The health care industry can learn a lot from business. If you do not think health care is a business, you're wrong. Just check out the forms you fill out, the charting you do, and the cashier's cage. One of the failures I see in health care is an inadequate attention to project management. Project management can cover everything from planning ...

Many people know about the website LinkedIn. Like any site, it has drawbacks. Still, it is a good and increasingly popular way to establish an online presence with other professionals. LinkedIn is looked to more by business people than other social media websites. It can be difficult to use and navigate, you cannot ''friend'' someone randomly ...

I write an opinion blog. Everyone has an opinion. I know this, and I know that each time I write, some will agree and some disagree. Some people just take pleasure in spreading rumors to stir the pot. This seems to be the case of some of those on Facebook -- in particular, a relatively new group to the RT scene which has done little more than ...

To wrap our networking discussion, let's delve a little deeper into some of the social media that allow us to connect with others. First is Facebook. Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you are already familiar with it. You may even have a page on there. Be careful; more and more human resources folks are checking for Facebook pages to find ...

Rebuilding your network after a recession can be hard, but there are some things you can do to get all the people you need back in your circle of colleagues. Networking is important because that is how you hear about the good jobs, learn about conferences and events, and even keep up with old friends. Sure, you can do all that on websites such as ...

In December, we talked about work/life balance and how to have a healthy work and personal life. Let's get back on track with the work. So, you have your school. Check. You have your credentials. Check. You have your job. Check. You are working on balancing your work and your personal life so you can realize all the dreams you have. Check. Let's ...

As this New Year starts, it is a good time to take an assessment of your certifications. Respiratory therapy now requires a diverse spectrum of skills and training. More than ever, respiratory therapists are called upon for not only treating patients, but also for advice. We are expected to know not only the respiratory system, but how the system ...

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 ...

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 ...

Since we spent last month discussing the trials and tribulations of licenses, let's spend some time talking about work/life balance. It's easy to get burned out. We work, and we usually want to work more. This is great, but it can lead to premature burnout. We all know the burnouts; they usually have done great things throughout their careers ...