taxes, go fishing or get/keep a job?

Feel free to share a comment below.

#GivingTuesday...Today is the day to help Exceptional Nurse

Today is the big day to give!

Why do we ask for donations? The short answer is "we need the money"!

To pay for the domain name.

Maintain the website (hosting, updates, revisions).

To pay non-profit corporation fees to the State of Florida.

To award scholarships to nursing students with disabilities.

ExceptionalNurse.com is a 100% volunteer effort. Every penny donated goes directly into maintaining the website, advocacy efforts and scholarship awards.

No donation is too small.... Please click on this link and give what you can.  http://exceptionalnurse.com/makeadonation.php

With thanks in advance!!

Donna

Have you heard about “Law & Order for Nurses” book giveaway?

Every year thousands of nurses are disciplined because they don’t understand the law. If you don’t want to become one of them you must learn how to protect yourself…but that’s easier said than done!

I have great news for you! Nurse-Attorney, Lorie Brown wrote a fantastic book, “Law and Order For Nurses: The Easy Way To Protect Your License & Livelihood,” with practical tips you can use every day in your career. This Thanksgiving she’s giving it away at no charge!

Here’s the link where you can order your copy:

http://yournurseattorney.com/freebook

Here’s just a few of the important things you’ll learn:

ü  How to get a second chance and why all nurses deserve representation

ü  How not to let technology put your gut instinct on autopilot

ü  How to avoid the top three reasons nurses get fired

ü  How to speak up and ask for help

ü  How to avoid nursing malpractice (and how to decide if you need insurance)

ü  And so much more!

Don’t wait – this book sells for $24.99 on Amazon but it’s yours for free from 11/25 to 11/30. Grab your copy here: http://yournurseattorney.com/freebook.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Donna

Kindle countdown deal: "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities" during Thanksgiving week!

I am thankful for so many nurses with and without disabilities who continue to work, improve the lives of patients, advocate and help other nurses and nursing students. It takes a village!

This Thanksgiving week (November 22-25, 2017), "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities" will be available as a Kindle countdown deal. 

On November 22, 2017, the book will be available for 99 cents. The cost then goes up in increments through November 25, 2017.

Please take advantage of this deal and share it with others. You can read the book on your Kindle or other device.

With thanks for all you do!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Donna

"Heartbuds" may replace stethoscopes: Is this good news for nurses with hearing loss?

On November 11, 2015, CBC News reported the following information about "Heartbuds".

"The traditional stethoscope, commonly seen draped around the necks of health-care providers, could someday be replaced by devices that incorporate smartphone technology.
A group of cardiologists in Florida has developed what they call HeartBuds, a device that plugs into a smartphone and operates with an app.
HeartBuds record internal sounds, like a beating heart, producing a file that can be stored and shared.
It's not the first device of its kind, but the five doctors on the team from Orlando Health have outlined why the technology makes more sense than using traditional or disposable stethoscopes.
They presented their findings at the American Hearth Association's Scientific Sessions that wrapped up in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday."

Better than disposable stethoscopes: tests

"The group compared HeartBuds' sound quality in 50 patients with the sound from a standard stethoscope, a disposable one and a digital one.
They rated their device as comparable in sound quality to the more traditional and electronic models that have the Y-shaped tube that feeds into the doctor's ears.
Results of the study showed that the HeartBuds performed just as well as the more expensive and more commonly used stethoscopes in detecting heart murmurs and carotid bruits, which are sounds in the neck that indicate moderate to severe blockage of the carotid artery.
However, the doctors found that the disposable stethoscope performed worse when it came to detecting heart murmurs and carotid bruits.
"That's very disconcerting," said study author Valerie Danesh. "Many facilities have started using disposable models after several studies, particularly overseas, showed there can be a 30 to 40 per cent potential risk for transmitting harmful bacteria through stethoscopes," she said. "These findings may cause some to reconsider that practice."
"Because the HeartBuds device doesn't have earpieces, we no longer have to worry about that," said Arnold Einhorn, a cardiologist and one of the developers. "This device is much less expensive to produce and offers a safer alternative to both traditional and disposable models without sacrificing sound quality."
The device sells for around $50 US and is being marketed primarily for use by expectant mothers and athletes."

Will this new device replace our traditional stethoscope? Will it be helpful to nurses and nursing students with hearing loss? It is used with a Smartphone. What about bacteria carried on Smartphones? 

Love to hear your thoughts!

With thanks,

Donna

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/smartphone-heartbuds-instead-of-stethoscope-1.3313926

https://www.facebook.com/orlandohealth/videos/10153428238524737/?fref=nf

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151111092446.htm

Today, we celebrate Lisa Lobdell RN, a Veteran and Exceptional Nurse

"In December 1995, I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from California State University Long Beach. About a year before graduation a recruiter visited our nursing program. After her visit I decided that I would join the military. I came home and called my friends and family.  What an adventure it would be!! I went to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to visit. I was taken to the Officers’ Club where I felt I was stepping into the filming of “Top Gun”. I did not need any further coaxing. I signed without reading all of the fine print."

"On April 6, 1996 off I went joyful that I would meet my own Tom Cruise. I spent three years on active duty and my rank prior to leaving the US Air Force was 1^st Lieutenant, for which I feel honored, proud and grateful. The things that I loved about the military are the many close friendships, the leadership skills I developed and confidence gained in my nursing skills."

This is an excerpt from a chapter written by Lisa Lobdell in "The ExceptionalNurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities". 

For National Epilepsy Awareness Month: Let's celebrate Erica Laney RN, a nurse with epilepsy!

For National Epilepsy Awareness month, I "chatted" with Erica Laney, a nurse/mentor with ExceptionalNurse.com. Erica was diagnosed with epilepsy at 11 years old. She has grand-mal seizures and has been practicing as a nurse for four years. Here is some of what we discussed.

DM: Did you need accommodations in nursing school? Were you met with discrimination?

EL:"I tried to be open in nursing school and yes I was met with discrimination and resistance.  Initially no accommodations were needed.  I actually had a seizure during clinicals during my second year; and after that was required to have a "shadow" during clinicals for the safety of my patients."  

DM: Did you require accommodations on NCLEX?

EL:"No accommodations were needed".

DM: While working as a nurse, do you need accommodations?
EL:"No accommodations are needed for work; if I am sick or have an "episode/aura" I call in and go home."

DM: Where do you work? Did you disclose? Accommodations? Challenges?

"I currently work as a Hospice nurse at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.  I go to people's homes/and assisted living facilities and mostly work from my car.  I didn't disclose immediately, and actually didn't do it until I had an episode at a patient's house.

The only accommodation they have made for me is to allow my husband to drive my vehicle for me. I am working on getting my driver's license back."

What has contributed to your success?

"I chose to stay positive, think outside the box and stay away from the typical "floor" nursing role. I knew I couldn't leave a hospital floor if I needed to." 

DM: Finding the right niche is so important for nurses with disabilities. 

DM: What would you say to another nurse or nursing student with epilepsy? Advice? suggestions?
EL: Stay positive!!! There is hope! Evaluate your type of epilepsy. Do you have an aura? Warning signs? Try to be as honest as possible with your co-workers if you feel comfortable. It's better to disclose and have people around you aware of your situation instead of being surprised! Epilepsy doesn't have to be a burden; I use it often to connect with patients and even co-workers. 

DM: Your positive attitude shines through!

EL: "Epilepsy may change your life--but that isn't always a bad thing!"

DM: Erica, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. We celebrate you and others with epilepsy this month. You are a role model to others and have demonstrated that nursing with epilepsy is possible!

http://www.epilepsy.com/make-difference/get-involved/national-epilepsy-awareness-month