Category: Health

A Complete Guide on How to Become A Pain Management Nurse

Pain management nurses are primarily responsible for providing care to patients struggling with chronic and debilitating pain. They are considered experts in providing pain management interventions.

To be a pain management nurses, you’ll need to undergo a lot of training to open yourself up to a lot of opportunities. If that’s something you are interested in, below is a step-by-step guide on how to become a pain management nurse.

The Path to Becoming a Pain Management Nurse

Like most nursing specialties, you’ll need a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associate Degree in Nursing. After completing an accredited nursing program, you’ll need to take and pass the NCLEX which is a requirement for your licensure.

If you wish to further your studies, you have 3 graduate level options to choose from:

Master’s Degree in Nursing- This typically takes about 2 to 3 years to complete. It requires taking additional coursework which can lead to acquiring more responsibility in your medical facility or advancements in the salary you earn.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing- If you choose this, you’ll have the opportunity to take on more educational roles in the healthcare and medical system.

Doctor of Nursing Practice- This takes about 1 to 3 years to complete. Taking this route will lead you to more research-oriented roles and a chance to receive a higher salary.

To start working as a pain management nurse, you’ll need to apply for your certification. For that, you need to be employed and working as a nurse caring for patients diagnosed with pain management issues within the last 3 years prior to your application for the certificate or a minimum of 2,000 hours.

Additionally, you’ll have to complete 30 hours of continuing nursing education, with 15 of those hours devoted to pain management.

The exam for the certification is composed of 175 questions. The certificate is valid for 5 years.

 

Job Description & Duties

Pain management nurses work in many types of work settings. They may be employed in outpatient pain or physical therapy settings. Pain management nurses provide care to patients enrolled in palliative and hospice care programs. Employment opportunities exist for pain management nurses in acute and long term health care facilities.

Pain management nurses work as members of multidisciplinary teams to help patients who suffer from chronic pain maximize their quality of life. They serve as patient advocates to obtain pain medications. They may work as liaisons with vocational programs to assist patients who suffer with pain issues return to work.

Pain management nurses educate patients and staff about safe and effectives methods of pain control. Pain management nurses conduct educational programs which demonstrate the use of conventional and complementary healing techniques which help to relieve pain. They ensure that pain medicines are used appropriately. Pain management nurses help to allay fears regarding pain and the use of medications used in the treatment of sever pain.

Pain management nurses educate other health care providers about pain scales and signs of symptoms of pain demonstrated by children, mentally challenged, and geriatric patients. They are experts regarding modifications which are needed to ensure safe medication administration to special populations, such as the pediatric and geriatric population.

 

Working as a Pain Management Nurse

This advanced practice nurse cares for patients experiencing acute or chronic pain. After Pain Management Nurses assess the source of pain, they work with other nurses and doctors to coordinate treatment and care. Pain Management Nurses are also teachers, showing patients how to help manage their own pain, their medications and alternative ways to relieve their pain.

Pain management nurses specialize in pain relief through medication and other therapeutic techniques.

According to nursingschools.net, the average salary for pain management nurses falls in the area of 46,818 to $67,106 per year. This number can change depending on experience, education level, and state of practice.

As a specialized field of registered nursing, pain management nurses are likely to see an increase of growth averaging 19% by the year 2022. This may be due to many reasons, including:

• The aging population of the country and a need for more staff in nursing homes, private-in-home care, and geriatric nurses.
• Rising rates of obesity have cause more diseases and illness which require care, such as diabetes.
• More Americans are taking advantage of the Affordable Care Act, which means more citizens accessing medical care.
• Acute care practices are becoming limited in hospitals, making in-home-care and nursing home staff indispensable.

 

What Every Nurse Needs To Know About Pain Management

Understanding Your Role In Patient Pain Management

When you see a patient in pain, especially if it’s extreme or debilitating pain, your first instinct as a nurse will be to try to alleviate that pain in the soonest possible timeframe so that your patient is comfortable.

While you can certainly begin working with a patient on pain management techniques and recommend to their attending physician the medication orders that may be necessary, this may not be the first place you want to jump in.

First and foremost, your role in patient pain management will be to work toward a goal of patient comfort while recognizing that the pain they are experiencing is a symptom of a deeper root cause.

If that pain is muted before the root cause is discovered, it may make detection and diagnosis more difficult for the attending provider.

While you work to assess the severity and location of the pain, as well as the events or experiences that may have led to the pain, you build the medical case the attending physician needs to study to determine the eventual diagnosis and how to treat the illness instead of the just the symptom of pain.

This doesn’t mean that you should delay treating pain while waiting for a diagnosis, but that you will need to remember not to treat just the pain to the exclusion of determining why the patient is suffering.

 

Where Can You Work?

As a pain management nurse, you have a lot of opportunities. You can be employed in any of the following medical settings:

• Outpatient clinics
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Hospitals
• Private medical offices
• Sports medicine
• Nursing homes
• Emergency departments

What Your Chiropractor Wishes You Knew

Don’t you love a fresh start! Push the reboot button, sweep the past to where it belongs and step forward with new resolve. It’s exciting just imagining where this could lead us

And a great place to start is with a visit to your chiropractor. When your spine goes back into alignment, it reconnects the central nervous system tucked inside with your brain and your body’s receptors. It’s like two old friends falling over themselves, putting everything back in order!

But the healing doesn’t end there. That is what chiropractors wish more of their clients took to heart, reinforcing the stage set in the office. It’s a jump-start to a full life … if you follow through.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Chiropractic care is proactive, not reactive to symptoms. Don’t wait for back pain to send you to the chiropractor. Regain the balance that will prevent the pain in the first place! (Too late? Chiropractors’ success in easing chronic pain is well-documented, and the subsequent changes often prevent a relapse.)
• Your chiropractor often can tell you what put your spine out of alignment and what you need to do to prevent it from happening again. Stand tall – posture counts. Eat better. Get a good night’s sleep. These aren’t just the obligatory follow-up to a chiropractic session. They are your marching orders, decreasing inflammation, training the spine to stay in position, and giving your body the resources it needs to heal itself.
• Don’t fall into the same old habits expecting different results because you had an adjustment. If sitting at your desk for eight hours straight with hardly a bathroom break brought you to the chiropractor, make some positive changes. Set a timer, and every hour, get up and walk around the room a couple times. Buy sensible shoes. Pick up a body pillow that keeps your spine in position while your body recharges every night.
• Live life to the fullest! Enjoy all the restored mobility, new energy, and a nervous system firing on all cylinders. And when someone notices, let them know what gave you a fresh start on life. According to the Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic 2018 report, the vast majority of people who visited a chiropractor for the first time did so on the recommendation of a friend. Be that friend – not a bad way to start a new year!

 

How safe are the vigorous neck manipulations done by chiropractors?

The chiropractor had just worked on Lynne Beliveau’s neck when she became dizzy, unable to see or move. Rushed to the hospital, Beliveau had a shunt inserted to relieve pressure caused by swelling in her brain. The Ashburn woman suffered a series of strokes and today, eight years later, the 41-year-old mother of three suffers from constant vertigo.

Approximately 20 million Americans visit chiropractors each year, according to the American Chiropractic Association, seeking relief from back pain, neck pain, headaches, sinus problems, ringing in the ears and more. For many, the manipulations provide relief. But one of the techniques chiropractors use, called cervical neck manipulation or “cracking the neck,” has raised concerns that it can cause serious harm.

Neck and spine

a District chiropractor who has practiced for more than 30 years, said every patient comes with “two neurological snags,” or problem areas: the neck and the spine. “It’s important to work on the neck if we are going to cure their problems,” he said. sits on the guidelines committee of the national Council on Chiropractic Practice, which describes its mission as providing evidence-based guidelines that “serve the needs of the consumer and are consistent with ‘real world’ chiropractic practice.”

Evidence of the effectiveness of chiropractic ma­nipu­la­tion is inconclusive, in part due to a lack of large, rigorously designed studies. Some studies suggest that spinal manipulation may be helpful for lowering blood pressure, dealing with some headaches, helping colicky infants, limiting migraines, easing some types of lower back pain. Others, however, have raised concerns specifically about the sudden powerful thrusts used in cervical neck manipulations and the possibility that they might tear the carotid or vertebral artery leading to the brain. Such tears can cause a blood clot that travels to the brain, causing a stroke

A 2010 study of deaths after spinal ma­nipu­la­tion found 26 published cases, and seven unpublished ones, mostly due to a tear, or “dissection of a vertebral artery,” and suggested that many more cases had not been reported. A 2007 survey of adverse effects published in medical journals between 2001 and 2006 found that “spinal manipulation, particularly when performed on the upper spine, is frequently associated with mild to moderate adverse effects. It can also result in serious complications such as vertebral artery dissection followed by stroke.

 

WAYS TO MAKE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS LAST LONGER

hhh… So, now what? You’ve invested time and money to ease your discomfort and make sure your spine, joints and muscles are all firing optimally… and THEN..! Something slips back out of place. Wouldn’t it be great if you could make chiropractic adjustments last longer?

USE THIS EASY CHECKLIST TO MAKE YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS LAST LONGER.

What are the biggest complaints of patients that seek chiropractic care? It boils to just two big concerns:

patients are apprehensive about adjustments being little scary (or even painful),

and that it might take constant, frequent adjustments to stay feeling optimal

But your chiropractor’s technique is only a part of the equation. If the chiropractic patient doesn’t participate in the process, she’ll not only waste money and time…but she’ll likely experience more discomfort and for longer.

This saying is true always, but especially so in the care of your health. Your visits to your chiropractor need to be full sessions, without any corners cut. To take full advantage of the health beneifts, plan your schedule knowing that it’s not just a 2 1/2 minute “crack session”.

A good chiropractor will take the time to do these three things:

find subluxations and other issues,

make necessary adjustments, and

recommend a course of action to get the most out of that treatment!

 

Researched Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments

If you frequently deal with symptoms like joint pain, backaches or headaches, but are yet to ever visit a chiropractor for help, then you may be missing out on an effective and natural treatment option. Millions of people around the world have experienced the incredible benefits of chiropractic care, a holistic, non-invasive treatment approach that has been shown to help treat dozens of different conditions.

One of the best things about receiving chiropractic adjustments is that they are a completely drug-free path to healing the body naturally. Chiropractic benefits including helping to naturally improve problems such as:

Back pain

Headaches

Bowel regularity

Improved mental clarity

Ear infections

Neck pain

Arthritis and joint pain

Scoliosis

Asthma

Blood pressure

Healthy pregnancy

Organ function

Surgery prevention

Despite its popularity, there are still a lot of misconceptions about the field of chiropractic care, including how the practice works and how chiropractors are trained. For example, did you know that many chiropractic programs incorporate an entire year of PhD-level advanced nutrition training?

What Are Chiropractic Adjustments?

What is the meaning of chiropractic? There are a number of chiropractic definitions depending on who you ask.

According to the World Federation of Chiropractic, the meaning of chiropractic medicine is:

A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.

 

things you need to know about TMJ pain

TMJ pain can be debilitating When she was in middle school, she started experiencing severe headaches. Her jaw would get stuck in place and sometimes dislocate. The pain was so severe that she could not concentrate at school and was unable to participate in extracurricular activities.

was born with a small jaw and needed surgery to relieve her pain, but she could not have it until she was off the pain medications that were getting her through the day for six months. Unsure how she would manage this pain without medication, her surgeon referred her to a chiropractor

The causes of TMJ pain

The bones of the TMJ are separated by a disc of cartilage to keep your jaw moving smoothly. When those muscles become irritated, the disc is displaced. Common symptoms include popping, a clicking sound or sensation, muscle tenderness, joint tenderness, and being unable to open your jaw wide

There are three main categories of TMJ pain:

The most common is in the muscles that control the jaw and the connecting neck and shoulder muscles;

Internal disorder of the joint, or a dislocated or displaced disc; and

A degenerative joint disease in the jaw joint, like arthritis.

Managing TMJ pain

There are several things you can do to treat or reverse TMJ-related pain:

Eating softer foods

Applying ice packs

Avoiding extreme jaw movements

Learning techniques to relax and reduce stress

Practicing gentle stretching of the jaw to help increase its movement

Soft tissue massage

Insider Tips for Finding a Plastic Surgeon You Can Trust

Listen to your gut and take your time.
If you feel uncomfortable, even if you can’t seem to pinpoint exactly why, don’t follow through with that office, that doctor or, perhaps, that procedure.

Make sure the office is spotless and the staff is friendly.
You want to feel comfortable where you’ll be having the procedure. “A patient does not want to end up in a situation where they feel neglected, taken advantage of, or ignored,” adds Shafer. Whether it’s a small center or a giant hospital, you shouldn’t feel tense or anxious as a result of the smell, look of the place, or the personality of the staff.

Keep in mind you want a surgeon who is polite and helpful as well as skilled with the knife.
While you’re asking questions, be wary of red flags. An obvious, but important, one is a surgeon’s bedside manner. “If a surgeon seems routinely rushed, pressures you to undergo a particular operation, balks at you seeking additional opinions or delegates most of the care after the procedure to others, beware,” warns Grant.

Come to each consultation prepared and ready to ask questions.
Just like you would for a job interview, it’s important to come prepared with a list of questions to ask your surgeon while you’re face-to-face. “Take this very seriously in the same way you would seek out care for a significant medical condition and you will be successful,” says Fred Fedok, M.D., F.A.C.S., facial plastic surgeon and president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “At the end of the process, you want to make sure you and your surgeon are on the same page and have communicated your wants and wishes.”

Ask if your plastic surgeon is affiliated with a hospital.
Whether or not the doctors you’re considering have hospital privileges is another qualification box you’ll want to check off. “If the cosmetic surgeon only does surgery at his or her office and doesn’t have hospital privileges to perform the surgery you are considering, that is a huge red flag,” says Anthony Youn, M.D., F.A.C.S., holistic facial plastic surgeon and owner of Youn Plastic Surgery, PLLC, in Troy, Michigan.

 

How to Find the Right Cosmetic Surgeon for You

Customer service matters too!
You want to be sure you are being served and treated well. Much of this will be obvious a few minutes after you walk in the door of cosmetic surgeon’s office.

Find out about the operating facility
Your safety during surgery depends in large part on the anesthetist and the operating facility. Accredited operating rooms include key life support systems just in case something goes wrong.

Pay attention to how the surgeon and staff make you feel
Surgery is a big deal, and there can be curves in the path to your new look. You need to feel 100% comfortable with your cosmetic surgeon and their support team. Choose a cosmetic surgeon whom you like and trust completely with your safety and results.

Choose a surgeon whose aesthetic sense appeals to you
We all know that what one person finds beautiful may be unattractive to another. For this reason, you can’t just trust a friend’s recommendation or solely depend on the cosmetic surgeon’s experience. You need to look carefully at the results for each surgeon you interview.

Confirm the surgeon’s experience in the specific procedures you want
Each area of cosmetic surgery requires different skills: you can imagine how operating on a nose with bone, cartilage, and breathing passages would be quite different from operating on a breast, which is primarily comprised of soft tissue. Given this, cosmetic surgeons can have subspecialties within the field. Choose a surgeon who is board certified in cosmetic surgery and has substantial experience in the procedure you are considering.

 

How to find a plastic surgeon

Finding the right fit
Finding a qualified plastic surgeon can be made much easier with the help of a solid set of minimum criteria, professional standards and personal preferences. Patients can feel much more confident about pursuing the plastic surgery procedure of their dreams and reaching their aesthetic goals when they can find a great plastic surgeon to help shepherd them on their journey.

A personal rapport with patients
It’s not always necessary to connect with your plastic surgeon on a personal level, but it can make the entire experience and journey much more open and comfortable.

Custom, tailored treatments
Once a surgeon and patient meet and discuss very openly and honestly that patient’s goals and unique situation, the plastic surgeon crafts a tailored and appropriate treatment plan, unique to that patient. Finding a surgeon who will customize your treatment can give you a better chance of reaching your aesthetic goals.

Thorough patient consultations
Plastic surgeons should always offer a consultation that is comprehensive in nature. The consult should factor in a patient’s aesthetic goals, unique anatomy, medical history and lifestyle. Patients will want a surgeon who takes the time to truly understand his or her treatment needs and who can speak honestly to realistic expectations and can help anticipate (and plan for) the recovery experience.

Access to accredited and/or state-licensed surgical facilities
Surgeons who perform plastic surgery in accredited or state-licensed facilities ensure they meet the highest standards of patient safety. These facilities are regularly inspected to ensure they are exceptionally maintained for surgical procedures.

 

Tips for Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Know What Your Insurance Covers
Your insurance coverage is a practical matter. To receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a plastic surgeon who participates in your plan. Some elective procedures may be reimbursed by your workplace Flexible Spending Plan. Regardless how you pay for your surgery, you should still consider credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality as you select a plastic surgeon from your plan.

Review Patient Satisfaction Surveys
You’ll want to have total confidence in your decision to undergo plastic surgery. Reading what other people have to say about a doctor can provide insight into how a doctor practices medicine, as well as how his or her medical practice is operated. Patient satisfaction surveys typically ask people about their experience with scheduling appointments, wait times, office environment, and office staff friendliness. You can learn about how well patients trust the doctor, how much time he or she spends with their patients, and how well he or she answers questions.

Evaluate Communication Style
Choose a plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable talking and who supports your information needs. When you first meet the plastic surgeon, ask a question and notice how he or she responds. Does he or she welcome your questions and answer them in ways that you can understand? Does the plastic surgeon offer you options personalized for your needs? Are before and after photo books of the doctor’s actual work available for you to review? Find a plastic surgeon who shows an interest in getting to know you, who will consider your treatment preferences, and who will respect your decision-making process.

Research Hospital Quality
Your doctor’s hospital is your hospital. For this reason, consider the quality of care at the hospital where the plastic surgeon can treat patients. Hospital quality matters to you because patients at top-rated hospitals have fewer complications and better survival rates. Additionally, consider whether the hospital’s location is important to you. Should you need to go the hospital for tests or treatment, you want the location to encourage, rather than discourage timely care.

Consider Gender
It’s important to feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon’s gender because you will need to openly discuss personal information. When it comes to plastic surgery, your own gender is also an important consideration. Cosmetic plastic surgery has traditionally focused on female patients. However, men also seek the benefits of plastic surgery and their needs are often different. Ask the plastic surgeon about his or her recent training and experience specifically related to your condition and your gender.

 

How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon

There’s nothing inherently illegal about practicing outside your area of specialty, although Maman notes he would likely be held liable for malpractice if the procedure went wrong. “As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I can decide that I’m going to remove a brain tumor if I want. There’s no state law that prohibits you from doing that. Once you have a medical degree, you can do whatever you want. The problem is, I don’t know how to do that and the patient’s not going to do well.”