Are You A Powerful Networker?

Are you a powerful networker? Many nurses and healthcare professionals aren't aware of the crucial importance of networking for the development of their careers. After all, do they even talk about networking in nursing school? In my latest podcast (The Nurse Keith Show, Episode 3), I lay the groundwork for how networking is one of the keys that can unlock the door that opens onto a landscape of vibrant professional success.

The Nurse Keith Show, Episode #2

In episode #2 of "The Nurse Keith Show", I challenge my listeners to consider what they love about their careers, what lights them up, and what they want more of. Conversely, I also ask my listeners to consider the aspects of their nursing or healthcare careers that aren't working for them anymore, and what they'd like to change.

Digital Doorway is Ten Today!

I almost forgot, folks! Today marks the 10th anniversary of Digital Doorway. I can't believe that this blog, which started from quite humble and ignorant beginnings, has become one of the most popular nursing blogs on the Internet! (Have we really reached "double digits"?) And it's all thanks to you (and a little help from Google)!

The Nurse's Magic Wand

Since the beginning of this new year, I've been asking some of my colleagues and clients about what's next for them in 2015, and beyond. I ask them in the context of my contention that, if the profession of nursing and the healthcare industry is your professional oyster, how will you find your pearls?

Nurse Keith's magic wand

"The Nurse Keith Show" Has Launched!

Well folks, it's 2015, and my new podcast, "The Nurse Keith Show", has launched its inaugural episode. Nurses and healthcare professionals, this show is for you.

Happy New Year!

As 2014 comes to its natural denouement, and the limitless possibilities of 2015 begin to stir in our hearts, I want to wish everyone in the Nurse Keith and Digital Doorway communities a wonderful, healthy, prosperous and robustly satisfying 2015.

Dear Nurse Keith......

I just received an email from a nurse who shared with me a very common dilemma. She's been out of nursing school for about a year, but finding employment is a challenge. Meanwhile, I'm aware that even some seasoned nurses are having trouble in the job marketplace. The following is my edited response, which goes out to all nurses, but especially those in this writer's particular conundrum.

Happy Holidays from Nurse Keith

To the readers of Digital Doorway, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, encouragement, readership, comments, and consistent engagement. Thanks for sharing posts with others, posting to social media, and giving me the feedback that Digital Doorway is a source of inspiration for nurses everywhere. This blog would not exist without you, and I want you to know that you are appreciated!

Nurse Coaching: The Next Wave

Plenty of nurses have entered the world of coaching over the last few years, and there are plenty of signs that this new niche for nurses is indeed continuing to expand.

Nurses Rock Santa Fe!

On Monday, December 8th, 2014, at the legendary Jean Cocteau Theater in Santa Fe, New Mexico, six nurses told gripping stories of nursing, and personal/professional challenge and transformation.

The nurses and facilitators basking in applause

Nurses Speaking Out

The time has come for nurses to speak their minds to the public, sharing their stories and spilling their guts with forthright authenticity. Here in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that moment has arrived, and this weekend will see six courageous nurses crafting stories and sharing them on stage with an appreciative and enthralled audience.

Diversity, Multiculturalism, and the Affordable Care Act

On November 21st, 2014, a diverse and earnest group of nurses met in Santa Fe, New Mexico to focus on issues of diversity and multiculturalism, especially as it relates to the Affordable Care Act. These types of inspiring meetings broaden our view and deepen our understanding of salient contemporary issues in healthcare.

"Nurse Coaching: Integrative Approaches for Health and Wellbeing"

The latest book focused on nurse coaching, "Nurse Coaching: Integrative Approaches for Health and Wellbeing", was released in late October, and many of us are excited to have yet another text from which to draw inspiration and informative guidance for the practice of nurse coaching.

Oregon Holistic Nurses Association: No Ordinary Nursing Conference

I’ve just returned from northern Oregon, where I had the distinct pleasure of attending the annual conference of the Oregon Holistic Nurses Association (OHNA). I’m inspired, uplifted, and encouraged by what I experienced, and I’d like to share it with you. This post is slightly longer than my usual 600-700 words, but this conference and my experience merit the extra words in order to do it justice. 

Nursing Employment Transitions: Knowing What's Next

At any time throughout your nursing career, you may find yourself in a period of transition. What do you do at those times of flux?

Nurses Speak in Santa Fe

Something powerful is happening for nurses here in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I don't mean a strike, pay raise or decreased mandatory overtime. Rather, nurses are going to have an opportunity to speak their minds, creatively drawing on their personal and professional experiences for a public reading of introspective and illuminating monologues. Intrigued?

Book Review: "Celebrate Nursing" by Renee Thompson and Joanne Turka

Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, CMSRN is a renowned nurse speaker, author, consultant and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Her work in the arena of understanding and preventing nurse bullying is profoundly informative and powerful. Renee has appeared on RNFMRadio numerous times, and she brings a level of emotional intelligence and intellectual prowess that is a true gift to nurses throughout the world. This is a review of her new book, co-written with Joanne Turka, MSN, RN-BC, CCRN.

Book Review: "Nursing From Within" by Elizabeth Scala

Spiritual Practice Nurse Elizabeth Scala is a nurse, Reiki Master, healer, certified coach, facilitator, teacher, author and speaker. Her latest book, "Nursing From Within: A Fresh Alternative to Putting Out Fires and Self-Care Workarounds", is her own prescription for reinvigorating your nursing practice with heart, self-love, balance and magic.

References Are Key To Your Career!

When you're applying for a job as a nurse or healthcare professional, having a pool of stellar references from which to draw is key. However, you also need to nurture and maintain that list of references so that it's up to date and ready to work for you!

Where Has Nurse Keith Been?

Well, it seems that the last few weeks have run away from me, and here we are on the precipice of autumn. My, how time flies in the worlds of nursing, coaching, writing....and life!

Hop Aboard the LinkedIn Train!

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Since its inception, LinkedIn has been helping savvy professionals connect and build robust networks with like-minded colleagues the world over. Are you on board with LinkedIn, or is your profile gathering digital dust? Do you feel confused by LinkedIn? Do you want a robust profile but don’t know where to begin?

The Nurse Kneels

Kneeling in front of an elderly home care patient earlier this week, I rested my chin on the handle of her walker as she spoke to me of her troubles and tribulations. I looked into her eyes, and I had a crystallizing moment that instantly reminded me of the reasons I like home care so much. Nurses, have you also experienced such moments in the course of your days?

Infographic on The Future of Nursing

This infographic just came my way, and I wanted to share it with the readers of Digital Doorway. Your reactions to these statistics and prognostications are welcome. Do you feel that the job prospects are as good as the infographic portends? Are the median salaries accurate in your region of the country? How do you feel about the potential changes in baseline nursing education requirements? Comments are encouraged!

Got Soul, Nurses?

Nurses, what does it mean to have soul? Does it mean that you've read "Chicken Soup For The Nurse's Soul"? Does it mean that you listen and dance to James Brown? Does it mean that you cook with spicy food? Well, it could mean those things, but it's a whole lot more.

Nurse, Whose Shoes Are You Wearing?

As nurses, we're often in the mode of "doing". We hang IVs, check vital signs, give treatments, dole out medications, and tend to multiple tasks, whether in the hospital, nursing home, school, patients' homes, or other venues. And when we're doing those tasks, we're generally wearing our metaphoric---and literal---nursing shoes.