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The Organized Registered Nurse

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Organization is critical for registered nurses and even for those who are just enrolled in a registered nursing program. When it comes to multi-tasking, RN’s need to hone their skills quickly. Being organized won’t only improve a nurse’s ability to provide the best possible care, but it is also a critical tool to help alleviate the stresses that can unfortunately be considered an “occupational hazard” for many busy nurses.

Here are 6 ways registered nurses and those in a nursing program can stay organized.

1. Good Registered Nurses Get to Work a Little Early

Registered Nurse ProgramsArriving on the job a few minutes before starting is important for you to start your shift off on the right foot. Taking the time to organize your station, inventory your supplies assess the environment and get feedback from the other nurses who you are relieving will help you start your shift in a calm, intentional manner.

2. Registered Nurses Set Daily Priorities

One of the most helpful ways to tackle organization as a nurse is to establish a system of prioritizing tasks. Obviously, the tasks that are the most unpleasant tend to be put off until the end of the shift or even worse, left for the next shift. This starts a cycle of dread and is not a positive way to start your shift. Consider tackling these tasks first thing to get them out of the way.

3. Registered Nurses Take Charting Seriously

Charting, many nurses’ least favorite task is perhaps the most critical task necessary to provide a continuum of care for the patient. Consider taking the time to document as you go along, pausing momentarily to complete the necessary documentation on each patient before [Read more…] about The Organized Registered Nurse

Minimum Wages vs Unemployment

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Do you honestly think the government can legislate wealth? Can they somehow, with the stoke of a pen, make everyone rich? When you say it that way it seems ludicrous but the President seems to believe it. He doesn’t seem to understand the relationship between unemployment and minimum wages.

I just came across a perfect real life example that illustrates what happens when the government tries to legislate wealth. My friend Jeff just posted this on Facebook. “My job was cut from 40 to 25 hours a week so that my employer will not have to pay health insurance due to the (UN) Affordable Health Care act. My insurance went up $100 so that the IRS can enforce the (UN) Affordable Health Care Act. Thank you Mr. President.” So this is how the government “helps” the poor through legislation… cut their hours and raise their taxes.

In today’s article Jeffrey Tucker gives another example from his experience.

The Basement Beneath the Wage Floor

There are certain sounds that tend to make people crazy. Think of nails on a chalkboard. An infant screaming nonstop on a long flight. A piercing whistle that won’t go away.

Now we need to add another: a U.S. president who thinks he can legislate high wages into law. For anyone who knows the basics of economics — not distorted by a bogus central-planning mentality — hearing this is like torture. It’s painful. It makes you crazier and crazier until you finally want to yell, “Make it stop!”

This is how I felt when President Obama said the following:

Minimum Wage “Let’s declare that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full time should have to live in poverty, and raise the federal minimum wage to $9.00 an hour. This single step would raise the incomes of millions of working families.”

Why stop there? Let’s also declare that everyone should make $9,000 or $9 million per hour. If all that stands between us and total riches is the word of a president and an action by Congress, let’s get on with it!

Does Obama really not get what’s wrong with this approach? I’ve long disagreed with him, but I’ve never really thought he was ignorant. But even from the earliest interviews I’ve read, he does seem to have a tin ear on economic topics. He doesn’t seem to get where wealth comes from. He doesn’t seem to understand how prices work. And now we can be certain that if he understands how wages work, he isn’t willing to let on. [Read more…] about Minimum Wages vs Unemployment

Happiness is Employee Incentive Awards

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Generally speaking, a company with happy employees means increased output and more revenue. Some of the main factors that contribute to employee happiness is feeling valued, matching them with jobs that accentuate their strengths and by celebrating their accomplishments. Consequently, it’s important to provide your employees with awards and incentives from time to time.

Employee Incentive AwardsNewsletter Highlights

One of the easiest and most cost effective options is to create a commemorative newsletter for top achieving employees. This doesn’t need to be overly elaborate, but it should give a brief run down on the accomplishments (both personal and business) of your employees  and explain their contributions to your company. You could also mention some of the goals that they had and eventually accomplished. While this idea doesn’t require much effort, it can really make the day of employees and be a major confidence builder.

Let Them Know They’re a Big Deal

Another option is [Read more…] about Happiness is Employee Incentive Awards

Ray Was No “Norma Rae” He Understood Success

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Last time we looked at Joe and the key to success. How he went from sweeping floors to plant manager in a few short years. Today we will look at Ray. As told by Dennis Miller:

It’s not Fair! No SALESMAN should make that kind of money

I started my career as an accountant for a nationwide distributor of industrial chemicals. Yes, a clerical job. My boss was named Ray, and he was the vice president of the largest region in the company.

One of my early responsibilities was payroll for both hourly and salaried employees, including Ray. I knew how much money everyone made. We would prepare the payroll checks, and I would sign them and then take them to Ray as they required two signatures.

Success SalesI quickly discovered that one of the salespeople in the Peoria branch was very well paid, a huge amount by my standards, and even more than his direct branch manager. I recall someone in our department commented in a venomous tone: “No SALESMAN should make that kind of money. That’s not fair!”

When I took a stack of checks into Ray’s office, I asked him how it was possible for a salesman to actually make more money than his boss. It turned into one of those treasured conversations that affected the rest of my life. [Read more…] about Ray Was No “Norma Rae” He Understood Success

Although He Swept Floors Joe Knew the Key to Success

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If you are a young person seeking a job or a “better job” this article by Dennis Miller gives you some critical advice on the activities and attitudes that will allow you to get ahead in today’s world.

“The key to success is so simple. I can’t understand why more people don’t catch on. Working hard is only part of it. The key to success is responsibility. The more responsibility you have, the more successful you will become. “

How to get more responsibility?

“All you have to do is do your job and watch your boss. You will quickly find there are parts of his job he either hates or does poorly. People normally won’t give you responsibility. You just take the job and start doing it, and soon the responsibility is yours.”

How do you know what jobs he hates?

“You will know what they are; listen to what he complains about in the lunchroom. Ask him about it, and volunteer to help.”

Joe,  Knew

At one time in my life, I was fortunate enough to have a very interesting mentor named Joe. He was in his early thirties, with a track record the envy of men twice his age. When he was in high school, he got a part-time job at a corrugated-box plant. It was owned by a large chain with production facilities all over the country.

key to successJoe started by sweeping floors after school. He was a likable young man sweeping floors in a heavily unionized shop, being paid by the hour. His general manager was named Rico, the son of an Italian immigrant.

Rico had a typical office for the time: a private door and large window so he could observe the production floor. Joe finished his sweeping and asked Rico if he wanted him to wash all the finger marks off his office windows. It wasn’t long before Joe was responsible for the floors, office windows, and many other special tasks that Rico assigned him.

When Joe got out of high school, he enrolled in [Read more…] about Although He Swept Floors Joe Knew the Key to Success

How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?

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Brick Mason Salary

While being among the highest paid trades in the construction industry, brick masons’ wages have been stagnant over recent years due to the slump in the housing industry.

Although their numbers constitute a rather small category within the group of trades making up the construction industry, brick masons do very well in comparison to their colleagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2011 the mean or average income for a brick mason was $54,210 annually or about $27.04 per hour. This puts them only just below the first-line construction supervisors averaging $59,280 per year or $28.50 hourly. Compare this with their Construction Laborer colleagues earning $26,490 per year and you have a significant wage disparity. Brick masons also do very well in comparison to the technical trades. The mean incomes for electricians, plumbers and heating tradespeople during 2011 were $41,860, $44,330 and $38,470 respectively, or, on average, 23% less than for brick masons.

Construction is Picking Up

Brick Mason SalaryConsidering the recent increase in activity for both residential and commercial construction, all of the building trades, and especially brick masons, have reason to celebrate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a 40 percent increase in employment for the bricklaying trade during the ten-year period beginning 2010 through 2020. This compares with only a 14 percent increase for all occupations combined. Given this sudden growth in demand for additional bricklaying capacity, it seems inevitable that wages are bound to rise – or are they? During the single year from May 2010 to May 2011, the median annual income for Brick Masons actually dropped from $46,930 to $46,800; less than 1 percent but still a decrease. The median is that number at which half of the reported wages fall above and the other half is below.

Annual Wages for Brick Masons

Year — Median Income

2002 — $41,840

2003 — $41,550

2004 — $41,740

2005 — $41,860

2006 — $42,980

2007 — $44,070

2008 — $45,630

2009 — $46,740

2010 — $46,930

2011 — $46,800

It is clear from the data, that [Read more…] about How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?

How to Successfully Climb the Corporate Ladder

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Climbing the infamous corporate ladder is not as difficult as you once thought. With the right attitude and a solid belief in yourself, you can move up the rungs of this invisible ladder to enjoy greater success. When you are ready to stop standing still on the ladder and move upwards, here are some steps you should take.

Make Your Own Destiny by Acting Like a Leader

Climb the Corporate LadderIf you want to move into leadership positions, then you have to show that you are capable of being a leader. This means that you need to start taking charge when possible. Volunteer to head projects, take charge when things are falling by the wayside and always keep your eyes on the prize. When your supervisors know that you are a reliable, go-to person they can rely on, they will be more likely to think of you when new opportunities arise.

Are You Being Paid what You’re Worth?

The media is focusing heavily on the gender wage gap, but that doesn’t mean you should make any assumptions. According to The Economist, the pay gap does not travel across the board. Female accountants tend to earn more than their male counterparts, but financial managers tend to earn less. Don’t assume that your pay is either high or low based on your gender. Take the time to research your pay online to determine if you are in the proper range for your education level and experience. If you are being underpaid, then you might want to touch up the resume and start applying for positions where you may be more appreciated. One way to scale th ecorporate ladder is to switch ladders more often. This way you can [Read more…] about How to Successfully Climb the Corporate Ladder

Small Business Security Tips

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The revenue from your small business is hard-won, and the last thing that should compromise its profitability is theft. Unfortunately, many small business owners overlook this key component to a successful business, or are lax in the implementation of security policies. Establishing a secured premises is easier than it may sound, as long as you consider these three components.

1. Visual Security

Business SecurityTake a look at your building at night—is each and every entry point well lighted? Are the light fixtures used tamper proof? If there are shady doorways, or lights that can be easily broken or removed, the building is susceptible to break ins. Make sure thieves don’t get the luxury of breaking into your building in the privacy of darkness. The lighting on the interior of the building also needs to be considered. When the interior lights are on, and you’re standing outside of the building at night, can you see the people inside the building? If the answer is no, then you need to adjust your lighting strategy. If thieves feel confident that they can work in privacy once they’re inside, they’re more likely to make your building a target. Finally, make sure that you are able to see each entry point in the store from key positions inside the building. Can cashiers see the front door without turning around? Can the person sitting closest to the back door see it without standing up? If not, then make use of convex mirrors to keep visual contact with these entry points. This allows for a quick reaction if a break in is in progress.

2. Physical Barriers

Once your property is well lighted and [Read more…] about Small Business Security Tips

Keeping Your Small Business Taxes Organized

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Small Business TaxesTax season is coming up, and if you’re a small business owner and haven’t been keeping careful track of your business expenses this year, you could have a lot of work ahead of you. As you gather everything for 2012, you should also take the time to get 2013 on the right track and get yourself organized. A little bit of planning now will go a long way when next January rolls around.

Keep all Business Receipts

As a small business owner, it’s absolutely imperative that you keep every receipt connected to your business expenses. Looking at old bank statements, trying to remember why you spent seventy dollars and eighty-three cents at Home Depot a year ago, and if it was a business expense or not, is frustrating in the extreme. Keeping a file for receipts for all business purchases you make throughout the year will allow you to start 2014 without the anxiety. On top of that, if you can do a once a week categorizing of all of the receipts will help you keep organized, and at the end of the year, will give you a list of total expenses, rather than having to go back through all those receipts. If you want to get really high tech you could try using the NeatReceipts Mobile Scanner and Digital Filing System.

Small Business Tax Deductions- Vehicle and Property Costs

If you use a vehicle for work or [Read more…] about Keeping Your Small Business Taxes Organized

Government Salaries 35% Higher than Private Industry in 2012

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EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – DECEMBER 2012

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released their employment cost index for the 2012 year on January 31st, 2013.  It included both annual data and information on salary costs for the last quarter for Civilian workers which is composed of two major sectors i.e. Private Industry Workers and State and Local Government Workers. Seasonally adjusted compensation costs for civilian workers for the 3-month period ending December 2012,  increased 0.5%. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70% of compensation costs) increased 0.3%, and benefits (which make up the remaining 30% of compensation) increased 0.6%.

US compensation costs 2012

Annual Compensation Costs

For the period of January through December 2012, compensation costs for civilian workers [Read more…] about Government Salaries 35% Higher than Private Industry in 2012