The winter whitewash is leaving us here in Missouri, and spring rains are starting to fall. Many welcome the change (along with the change on the clock), but for a few, a harrowing season is just getting started: Allergy season. Allergy season is such an issue for so many that websites have been set up to help those dealing with it. Sites like ...

As the New Year comes, let's take a moment to reflect on last year. So many people lost, so many opportunities missed. Let's all make a decision now to have a better 2013. Managers, make sure your employees know they are appreciated. Respiratory Care Week is not enough; if you want to keep employees motivated and retained, you have to ...

I believe there is a place for someone being trained on the job, but medicine is not that place. I am sure this statement will make many of my readers unhappy with me. But there are too many issues that cannot be taught while you are working and too many theories that need to be taught in a learning environment. We are dealing with people’s lives; ...

We have spent the last couple of months discussing jobs, licensure and work-life balance. This month, particularly for all you who are new to the field, I thought we could discuss some organizations you can join to help further your career. Our professional organization is the American Association for Respiratory Care, or AARC. The AARC ...

As the years go on, I have noticed a steady decline in the ability of candidate students to conduct a successful interview. The ability to confidently sell yourself and provide a potential employer or professor a well-rounded view of your personality and professional qualities can really take you far in life. However, it seems this talent is an ...

Teamwork and technology are quickly replacing the concept of the one-man show. A recent news briefing noted on the major differences between Baby Boomer Physicians and even the doctors of Generation “X” versus the new hires of Generation “Y,” but who will bridge the transitional gap? As younger physicians and pathologists continue to join the ...

For the past several weeks, we have discussed work-life balance. The final entry to this discussion is what you can do within respiratory therapy to add to your balance. We all know we should be members of our professional group and the state society that is associated with it wherever we live. Though some feel these groups do not represent them, ...

For a couple of weeks we have talked about licensure and burnout. Let's focus on some things to avoid the burnout and help us through the licensure trials. Some may question why I write about such things, but being a well-rounded therapist means you have to look at life from all angles, not just from inside the hospital walls. A respiratory ...

NURSES BURN OUT ON LONG SHIFTS!! Well surprise, surprise, surprise, and to quote one of my favorite malcontent Disney characters, Diego, ''I am not surprised, I am so not surprised, I think I am going to die from not surprise!'' This article under this headline laments the long 12-hour shifts nurses must work and how dissatisfied they become ...

I can tell you I learned sleep due to people sharing their knowledge in books and at conferences. I took advantage of my manufacturers' representatives. I will forever be grateful to those who helped me to become a sleep tech. Now I have moved to a place where I can help shape the next generation of technologists, who will be well educated ...