F.D.Burgess
I am a native Floridian. In 1981, I began my career as a registered nurse; it was my life's calling. My nursing experiences are diverse and span from medical, surgical, pediatrics, open heart /surgical intensive care, geriatrics, oncology/chemotherapy, home health, and correctional nursing. I am also an avid advocate for child safety and social reform and enjoy sharing my vast knowledge of nursing as a mentor,preceptor,and writer
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- 8/28/2007
Education/Experience
Associate and Bachelor's Degree in NursingInterests
I am a natural born philosopher with uncanny foresight and intuition, an ability that helped save many patient lives. I have seven Chihuahua children and love to share other interests and life's experiences writing in different categories.Motto
I believe in an one for all and all for one HUMANE societyFavorites
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Displaying Results 1 - 55 (of 55) for All Content
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Nurses Who SHOULD Quit Their Jobs (or Change Areas of Practice)An incompetent nurse who is frequently reprimanded because of inconsistent practice issues or who makes too many errors despite additional training, needs to think about making changes.
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RN Stories: More Memorable Patients and Unforgettable Nursing AssignmentsIt takes more than medical knowledge and skills to be a good nurse; not everyone has the strength, or guts, for these memorable patients and unforgettable nursing assignments.
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Hospital Nurses: Patients Should Not Have to Wait If You Anticipate NeedsA major complaint patients have in hospitals is the lack of a timely response to their call light, having to wait for a nurse. Many times patient needs can be anticipated even before patients put on their call light.
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RN Stories: Memorable Patients and Unforgettable Nursing AssignmentsEvery nurse has a story to share from their experiences in this field, and some stories are actually lessons learned. As a registered nurse for almost 30 years, I have had many memorable patients and unforgettable nursing assignments to share.
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How to Avoid Team Nursing Problems, Conflicts and IssuesOne major problems with the team nursing practice model is inadequate staffing, which causes many nurses to dislike the concept. These tips will help RNs avoid team nursing conflicts, issues, and problems for quality patient care.
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The Negative Effects of Heartburn Medications: What Everyone Should KnowHeartburn medications, over-the-counter(OTC)and prescription, may have negative effects including interfering with kidney function and the absorption of important medications.
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Correctional Nursing 102: Jailhouse Corruption and ViolationsNot only was the medical department completely disorganized but dishonest correctional officers (COs) constantly interfered with the inmate's rights to prompt health care. Allegations abound of fraud, drug use, inmate abuse, and denial of health care.
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Correctional Nursing 101: Criminal Intentions and Inmate ChallengesNurses possessed more autonomy because the jail did not have a full time doctor on duty. Therefore, inmates constantly tested the nurse's knowledge and skills by feigning illnesses, injuries, or involving the media.
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How Hospital Complications Increase as RN Staff DecreaseAdverse patient outcomes in hospitals have a direct effect on the rising costs of healthcare in our country. Studies indicate that these complications may be directly related to the shortage of qualified registered nurse staff.
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Health Care Reform and Cost Drivers: American's ContributionThe healthcare reform bill wants to assure all Americans can afford health care but it is not a fix for the system in general. We have to look at how we contribute to rising costs.
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Correctional Nursing: How Inmate Incidents Closed Our Hospital WardAs the inmate census increased, so did people's fear and complaints until our hospital decided it was time to open a ward just for prisoners.
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Alcohol Poisoning: The Dangers of Binge Drinking and Happy HoursAlcohol poisoning is a deadly consequence of binge drinking, which is drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time, i.e. happy hour events.
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Hoarders: Mentally Ill or Poor, Unsanitary Housekeepers?Hoarding has become a hot topic since the premiere of the TV show, Hoarders, on A&E. There is a debate on its classification as a mental illness.
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College Review: University of Phoenix RN-BSN Online ProgramI researched the internet for a RN to BSN program that was completely online. My experience at UOP and the high quality of their program.
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RN Tips: Do You See the Whole Picture?After several incidents, I found some nurses arrive at the bedside without seeing anything else in the room, without seeing the whole picture.
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The New RN: Off to a Good StartAs a new registered nurse, it is important to remember the reasons you chose a career in nursing; you will ask yourself why from time to time.
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RN Tips: Patients, Clients, and CustomersWhen a person is ill, they may exhibit unbecoming personalities due to fear and a lack of knowledge. These RN tips helps care for ALL patients.
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RN Tips: How to Perform Quick Patient AssessmentsLearning to perform quick patient assessments saves the RN time; it also helps in a more accurate planning of patient care.
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Product Review: Oral-B ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 with SmartGuide Electric ToothbrushThe Oral-B electric toothbrush provides professional care that will most likely make going to the dentist for tooth polishing and whitening obsolete.
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How I Won the Battle Against Diabetes Type 2When diagnosed with diabetes Type 2, my worse fears were the unforgiving complications of the disease. There are many causes of diabetes, I won the battle by simply losing weight.
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How to Help Solve Your Own Case: Leaving Forensic EvidenceCrime victims can help solve their own cases by strategically planting forensic evidence, such as blood, hair, and fibers. As criminals do, victims should always leave something at a crime scene.
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How to Tell If Your Daughter was Sexually AbusedWhen a female is sexually abused in her formative years, the effects continue throughout her life. It is imperative she receive immediate psychotherapy that focuses on lifetime coping skills.
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How Bad Faith Insurance Practices Ruined My Life (It Can Happen to You!)Bad faith insurance practices occur when a company knowingly and intentionally denies payment of a legitimate claim by using several different tactics.
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Drug Recalls and Lawsuits: Lawyers Advertising for BusinessIn this article, I will review the current drug alarms expressed by lawyers in their television ads. -
Review of the GoodLife Dog Food: My Dogs Won't Eat Anything Else!Raising seven Chihuahuas, I know that feeding them a balanced, nutritious diet is vital to maintaining a good healthy lifestyle. As a single parent, I am responsible with choosing the finest dog food -
Review: Pedi Paws: Pedicure for Your DogsPedi Paws has the answer for those who have injured their dogs with nail clippers and general grooming. After causing my dogs pain and bleeding, I was excited to try this new product. -
Free Cruise Tickets to the Bahamas: Must Use Before Expiration Date September 10, 2008Congratulations, you have won; your name was chosen in our raffle give-away! Yes, you will receive tickets for two for this 7-day cruise but you must take the trip now before the expiration date September 10.
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15 Ways to Become a Successful Couch PotatoTo become a successful couch potato, one must follow the rules outlined in this article. Some steps may be more intense than others may but practice makes perfect. I became a couch potato when I retired with disability and injured my back. -
Black Male Murders Are on the Rise: Is it Too Late to Intervene? Part Two:In Part one, I discussed the need for better parenting, role modeling, and active leaders in the black neighborhoods. Angry mothers with low self-esteem create angry males and are poor role models. -
Black Male Murders Are on the Rise: Is it Too Late to Intervene? Part 1:Black male murders dramatically increased despite a 2008 report by the FBI that the violence declined in 2007 from the previous year. I hope it is not too late to save the next generation. -
The Mental Illness, Poverty, and Homeless LinkMental illness does not discriminate based on race, age, or economical status although some types may be prevalent in one more than the other may. For example, confusion and disorientation are more prevalent in the older person. -
Many Floridian Children Are Missing Why the Media Fascination of Caylee Anthony's CaseIt is a strange phenomenon when the media latches on to a certain missing child case and so many other Floridians are also missing. There are odd circumstances surrounding this case because of Cassee Anthony's delay in reporting Caylee missing.
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Recognizing Alzheimer's Disease in a Relative: Aunt Mary's HomecareAunt Mary's Alzheimer's disease started very insidiously, I visited her home at least once a week but it took a couple of months to detect any major changes.
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Reality Check: How Safe Are Our Children?It's 2008 and we continue to see news stories about children being sexually abused, raped, kidnapped, and murdered by pedophiles. Reality checks indicate some parents still lack the ability or are not as astute in safely protecting children from these creeps. -
A Change of Heart: Personality Metamorphosis After a Heart TransplantInitially my sister and her husband thought it was just heartburn as he sat on the stairs with an intense grimace on his face, clutching his chest, and perspiring heavily.
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How to Prevent Rising High School Dropout RatesThere are many reasons why kids drop out of high school; for the purpose of research, it is wise to interview these students (if possible) just as we interview employees' reasons for leaving a job (exit interviews).
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Nurses (and Other Healthcare Professionals): A Warning on False DocumentationNurses and other healthcare professionals be forewarned that in recent years, patients have become more savvy in regards to overseeing their health care. -
With the Economy in Recession, Can Floridians Afford the 2008 Hurricane Season?In 2004, Florida endured four major hurricanes in August and September. It was the costliest of all hurricane seasons in the United States.
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Pedophilia is Not Funny: It is a Crime Against Our ChildrenPedophilia is described as a perverse, sexual attraction to children. Comedians and TV sitcoms will joke about this taboo and others as long as it brings the audience to laughter.
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Food Cravings of a Different SortMost food cravings are related to people who suffer from emotional stress, pregnant women, and obese persons but I don't know the basis of mine. I have cravings that range from chewing gum, seafood and healthy foods that are not necessarily fattening.
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Depression Hurts but so Does My Lower BackUnfortunately, for those with mental illness, there is an uphill battle to convince physicians that their back pain is a reality. According to advertisements for antidepressants, "Depression Hurts".
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DNR Order: Passive Suicide or Death with Dignity?Signing a DNR order is not a form of passive suicide but rather a 'living will' of sorts instructing healthcare providers on your wishes to die with dignity. -
Acute Prostatitis: What You Should KnowThe prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder on top of the rectum and produces semen in men.
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A Hospital Nightmare: Nursing Negligence in a Near Death ExperienceOur world was turned upside down when my fiancé was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2005. I promised him that I would monitor all care provided and make sure he leaves the hospital alive. That promise was almost broken. -
Physcian-Assisted Suicide: The Last Word on an Ancient MythI have seen the worse of worse human suffering during my career but euthanasia is not an option for a healthcare provider. It is just as the title suggests "healthcare provider" and our oath "to do no harm" remains words we live by. -
Telehealth: Nursing of the FutureTelehealth nursing involves the ability to transfer medical information from one place to another via computers or other devices. Telehealth provides medical monitoring to those in isolated, rural areas and the underprivileged that do not have access to healthcare.
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Nursing Care Plans Made EasyA written "Nursing care plan...serves as a means to document changes in a patient's condition" (Medi-smart.com). Writing care plans are at the top of the list for causing major angst in nursing students throughout the years. -
Does Marijuana Relieve Chronic Pain?Traditional treatments of chronic pain, such as opiods (Morphine, Oxycontin, and Codeine), relaxation, biofeedback, and skin/nerve stimulation are not effective for all chronic pain sufferers.
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Nursing Care of Difficult PatientsThere are many reasons a patient may be difficult, ranging from anxiety, depression, lack of control, lack of knowledge regarding medical care, and personality disorders. Patients with chronic diseases or alcoholism may also present these types of behaviors.
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Nurses Who Use and Abuse Alcohol and Drugs in the WorkplaceIf a nurse is observed impaired by alcohol and/or drugs by patients and/or colleagues and their work performances are questioned, he/she must be reported immediately and removed from patient care areas.
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The American Littering Epidemic: Not so BeautifulLittering in America affects our environment and is a threat to public health. Littering not only decrease property values but costs millions to clean up by transportation companies. Litter attracts litter. So, what do Americans have to do to keep out country beautiful?
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Medical Errors: Are You a Victim or Survivor?According to a recent study released by the Institute of Medicine, as many as 98,000 Americans still die each year because of medical errors despite an unprecedented focus on patient safety over the last five years. (Wiese, 2005).
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How to Avoid Medication Errors at Home: What You Need to KnowIt begins with the physician writing the prescription but it does not end at the pharmacy, medication errors can occur after you take the medication home. Communication, education and empowerment are imperative in a treatment regime.
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Home Healthcare: Memoirs of a NurseHome healthcare can be very adventurous, rewarding, but it has its pros and cons.
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Chronic Pain: Are You Receiving Adequate Treatment?Approximately 35% of Americans have some element of chronic pain, and approximately 50 million Americans are disabled partially or totally due to chronic pain. (Singh, Manish, 2005).