Friday 5 May 2017

Benefits of hiring a health care staffing firm

Staffing agencies are benefitting many industries, but they are most benefited by the healthcare industry. Health care facilities often need to fill positions quickly with qualified staff, and many times, they don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to a systematic search.

Need for highly skilled health care professional will always continue to escalate and you need a reliable partner to deliver the most qualified healthcare staffing solutions. There are numerous healthcare staffing agencies providing quality-focused healthcare workforce solutions with wide experience in a variety of health care disciplines. Staffing companies can help you find expertise and optimum workforce solutions, giving you access to talented employees when you need them.
A healthcare staffing company can help you in numerous ways, read on to find out reasons that a medical staffing agency benefits both employers and job seekers.

Ø  Expertise - Employees of staffing agencies usually have a higher level of expertise related to job knowledge, employment trends and recruitment practices due to continuous placement. They also have industry expertise if they work for staffing agencies that focuses in certain fields, such health care.
Ø  Cost or Financial benefits - Staffing agencies can result in lower costs associated with hiring adequate staff. As the staffing agency manages the entire hiring process, they also ease employers of costs related to pre-employment testing, background investigations and drug screening.
Ø  Network - The staffing agencies have a large network from which they can tap a potential candidate who can fill any position an employer might have or anticipate. On the other hand, staffing agencies can spot dependable, reliable and conscientious candidates who can fill a vacancy in a matter of days, or even hours.
Ø  Retention – Employers engaging in temperate staffing service get the opportunity to monitor employee performance, qualification and work routine, before offering them a permanent position. This cut downs the turnover period as both employee and employer are satisfied with the job fit. 
Ø  Quality Staffing & Expert Interview Process – Health care staffing candidates often undergo rigorous questioning and assessment before they are admitted into a staffing agency’s database. Hence, it becomes easy to evaluate better qualified and experienced candidates for the required position.
Ø  Access to a Wide Network – You can choose from a wide network of a staffing agency providing candidates looking for seasonal workers, part-time workers, and those who only want temporary positions.
Ø  Time-saving benefits - Staffing agency will do the hunting for you, delivering numerous quality positions, based on the location, the roles & responsibilities and the length of the contract. This allows you to save time on your search and control other contractual assessment.


These are the reasons; why employers prefer healthcare staffing agencies to save their time and money in the long run. Choosing a healthcare staffing agency is the most appropriate and unique way to get quality and consistent employees to the team.

Friday 28 April 2017

Things you need to know about Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty isn’t something most people would comfortably prefer discussing, but the undeniable fact is that many women are uncomfortable with the size and shape of their labia.

Labiaplasty is a surgery performed for cosmetic reasons; it basically includes reduction of the labia minora, the inner lips on the outside the vagina and to a lesser extent reduction of larger labia majora and clitoral hood.

Labiaplasty can increase a women’s comfort, leading to a more enjoyable experience both physically and sexually and enhancing the quality of life.  Labiaplasty offers you a genuine opportunity and solution to take control of your body. No one, not even your spouse, sexual partner or physician can take away your right to reshape these body structures if you wish to do so.

Who should consider Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is becoming increasingly popular among women who seek to resize or reshape the size of their vaginal lips. However, here are some of the reasons why or who should consider labiaplasty. You can consider a labiaplasty if you experience discomfort or are unhappy with the shape and size of your vaginal lips that are painful or make you feel self-conscious.

If there is a need to address swelling of the labia and uneasiness that arises during a work-out and sports activity, the inability to wear fitting clothes or bathing suits, interruption during sexual activity, awkwardness, embarrassment and sometimes even trouble in maintaining basic hygiene regimen. One can also think of labiaplasty if you have gone through a genital reconstructive procedure.
  
How to prepare for Labiaplasty
Before your labiaplasty surgeon will share a number of instructions with you. These may slightly vary between surgeons, but it is important that you follow them exactly to avoid any complications.
·         Stop smoking
·         No alcohol
·         Avoid Sexual Activity
·         Keep healthy
·         Protect Against Infection
·         Wear Loose Clothing during Recovery
·         Avoid certain medications or supplements (As suggested by your doctor)
·         Plan your recovery.  (Have someone around to help you throughout these few days)
·         Talk about Pain Medications with the Surgeon
·         Plan Adequate Time for Rest

Labiaplasty Procedure
During the treatment, you will be given a local anesthetic and the surgery can last up to 2hrs. Large or uneven vaginal lips are reduced or cut using a specialized scissors or a laser. The location of the surgery will depend on factors such as the texture, size and configuration of the vaginal lips. Your surgeon will finally stitch up the handled area. You may have to spend a day under the scrutiny of your surgeon before being released to go and recover at home.

Recovery period & precaution

You may experience some mild pain after the surgery. Swelling and Bruising near the operated area is normal. You should also consider taking extra precaution when it comes to maintaining feminine hygiene and abstain from sex.  

Tuesday 25 April 2017

How to become an international nurse?

An international nurse is the booming future of the nursing industry. One of the most exciting parts about a career in nursing is that with the right education, experience and career strategy, a registered nurse can go nearly to any part of the world. Some nurses enjoy travelling locally, while the other nurse simply enjoy a diversity of work settings and desire to travel to a multiple locations for the experience of forming ongoing professional associations, which they grow over the longevity of their career.

For some, the call for international nurse is the sense if exciting activity and unlimited opportunities, many registered nurses choose the international path. If international nursing is of interest in your career, there are numerous important points that you must study.

Learn more by reading the blog below on how to begin your international nursing career in the United States of America.

Commission on Graduated of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGNFS)

According to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGNFS), is a “non-profit, internationally recognized leader in the education, registration and licensure of healthcare professionals worldwide.” It assists the public in relation to developing health care policies and standards of professional practices of migrating healthcare professionals. CGNFS is federally-approved to certify nurses and other health care professionals.

The CGFNS program is intended for the registered nurses who have been skilled in other national and wish to work as qualified nurses in the US. Most boards of nursing require foreign nurses to complete the certification program and credentials evaluation.

This certification program is divided into 3 parts: a credentials review, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam and an English language proficiency exam. In addition, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) involves all health care professionals who look for permanent occupational visas to obtain VisaScreen certificates.

Credentials Review
The credentials review clinical practice in 5 major areas of nursing: adult medical nursing, adult surgical nursing, neonatal nursing, pediatric nursing, and psychiatric nursing.

CGFNS Qualifying Exam

The test is intended to see if the nurses with international educations are certified to practice in the US. To be entitled for this test, foreign nurses must have significant experience in the nursing fields. It also requires a minimum number of hours in classroom instruction and clinical practice in the above mentioned 5 major areas of nursing.

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam are conducted thrice in a year in over 40 locations worldwide, contact CGFNS Customer Service Department or consults the CGFNS Certification Program Handbook or visit CGFNS website.

English Language Proficiency Exam

You need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

The basic necessities are the same for all international nurses; however, this may vary depending upon geographical location, placement location, specific requirement, program opportunity, additional immunization, training and documents may be required.

While some international travel may utilize to build new skills, other opportunities can involve promoting a certain health care issue, for e.g. women’s health or working in an educational facility to promote certain vaccinations or disease.

The processing may take up 6 to 8 months. Depending upon the location the payment may vary, hence it is of utmost importance to have specific details in writing before agreeing to final contract. Not all international location pay well, but there are some exceptions. Some opportunities may have other demands such as speaking the language or adapting local dressing restrictions.


Lastly, being an international nurse you get a limitless opportunity to help communities that are in need of gifted nurses, ability to travel to new geographical locations, chance to meet new people and gain a well-formed nursing experience. With the right amount of preparation and career supervising, the life of an international nurse can be rewarding and exciting with adequate variety and specialized growth opportunities to last a lifetime.

Thursday 20 April 2017

Osteoarthritis - Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & self-help

Osteoarthritis is also referred as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, OA, or osteoarthritis. It is a form of arthritis caused due to inflammation, breakdown, and the eventual loss of cartilage in the joints - the cartilage wears down over time.

It is a progressive disease, in which the signs & symptoms gradually worsen. Even though there is no permanent cure, but with the help of certain therapies the patient’s movability can be kept active. Considering experts advice and taking the necessary steps can help you lead an active lifestyle and gain control over their symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is likely to affect almost any part of the body. Some of the commonly affected parts are hands, hips, knees, lower back, and neck.

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
·         Your joint may hurt during or after movement.
·         Limits your range of movement
·         Tenderness in the affected joint
·         Joint stiffness, when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
·         Loss of flexibility
·         Affected joints are larger than usual
·         Joints are warm
·         Loss of muscle bulk
·         Experiencing a grating or crackling sound/sensation in the affected joint.
·         Bone spurs - a hard lumps form around the affected joint.

Factors that may increase the risk of osteoarthritis include:
·        Ageing
·      Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
·     Obesity
·    Joint injuries - playing sports or from an accident
·    Certain jobs or repetitive stress on a particular joint that may eventually develop osteoarthritis.
·    Genetics - 40% to 60% of cases of hand, hip and knee arthritis can have a genetic link.
·      Bone deformities - born with malformed joints or defective cartilage

Osteoarthritis Diagnosed
Since there are several factors contributing to Osteoarthritis, thus your doctor may recommend you to consider one or more tests to diagnose Osteoarthritis they are;
·         Medical history
·         Physical exam
·         X-rays
·         MRI Scans
·         Blood tests
·         Joint fluid analysis (arthrocentesis)

Osteoarthritis treatment
As we know there are a number of factors contributing Osteoarthritis, due to which your doctor may offer you a number of treatment or a combination of treatment that fits the patient’s needs, lifestyle and health. The 4 main goals of offering an Osteoarthritis treatment include, pain control therapy, improving joint functionality, maintaining a healthy body weight, and adapting a healthy lifestyle for long lasting benefits.

An effective Osteoarthritis treatment plan involves:
·         Exercise & Yoga
·         Physiotherapy
·         Weight control
·         Rest and joint care
·         Non-drug pain relief techniques to control pain
·         Medicines
·         Complementary and alternative therapies
·         Surgery


Considering self-care and good-health attitude can help the person improve their condition in the right direction. Such lifestyle modifications have clear and long-lasting benefits. Lastly, remember, early treatment means less time in pain, and more time living life to its fullest.

Thursday 13 April 2017

Things you need to know about senior care (elderly care)

Old age is like a second childhood and must be treated like one. During this phase of life, an elderly person is physically helpless and totally depends on others like an infant. Physically they may look grown-ups, but in some incidences you will realize that tend to behave like babies. And, just like babies, the elderly too have their special requirements.



There are a number of aspects involved in dealing with elderly care. It is of extreme importance to be aware about the various needs and requirements of the elderly for those who have the responsibility of taking care of their aged parents or relatives.

In this blog, we will be discussing about different type of elderly care and the help that elder people usually require, along with some special needs.

Health Care facilities

Failing health due to advancing age is a common problem among elderly individuals. Under such circumstances getting appropriate health care is among the top priorities. Old age is an unavoidable, undesirable and problem ridden phase of life. However, through proper care and nursing facilities, one can certainly help in keeping most of these health issues in check, and prevent them from leading to serious health conditions. Considering regular health checkup can help you monitor serious health condition at the initial stage.

Housing Needs

Senior citizens often prefer staying at home, surrounded by their loved ones. Your family living space can be modified as per their changing needs and requirement. Most importantly, it is about providing them with a safe environment so that somebody from the family is around them at the time of emergency. However, if they don’t have their own place, there are government housing schemes and other private senior care facility or nursing care that work for elder citizen care and take care of their health and other necessities.

Dietary needs to be taken care

Experience dietary issues or weak digestive system is also among common condition faced by aged or elderly people. There is a need to make certain modification such that it remains nutritious, balanced diet and contain foods that does not cause any discomfort to their digestive system. Many a time, there is a need for alternation in the elderly diet as per their medicinal prescription.

24X7 Nursing care facility

If you have an elderly person in your family facing mobility issue which has limited his or her daily routine. If it is impossible for someone in the family to be around, then you may consider having a full-time nurse to assist the elderly person in basic activities such as walking, eating, bathing and dressing.

Financial Needs

If an elderly person decides to live on his/her own, without any support, then it is obvious that they will require some amount of financial requirements to fulfill the basic necessities of life such as; food, grocery, basic supplies, medication, etc. Some elderly individual can avail financial help through pension as a monthly source of income. On the other hand, some senior citizen do not have any source of monthly income hence, have to live entirely on their saving or depend on their family or on special senior citizen administration funds.

Other social needs

Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible part of ageing. As a responsible relative or friend, one should always keep in mind to show all the love and care that you have for that elderly person. Spend some time with them, chat and make them feel wanted, cared and loved. If possible you can even choose to plan a senior citizen get-together or take them out for such gathering.


These are some of the basic elderly needs that should keep in mind while taking care of an elderly person in your family. In certain situations it becomes difficult for you to help them with their basic necessities then it is advisable for you to consider various senior care facilities available in your vicinity.

Thursday 6 April 2017

5 ways to prevent pregnancy - Effective Birth control methods

Most young couples face this dilemma – “how to prevent pregnancy without disturbing your sex life”.  It is easy to feel lost as someone without adequate knowledge of various birth control management option available. Today we have many safe and effective birth control methods that allow you to enjoy your sex life and delay pregnancy until you are ready for it.
This blog will educate you on the various methods of birth control.

1.      Fertility awareness.

Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) also known as natural family planning or rhythm method is a way to predict fertility and infertility times in your cycle.  This is a natural method that does not use any drug or device neither has any effects on the male & female reproductive functioning. This fertility awareness method can be used both for preventing pregnancy as well as to target to most fertile time to get pregnant.

A pregnancy starts with fertilization, when a woman’s egg joins with a man’s sperms. FAM reduces the chances of pregnancy by informing the days are your most fertile, and then abstain from sex or you may use other preventive methods.

There are many online tools and applications available that can help you track your menstrual cycle. It is difficult to measure its accuracy rate; hence, it is advisable for you to take expert advice to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

2.      Condom

This is the easiest and the most readily available option for birth control. These are the thin sheet made of latex meant to be worn over the male reproductive organ during the time of intercourse to prevent the semen from coming into contact with fertile eggs. The biggest disadvantage of using a condom is, it might break, leaving you at risk of getting pregnant or contracting ISD. It is also an effective method to avoid infection from the viruses that cause AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).

3.      Birth Control Pills

The Birth control pill prevents pregnancy by a combined action of hormones - estrogens and progestin that prevents ovulation, so that pregnancy can’t take place. When taken properly under proper prescription, they are extremely effective. Depending on person to person, one may or may not experience side-effects such as, nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain, irregular bleeding, and depression.

4.      Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) can be a very helpful solution if you are seeking for a long-lasting protection for delaying pregnancy. It is a small metal device inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) stands out to be the most suitable and durable option for women to plan their pregnancy. It does not have any side-effect and can delay pregnancy for up to 8 to 10 years and can be removed when the couple is ready. However, there are two variations of this device – one works by releasing hormones and other affects the mobility of sperms and stops them from fertilizing the eggs. This option is usually preferred by women who already have delivered a baby and does not wants to plan their second child immediately.

5.      Emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills help prevent unwanted pregnancy after an accidental or spontaneous intercourse. However, you need to reach out for this pill within 48 to 72 hours of having an unprotected sex. Any delay in taking these pills could lead to an unwanted pregnancy.

Thursday 16 March 2017

Top 5 Plastic Surgery Procedures

Every decade has its own look! The fashion industry, of course, has a detailed history. However, the people themselves seem to change over the years too. It’s funny but it shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, every year we see changes in dieting trends and beauty ideals. In 2016, for example, everyone was swept away by big lips. Remember the Kylie Jenner lip challenge? Yikes! Thankfully, when it came to making large cosmetic changes, most people know to trust a professional. When it came to plastic surgery, there were some noticeable changes in procedure popularity.



Not all plastic surgery is the same. Comparing reconstructive surgery to Botox isn’t a fair comparison. One is about returning to health after serious damage, while the other is focused on creative a pleasing aesthetic. That is why, when looking at plastic surgery trends, it’s good to divide plastic surgery procedures up into different categories.

Cosmetic Surgical Procedures

Plastic surgery is, as the name implies, surgical. These procedures will make a bigger, longer lasting impact than less invasive procedures; however, they also require more recovery time.

1.       Breast Augmentation
·         Breast augmentation is an invasive surgical procedure that increases the size and improves the shape of breasts by placing implants.
·         There were 290,467 breast augmentations in 2016. During 2015, there were only 279,143. That is a 4% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 37% increase in the number of breast augmentations done annually in the United States.
2.       Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
·         Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or an eye lift, removes excess baggy tissue around the eyes.
·         There were 209,020 eyelid surgeries in 2016. During 2015, there were only 203,934. That is a 2% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 36% decrease in the number of eyelid surgeries done annually in the United States.
3.       Facelift (rhytidectomy)
·         Rhytidectomy, also known as a facelift, removes excess skin and fat around the face to make the skin more taunt and remove wrinkles.
·         There were 131,106 facelifts in 2016. During 2015, there were only 222,051. That is a 4% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 2% decrease in the number of facelifts done annually in the United States.
4.       Liposuction
·         Liposuction removes fat around the body to reshape it.
·         There were 235,237 liposuction treatments in 2016. During 2015, there were only 222,051. That is a 6% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 34% decrease in the number of liposuction treatments done annually in the United States.
5.       Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty)
·         Rhinoplasty, also known as nose reshaping or a nose job, reshapes the nose to correct disfigurement or improve function.
·         There were 223,018 nose reshaping surgeries in 2016. During 2015, there were only 217,979. That is a 2% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 43% decrease in the number of breast augmentations done annually in the United States.

Cosmetic Minimally-Invasive Procedures

Minimally-invasive procedures allow patients to see results without needing to undergo a surgery that will require them to take a significant amount of time off to recover. Understandably, since these procedures involve minimal trauma, the number of cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures per year is significantly more than other, more difficult procedures.

1.       Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)
·         Botox, Dysport, etc. paralyzes muscles to remove wrinkles.
·         There were 7,056,255 botulinum toxin type A treatments in 2016. During 2015, there were only 6,757,198. That is a 4% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 797% increase in the number of botulinum toxin type A treatments done annually in the United States.
2.       Chemical peel
·         Chemical peels come in a variety of types. Their goal is to remove acne scars, wrinkles, discoloration, and sun damage.
·         There were 1,360,850 chemical peels performed in 2016. During 2015, there were only 1,310,252. That is a 4% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 18% increase in the number of chemical peels done annually in the United States.
3.       Laser hair removal
·         Laser hair removal uses a beam of highly concentrated light to destroy hairs at the follicle. This prevents the need to shave, tweeze or wax in the future.
·         There were 1,109,385 cases of laser hair removal in 2016. During 2015, there were 1,116,708. That is a 1% decrease. Since 2000, however, there has been a 51% increase in the number of laser hair removal procedures done annually in the United States.
4.       Microdermabrasion
·         Microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin.
·         There were 775,014 microdermabrasions performed in 2016. During 2015, there were 800,340. That is a 3% decrease. Since 2000, however, there has been a 11% decrease in the number of microdermabrasions done annually in the United States.
5.       Soft tissue fillers
·         Soft tissue fillers are injections that are used to make lips more plump, contour the features, and decrease signs of aging.
·         There were 2,600,868 soft tissue filler procedures performed in 2016. During 2015, there were only 2,550,987. That is a 2% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 298% increase in the number of X done annually in the United States.

Reconstructive Procedures

Unlike the plastic surgery procedures mentioned above, reconstructive surgery focuses on repairing damaged caused by a trauma. Plastic surgeons need the same skills for these surgeries as others. However, the starting point and ultimate goals are different. These surgeries are about returning to normalcy and health, whereas the popular surgeries above focused on visually improving an otherwise healthy body.

1.       Hand surgery (excluding microsurgical)
·         There were 135,250 hand surgeries in 2016. During 2015, there were only 130,280. That is a 4% increase. Data is unavailable regarding the increase from 2000.
2.       Laceration repair (other than facial)
·         There were 253,361 laceration repairs in 2016. During 2015, there were 253,441. That is a 0% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 29% decrease in the number of laceration repairs done annually in the United States.
3.       Maxillofacial surgery
·         There were 202,688 in 2016. During 2015, there were only 200,550. That is a 1% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 155% increase in the number of maxillofacial surgeries done annually in the United States.
4.       Scar revision
·         There were 181,190 scar revisions in 2016. During 2015, there were only 179,066. That is a 1% increase. Since 2000, however, there has been a 18% decrease in the number of scar revisions done annually in the United States.
5.       Tumor removal (including skin cancer)
·         There were 4,473,238 tumor removals in 2016. During 2015, there were 4,472,153. That is a 0% increase. Data is unavailable regarding the increase from 2000.

Overall, the prevalence of minimally-invasive procedures cannot be ignored. Plastic surgery is a safe option that can help meet a patient’s cosmetic needs without requiring significant time off from work. Cosmetic surgical procedures rose from 2015 but the most popular surgeries have been decreasing in popularity since 2000.

Here are some plastic surgery procedures that did not make it into the top five of their respective categories but have seen a dramatic increase in popularity since 2000.

·         Breast lift (mastopexy)
o   Mastopexy, also known as a breast lift, raises sagging breasts higher on the chest.
o   While 52,836 breast lifts were performed in 2000, there were 101,264 in 2016. This is a 92% increase in the number of breast lifts in the United States annually.
·         Buttock lift
o   Buttock lifts enhance flat or sagging buttocks areas.
o   While 1,356 buttock lifts were performed in 2000, there were 4,251 in 2016. This is a 213% increase in the number of buttock lifts in the United States annually.
·         Dermabrasion
o   Dermabrasion “sands” the skin to remove the superficial layers.
o   While 42,218 dermabrasions were performed in 2000, there were 88,182 in 2016. This is a 109% increase in the number of dermabrasions in the United States annually.
·         Lower body lift
o   Lower body lift, also known as a belt lipectomy, removes extra tissue from the abdomen, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks.
o   While 207 lower body lifts were performed in 2000, there were 11,299 in 2016. This is a 5358% increase in the number of lower body lifts in the United States annually.
·         Thigh lift
o   Thigh lifts remove extra fat and skin from the thighs.
o   While 5,303 thigh lifts were performed in 2000, there were 9,929 in 2016. This is a 87% increase in the number of thigh lifts in the United States annually.
·         Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
o   Tummy tucks remove extra skin and fat from the belly. It also often restores weak or separated abdominal muscles.
o   While 62,713 tummy tucks were performed in 2000, there were 127,633 in 2016. This is a 104% increase in the number of tummy tucks in the United States annually.
·         Upper arm lift
o   Upper arm lifts remove extra fat and skin from the upper arms.
o   While 338 upper arm lifts were performed in 2000, there were 17,860 in 2016. This is a 5184% increase in the number of breast lifts in the United States annually.
·         Laser skin resurfacing
o   Laser skin resurfacing, sometimes known as a laser peel, removes sun damage, acne and signs of aging.
o   While 170,951 laser skin resurfacing procedures were performed in 2000, there were 586,662 in 2016. This is a 243% increase in the number of breast lifts in the United States annually.


While the popularity of a particular plastic surgery procedure may bring awareness to it, patients should determine what is best for them by consulting a doctor, not any online materials.