Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Causes of Conflicts in the Workplace


The nursing profession can sometimes be filled with negativities. Conflict is one thing that some workplaces have. With a stressful environment and the presence of conflicts, the workplace becomes a nightmare.

There are many sources of conflicts in the workplace and below are some of the most common ones:

1. Cultural diversity.

This is not limited to ethnic differences; this goes for people who have different upbringing, nationality and social culture from other coworkers or patients. Because of globalization, so many people from around the world have taken jobs abroad. Asian nurses dream of working in the USA, while those in the latter dream of travel nursing or volunteering in the exotic parts of Asia. This cultural diversity has its pros and cons. Experiencing other people's way of life or culture takes open-mindedness and patience. Without patience and understanding, conflicts arise.

2. Personality differences.

We can never really please everybody. What we can do though is to be more patient with other people. Patients who are short-tempered or moody can be one reason for conflict. Working styles can also be another reason for nurses to misunderstand each other.

3. Leadership styles.

Just as every person has his or her own way of doing things, so do leaders. Leadership styles differ depending on the leader's character. Some are way too strict while some can be too lenient. This can be a source of conflict, especially if staff members do not agree with the leader's style.

Differing points of view, characteristics and choices can be detrimental to the company or hospital. However, this can be kept to a minimum or even diminished.

Perhaps the one who plays a big role in avoiding conflicts is the leader. Leaders must be exemplary role models. If staff members notice them arguing with patients, doctors or coworkers all the time, they would assume that conflicts are normal and something that can always be dealt with through arguments. As for staff members, from paramedic to RN employees, there should be aware of personality differences and learn to respect each other. Respect comes in different forms and is something that can be hard to achieve. However, giving and getting respect can be done.

While conflicts cannot be easily diminished, it can be prevented to escalate. Leaders must be intuitive and sensitive enough to the patients and staff as to when and how to prevent a conflict from escalating.

With leaders, patients and coworkers having less or zero conflicts, the team morale goes up and the workplace becomes a happier place to work in.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Are You Equipped For The Field Of Orthopedics?


Pursuing a career in orthopedics is a wonderful choice for people who want to help others. Although it is a great choice, those who are thinking about getting into this field must realize that it is not necessarily a cakewalk. That's because anytime someone gets into anything that involves the medical field, they will more than likely attend school for over a decade and there will be many nights where they will have to stay up late, studying difficult scientific words and terms.

This isn't to put down the field and make fun or try to discourage people from pursuing this particular career. However, the truth is that just like in most other medical professions, orthopedics is something that is not necessarily the easiest thing to get into, and for good reason. Whenever you are dealing with people's health, you should be equipped with the right background knowledge to do the job correctly.

Now, with that being said, there are several things you can do if you are thinking about getting into the field of orthopedics. These things will help to make your journey a little smoother and give you a better chance at success. If you are thinking about getting into this field, the first thing you need to do is conduct as much research as possible.

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that all of your research needs to be centered on the history, background and basic facts about the field, per se. Although these things are important, what you need to do is conduct research on how your life would be if you actually decided to get into this field.

You could find some online blogs or articles written by or about people who are already in this field. Search for the ones that tell you about a typical workday or what is required of them as professionals. This will give you a better idea of whether or not you are equipped to enter into this particular industry.

Another thing you should do to ensure that you are actually equipped to pursue a career in orthopedics is to see if you can actually shadow someone who is currently working in this profession. Taking this course of action will allow you to see beyond the words on computer blogs. You will get a firsthand experience on what it takes to work in this profession.

Although you may have a dream or desire to follow this particular career path, you should make sure you are making the right choice for yourself. So, don't just go into the field and pursue this particular career blindly. Make sure you do as much research and gather as much information as you possibly can to make sure you are making the right decision.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Your Guide to Starting a Successful 5K Training Plan


If you want to shake things up and start a 5K training plan, there are many possible directions to take. You can run outdoors or indoors; you can run quickly or try longer distances at a slower pace; and you can train with a group or by yourself. Despite all the variables, there are keys to successful 5K training, no matter what your approach. Follow these 5 guidelines to get started on the right track.


Don't think; just run. If you start thinking about the possible negatives that can come from running, you'll never get to all the positives. Turn off your mind for a while and hit the road. It is definitely possible to over-think things, especially when in the comfort of your own home on a day of less than spectacular weather. You'll always feel better after a run, so set your worries aside and get going.

Break in your running shoes around the house. Taking a pair of sneakers out of the box and running several miles is never a good idea. Wear your new running shoes around the house or to the store for a few days so your feet can make their indentations. When you start clocking distances of 5K or more, it won't come as a shock to your feet and you'll avoid blisters and swelling.

Put fuel in the tank. Just as you would never start a road trip without gas in your car's tank, so should you not start running without energy stored in your body. Despite the bad reputation carbohydrates have gotten recently, you will find them useful as you embark on a distance running program. Remember: the chief problem with carbohydrates is when calories aren't burned. With regular exercise, you won't have that problem.

Prep for minor soreness and joint pain. If you've been neglecting an exercise regimen, you'll experience minor aches and pains when you start running. Be prepped for this reality by getting some soothing ointment for sore muscles and light braces for overworked joints.

Once you lay the groundwork, start to push yourself. With a few weeks of short distance running under your belt, your body will be ready to tackle longer distances. Continue to push yourself or join up with other runners to motivate one another and get the most out of your 5K training plan.

Starting a 5K running regimen will in many ways be the best thing you can do for yourself. When you're ready to get started, follow these tips and do it right.

To learn more about the amazing benefits of running and starting a 5K Training Plan visit

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Weight Loss Smoothies That Taste Good


If you have a problem with weighing more than you would like, it might be because you like food. If this is the case, it will be very important for you to find a program where you can still enjoy the taste of your food. As you look at various diet programs, you might end up choosing one that uses weight loss smoothies as part of the plan. If you choose one that uses a meal replacement like this then you will want to write or call the company and ask for samples of the product so that you can taste it first.

Taste is an important part of choosing a diet that uses weight loss smoothies. It is not, however, the only consideration. The most important consideration is of course your health. Some programs may not be healthy in general, or they may not be healthy specifically for you. Because of this, you must speak with your doctor before starting any diet routine.

As you speak with your doctor, make sure to ask if he or she knows if the diet will even work. A doctor will not necessarily be familiar with every fad on the market, but by bringing a sample, your doctor can look at the ingredients to see if he or she thinks any of them could have a negative impact on your body. If you have diabetes, you especially should speak with your doctor. Some weight loss smoothies could be high in sugar and could throw off your diabetic diet.

The cost of a program should also be a consideration. Make sure to look at the whole picture. Figure out how much you need to lose, and figure out how many pounds per week the company claims you will lose. From there, figure out how long you will need to use the product. They should provide the information you need to figure all of this out, but if they do not, do not hesitate to phone or email the company. You should not be spending per day more than you would normally on food.

The reputation of a product is another important aspect for consideration. Fad diets do not work for everyone, and some may be very short-lived. If you know someone who has used a diet and it continues to work for them then you have good reason to try it. Reading reviews will help you with your decision as long as they are from respected review websites. One thing about diets that exclude certain foods or even replace foods in your diet is that you may be eating a set number of calories, but your body might respond differently to different types of food. If you gain more pounds by eating sugar than fat then a smoothie that is higher in sugar might not be beneficial. It is important to think about all of these areas before making your decision as to the right weight loss smoothies.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Importance Of Orthopedic Doctors


Having the ability to walk is something that many people take for granted. They don't appreciate being able to get up and walk freely around their homes or to the refrigerator for a glass of milk or a late night snack. They don't appreciate being able to walk outside and get their mail or swoop up the Sunday newspaper. That's because in many cases, people don't appreciate certain things until they're gone. Therefore, it's no surprise that some people don't realize the importance of orthopedic doctors.

These particular medical professionals are just as important as the physicians in the other fields. They may not be a part of one of the fields that deals with life-threatening injuries and issues; however, orthopedic doctors provide something that is extremely important to people's everyday lives. They can help people gain, improve or regain their ability to walk without experiencing a lot of pain.

Just think about it. How would you feel if every time you walked, you experienced an agonizing feeling of pain? What if it was a pain so strong, that it almost caused you to quit trying to walk altogether? Now imagine being in these scenarios without having anyone available who could give you the help you desperately need. You can't go to a heart surgeon or a pediatrician because this isn't their specialty. The good news is that there are orthopedic doctors available to get the job done.

Not only do these specialists help those who experience severe foot pain, but they also help those who have such severe foot injuries that they are no longer able to walk at all. What orthopedic doctors can do is not only provide medicine, but they can also conduct operations and procedures that can solve the issues.

It's clear to see that the importance of orthopedic doctors should not be overlooked. The specialists who work in this field are extremely important to people's everyday lives. Walking with foot pain or not being able to walk at all is something that can make people's lives harder and much less enjoyable. Thankfully, there are professionals available who are able to solve these types of issues and allow their patients to walk normally, effortlessly and painlessly.

So, the next time someone is thinking about all of the professions in the world and which ones are the most noted and beneficial, they should think about those in the field of orthopedics. These professionals are more than just foot doctors; they can also be life changers.