Sure, nurses are in high demand these days. And job security is pretty good when it comes to medical professions. But that doesn’t mean that finding a nursing job is necessarily easy! With rising interest in the field, it’s becoming more and more important for job candidates to stand out and make a great first impression.

Ready to pursue that first nursing job? Here are 5 top tips for making sure you ace that interview:

1. Prepare before you’re there. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a good breakfast. Give yourself plenty of time to dress appropriately and to reach the interview destination.

2. Keep in mind what they’re looking for. Do a little background research on the company you are interviewing with. Know what specific skill set they are looking for.

3. Practice and rehearse. Ask one of your nursing school professors or someone who is already working in your desired field for some insight on what type of questions might be asked during the interview. A little web-surfing can also reveal popular interview questions. Sit down with a friend (or a mirror) and practice answering the questio

Being a nurse is a stressful job, no matter whether you’re a man or a woman. But at least gals can vent with their girlfriends if they need it. Or (let’s be honest), shed a tear without being called a sissy.

Of course, it’s not like we men necessarily want to chit-chat about how emotionally taxing our job is. Or that we feel the need to have a “good cry”. But, hey, we need stress relief too! (And we’d like some ways to fight stress that don’t involve chocolate-binging or a pedicure during our lunch break... not that those are bad.)

Here we go guys. A few manly tips for fighting stress while on the job:

• Push-ups. Yeah, it sounds stereotypically masculine. But pounding out a couple reps in the locker room can do wonders if you’re having a tough day. Why? Exercise boosts serotonin in the brain, which in turn boosts your mood. Not to mention the fact that your arms muscles will look better.

• Laugh a little. Is there someone in your department that tells the best jokes? Go find them. Or think of something really ridiculous. Whatever it takes to induce a chuckle. Laughter increases endorphins and reduces stress levels.

• Change what you can. You can’t change what others think, do, or say. And the sooner you accept that, the better. The good news is, you can change yourself. Are you a procrastinator? Get off your butt. Overly judgemental? Give others a break. A constant yes-man? Learn to say “No”!

• Chocolate. The girls are actually on to something here... Chocolate boosts serotonin levels and activates the feel-good sensors in the brain! Just remember, dark chocolate trumps white chocolate every time. It’s got way less sugar and way more anti-aging antioxidants.

Need some new work apparel? Head to Scrubs123 and shop forMedical Scrubs. Hey, and while you’re at it, go ahead and follow Scrubs123.com on Twitter. You’ll receive exclusive info on discounts, giveaways, and tips and tricks for medical professionals.

Your job is an inside type of job. And chances are, your workweek probably doesn’t allow you to see much of the outdoors! So next time you have a day off, why not take a picnic?

Okay, maybe the idea of packing a picnic lunch just sounds like one more unnecessary hassle. But why not rethink it? With a bit of creativity and a little planning ahead, packing a picnic can be a cinch! Check out these tips and tricks for packing a perfect summer picnic:

- Make your meal ahead of time. Got some free time, but the weather looks gloomy? Go ahead and make those picnic sandwiches. Stick ‘em in freezer bags and freeze until a sunshiny day! And if you’re tired of PB&J, then try one of these concoctions - cream cheese and ham or smoked salmon and butter! (Tip: Just remember, eggs, cucumber, lettuce, and tomatoes do NOT freeze well, so stick to meats and cheeses if you’re making your meal ahead of time.)

- Planning to picnic with Mother Nature? Outdoor picnics, especially ones in picturesque nature preserves, parks, or by the beach, are beautiful. But you better bring along sunscreen and bug spray or your picnic will be short-lived. Go ahead and keep a medium grade SPF, insect-repellent, and a small first-aide kit in your picnic basket so that you’re always prepared.

- Don’t forget to bring along some entertainment. Once the food is gone you can read a book, listen to your MP3 player, play some frolf (Frisbee golf), or challenge a friend to a game of rummy. Having a diversion handy will help everyone to relax and have more fun!

Don’t forget to keep your work wardrobe up to date. With Scrubs123, you can shop online for Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs. Plus, if you like Scrubs123.com on Facebook you’ll get the inside scoop on weekly discounts and special giveaways!

It used to be a stiff, starched hat, modest dress, and bleached white pinafore. Even today, people recognize the nursing uniforms that our grandmas used to wear.

And then things started to change. During the 1970s, scrubs became the standard garb among medical professionals. Shortly thereafter, dress codes became lax and nurses were able to “express themselves” through their apparel - even while on the clock.

Lately, nursing schools and medical institutions have begun to take note of lax dress codes. And it seems that nurse dress codes are making a strong comeback.

Scrub Magazine reports that nursing school professors have begun to crack down on dress code regulations. Deborah Weatherspoon (RN, CRNA, and MSN) is a professor in the School of Nursing at Middle Tennessee State University. Weatherspoon says that while doing clinical training students are required to cover tattoos, remove piercings, and adhere to strict guidelines regarding jewelry, facial hair, fingernails, and hair styles. Furthermore, Weatherspoon advises her students to present a conservative appearance when applying for jobs in the medical field. Surprisingly, students seem altogether willing to adhere to conservative dress code policies.

And why not? After all, adhering to a dress code helps to maintain a standard of respected professionalism. Plus, patients report that it is less confusing when all nurses adhere to the same dress code. So although it may require a sacrifice of individual style, adhering to dress code guidelines can garner respect and increase work productivity.

What do you think of nurse dress codes? Comment to share your thoughts! And whether your office has a strict dress code or not, it always pays to keep your scrubs wardrobe fresh and up to date! Check out Scrubs123 for a superior selection of Scrub Uniforms!

Heat. It’s good in a sauna. Or a hot tub.

Not so good when you’re on the clock. And let’s face it, even air conditioning doesn’t always cut it during the hot summer months. Especially when you’re decked out in your scrubs and rushing about all day! And to complicate matters, you’re a medical professional, so looking sweaty and hot isn’t really an option.

Unfortunately, we can’t magically turn your work environment into a sweat-appropriate sauna. But we can offer some top tips for beating the heat and staying cool (even while wearing scrubs!):

- Ditch those long sleeves already! Okay, this is pretty much a give-in. But if you’re still trying to rock the long-sleeved look, we suggest you save your winter scrubs for winter. And get some new short-sleeved tops!

- Rethink your footwear. Your body naturally looses heat through your feet. So if your socks are too thick or your shoes aren’t breathable, you may be inadvertently keeping your body from cooling off. Look for lightweight socks and shoes made out of breathable leather, rather than man-made materials.

- Stay hydrated. A cold drink is one of the easiest ways to stay cool. Plus, it’s essential to keep your body well-hydrated in order to replace any fluid that is lost through sweating. Just make sure you are drinking water or a sports drink and not something with caffeine or alcohol in it.

- Cool your pulse points. Run cold water over your wrists for a minute or so. Since large quantities of blood run through your wrists, you’ll effectively be able to make your whole body feel cooler, just by cooling your wrists. Another option is to apply a cool compress to your neck or forehead.

Need to update your scrub wardrobe? Your favorite Dickies Scrubs, Peaches Scrubs and Medline Scrubs can be found at Scrubs123.com. Don’t forget to follow Scrubs123.com on Twitter - you’ll get the inside scoop on the latest sales and discounts!