Does your hospital have a clinical ladder? Should you get involved? Hospitals usually have them so they can reward their staff for excellence in nursing. Starting and keeping up your clinical ladder means increasing your knowledge, professionalism, teamwork, and getting financially rewarded for it. Nurses can advance their career from RN Category 1 up to Category 4. They can do this by demonstrating clinical expertise and completing continuing education courses, advancing their professional certifications, and conducting research. RN program participants are reviewed and approved by their peers.

All you need to do to get started is to get the information packet that explains your hospital’s program. Then look at those requirements and see what is an obtainable goal that you feel you can realistically achieve.

The clinical ladder is different in every institution. Some hospitals will not let you drop down to a lower category if you do not complete the higher category that you signed-up for. For example, if you sign-up to complete Category 2, and do not finish it within the time allocated, the hospital might not allow you to drop you down to Category 1. The nursing managers, or nursing education department, will typically be the ones to help you with setting-up your program and guiding you through all the rules.

Reasons a Hospital Has a Clinical Ladder:

1. To promote excellence in practice to assure quality patient care;
2. To recognize nurses who show leadership within their unit;
3. Maintain expert nurses at the bedside;
4. Encourage ongoing personal and professional development;
5. Facilitate career advancement;
6. Support recognition and retention of the nursing staff;
7. To foster self-growth in leadership;
8. To promote exceptional customer service and team collaboration;
9. To provide a clear delineation of nursing competence levels;
10. Promote participation in volunteer community and health nursing service;
11. Many institutions need to prepare for Magnet designation.

Popular Clinical Ladder Choices:

1. Certification in your nursing field;
2. A higher college degree such as BSN, or MSN;
3. CEU’s or contact hours that can be obtained at a live conference;
4. On-line or web-cast learning programs offer convenient way to get contact hours;
5. ACLS, PALS, NRP certifications may be part of the clinical ladder options;
6. College credits (healthcare related) are a great way to get clinical ladder credits;
7. Volunteer at a community health fair;
8. Precept or mentor a new nurse;
9. Be the charge nurse;
10. Be active in hospital committees (this usually has a minimum of hours required);
11. Offer a journal club, or semi-formal in-service to your peers on a patient-care topic.
12. Be a champion (wound care, pain, magnet, pathway to excellence, P.I., etc.)

Millions of people have unresolved stomach problems. More and more people are looking for a more holistic and natural approach to chronic health issues. Here is a great way to stop popping pills and feel better.

Start drinking smoothies, green smoothies. It's simple. Here's a basic recipe and why the ingredients can help to heal your indigestion or stomach pain.

I call it the Green Tingler.

In a blender you can mix the following ingredients:

~~ A banana provides soothing moisture and makes you feel full. It provides complex carbohydrates and potassium to keep your energy level up

~~ A pear provides fiber, moisture, and helps to cleanse waste and toxins from the lining of your intestines.

~~ A few stalks of celery provides cooling moisture to your stomach and also flushes toxins from your system.

~~ A handful of spinach provides loads of micro nutrients, antioxidants, and chlorophyll which is good for cleansing and cooling your stomach and your blood.

~~ A teaspoon of fresh or ground ginger provides soothing relief and relieves gas and indigestion.

~~ Half an avocado provides "good" fats, the kind that are needed to reduce inflammation in your body. It also provides cooling moisture.

Blend all these ingredients together with fresh pure water and you've got a nutritious power packed meal. You will feel satisfied and find relief from your stomach pains. You can adjust the amounts and proportions of ingredients to suit your taste. If you like, add a few fresh dates or some maple syrup for a sweeter drink.

You'll save time and money with less medicines, co-pays, and trips to the doctor or pharmacy. The best news is you'll feel better. …

Low in Saturated Fat

Physicians and nutritionists the world over all agree that a diet that is high in saturated fat can have very negative consequences on a person's health and wellbeing. Indeed, a diet that is high in saturated fat can cause a person to suffer heart disease, can lead to cancer and can cause a whole host of other health problems and concern.

The Mediterranean diet is noteworthy because of the fact that it is very low in saturated fat. The typical person who follows the Mediterranean diet intakes less than eight percent of his or her calories from potentially harmful saturated fat. This is significantly below the average of people who do not follow a Mediterranean diet regimen.

Includes Plentiful Amounts of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Another reason why the Mediterranean diet is good for you lies in the fact that the diet includes the consumption of a significant amount of fruit and vegetables. Indeed, the diet encompasses more fresh fruits and vegetables than any other diet program or plan today.

Fresh fruits and vegetables have a significant beneficial effect on a person's health and wellbeing. People who follow the Mediterranean diet and consume generous servings of fruits and vegetables each day have a lower incidence of certain diseases including cancer and cardiovascular ailments.

High in Whole Grains and Fiber

A benefit in the Mediterranean diet is found in the fact that it lowers in the incidence of certain types of cancer. One of the reasons that the Mediterranean diet lowers the incidence of cancer is found in the fact that the diet is rich in whole grains and dietary fiber. Both whole grain and fiber have proven to lower the incidence of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

High in Anti-Oxidants

The Mediterranean diet is high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants play a significant role in maintaining the body – including organs, muscles and skin – in top condition. A diet high in anti-oxidants is believed to ensure that a person will live a longer, healthier life.

Low in Red Meat

Because the Mediterranean diet is low in red meat, the diet plan works to reduce the amount of "bad cholesterol." A diet low in "bad cholesterol" lessens the incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke.

High in Lean Meats

The Mediterranean diet includes lean meats in moderate portions. The reasonable amount of lean meats – including fish and certain seafood and fish – provides a health source of protein and energy for a person.

Low in Dairy

The Mediterranean diet is low in dairy products. In fact, a true adherent to the Mediterranean diet includes almost no dairy products at all. Any dairy that is included in the diet is low fat or non fat. Because the diet is low in dairy, particularly faty dairy products, the diet encourages a person to obtain or maintain an ideal weight. Additionally, the diet aids in decreasing cholesterol and works to prevent heart disease.

Prevents Disease

As mentioned, one of the reasons …