I knew there was a nursing shortage in this country, but here’s something I didn’t know…

Kim at Emergiblog wrote in her latest post, A Notice for the POTUS:

Oh, there is no dearth of potential nurses in the United States. There are so many applicants that nursing students are often chosen by lottery and many wait years to get into a program.

There is not enough space in our current nursing programs, because there aren’t enough nursing educators.

On the one hand, it is comforting to know that there are still young people seeking to enter this most noble of professions. I was under the impression that the lack of nurses was due solely to the fact that it is a difficult and challenging job… both physically and emotionally… and that not enough people were willing to go that route. I didn’t realize that the real problem was one of logistics.

(Oops, just got interrupted by a phone call and now I can’t remember what I was going to write next.) Oh well, suffice it to say…

Let’s hope that the powers that be will heed Kim’s message and take the necessary steps to attract more qualified nursing instructors to help fill this void.

All for now,
Dean

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If you’ve been reading this blog on a regular basis, you already know that I’m a big fan of the blog, Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason. Well, long story short, she was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in California and while there took the opportunity to enjoy a nice massage.

She relates the experience in her post entitled, Conversations at the Spa. (While you read this, keep in mind that she is a medical doctor.)

Those of you with healthcare backgrounds may especially appreciate this dialog:

Therapist (scrutinizing my back as I’m face down on a table): have you seen a chiropractor recently?

Dr. Val: Um, no. Why?

Therapist: Well, two of your ribs are out.

Dr. Val: They’re ‘out?’ Where did they go?

Therapist: A chiropractor can put them back for you so your muscles won’t pull in the wrong direction.

Dr. Val: Will a chiropractor be able to fix this permanently?

Therapist: No, you’ll have to keep going.

Are you starting to get the drift? Well, it only gets better. Here’s another little sample:

Therapist: I’m using my elbows to stimulate repair cells.

Dr. Val: Ahum…

Therapist: You have lactic acid build up in your shoulders so we have to flush the toxins out with special oils. You should also drink a lot of water.

Dr. Val: What sort of toxins?

Therapist: Like, dirt and metals and stuff that you’ve been exposed to.

[Snip]

Dr. Val: How do I know how many toxins I have in my body?

Therapist: Well, your shoulders are really tight and your ribs are out so I think you probably have a lot. You’ll need a lot of massage and you need to see a chiropractor. The oils I used on you will have a calming effect, though. You’ll probably sleep really well tonight.

Dr. Val: I see (inhaling, exhaling). I hope I do.

Yikes! Makes you wonder where massage therapists get their education.

Be sure to head over and read the whole post. It’s a stitch. And be sure to check out the rest of Dr. Val’s blog. She always has lots of good information for health conscious consumers.

– Dean

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Well, it’s Back-to-School time and you know what that means. Summer vacation is over and all the little kiddos (and Medical Students) are headed back to the grind.

But don’t let the theme fool you; you’re going to want to check this edition out even if you aren’t headed back to class.