I've known Tiffany for quite a long time now and she truly is like a sister to me.  I was so excited to have her on the show, but I've never once worked with her.  Despite this, she is such a wonderful person that if I ever was to be sick, injured, or my family needed care I would be so fortunate if she was the nurse.  She has been caring for people her entire life, even when not her responsibility.  I hope you feel as inspired as I am after listening to her.

As we discussed here is a wonderful Florence Nightingale quote:

The most important practical lesson that can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe, how to observe, what symptoms indicate improvement, what the reverse, which are of importance, which are of none, which are the evidence of neglect, and of what kind of neglect.

Thank you Tiffany!

Registered Nurses*

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

2017 Median Pay: $70,000 per year ($33/hour)

Educational Degree: Initially Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree

Number of US jobs in 2016: 2,955,200

10 Year Job Outlook: 15% growth, much faster then avg.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited November 16, 2018).

Terms Covered in Episode

American Nurses Association

Palliative Medicine - An interdisciplinary approach to specialized medical and nursing care for people with life-limiting illnesses. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress at any stage of illness.

Geriatrics Medicine - A specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults.

Pediatrics Medicine - A branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

NP (Nurse Practitioner) - A nurse practitioner is trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose illness and disease, prescribe medication and formulate treatment plans. They may work in a solo practice independently or they may work within part of a hospital system.  They graduate from a Master's or Doctorate level medical program.

Travel RN - Nurse who travels for limited contracts working in all variety of places and roles.  On average 8 to 13 week contracts.

Autonomy - Being able to work independently.

CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) - Takes care of patients under the supervision of Licensed Practicing Nurses and Registered Nurses in a facility.

Personal Home Care - Providing medical care in a home setting.  Either in a group facility, as a visitor to an individual home, or as a live in caregiver providing 24/7 support.

Pharmacy Tech - A health care provider who performs pharmacy-related functions working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Corpsman - An enlisted member of a military medical unit.

Prerequisites - Classes required to set an educational foundation prior to enrolling in more focal studies.

Bachelor's Degree - On average four to five year University Program to pursue a degree in a specific field.

LPN (Licensed Practicing Nurse, aka Licensed Vocational Nurse) - Provides nursing centered patient care as part of a medical team.  Requires less years of education with less responsibilities on average compared to a Registered Nurse.

ASN/ADN - Associate’s Degree in Nursing

BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, More schooling then Associate's.

ER Techs - Staff who in all aspects of patient care under the supervision of the Practitioners and Nursing staff.  Many have a paramedic/firefighting background.

Antimicrobial - An agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.

Oncology - Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

CCU (Cardiac Care Unit) - Part of the hospital that focuses on postoperative cardiac surgical patients and those who have suffered from cardiac events or other variety of cardiac related disease processes.

ER (Emergency Room, Emergency Department, Emergency Ward, Accident & Emergency Dept) - Department that must provide initial treatment for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries, some of which may be life-threatening and require immediate attention that arrive unplanned by walk-in, private vehicle, or ambulance.

CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery) - "Bypass" surgery is a surgical procedure to restore normal blood flow to an obstructed coronary artery.

MI (Miocardial Infarction) - "Heart Attack" refers to a blocked coronary artery that has caused, or is moments away from causing, irreversible cardiac (heart) tissue damage.

Epinephrine - Endogenous hormone that is given to patient's to treat a number of conditions including anaphylaxis, cardiac resuscitation, and bleeding.  Inhaled epinephrine is used to help treat symptoms of croup.  Is used in the ICU and cardiac unit to help maintain a high enough blood pressure.

Dobutamine - Inotrope class of cardiac medication used in the treatment of adults with weakened cardiac function due to poor effort of cardiac contractions (pumping of the heart) that may result from cardiac disease or cardiac surgery.  Helps the heart to beat stronger and more efficiently.

Dopamine - Medication used as a stimulant for low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, or slow heart rate.

Vasopressors - Class of Antihypotensive medications that are used to raise blood pressure by contracting blood vessels.

Insulin - Hormone naturally produced by the body to help process carbohydrates that is given via injection to diabetics who are unable to either produce, or are no longer as sensitive to, their insulin.

Massive Transfusion Protocol - Protocol that a hospital system has when need of large quantities of blood and blood products are needed to be transfused for a patient with significant blood loss that may still be ongoing.

Florence Nightingale - Founder of Modern Nursing

Certified Breastfeeding Specialist - Specialized healthcare provider who work with mom and their baby to assist in feeding and help those experiencing breastfeeding problems, such as latching issues, painful nursing, or low milk production.

Prenatal Care - Care being provided to those pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Acute Care - The opposite of long term care.  Providing care for expected temporary illness or injury.

Foley Catheter - A tube that is inserted through the urethra to the bladder to empty urine.  May be left in place and a bag attached to it.

Skills Lab - Focused area to learn new medical techniques or further practice known skills.

Colostomy - A surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. Poop and liquid moving through the intestine empties via the stoma into a bag attached to the abdomen.

Oregon State Board of Nursing

Latching - The application and placement of the child's mouth to the nipple/breast to form an appropriate connection for feeding.

Colostrum - The nutrient rich first form of milk produced immediately following delivery of the newborn and contains antibodies to protect the newborn against disease.

Breast Pumping - Using a machine to mild the breasts for milk to be used at a later date or if there is issues with the infant latching on to the nipple for adequate feedings.

Torticollis - A rare, and often temporary, condition in which the neck muscles contract, causing the head to twist to one side.

Teddy Bear Constipation - Your teddy bear is "overstuffed."

Each and every episode of Maybe Medical is for educational purposes only, not to be taken as medical advice.  The opinions of those involved are of their own and not representative of their employer.