Archive for the ‘Nursing Profession’ Category

Blackberry Apps for Millionaire Nurses

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Blackberry Apps, or to you non-tech folks, applications (software programs) that run on your smart-phone, are available by the thousands.  Not as many as are available on the i-phone, but we will discuss that in another post.

I am not a techno-geek myself-the scary thing is- I am the computer go-to guy in my medical office.  That should tell you something about the level of computer expertise available here….

I am also, as all of you know, not  a fan of spending money on new tech gadgets, just because they are new.  There needs to be a reason for spending your money.  You should be able to justify the expense.  And if you are in debt, these purchases definitely need to be productive.

So with all those caveats, I wanted to write today about free apps available for the Blackberry.

Now, as far as I am concerned Epocrates, the prescription app that has been out for years, is reason enough to have a PDA if not a smart phone.  Compared to the time and trouble, and musculo-skeletal injuries sustained from constantly moving, opening,  and  the eye strain involved in looking up meds in the PDR, or Physician Desk Reference, Epocrates is almost a necessity in medicine.  The newer versions also have pretty good diagnostic tools-put in symptoms and you get a differential diagnosis.

Epocrates does have a basic version that is free, but I buy the Pro version myself.

I have compiled a few links below of other sites “best free Blackberry Apps”:

A  list of forty  free Blackberry apps    is available at this site.

Another list of free Blackberry apps.

There are several apps that show up on both lists.  I have enjoyed using the Viigo RSS reader, Poynt, and the Weather Bug on my Blackberry.  For us non-text message plan frugal folks, the basic Blackberry Messenger, allows free texting to fellow Blackberry addicts.

This list of apps  includes mostly free but a few paid for apps specifically for the Blackberry Tour, which I own, but most of the apps are available for all the Blackberry models.  One that I may try is the grocery list app.

Now paying monthly fees for br0adband service/smart phones, is a luxury unless you travel for business.  But if you have one, then the more you can do on it for free, the easier it is to justify that monthly payment.

Another nurse blog, Scrubs, has this list of favorite apps for PDA’s and smart-phones.

Now if you have your favorite Blackberry app, let us know.  If you have one that you paid for, and you think it was worth the money-chime in and share that with your fellow nurses/readers here at The Millionaire Nurse Blog.

Remember, if you want to get on our mailing list for our Newsletter, The Millionaire Nurse Money Letter, and get a great free E-book with tips that can save you money today, then check in at The Millionaire Nurse site. We honor your email address, will not sell it.  We will send you a free mini-course on managing your personal finances with tips on banking, credit card management, in a weekly series in easily digestible amounts.

Thanks so much for reading.

Change of Shift is up at Mamatruama

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Change of Shift, that long running gathering of the best in Nurse Bloggers is up at Mamatrauma.  Just in time for your weekend reading pleasure.

Check it out.

“The Millionaire Nurse” Book Launch

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

"The Millionaire Nurse" book signing

I had a great visit with the nursing students, faculty and staff of Bainbridge College as the launching pad for my book,     The Millionaire Nurse.

The students were enthusiastic, especially during our “Financial Disaster Drill” which featured Academy Award winning performances by a few of the ADN students.

Financial Disaster Drill in Action

I was especially proud to announce  a nursing school scholarship at Bainbridge College in honor of my late parents, DL and Pat Burke.  This with the financial support from my extended family, as well as from a portion of book proceeds and earnings from The Millionaire Nurse.

So when you consider whether to buy the book:

  • It is filled with personal finance information written directly to  nurses.
  • You will also be helping other future nurses receive their education.
  • You can save bunches of money!

So what are you waiting for-GO BUY THE BOOK by clicking this link-then hit “Buy the Book button-it is soooo simple…..

Moving Forward, The Millionaire Nurse Way!

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

The Muse RN’s post in Change of Shift, hosted at INQRI got my attention today.  It is a post about “squatters”.  Now, being a OB-GYN, squatters had a particular meaning to me.  But it was no surprise,  The Muse’s definition was different than mine.

She  basically had a rant going about nurses who get to a certain position in their career, and then begin to coast.  They also clog up the system, become middle managers who just go to work everyday with no passion for their job.

I would say that the same thing occurs to most of us.  After a while, we get decent at what we do.  It doesn’t require a lot of thought, or challenge.  When we are not excited about what we are doing, it is human nature to just “mail it in” as they say.

So how do we keep from doing that?

  • Just knowing that it occurs, and watching for it, will help.
  • Always be on the lookout for a new challenge.  Whether that is a job change, promotion, transfer, or a new field completely.
  • Go to conferences-I always learn something at a conference-if you can’t go, because of money, then save for it.  In the meantime, connect with others over the net-that share your passion-(no not porn!).
  • Become a mentor to others, as the Muse suggests.  Take new grads under your wing.  Show them that not all the folks who have been around awhile are shriveled up, snarky,……….’s
  • Get Excited….
  • Work on being HAPPY!  Yes, there are always going to be things that could be better.  Richer, healthier, more good looking, more attentive spouse, children that could behave/appreciate you….. I could go on, and on, and on, and on!  But you are alive, you have a brain-or you wouldn’t be reading.  So smile a little, it won’t hurt-much!

So thanks Muse, for a thoughtful post.

Great Reads From the World of Nursing Blogs

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Code Blog has written a story about the great work of “Caring Bridge” a website that links patients and their concerned home community.  I have had friends, and patients who have used this service, and it is a great way for people to keep up with the status of friends or family, without having to bother those most affected with calls and emails of concern.

Sean over at “Male Nurse” has written about leaving work after your shift is over, how hard it is to leave on time, and how this challenges your life outside of nursing.  Having been late for so many activities, that it is just a running joke, I can seriously relate to this.

Laney, who writes as a nursing student, chronicles the “baby fever” she has gotten while doing clinicals in OB ward.  Now, I remember while in my first pathology class, every disease we studied about, we all started to have those symptoms-so this too shall pass-unless it doesn’t……

And “At Your Cervix”, (aren’t health care professionals creative!) writes about a night working in the recent snow-storm.  That story reminds me of the night years ago, I got called in to deliver a patient during a hurricane..Driving to the hospital while dodging trees in the road, with no lights on in your community is pretty scary!

And PixelRN has this great shot of  winter! Hey, it even snowed in South Georgia yesterday-Spring, where is spring???

Planning Valentine’s Day-The Millionaire Nurse Way!

Friday, February 5th, 2010

How do Millionaire Nurses celebrate Valentine’s Day?  With love and affection, of course.  Can you do that without going “Lady GAGA” with your money-I think so.

(I was going to wait till closer to Valentine’s to post this, but all the commercials trying to get you to spend money made me move publication up.)

So Millionaire Nurses, Here’s to

Valentine’s Day- The Millionaire Nurse Way:

You can still thrill

Your lover’s heart.

Without breaking the bank

Or buying high priced art!

Just use your brain-

A little imagination, my dear,

To make your love clear!

You can write a poem

Much better than this.

You can light candles, bubble bath, and soft music,

To start your tryst.

Don’t buy-

A box of chocolates

Charged on your card.

A piece of jewelry-

You cannot afford.

Now if you are debt free,

And have savings galore,

Then it’s ok to spend freely

On the one you ADORE!

Just remember,

That true love will shine through.

Don’t spend money, you don’t have

When hugs and kisses will do.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

To The Millionaire Nurses all over the world.


Nurses, Are You a Valuable Customer?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

I know a lot of nurses.  Some are quiet, hard workers, others are not so quiet hard workers.  The non-hard workers get marginalized pretty quickly in most nursing environments.  You know pretty quickly who you can depend on when the you-know-what hits the fan!!!!

But when nurses are out in the “real world” they have an inferiority complex.  Now, I know I am generalizing, stereo-typing and otherwise being politically incorrect.  But that is my observation having worked in health care for thirty years.

Why is that?

  • Is it because they are nurturers by nature-why else go into the field?
  • Is it because us Doc’s beat them down into submission?
  • Is it because they are completely burned out from taking care of too many patients, way to much paper-work, or too many night shifts?

And what does this have to do with “Millionaire Nurses”?

To be successful managing your money, you need to develop self confidence.  To do that:

  • you need to keep reading here, and elsewhere-learning all there is to know about personal finance.
  • You need to focus on improving your personal life, if there are issues that are keeping you from succeeding.
  • Develop goals and plans for your future.
  • Practice the “art” of self confidence.

Now how do you develop self-confidence, when you have none. Well, the same way you obtain nursing skills, by practicing.   The next time you have to meet  a business man or woman in public, say,  to get insurance, open a bank account, deal with an attorney-practice these techniques before you go.

  • Stand in front of the mirror, throw your shoulders back, and repeat what you are going to say. Use your diaphragm to project your voice through the top of your head.  Don’t yell, but make sure your words are clear.
  • Look the other person in the eyes as you speak, transfer your focus from one of their eyes to the other-this projects confidence.
  • Have your desires/plans written down, so you don’t get stage fright and forget what you are going to say.
  • Take time before you meet to study the topic-if you are going to  an insurance agent about car insurance, then read about it and get an idea of what your parameters are before you get there.  Know, in general about deductibles, collision, liability coverage.  Know what your car is worth.  Do the same for whatever topic you are going to be discussing.
  • If you feel the person is being dismissive, then use the feet God gave you to walk out the door.
  • Make sure the person explains every detail, until you understand it.  Don’t pretend by nodding your head.  They don’t expect you to be an expert-they will respect well thought questions.
  • Repeat the proposal back to the person, in your own words, to be sure you have a true understanding/agreement.

Now you may be scared to death the first few times you do this, but over time, your confidence will develop, and then it will not be acting!!!  To be treated as a valuable customer, you have to be seen as someone who is worthy of doing business with-no it isn’t fair, but what is……  If you understand how to manage your own money, that confidence will begin to shine, in everything you do.

In short,to be treated like a Millionaire Nurse, you have to ACT LIKE ONE!

Diseases and Your Money!

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

I thought a good exercise for us medical professionals, and the medical professional wanna-be’s (yes, you know, the ones watching NCIS, CSI, House, ER and Grey’s Anatomy) to note the correlation between diseases and your financial health.

So let’s get started:

  • Anxiety:  Nothing like being broke to increase your stress level.  Palpitations-check.  Hyperventilation-check.  Panic attack-check.  That’s what happens when you’re out of money and you still have a week left in the month. Xanax, ohhh, Xanax….
  • Depression:  You know, no matter how hard you try, you have messed up sooooo bad with your finances, it will take a miracle to recover-”Now where is that bottle of Prozac?”
  • Diabetes: Soda and dessert, can shoot your sugar sky high, while screwing with your “miscellaneous fund” planned spending account.  A little financial “insulin”, we call “discipline” is the cure!
  • Heart Disease:  Double-cheeseburgers (see photo!), with super-sized fries, clogs your arteries, and causes a M.I.- with your food budget.  How ’bout a home-made salad, or a little no-fat yogurt, bought with a coupon of course.
  • Hypertension:  Your blood pressure, can’t handle those over-due credit card bills, and over-draft fees.  Instead of a beta-blocker, try a budget-buster blocker, or a cash-channel blocker.
  • Rhinovirus: otherwise known as the “common-cold”-your immune system is toast, when you over-dose on spending.  Nothing grandma can’t cure with a little chicken-soup, and financial common sense.
  • Cancer: Cancer begins as one baaaad cell, which splits to two, then 4,16,32,64….till it overwhelms the system.  Just like paying the minimum on a credit card balance-your balance continues to rise, till it kills your finances.  Planned spending, is like radiation  therapy for out of control shopping/spending!

So, let’s use our medical knowledge, to get our financial patient back to good health.

Do you have a financial disease, looking for a cure.  Let us know here, at “The Millionaire Nurse!” Click the link for your “Emergency Money Resuscitation!”

Where to Work? The Answer for Millionaire Nurses

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

What if you were just starting your career, had no ties to an area, and could go where the money is?

Where would Millionaire Nurses go?

Well, doing a little research today-I have more questions than answers.  Kiplinger has this chart on their opinions about quality of life, income trends, and cost of living-but it is not specific for nurses.

Here is another chart on nursing income ranges in the bigger cities of the country.

Now, trying to cross reference between the two-gives the nod to Houston and Atlanta, for having the highest ranges of nursing salaries, with the lowest cost of living.

New York City, and Los Angeles had higher pay for nurses, but their cost of living ranks were off the charts.  Dallas was about average on both counts.  St Louis had very low cost of living, but also ranked low in average salary for nurses.

Now of course, there are many variables to where you want to live.  The most important of which is usually family support.  Job availability is becoming more important for a lot of families who have had one of the breadwinners laid off, or under-employed.

Nursing is a great career in that job security is much higher than with many other professions with similar schooling requirements.  And though we all think nurses are under-payed and over-worked, the pay for nurses is great compared to many other fields.

So, let us know your thoughts on your pay, quality of living where you work, and where you would go, if you had the ability to move tomorrow.  And if you have seen any links or websites with more information on this subject, make a comment, and include the link.

Change of Shift-Great Place for Nursing Reads!

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Change of Shift, the latest compilation of blog posts from the Nursing World is up at Emergiblog.

Check it out this weekend.  Winter is a great time to curl up with your laptop and check out what is going on with nursing-all over the world.