Journi Gillette

Many people in the healthcare industry may scoff at the thought of having a healthy work-life balance. Although it will take some commitment in trying to find a balance and schedule that works for you, it could be well worth it!

In this post, we’ll go over ways to begin creating the perfect work-life balance that works for you:

• Taking care of your health
• Create a specific routine for days you’re on call
• Set up a household calendar
• Don’t take time for granted
• Develop stronger relationships with family and friends

Taking care of your health

Self-care can be an easy thing to neglect. With ever-changing schedules, overnight shifts, and long hours, it’s hard to find enough time to treat yourself. To best help take care of others, it’s particularly important that you’re making sure you’re taking care of yourself! 

We’ve created a wellness toolkit as a resource for nurses to get access to tools, expert tips, and resources for supporting your mental health and well-being all in one place! We also encourage you to check out our tips on nurse burnout for information on how to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Create a specific routine for days you’re on call

Being on call puts you in a spot where you’ll always be on your toes even at home! The best way to ease some of this anxiety is to have a routine in order for your on-call shifts. 

It’s easy to feel like you can’t be productive when you can be called into work at any minute. Especially with a nursing shortage, nurses have been experiencing being on-call more than ever.

A routine can help you by having a prioritization of things to accomplish while you’re on an on-call shift. Whether you decide to start on your household chores as soon as you get up or dedicate these days to errands (with your nursing bag in handy). 

One of the most important things about being on-call is that you are near your workplace, so certain errands and other activities may be out of the question. This can be a good opportunity to do shorter household chores, such as cleaning up one room or doing the dishes. This is a good approach for someone who wants to accomplish something during their on-call shift, but not get too caught up with a large project.

Set up a household calendar 

Sure, everyone has a reminders app on their phone. But, did you know that writing your agenda down can help you remember and follow through? You may be surprised by the benefits of writing down your schedule. Seeing your schedule on a daily basis can help you establish routines and plan accordingly.

Having a calendar in an easily accessible place will give you a visual of what your month will look like. Putting it on the fridge is a great place because you will see it often.

Certain nurse specialties (like a nurse educator or school nurse) are more likely to work consistent hours. 

This method can help you either keep track of a more consistent schedule so things don’t overlap or a more hectic schedule that may be a bit all over the place.

Don’t take time for granted

We get it, your off day is like your holy grail. But those glorious 24 hours of freedom can fly by, making it feel like your day only lasted a few hours. To get the most out of your day, it’s important to make sure you take time to do things that make you happy. 

Your first priority when it comes to their off days is catching up on your rest! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in rest on your off days – you’ve certainly earned it. 

However, it’s not uncommon to experience guilt if you do nothing on your off day. Whether it is pursuing a side hustle, catching up on much-needed rest, or even studying for your CEUs, use your free time wisely! 

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Develop stronger relationships with family and friends

Now that we’ve gotten taking care of yourself covered, we can start figuring out how to maintain your social relationships outside of the workplace. Many people say that going into the healthcare field is a great way to ensure your social life will end, but it doesn’t have to be that way! 

Finding a balance between work, self-care, and maintaining relationships is easier said than done (we see you, night shift nurses). But it’s possible! 

Not having a social life has proven negative effects that are linked to depression. On the other hand, nurses that maintain an active social life boast benefits such as experiencing less compassion fatigue and improved job performance.

Sources:

“Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them.” forbes.com. Accessed February 27, 2022

“The risks of social isolation.” apa.org. Accessed February 27, 2022

Career Resources / Job Searching / Home Health Nurse Interview Prep

You’ve weighed the pros and cons, applied for that home health nurse role, and got the call you’ve been waiting for. Now it’s time to go and interview for the position.

The questions you’ll hear in your home health nurse interview will be a bit different than other registered nurse specialties. Why? Because home health nurses typically work outside of clinical settings.

But the interview process doesn’t have to be difficult. We’ve provided the information needed to answer any question with ease.

In this post, we will go over:

• Common interview questions
• Unusual interview questions
• Questions to ask your interviewer
• Additional interview prep tips

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What are some common interview questions?

1. “Can you tell me about yourself?”

This is a standard question, but one of the most important ones! Although this is an expected question, being put on the spot like this tends to trip people up. The best thing to do is answer this question clearly with confidence. This is the chance to sell yourself and give the interviewer a snapshot of why you’re the best candidate for the job!

Naturally, experience and answers will vary from person to person as we all have a different story to tell. A good answer format to follow will be something that covers a bit of your past, present, and future. This is as simple as going over your past experience/knowledge, what your current role is and how you excel, and finally, where you see yourself in 5-10 years.

We also cover some additional common questions in-depth in our 17 top interview questions post.

2. “Why did you decide to become a home health nurse?“

Employers want to see that you are applying for this position for the right reasons. A great way to approach this question is to emphasize some points on why you’re passionate about home health nursing and some personality traits that align with this. 

Example answer:

“I decided to pursue home health nursing because I want to help patients and families on a more personal level. I love the opportunity to support and care for patients from the comfort of their own home.”  

3. “Do you have any certifications or specialties?”

This is a straightforward question where you can go into detail about any certifications or specialties you may or may not have listed on your resume. 

Example answer:

“I currently have my ACLS, BLS, and CPR certifications and am studying for my WOCN certification.“

4. “Have you ever struggled to find a solution to a patient’s health problem? What did you do?”

When an interviewer asks you this, they are trying to get an understanding of how well you are at problem-solving. This is a great question to implement any standard procedures you’ve learned at school or on the job that can be applied in other situations.

Example answer:

“I make sure to discuss the patient’s care plan with the cross-functional team to determine if there are any avenues of care that I might be missing. Also, making sure to involve the patient’s family or support system to ensure compliance and collaboration is important. Something even as simple as encouraging the use of a pill organizer can help a patient with memory problems remember to take their medication.“

5. “Give an example of a time you had a difficult situation and had to come up with a creative solution to fix it?”

This question is very similar to the prior question. However, you have a bit more leniency when they ask for creative solutions. They are looking for a response that can detail a situation where you’ve come into a problem at work, your thought process in finding a solution, and what you did.

Example answer:

“One time I was visiting a patient who had a pet that was difficult to control. We determined the pet had anxiety when anyone would touch the patient and acted aggressively. After speaking with the patient it was determined that the pet could be near the patient in a crate while I performed the home visit. That way the pet was in the same room and could see what was going on but we were all safe to be in the same room together. With the permission of the patient I even started bringing treats for the pet and built a relationship with it to where it soon trusted me when I would enter the home! “

6. “Give an example of a time you had to relay negative health information to a patient or family? Walk me through the conversation and reaction.”

The MD will always be the one to diagnose, but often RNs are the support system after the diagnosis is given. First, you should make sure the family and patient have the time they need to process.

Example answer:

“The patient just received terminal CA diagnosis- give them space and time to process while offering support both physically and emotionally. I would sit with them- listen to their concerns- often cry with them as this is life-changing information. I would then let them know I am here as a resource. Often the patient goes through the grieving process and they may experience denial, anger, frustration, and fear and I would let them know this is normal. I make sure to go at the pace of the patient to ultimately help them feel like they are getting the support they need. Having the security and consistency in knowing I am available often helps a patient feel confident even in times of devastating and uncertain news.“

Pro tip: When employers ask “example” questions like these, they are trying to see if you can be proactive and a problem-solver. This is always a great time to highlight times you have taken the initiative in situations.

7. “What would you do if a patient was declining in the home but the family is reluctant to take them to the hospital?” 

As a home health nurse, you will be in more personal situations with the families you deal with. So, employers are looking to see that you have found a good balance between being empathetic to the family’s wishes while still being firm in doing your job to care for the patient. 

Example answer:

It’s important to both respect the family’s wishes and still follow orders. Oftentimes, this is where educating the family comes in. If the family has certain medical documents in place like a DNR- then the patient can stay home. If a DNR is not in place- EMS may need to be activated and at that time it would be best to educate the family on what needs to be in place if they do not wish for more medical intervention: DNR, Advanced Directive, POA, etc. 

8. “A patient of yours has a new medication the family wants to start. The family has asked that you give it without a physical prescription in the home for said medication. What do you do?”

This question is another scenario question that they are using to gauge whether you are a good fit for the role they are seeking to fill. There’s no sure way to tell what employers are looking for, as each will be looking for something different. But just remember – answering how you would honestly handle the situation ensures that the hospital will align with your methods as well.

Example answer:

“Let the family know that it’s important to review all medication with the physician to be sure that there won’t be any risk of negative medication interaction with the patient’s already prescribed meds. I won’t be able to administer a medication that isn’t prescribed to the patient that isn’t listed on their approved medication administration in their chart. I would offer to make a follow-up appointment with their physician to further discuss adding the medication in the future.”

9. “Do you have a current caseload? How do you manage this?”

This is a time-management question to give your interviewer an idea of your personality and how you handle your typical workload. Interviewers are looking for candidates, to be honest about their workflow to evaluate if you will be a good fit for the team.

Example answer:

“I currently have 5 patients I see daily. I allow each patient a two hour window so we both have an understanding of when and how long I will be there. It also allows me to plan for my day. Each day is different and unexpected things can come up any time, but I find I maintain my caseload the best when I plan my days and maintain a structure for my patients.”

What are some unusual questions?

Occasionally, you may be asked some more challenging questions that may catch you off-guard. Here are some tougher questions that may be thrown at you, and how you can handle them.

1. “How do you deal with cultural differences?” 

As a nurse, you’ll come across many different people from different walks of life. So, it’s important that you are open to respecting and hearing out different solutions from patients with cultural differences from you. Here is a great way to address that question.

Example answer:

“I treat everyone with respect and work hard to appreciate the differences that some have regarding their cultural background. As long as I am not working outside of my scope of practice underneath my license I am happy to provide accommodations to meet my patient’s needs. Something as simple as removing my shoes when I enter a person’s house can go a long way and make that person feel appreciated.”

2. “How do you handle your emotions at work?”

An important quality for nurses to have is to be level-headed. So, it’s no surprise that they’ll inquire about how you handle your emotions at such a high-stress level job. Bringing up situations that will show qualities of being rational, and not easily unnerved will help you stand out.

Example answer:

“When I don’t understand something at work, I seek out help. I don’t let my pride get in the way of quality patient care. I generally ask someone who has more experience than me to help out and do it in a timely manner.”

3. “How do you deal with a supervisor that asks you to do something you’re not comfortable with?”

It’s important to make sure that you let anyone know if you are not comfortable with doing something. Employers aren’t just looking for someone who will orders or follow procedures in a situation it won’t make sense. So, they’ll ask you questions like this to gauge your ability to tell when a situation may need a special solution outside of what would typically be standard procedure.

Example answer:

“I would make sure to let them know if it was something I wasn’t comfortable with because I wasn’t trained- I would request to watch and then do so I can learn and be available next time. If it is a task that I am not comfortable with because I think it is against policy, I would politely decline and follow up with why I am not able to perform the task and to let me know if the policy changes and I can review the task again.”

What are questions to ask your interviewer?

Interviewers love when the people they are interviewing have questions for them as well. It indicates a genuine interest in the company and that you’ve done your research. Asking the right questions is a great way to be a standout candidate.

So, what are the right questions? Questions that give interviewers the chance to describe their leadership and work environment are perfect. Asking these questions will also help you as well in deciding if the role is a fit or not. Remember, you’re interviewing them as well!

Here are some questions that are appropriate to ask and will resonate with your interviewer:

• How would you describe your style of leadership? 
• What kind of culture do you facilitate in your unit?
• What kind of resources are available to me if I have questions about policies and procedures?
• Are there opportunities for participation in unit-based organizations (ie. unit council or spirit council)? 
• How is employee morale prioritized? 
• How do you and your leadership help incentivize the staff to do their best work during these hard times? 
• What are some expectations you have for the staff under your leadership?

What are some other steps for interview prep?

Review keywords

During interviews, there are certain keywords and phrases that employers are looking to hear. A great tip for candidates is to review the keywords included in the job description. It will also be good to brush up on the qualifications of the job description before the interview.

Review the company’s mission and vision statements

In addition to reviewing the job description, you will also want to make sure you are familiar with the company’s mission and vision statements, as it will show you’ve done your research.

Look presentable

Looking presentable is one of the most important factors when it comes to acing the interview. This means no excessive makeup, hair looks neat, and so on. Overall, just look well-groomed.

What to wear

As for interview attire, there has been a trend of wearing more casual clothing. Although this is becoming more common, it’s still not advised! When you are picking out what to wear for your big interview, you want to think at least business casual. 

Be punctual

Being on time is essential in almost every aspect of your life, but arriving late can be costly. As a potential candidate, you want to put your best foot forward and show you can be dependable on the job by showing up 15 minutes early. You only get one chance for a first impression, and this will ensure you start on the right foot.

Next steps

We know the entire hiring process can be exhausting, so we’re here to help! Our talent advocate team is made up of experienced registered nurses with varying specialty experience who have been in your shoes. We offer 1:1 interview coaching, support, and advice throughout your decision-making process. 

Sources

• “28 Nursing Interview Questions & Answers to Land Your Dream Job.” geriatricnursing.org. Accessed Mar. 24, 2022.
• “A Complete Guide to Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview.” health.usnews.com. Accessed Mar. 24, 2022.

Nurses have been responsible for many inventions throughout history that have changed the practice of medicine.

In this post, we highlight two nurse entrepreneurs and their products that are truly innovative in their market.

Incredible Health strives to inspire nurses to follow the unique career paths best for them, whether it be in bedside care or inventing new products to meet patient and provider needs. We are honored to put a spotlight on Tubesies and Lumify!

In this article:

• Tubesies
• Lumify

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Tubesies

While working as a Pediatric Registered Nurse, Cecilia Auth noticed some complications with administering medication and nutritional feedings. Due to the standard bodysuit babies wear, nurses and parents would have to completely undress the child (and in most cases wake them up) to access the feeding port.

Out of curiosity, she began to ask her colleagues if they were experiencing difficulty when feeding or administering medications. They agreed on having similar complications. So, Cecilia decided to find a solution.

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What are Tubesies?

With tireless dedication and effort, Cecilia created a prototype. This resulted in a glowing review, and it wasn’t long after that Cecila successfully launched Tubesies!

Tubesies were created for children who use gastrostomy tubes. They are bodysuits that make the feeding port easily accessible. They feature a flap with an adorable design on it, and it even has a waterproof pocket inside of the door opening on the bodysuit. Inside the waterproof pocket, there is a place for a clean gauze pad to absorb any leakage.

Being a nurse entrepreneur 

Being a nurse and an entrepreneur is something to celebrate, as it is no easy feat! We had the opportunity to speak with Cecilia. We were able to ask how she was able to find time to develop an innovative product while still working as a nurse. She said that once the prototype was created, she knew she would have to be even more diligent and committed to working on it through nights and weekends.

We know so many nurses are waiting to share their brilliant ideas with the world. Cecilia offered some tips on how you can stay motivated in order to bring your ideas to life!

Having a clear reason for pursuing your brand is a great way to stay motivated. So, it’s a great idea to revisit and write out your “WHY” reason. Cecilia uses this technique herself to help her get through the ups and downs of business. 

Connecting with like-minded people can lead to many opportunities. Another advantage of networking is meeting people you can use as a resource to ask for help and guidance if you hit a road bump. 

Cecilia’s customers and glowing testimonials fuel her passion for Tubesies. They are available for purchase on the Tubesies website.

Lumify

Have you ever needed to go into a patient’s room but didn’t want to turn on the light and disturb them while they were sleeping? A Lumify wearable night-light can easily be a great way to give yourself a source of light.

What is Lumify? 

Lumify is a nurse-founded company that provides healthcare professionals with the gear and resources that they need to excel at the bedside and beyond! To begin their mission, Lumify launched their flagship product, the uNight Light.

The light is a LED light that you can attach to your scrubs. It also features 3 different light colors (red, white, and blue lights). With the Lumify light, you don’t have to worry about the light waking your patients up. Its brightness has been tested to ensure your environment will be illuminated without disrupting your patients.

Nurses love Lumify for being such a helpful and easy tool to use. Now, Lumify has even more in store for nurses with their Lumify 2.0 that is being released in a couple months.

New additions that will be in the Lumify are a direct response to customer feedback.

Some of the popular requests that will be featured include:

• Rechargeable battery
• Light dimmer and brightener 
• Ability to choose light colors instead of having to use a toggle 

There are even more features in the works, so there’s definitely much to look forward to!

Finding your passion

We had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifferre, who is the co-founder of Lumify. She has always been one to find solutions to problems.

Being a nurse herself, Jennifferre is thrilled to be able to solve a problem for her profession. Knowing that many devices nurses use regularly aren’t created by nurses, Jennifferre takes great pride in Lumify’s success in the healthcare community. 

When it comes to balancing working as a nurse and still finding the time to bring an innovative idea to life, Jennifferre emphasizes making sure you are passionate about your project. It seems like a no-brainer to make sure you’re passionate about what you pursue. However, staying consistent about something is harder than it looks! 

Jennifferre says that her passion for Lumify is the reason she was able to believe in her product and persevere through being an underrepresented founder in this environment. She advises any nurse entrepreneurs to “stay gritty”, as you will be told “no” a lot.

Utilizing your current network

Let’s say you already have a full-fledged business plan in the works. Perhaps you are trying to find a side hustle that works for you. Regardless, of any stage you are in, the people around you can serve as inspiration and opportunities.

Nurses may not realize how beneficial their network can be. Jennifferre urges anyone in the healthcare field to learn as much as they can from different departments. You never know who can help take your idea to the next level!

Lumify App

Consider the Lumify app the one-stop shop for healthcare professionals and students to be successful. It’s not just another app that serves as another platform for you to buy the product. The Lumify app offers things, such as: 

• Wellness resources
• Career and education support
• Exclusive discounts
• Advances on payroll
• Single Check out (coming soon) 

You can download the Lumify app for iPhone here.

Sources

• Lumify. wearlumify.com Accessed March 14, 2022.
• Tubesies. tubesies.com. Accessed March 14, 2022.