For instance, you may live in a state that contains more obese people than most. You might feel those statistics when it comes to health care costs on a local and regional basis. Or, you may live in a state that contains more cancer cases than most. This information might alert you to the possibility that your state contains more cancer-causing agents. Finally, statistics are available by ethnic data, which can clue you in on whether or not your ethnicity might provide an impact on your health.

The following ten infographic links lead to a variety of information about nationwide health including obesity, mental health and health expenditures. The information provided here represent just ten pieces contained within a mountain of information available on the Web. Each link provides more information on that particular site that may be of interest to you in your quest to become healthier.

1. State Data Center: Focused on identifying opportunities to improve, The Commonwealth Fund’s State Scorecard on Health System Performance assesses states’ performance on health care relative to achievable benchmarks for 38 indicators of access, quality, costs, and health outcomes. The 2009 State Scorecard paints a picture of health care systems under stress, with deteriorating health insurance coverage for adults and rising health care costs.
2. State-by-State Pandemic Information: Each state on this map contains information about the state’s pandemic plan, summit materials, formal agreements, and other pandemic information pertaining to the state. This information is helpful to individuals and families to help maintain life as close to normal as possible in the event that any emergency takes place. the links lead to information located at Flu.gov.
3. State Health Expenditures: Health Care Expenditures measure spending for all privately and publicly funded personal health care services and products such as hospital care, physician services, nursing care, nursing home care, prescription drugs, etc., by state of residence. Hospital spending is included and reflects the total net revenue (gross charges less contractual adjustments, bad debts, and charity care). Costs such as insurance program administration, research, and construction expenses are not included in this total.
4. Healthy Behavior by State: The 2009 Healthy Behavior Sub-Index is one of six sub-indexes that make up the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, and asks Americans four questions: do you smoke; did you eat healthy all day yesterday; in the last seven days, on how many days did you exercise for 30 minutes or more; and in the last seven days, on how many days did you have five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. The Healthy Behavior Sub-Index scores for the nation and for each state are calculated based on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 would be a perfect score.
5. Obesity Related Statistics in America: Obesity is the number two cause of preventable death in the United States, and over 60 million Americans, age 20 and older, are obese. Additionally, nine million children and teens ages 6-19 are overweight. The charts and maps on this page can reveal how prevalent obesity is across this nation, with a special focus on a variety of images by state numbers for obesity.
6. American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet: This information focuses on a specific ethnic population nationwide, with statistics that focus on the information that heart disease is the first and stroke the sixth leading cause of death Among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The highest heart disease death rates are located primarily in South Dakota and North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Counties with the highest stroke death rates are located primarily in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
7. Maternal and Child Health: While this title might lead a reader to believe that the statistics contained on this page are devoted totally to mother and child health, the material reaches into realms such as suicide deaths per 100,000 population by state, receipt of needed treatment for illicit drug use, information about adults ages 18-64 with histories of major depressive episodes and more. This information was prepared by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
8. State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities: The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers information on a state-by-state basis about work injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Information was gathered from nonfatal cases of work-related injuries and illnesses that are recorded by employers under the Occupational safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) record-keeping guidelines are available for 46 States and Territories from the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII); fatal cases of work-related injuries are available for all States, Territories, and New York City under a separate program, the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).
9. Leukemia Statistics: Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood cells called lymphocytes; and, myelogenous leukemia (also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia), which involves an increase in white blood cells called granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to different approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The CDC also includes information on this site for Lymphoma and Myeloma, available in the left column menu.
10. Mental Health Statistics: This map shows total psychiatric inpatient and residential treatment beds per 100,000 civilian population in number by state, 2000. The types of mental health organizations covered are State and county mental hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, non Federal general hospitals with separate psychiatric services, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, residential treatment centers (RTCs) for emotionally disturbed children, and “all other mental health organizations,” which includes multi-service mental health organizations, freestanding psychiatric outpatient clinics, and partial care psychiatric organizations.

There are some secrets to living longer. Many scientists have studied those who live the longest, looking to find similarities. Here are nine secrets that can help you live past the age of 90:

1. Genes: One of the factors that figures into longevity is your genetic make up. Even though non-genetic factors are involved in living longer, the presence of certain genes might actually boost your chances. It was also found that siblings of centenarians were four times more likely to live past the age of 90 than those who had no siblings live so long. But, even though genes can help, they aren’t everything. Indeed, some scientists believe that longevity depends more on non-genetic factors. So, even if your family doesn’t have a history of living past 90, it doesn’t mean you won’t. Just make sure you make up for it with healthier practices.
2. Eat fewer calories: One of the biggest Americans have is that they eat too much. Of course, what Americans eat does make a difference, but they should be eating fewer calories in general. Indeed, eating too much, and gaining weight, puts strain on your heart — and that’s even before the arteries clog up and you have a heart attack. If you cut back on calories, you can extend your life. Indeed, research from the International Longevity Center – USA finds that animals fed fewer calories live about 40% longer than those fed a great deal more calories. JAMA suggests that you should eat 25% fewer calories than you are now, if you want a better chance of living to 90. So, consider how much you are eating, and consider reducing your portion sizes.
3. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables: It’s not enough just to eat more fruits and vegetables. The kind of produce you consume matters. Vibrant fruits and vegetables are the best when it comes to living longer because they have antioxidants. These are nutrients that actually stop damaging “free radicals” from harming your cells. Colorful produce that you should focus on include cranberries, cherries, broccoli, spinach, red apples, spirulina, blueberries and grapes. You should aim for five servings of fruit and five of vegetables. Replacing one red meat entree a week with a veggie entree can be a good first step. You will find that dark chocolate and red wine, when taken in moderation, are also good for aging and the brain.
4. Meditate: It’s fairly obvious that if you want to be healthy, you need to exercise. Indeed, people lose muscle and bone mass as they age. This can make them prone to falls and disease. Exercising every day can help reduce this problem. But, you shouldn’t just focus on exercising. You need time to relax as well. It’s not just about moving; it’s also about sitting still for some time each day to relieve stress. Aging expert Thomas Perls points out that meditation and prayer are two ways that can help you relieve the negative stress that can contribute to reduced immune efficiency as you age. Take some time each day to relax, letting the stress ebb out. This can help you live a little longer.
5. Sleep longer: Sleep problems can lead to dementia and other complaints. If you want to live past 90 — especially if you want to remain sharp past 90 — it is vital that you get a good night’s sleep. Interestingly, though, senior citizens don’t necessarily need quality sleep. Indeed, getting enough sleep is more important as you age than getting good quality sleep. Younger people rely on quality sleep, with large blocks of good sleep. You don’t need hours of unbroken sleep as you age, but you do need a solid seven to nine hours of sleep when you get older. So if you do it a little bit at a time, napping in the afternoons, and getting sleep at night (even if it is disjointed) it can help you live longer.
6. Learn something new: You don’t have to go to college to learn something new. You can learn new things every day. And, while taking a class at the local university can be a good way to learn something new, it’s not the only way to learn new things. You can extend your life past 90 by learning something new, so develop a new hobby. You can play chess, take up painting, dancing, music, birding, or even learn another language. Those who read a great deal, and look for ways to interact with the world around them, can build brain cells and make connections between neurons that are already there. And, learning something new can be a good way to enjoy yourself and help relieve stress.
7. Discover your purpose: Those who feel as though they have a purpose in life are more likely to live longer. Indeed, there is evidence that men who have a greater sense of purpose are more likely to be protected from stroke and heart attack than those who feel comparatively useless. So consider what you can do. Think about meaningful activities that you can be involved with. This includes volunteerism and charity work, participation in the community, and interactions with family and friends. Goal setting and accomplishment (or working toward accomplishment) can aid in this feeling of purpose. When you have something to live for, you are more likely to live longer!
8. Optimism: A good attitude can go a long way toward living longer. Research from the University of Texas shows that a positive attitude can actually delay the aging process, increasing your longevity. When you attempt to improve your outlook, the chemical balance in your body can actually change for the better. Additionally, optimism can help relieve stress, and help you feel a better sense of purpose. Making an effort to look for the good side of things can help you improve your outlook. It is also a good idea to ignore negative stereotypes about aging as well; a study from North Carolina State University found that seniors exposed to negative stereotypical descriptions performed worse in memory tests than those that focused on positive descriptions of aging.
9. Social life: Having a social life can actually help you live longer. When you interact with friends and family, you can enjoy greater satisfaction with your life, and increase the chance that you will live past the age of 90. Indeed, being active in a church congregation, joining a book club, going to lunch once a month with your friends, and even enjoying a bridge night can help you live longer. Family activities can also be a good way to interact with others and live longer. Even social interaction online can have positive outcomes. The key is developing and maintaining long-term relationships that are fulfilling.

In most cases, you cannot find scholarships or grants to study naturopathy. Additionally, the path for study often is not clear, as naturapathic studies may include further investigation into realms such as homeopathy or acupuncture. In most cases, the title of Naturopathic Doctor (ND) may be awarded after completion of a four-year program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. This schooling includes a study of a holistic system, that takes into account the interactions among the mind, body and spirit of a person.

With that said, the list below carries two categories…one that includes blogs that belong to naturopathic practitioners and another category that contains blogs that belong to individuals who practice living a natural life at home. All links are listed in alphabetical order, and they lead to the updated blogs written by people who are enamored with the naturopathic lifestyle.

Professional Naturopaths

This field has had its ups and downs, but even reputable traditional medicine may recognize the value of what is known as “complementary” medicine. The University of Maryland Medical Center, for instance, realizes that alternative methods of health and wellness are possible, and they offer information about the nature of naturopathy as well as some realistic warnings. The list below contains a wide variety of ND practitioners and licensed professionals.

1. Amanda Roe, ND: Amanda is a naturopathic physician and midwife providing Portland,OR area families with holistic, effective, and creative ways to bring health into balance.
2. Dr. Barbara Dao, Naturopathic Doctor: Dr. Barbara Dao is a Naturopathic Doctor licensed with the province of Ontario. She received her training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, completing the four-year intensive program.
3. Dr. Dhillon’s Blog: Dr. Vinnie Dhillon is a licensed and registered naturopathic physician, who graduated from Bastyr University in Seattle with a degree in naturopathic medicine after completing a Bachelor of Science at Western Washington University.
4. Dr. Victor Chan: Dr. Victor Chan, BSc., MBA, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence for his contributions.
5. Holistica Naturopathic: Dr. Sherman is a naturopathic physician licensed in Portland, Oregon. She currently is in her third year of residency at a cancer center in Indiana, and she is most interested in how nutrition plays a part in health.
6. Natural Medicine Free Naturopathic and Homeopathic Resources: Rodolfo T. Rafael, M.D., is a Certified Family Physician of the Philippine Academy of Family Physician and continue to complete the requirements for Continuing Medical Education in Family Practice. he also is a member of the Philippine Medical Informatics Society, and Pangasinan Medical Society.
7. Naturopathic Family Care News: A team of licensed naturopathic physicians, chiropractic doctors, and acupuncturists, all of whom are practicing physicians at Naturopathic Family Care in Phoenix, Arizona is dedicated to providing quality science-based information about alternative and complementary medicine.
8. Naturopathic View of the Human Life: Sushma Shah, N.D. is a licensed and registered doctor of naturopathy in Toronto who is dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness objectives – combining skill and expertise that spans the entire wellness spectrum of well being using the core principles of naturopathy.
9. Naturopathic Wisdom: Lisa Tostado is a 2008 graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine located in Tempe, Arizona. She also is a board-certified Naturopathic Doctor and currently maintains a medical license in Arizona and a practice in Louisville, Kentucky.
10. New Leaf Blog: Get a dose of natural health updates from New Leaf Natural Therapies, located in Queensland, Australia.
11. Personalized Nutrition: Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo is a naturopathic physician noted for his popular books on the Blood Type Diet. Best known for his research on human blood groups and nutrition, Dr. D’Adamo is also a well-respected researcher in the field of natural products.
12. Phylameana’s Holistic Healing Blog: Phylameana is certified in Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki and the Science of Intuition from the Holos Institutes of Health. She is an energy medicine practitioner, clairvoyant, intuitive counselor, flower essence consultant, and owner of Spiral Visions.
13. Physicians Who Listen: This blog is maintained by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the national professional society representing licensed or licensable naturopathic physicians who are graduates of four-year, residential graduate programs.
14. Rawvolutionary Healing: Pamela is a naturopath and Living Foods life coach who shares personal experiences as well as information about the raw food lifestyle.
15. Santa Barbara’s Revolutionary Holistic Clinic Blog: This blog touches on topics such as chronic fatigue, kinesiology concepts, muscle testing and more physical topics in the naturopathic vein.
16. The Naturopathic Gourmet: Dr. Sarah Cimperman is a naturopathic doctor in New York City. She received her degree from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.
17. The Naturopathic Perspective: Doctors and scientists, authors and journalists, professors and administrators contribute to this blog devoted to naturopathic medicines.
18. Vishen Natural Medicine: Liz Wacker uses naturopathic medicines such as nutritional counseling, herbs, and homeopathy to help people feel well. She trained in the art and science of natural primary care medicine at National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

At Home

As with the list above, you can find a wide variety of individuals who are practicing a naturopathic lifestyle at home. The list below contains a few examples.

19. 5 Orange Potatoes: Lis, her two daughters and husband live a naturopathic life. Learn more about natural beauty, nature activities and nature studies.
20. Ancient Hearth: This woman home schools with her twin girls using Waldorf-inspired education.
21. At Home Science: Kris is Catholic homeschooling mom to 3 boys with a Charlotte Mason educational philosophy. She also is an emergency department physician assistant and community college instructor.
22. Herbs Are Greener: Michelle has plenty of physical problems, and she attacks the issues with natural methods using herbs and natural products. Learn more about what she knows at this blog.
23. My Reasons: This mother and family woman is into her family and they’re into her. She writes about natural lifestyles among other topics and keeps it simple and real. One nice thing about visiting blogs such as this one is that you also may learn about other, similar blogs through the links on the site.
24. Red Dirt Mother: This woman is a midwife doula and a creative soul who likes to share her natural lifestyle.
25. The Natural Mommy: This mom makes it clear she is not a “hippy,” nor does motherhood come naturally to her. But, she’s all about doing things with her family as natural as possible while living frugally.

If you doubt the veracity of video games for health, fitness and even for pain management, you might think again when you realize the fun you can have while working towards better overall well being. Video games have attained a level in fitness management that they even warrant a conference and a national program geared specifically to Health Games Research. To learn more about how video games can contribute to your health and well being, we’ve compiled a list of 25 fun video games, or fitness tools, that are geared toward health and fitness nuts (or wanna-be nuts).

Most of the games listed below are found at Amazon, but some links may lead you directly to the home page of the game’s developers. In some cases, you may need to purchase a game playing set, such as Wii, to perform the game. While the price of these games can cut into a discretionary budget, you may discover a great way for the entire family to to play together…a priceless option for health and fitness. Additionally, these games can help an individual learn more about his or her health and body.

Brain Health

1. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree: With 15 new Activities that challenge your brain in single-player Test and Practice modes, Big Brain Academy Wii sees how you measure up in five categories: memory, analysis, number crunching, visual recognition, and quick thinking.
2. Brain Age and Brain Age 2: Initially developed by Nintendo DS, both the original and sequels are inspired by the work of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a Japanese neuroscientist. The second game, according to the Web site, can increase the blood flow to your prefrontal cortex.
3. Brain Voyage: Take your brain on a trip as you travel to 16 cities around the world, each with a distinct puzzle to solve. Puzzles vary every time you play. Download options allow you to share puzzles with friends.
4. Left Brain, Right Brain: Exercise the weak parts of your brain to strengthen them. Challenge a friend to a two-player mini-game via DS download play. You also can monitor personal progress with development percentages that show after each game.
5. Puzzler World: Delivering over 500 hours of play time spread across over 1,000 addictive games, Puzzler World features multiple play modes, allowing players to enjoy games the way they want. Also, you can save functionality that ensures that your game progress is never lost and that your trackable stats continually improve.
6. Scrabble: Learn how to spell, learn word meanings and more as you challenge players to this great word game — now available as a video game for a variety of platforms.

General Health

7. Emergency! Disaster Rescue Squad: Take charge of 15 different unit and vehicle types as you respond to over 20 unique catastrophes in five heart-pounding campaigns. This game is much faster and more complex than the following game…
8. Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues: Great graphics and realistic cases in a slow-paced game that is easy to use. Experience real-life emergency medical cases such as cardiac arrests, broken bones and life-threatening traumas as you respond to situations requiring you to revive, treat and keep seriously ill patients alive…just like any medical professional!
9. My Healthy Cooking Coach: Enjoy more than 240 recipes created by a culinary school in collaboration with a renowned nutritionist. Learn tips and tricks to create healthy and delicious meals for yourself and for your friends and family. More of an instructive tool than a game, you can make it into a game if you engage others to a cook-off!
10. Trauma Center: New Blood: While this game won’t turn you into a surgeon, it can help you learn how to control motor skills while you perform operations. This game is for the Wii, and the Wii remote has a built in rumble feature, that allows you to really feel the action as you perform operations.

Fitness

11. Active Life Outdoor Challenge: Using the specially-designed eight pad Active Life mat and the Wii Remote, players get totally physical as they compete in over a dozen single and multi-player challenges like river rafting, mine-cart adventure, log jumping and more. Additionally, you can watch your character’s body change according to how you play. This fitness game is great for kids and for kids at heart.
12. Dance Dance Revolution: DDR, for short, is the dance game that can burn calories as well as help to develop coordination. This video game is available on a wide variety of formats, with an equally wide choice of dance pads. Get down.
13. Dancing With The Stars: Pick a celebrity to take his or her part as you pair up with one of nine professional dancers from the television show. This fitness game includes 36 licensed songs and demonstrates the same 10 dance types shown on that show, such as the Cha-Cha, Tango, Jive and more. Dance alone or invite a friend.
14. EA Sports Active: Use the money you might have spent on a personal trainer to purchase this customizable fitness program. This video game set features more than 25 exercises and sports-inspired drills such as dancing, inline skating, tennis and volleyball. Additionally, you can see your movements tracked on-screen with the specially-designed leg strap.
15. Eyetoy Antigrav With Camera: Any Eyetoy game is worth owning, as you project yourself into the character on the screen via video camera. This particular game allows users to grind on rails across eight different levels, discovering hidden areas and unlockable sections. Enjoy multiple game modes to keep the physical and mental challenges coming…
16. Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout: Thanks to the Wii’s motion tracking control and optional support for the Balance Board accessory, you can get a real workout that is fun and entertaining right at home.
17. Just Dance: This is the hottest new dance game, provided for the Nintendo Wii. Kids, adults and even dance-phobic players can burn calories and get limber with this game. Requiring only one Wii Remote per player, up to four people can break it down at a time.
18. My Fitness Coach: Released by UBI Software in 2009, this game is available on Amazon. Evaluate your current fitness level in order to determine your baseline fitness and then mark your calendar for fitness goals and workouts. Use the tutorials for over 500 exercises including Yoga, Pilates, cardio fitness, strength training and more. The ability to choose from a variety of music options turns workouts into games.
19. Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage: Take on this Gold Medal winner as you participate in bigger and more varied challenges across the globe until you’re finally ready to take on the world’s top boarders in the ultimate competition. This is a great multi-player game that can involve the entire family or your roommates.
20. Walk It Out: Although this game features kids on the cover, it also is for adults who need or desire low-impact exercise. Walk along to discover surprises and listen to over 120 songs that can boost your heart rate as you keep rhythm. This game provides a choice of controls from Nunchuk and Wii mote, DDR Dance Pad, or Wii Balance Board.
21. Wii Fit Plus: While you can create workouts with this Nintendo video, you also can create games that include juggling, skateboarding; snowball fights, obstacle courses, log-leaps and a balance game designed to promote a combination of physical and mental health.
22. Wii Guitar Hero 5 Stand-Alone Guitar: Guitar Hero 5 allows fans to play alone, as a full band or, for the first time, with any combination of multiple guitarists, bassists, drummers or vocalists, to customize their musical experience. Players now have the control to rock any way they want whether it is with two guitars and two drummers, four guitarists, or three guitarists and a vocalist, any combination is possible.
23. Wii Sports: Bundled with Wii, Wii Sports introduces a whole new way to play your game. Play tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing in the comfort of your home.
24. Wii Sports Resort: In Wii Sports Resort, you’ll use your Wii Remote to literally swing into action. Engage in a wide range of exciting activities, including Sword Play, Power Cruising, and Disc Dog. This game includes one Wii MotionPlus accessory in the box with the game.
25. Yourself Fitness: Great 3D images and a personal workout coach gets you started on a “game” that features a personal fitness program designed just for you at the beginning of the video. Keep your workouts fresh by doing them in a variety of environmental settings.

Health Care Industry

Here are some interesting blogs written about health care and the health industry by medical professionals.

1. DB’s Medical Rants: This doctor looks at the health care system and shares his thoughts — er, rants.
2. In the Pipeline:  A look at health care and medicine from a guy who has experience in pharmacies and a chemistry degree.
3. NHS Blog Doctor: This blog offers a look at the British National Health System from a doctor’s point of view. Sometimes, the tone can be scathing.
4. Nurse Ratched’s Place: This nurse shares her insight into health care news and policy, and offerings biting rants and sarcasm as part of the fun.
5. The Antidote: A professional health care consultant cuts through the spin on health care policy and news.
6. Addicted to Medblogs: A blog about medical blogs and new.

Doctors

Almost immediately, when we think of medical professionals, we consider doctors. And there are plenty of interesting blogs by doctors.

7. Edwin Leap: This physician writes about his experiences as an emergency room doctor.
8. Dr. Wes: A blog written by an internist and cardiologist who offers insight into health and the medical system.
9. GruntDoc: Learn about being a doctor, from someone who was once a doctor in the military and is now an ER doctor.
10. KevinMD: This is a well-known doctor blog who writes about the latest medical news and information.
11. Mothers in Medicine: This great blog is written by physicians who also happen to be mothers. A variety of viewpoints and medical topics.
12. DoctorMama: A great blog written by a mother-physician with an eye for the practical.
13. Doctor David’s Blog: A pediatrician writes about oncology and other medical issues.
14. The Doctor Is In: A look at life from a doctor’s perspective.
15. Doctor Anonymous: This family health care physician blogs about health related issues.
16. Dr. Greene: A medical web site and blog by a world-famous pediatrician.
17. Family Medicine Notes: One of the oldest medical blogs, and written by a physician. This blog is 10 years old.

Nurses

Nurses represent an integral part of the medical profession. Read some of these interesting blogs by nurses.

18. NJO Blog: A group of nurses comments on health care trends, careers and news.
19. Emergiblog: An ER nurse takes you behind the scenes of life in one of the most hectic places on earth.
20. Code Blog – Tales of a Nurse: Learn firsthand about nursing and some of the challenges and rewards involved.
21. about a nurse: News, career trends and information by a nurse.
22. Head Nurse: This nurse is feisty and funny, and provides some great insight into life and work in a medical profession.
23. Abilene Rob: A sharing insights on life from this former Navy S-E-A-L.
24. Cooking Nurse: A food blog written by a nurse who loves to cook and share her recipes. Yummy!
25. Death Maiden: This is an interesting and insightful nurse with experience in end of life care.
26. ImpactED Nurse: A gritty, real world look at nursing.
27. 20 Out of 10: This emergency room nurse shares interesting thoughts about life and medicine from the trenches.

Psychiatry

Learn a little bit more about mental health from psychiatric professionals.

28. Shrink Rap: A blog written by a trio of clinical psychiatrists.
29. Solo Shrink: This blog focuses on sharing tools for mental health professionals, as well as providing insight into the profession.
30. ShrinkShare: A psychiatrist “heads to the couch” to share his own inner thoughts and observations about life.
31. Skies: This blog by a psychiatrist in Baghdad offers interesting insight into issues related to mental health.
32. The Last Psychiatrist: A somewhat cheeky look at mental health.
33. Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look: A look at what is going on behind the scenes in the world of mental health.
34. May Shrink or Fade: Musings on life from a shrink.
35. Dr. X: Offers insight into free association and vintage psychology. An interesting collection of current and traditional techniques of psychoanalysis.
36. ShrinkWrapped: The attempts by a psychoanalyst to understand what goes on in the world.

Radiology and Lab Technicians

These medical professionals can be overlooked, but they really are an important part of the health care system. Check out these blogs by medical technicians.

37. X Ray Technician Blog: Learn the basics of being an x-ray tech, and read interesting stories about patients.
38. The Student Radiographer: An interesting look at becoming a radiologist, and the ins and outs of the life of a radiology student.
39. RadGirl Radiology Blog: This blog is written by a female radiologist and provides several interesting insights.
40. Tomography Blog: This blog is for medical technicians and provides an interesting place to interact.
41. Medical and Nursing Training: While nursing is looked at, many of the careers offered fall into the medical technician field. Expert opinions and information from medical professionals.
42. Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic MRI: MRI professionals focus on different techniques and share images.

Alternative Medicine

These medical professionals can provide useful and helpful services, and they offer interesting takes on medicine today.

43. Next Generation Chiropractor: This chiropractor looks at issues and information related to the practice of chiropractics today.
44. The Chiropractor Blog: A chiropractor blogs about different ways that you can be helped by chiropractic techniques.
45. The Alternative Medicine Blog: Learn about how different alternative medical practices can help improve wellness.
46. Alternative Medicine: This About.com blog is written by a naturopathic doctor and a nutrition specialist.
47. Traditional Naturopath: This blog is written by a naturopathic doctor.
48. Acupuncture & TCM Blog: This blog is written by an acupuncturist in New York.
49. World Acupuncture: Acupuncture specialist looks at current practice and technique.
50. Katolen Yarldley Holistic Health & Herbal Medicine Blog: This herbal and holistic health practitioner provides insight into alternative medicine and wellness.

Nursing Care Plan Construction

Get help putting together a nursing plan with these sites. Some sites provide helpful hits and tips, while others offer step-by-step instructions and forms for actually building a nursing care plan unique to your situation.

1. Wikipedia has an excellent overview of nursing care plans, and the characteristics and elements that should be involved in the plan you create.
2. VirtualNurse looks at how to properly formulate a nursing care plan.
3. eHow offers a helpful guide on making perioperative nursing care plans.
4. EHS provides a nursing plan constructor that allows you to put together a unique plan with step by step guidance.
5. Docstoc offers a visual guide through putting together a nursing care plan.
6. The State of Texas has an interesting process that you can follow to create a patient treatment plan.
7. Entrepreneur looks at creating a treatment plan that integrates pharmacotherapy with overcoming alcohol dependence.
8. Depression-Guide.com offers tips on creating a depression treatment plan.
9. ADHD Central provides insight into creating a treatment plan for ADHD.
10. Ezine Articles offers a look at creating nursing care plans, and how they work.
11. Transitional Care Planning: A helpful look at how to do an assessment and create a nursing care plan.
12. CareScribble is a nursing plan creation tool. It does cost money, but you can enjoy a 15 day free trial, which is time enough to make some free nursing care plans.

Sample Nursing Plans and Resources

If you are looking for sample nursing plans and other resources, such as forms, these web sites can help you find what you are looking for.

13. Careplans.com is just what it sounds like: A place for nurses to learn about creating nursing care plans and see sample plans.
14. Careplans123.com offers a nursing care plan library where you can see a variety of plans. Some are free, while others must be purchased.
15. Comprehensive Nursing Care Plans provides sample care plans, clinical worksheets and other helpful documents.
16. CNS provides a sample care plan that you can use as a guide for creating your own plans.
17. Nursing Crib offers a look at plans, and provides samples of several different nursing care plans.
18. Clarion Univeristy provides a sample nursing treatment plan for a patient with an eating disorder.
19. Explore Autism has a sample nursing care plan for autism treatment.
20. Wellsphere offers a number of sample forms and treatment plans.
21. Innercept provides a helpful sample treatment plan for long term care situations.
22. CNS offers a specific care plan for MS.
23. Treatment Plans That Worked offers a look at specific plans. Some of the aggression plans are free, but to get access to more, you have to pay.
24. Medi-Smart offers some nursing plan resources and samples.
25. Triangle Acupuncture looks at sample treatment plans for fertility. While this may not be “traditional”, it offers some interesting ideas for nursing care in this situation.

Nursing and Medical Case Studies

Sometimes you can get an idea of how to build a nursing care plan by reading case studies. Here are places where you can find nursing care case studies and information.

26. Marshall provides an interactive case study for nurses.
27. The Nurse Friendly provides access to a number of clinical nursing case studies.
28. Community Health Nursing has a number of case studies related to a number of different conditions.
29. Cultural Diversity focuses on transcultural nursing case studies.
30. Epocrates offers a nursing case study demo.
31. Nova Southeastern University has a paper on using case studies in nursing to improve your practice.
32. Washington University in St. Louis looks at different case studies and helpful information.
33. University of Utah offers a number of case studies in pathology.
34. University of Michigan offers clinical case studies related to gross anatomy.
35. University of Pittsburgh has a number of online case studies from the department of pathology.
36. Loyola University provides several pulmonary case studies.
37. The Centers for Disease Control has case studies in environmental medicine.
38. Medical Simulations is just what you would expect: Online simulations of different situations in health care and nursing.

Nursing Forums and Resources

Sometimes it can help to connect to other nurses and find help in other resources. Nursing forums can point you to more case studies, and provide you with tips and helpful insights into building successful nursing care plans.

39. Nursing Chat from NurseTV is a place to share information about being a nurse.
40. allnurses.com is a forum for different nurses, providing helpful information and even tips on creating a nursing care plan.
41. Nurse.com not only provides a number of helpful resources, but also provides a place where nurses can chat and share images.
42. Nursing Voices provides a safe place for nurses from around the world to chat and get help and support.
43. NurseConnect is a community for nurses, and includes a forum as well as information and resources on care plans and other aspects of nursing.
44. Nurse Anesthesia offers a place for anesthetists to congregate online.
45. Nurse Portal has conversations on a number of different topics, and groups and categories of interest.
46. Health Care POV has an interesting list of topics on nursing, including some hints on developing nursing care plans.
47. Ultimate Nurse offers a number of discussions related to different nursing topics (including nursing plan development), jobs and issues.
48. OBGYN.net has a nursing forum focused on helping OBGYN nurses. Get pointed toward case studies and treatment plan samples.
49. Hartford Institute offers a nursing forum aimed at geriatric nurses and the issues they face everyday.
50. MinorityNurse provides a place for nurses who are minorities to gather and discuss issues.

To counter this image, the American Assembly for Men in Nursing began a tradition of awarding an annual prize for the best U.S. nursing school or college for men. More men today are signing up to serve as nurses. The list below also may encourage men to think about the nursing profession, as it consists of ten men who offered innovations, extreme service and historic credibility to the nursing profession.

As you read this list, you may learn that many men belonged to religious orders or had religious conversions before their nursing profession at the beginning. These occurrences were common, as the church often funded hospital and nursing activities. After the 1500s, male nurses were not sought after and often faced discrimination. Today, thanks to battles won in the fight against discrimination, male nurses join the profession from a desire to help others. Additionally, the pay and benefits are good, nursing is a highly respected occupation, there are far more job openings than there are nurses to fill them.

The list is ordered by time, with the earliest nurses listed first, most recent male nurses listed last.

1. St. Benedict (480-547): Also known as Benedict of Nursia (a real place in Umbra), St. Benedict is the patron saint for servants who break their master’s things, the patron saint for gallbladders and other inflammatory ailments, and a patron saint for a happy death. He founded the first Western Christian monastic tradition that focused on spiritual matters. His connection to health is his ability to survive poisoning by blessing the cup offered to him, thereby removing the poison. Today, many hospitals and care units are named for this patron saint.
2. Brother Gerard (c. 1040 – 1120; also known as Gerard Thom): Founder of the Hospitallers, also known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, but known as the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem under Brother Gerard’s leadership until 1118. This group of men provided care to the sick and wounded in Christian hospitals. Gerard expanded the hospital mission by building seven hospitals in Mediterranean ports within fifteen years. The Hospitallers grew rich from their mission and they expanded into Europe and Jerusalem. The Hospitallers originally focused on a vocation that was active in the world (not cloistered in a monastery), but Brother Gerard sought incorporation for the order under the Vatican, and it was granted. The Hospitallers adopted a white, eight-pointed cross as their symbol in honor of the eight beatitudes. They cared for Christians as well as for Muslims, and it is noted that the Jerusalem hospital became the model used by the famous Maisons-Dieu hospitals of France. The Knights of Malta today is the only original military nursing order still in existance, with almost 1,000 years of tending to the sick and poor.
3. St. Alexis (Fifth-century Rome): Although venerated as a saint, his status was minimal until he became patron to the Alexians (or, the Alexian Brothers), a group that organized in the 1300s to provide nursing care for Black Death victims. St. Alexis served many years in a hospital located in Edessa, Syria. The Alexian Brothers, a Catholic religious institute or congregation, remains active today and they maintain hospitals throughout the U.S. Their ministry is to acute care, residential elderly care, retirement age and AIDS victims.
4. Friar (Fray) Juan de Mena (1500s): A Mexican nurse who tended the sick as a lay brother of the Santo Domingo of Mexico, he was deceived into leaving his province for Spain about seventy years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A hurricane shipwrecked his ship off the south Texas Coast in 1554, but he – along with Friar Marcos de Mena – survived. However, they were attacked and Friar Juan de Mena received an arrow in the back and died after traveling a short distance. Friar Marcos de Mena was the sole survivor, and he managed to reach Tampico, Mexico with this story. Although Friar de Mena did not minister to the sick in America, he is considered the first nurse to set foot on what would become the U.S.
5. Juan Ciudad (1495-1550): Prominently known as “St. John of God,” Ciudad was a Portuguese-born friar and saint who has become one of Spain’s leading religious figures. Although he served first as a soldier for Spain, he later began printing religious books and then experienced a major spiritual conversion. From there, he expended all his energy in caring for the neediest people of Granada. He organized another order of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, although — for a time — he was a one-man operation. He inspired two wealthy men to back his mission, and that order grew quickly. Juan Ciudad died in Granada in 1550 as he tried to save a drowning boy. His order grew after his death, and today operates over 250 specialized hospitals and health centers in almost fifty countries.
6. St. Camillus de Lellis (1550-1614): the year that Juan Ciudad died, St. Camillus de Lellis was born. He initially began his foray into life as a soldier who was afflicted with excessive gambling and an aggressive nature. He later returned to a hospital that previously dismissed him and eventually became director of that facility. He then founded a religious order and became the Universal Patron of the sick, hospitals and nurses. It is thought that he possessed the gifts of healing and prophecy, although he remained sick most of his life from a non-healing leg wound. His Order of Clerks Regular Ministers to the Sick (Camillians), assisted soldiers on the battlefield and devoted themselves to plague victims and alcoholics. St. Cammillus used the sign of the red cross, which still is used today. He also developed the first ambulance service and what is now known as the first home hospice.
7. James Derham (c. 1757-1802): Derham was the first African-American to formally practice medicine in the United States, although he never received a medical degree. Born into slavery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Derham was owned by several doctors. One of his owners, Dr. Robert Dove of New Orleans, encouraged Derham’s interest in medicine. By working as a nurse, he purchased his freedom by 1783 and opened a medical practice. Derham spoke English, French and Spanish and had a wide range of clients, serving all races. He specialized in throat disorders and diseases related to climate. Derham disappeared around 1802, fate unknown. New Orleans established the James Derham Middle School (now Junior High School) in 1960 in his honor.
8. Walt Whitman (1819-1892): Although more recognized as a writer and poet, Whitman is, perhaps, the most noted male nurse in modern history. He spent a better part of his time during the American Civil War as a volunteer nurse after his brother was wounded. During these hospital years Whitman was known to be constantly scribbling in little notebooks made of pieced together scraps of paper. These now prized notebooks are filled with bits of poetry, addresses of friends and notes concerning the needs of the wounded soldiers. Whitman immortalized his nursing work in his poem, “The Wound Dresser.”
9. Edward L. T. Lyon (mid-twentieth century): On October 6, 1955, Edward Lyon became the first man to receive a commission as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army Corps. Lt. Lyon, a nurse anesthetist, joined 3,500 commissioned women in the Corps in an act that finally overcame the U.S. military objection to male nurses. This objection was overruled by an amendment to the Army-Navy Nurses Act of 1947 that went into effect in August 1954, thanks to Rep. Frances Bolton of Ohio, a long-time nursing supporter. This change in military status of male nursing led to the growth of men in various military nurse corps. By 1990, approximately thirty percent of the registered nurses in military nursing were men, a percentage that is far higher than that of men in public nursing roles. The image of Lyon is from Men in Nursing Facebook Page.
10. Joe Hogan (late twentieth century): An African-American associate-degree nurse, Hogan applied for admission to earn his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus in 1979. Although other schools offered associate-to-bachelor’s degree programs, none were available in the local area other than MUW. Mr. Hogan was denied admission based solely upon his gender. He sued for violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, but the State argued that it had a tradition and a legitimate interest in providing educational opportunities for women in sex-segregated programs. Justice Sarah Day O’Conner found the State’s argument unpersuasive in the appeal, and today publicly funded schools of nursing cannot bar men from admission. In 2008, university President Limbert announced that MUW would remove “women” from the university’s name. Hogan was last heard from sometime in 2005 before Hurricane Katrina. He was working as a surgical anesthesiologist in New Orleans, according to his former attorney.

Books used for research on this article include:

• Rodriguez, Junius P. Slavery in the United States: A Social, Political, and Historical Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2007. 253-54. Available as an eBook at Google Books.
• O’Lynn RN PhD, Chad. Men in Nursing: History, Challenges, and Opportunities. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, 2006. Available as an eBook at Google Books.

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An online program that leads to a master’s degree in nursing from a basic degree imparts you with the necessary qualities that will help you further your career in future. You are taught leadership attributes that enable you to work in high level medical institutions and universities. Online nursing programs will arm you with problem handling methods, research methodologies and suitable management procedures at the work place.

Online programs that lead to master in nursing enables you to be leader who makes favorable contributions and decisions be it in a hospital or an institution of higher learning. Online nursing programs prepare you to make use of modern technology and integration of required information in research. The program facilitates the practice of effective communication with patients and junior students in nursing education. Once you are through with the program it prepares you to make sound nursing assessments. You will also be able to report directly to top level management.

The online program coursework include the different theories in nursing education. You will also learn about how to make a contribution in a medical journal publication .the online program also teaches you about the legal and ethical related issues in nursing. There is also education in patient counseling. Once you complete your online masters in nursing program you will be highly marketable in your career development. Among the careers that you may look forward into include a pediatric nurse or a family nurse practitioner. Another area of interest includes being a clinical specialist or a nurse midwife. You can also be a nursing tutor to nursing students. After this online program you will far much better than those with a basic degree.