Safer Needles and Practices Reduce HIV Infections

by Alex A. Kecskes

While most bloodborne HIV infections occur through injection of illegal drugs, unsafe needles and practices during transfusions and injections of legal drugs still account for alarming number of new HIV infections.

HIV testing of donor blood was not implemented until 1985, four years after the first case of AIDS was reported. Between 1985 and 1992, the United States, France and Romania had the highest number of AIDS diagnoses resulting from HIV infection via transfusions. During this seven-year span, more than 8,000 people in the US are thought to have acquired HIV through transfusion.

Improvements in injection devices have helped to stem bloodborne HIV infections. One such improvement is the single dose, pre-filled Auto-Disable (AD) injection device (used for vaccinations). The AD syringe features a one-way valve, which makes the syringe useless after one use. AD syringes are used mainly for immunization programs where injection equipment is often reused. AD syringes are safe regardless of the locale and cost only 2 cents more than traditional syringes.

While the attention is often focused on developing countries, healthcare facilities in developed countries are still not 100 percent safe. In 2008, a health clinic in Las Vegas was closed after it was discovered that syringes were being reused and that colonoscopy equipment was not being cleaned between patients. The CDC campaign slogan “One Needle, One Syringe, Only One Time” is aimed at health workers in America.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

New Year Greeting!

Happy New Year from Philly Jobs, Beyond, and In the Hot Seat!

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

~Abraham Lincoln

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

Keeping your Career Resolutions

The New Year is almost here, and it is time for the annual making of resolutions. For most people, the close of the year is a great time to plan what achievements are the most important for the coming year. But, the problem with new year's resolutions is that they are easy to not follow through on.

If your resolutions are in regards to your career, the best way to ensure that you will be able to meet them, is to not only decide what they are, but make a plan on how to accomplish them. To help you make your resolutions come true, here are some of the most common career-related resolutions, along with ways to make them happen:

• I want to find a new job – If this is your goal, schedule time each week to work on getting resume and your skills polished so that you can make yourself as marketable as possible. Start working on building your professional network and keep an ear out for new opportunities.
  
  
• I want to build a stronger network – Look for at least one professional association that you can join. Start attending meetings and participating with the group. At your job, be on the lookout for opportunities to network and work with employees from different departments. Write down weekly updates in a journal to keep you focused on your goal.
  
  
• I want to increase my marketability – The best way to accomplish this is by brushing up your skills. This may mean enrolling in career courses or learning a new software. If you don't have the time or the means to take college courses, check out your local library for tutorials and books that can help you learn some new skills.
  
  
• I want to be a better employee – Try to identify areas that you can stand to improve and plan out ways to do just that. Make some career goals and keep track of your progress. This may mean looking for new projects and taking on extra assignments.
  
  
• I want a promotion – If you are looking to move up the ladder in your career, it is a good idea to meet with your manager and discuss your career goals. This will give you an idea of what you need to do to be considered for a promotion and it will let you know if it is likely to happen with your company. It may be that in order to move up, you will have to change companies.

Whatever your resolution is this year, having a strategy in place can make it less likely that you will end up breaking it. Invest in a notebook or journal to write down your progress at regular intervals. By keeping your focus on your goals, you are sure to succeed.

What are your career resolutions? Let me know in the comments.

Are you looking for a job in Healthcare? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobsite.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

What employees are saying about Philly's best employers

In my last post, I looked at the elements of corporate greatness – those factors that distinguish the best places to work from the rest. One of the unmentioned ones, at least as far as the companies ranked by glassdoor.com is concerned, is that the employees overwhelmingly love working there and feel invested in their company.

Glassdoor knows this because the employees say so themselves. So, I would guess, do the employees surveyed by the Philadelphia Business Journal for its annual listing of the Best Workplaces in Philadelphia. But unlike Glassdoor, the Business Journal doesn't share employee evaluations of the winners with its readers. So I decided to do a little nosing around on Glassdoor to see if I could find out what employees were saying about these companies there.

It appears that even the outstanding employers could stand some improvement, according to Glassdoor's anonymous reviewers. For instance, just about every review of the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine), one of PBJ's standouts in the Extra-Large Company category, praised the quality and diversity of the staff at the flagship Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and loved the benefits package, but some were critical of upper management, who many said either ignored patient satisfaction or focused on the bottom line over quality, while others dinged arrogant medical staff and overly bossy managers.

Employees of Digitas Health, one of the Large Company winners, were more positive overall: They loved the corporate culture, the support they got from co-workers and management, the company's efforts to balance a sometimes-demanding work pace with life and family needs, and the intelligence and energy of the staff. But the best ones leave, they all said, for opportunities that pay them better.

The two people who commented on Medium Company honoree First Financial Group may be too small a sample to be valid, but they both said the same thing: They loved the unlimited earnings potential and the freedom they had to shape their work but lamented the lack of support as they built their client bases.

And if the three commenters on Abington Memorial Hospital are representative of the entire workforce, then one might wonder how it also landed a Best Place to Work honor in the Extra Large category, for all of them complained about low pay, overwork, and understaffing due to cost-cutting.

Which brings us to an unavoidable problem with Glassdoor: Since the reviewers self-select, we cannot be sure that we are getting a representative sample of employee opinion, especially for smaller companies or those with only one location. Still, the reviews provide some insight into employee sentiment and morale at some of Philadelphia's best employers.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.

Kim Kardashian's Plastic Surgery…is Physical Perfection Worth the Trauma?

by Alex A. Kecskes

Easily one of the world's most beautiful women, Kim Kardashian, like so many in the media spotlight, has an obsession with physical appearance.

The 29 year-old E! star may be considering cheek implants, face injections, a nose job, Botox--even a face-lift. While she discounts plastic surgery rumors, Kim's face has changed in the last four years. Her nose has a different shape and profile now. But she maintains that, while her nose is one of her main insecurities, she has never had any work done on it. Her other facial improvements are more than likely the result of better skin care and makeup. Kim admits to Botox but notes that her lips have not been injected. She added that she would probably get breast implants after she has kids.

After a botched Botox job--in which she ended up with two black eyes--Kim said she'd never agree to cosmetic enhancement procedures. She suffered an allergic reaction to the injections, which left her with two black eyes and puffiness around each eye. Her doctor advised her that she was far too young to be undergoing the procedure and that the black eyes were a typical reaction. After that traumatic experience, she swore she'd never do Botox again. But she recently confessed that she might once again agree to plastic surgery. She felt she had to "improve" her aging skin and may once again turn to Botox to remove wrinkles.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

Lights, Camera, Action! Do You Fancy a Career in the Film Industry?

While launching a career in the film industry may seem like a far-flung endeavor, there are numerous people who are currently employed by the film industry in the United States. That said, while not everyone is starring in or directing the latest and greatest blockbuster Hollywood movie, they are enjoying their work in this industry to a great extent.

In order to get started in the filmmaking industry, it is a great idea to attend film school as this type of education can teach you a great deal about filmmaking and the film industry in general.

“Going to film school was the best decision I made for my career. When I started at the Academy of Art University, I never though I would be at the level I am now. I have learned more than what I ever imagine about the business and I can say that I am truly ready for "Hollywood", says Keely Stanley, Creative Producer of the movie, 4th Down. “My professors are producers, writers, and actors who actively work in the industry. I am currently working closely with a popular Hollywood director and if I was not in school, I would not have this amazing opportunity.”

To obtain admission into film school, you must of course have the talent, drive, and determination to succeed in this creative yet challenging field. As film schools do vary with respect to the qualifications that are needed to gain admission into the programs, it is important that you research this information thoroughly. For instance, some film schools may ask that you complete a standardized admissions test while other schools may ask for a certain GPA and/or relevant film experience.

Of course, besides creativity and drive, you must also understand the business world as in most situations, the film industry is run in a corporate fashion.

“There is a CEO aka Executive Producer, a boss aka Director, employees aka actors or film crew members,” explains Stanley of the movie 4th Down. “Basically the common knowledge that is required to be successful in the everyday business world would be almost identical to a film set work environment. Be on time, be a team player, and be creative!”

Wise advice indeed!

Ready to supercharge your job search? Visit PhillyJobs.com.

Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines.

Get Free Access To Books, Movies and Music this New Year

The holidays are a great time for giving and getting new toys. For adults, these toys are often of the high-tech variety. Laptops, iPads, MP3 players and eReaders are on the top of many peoples' lists. But, after the shiny presents are opened and all of the electronics are charged up, it becomes clear that getting the music, movies, games and books to fill them up is going to cost a whole lot more.

But, don't let the devices with their pre-loaded stores stocked with one-click to purchase options blind you to the fact that you don't have to spend a fortune to have access to millions of books, CDs and movies. In fact, all you need is a small wireless device that can fit right into your wallet. It's called a Library Card, and they are given away to people almost every day.

If you haven't been inside a library in a long time, you will be pleasantly surprised if you were to pay a visit to your local library. As you would imagine, they offer a wide variety of books on almost any topic. But, what many people don't know, is that they also offer movies and music that you can check out as well. You can borrow a CD, rip it to your computer and load the music right onto your MP3 player without give iTunes a small fortune. Most libraries also offer a large selection of DVDs, including newer movies, television series and documentaries.

If there is something special you are looking for and can't find it at your local library branch, there is even a way to reserve the item from other libraries and have it sent right to your branch for you to pick up. The whole process is so simple and easy. In fact, most libraries have a website for their members where you can search for items online and reserve them for you to pick up later. This makes stopping by to pick the items up from the circulation desk a quick errand.

Did you get a eReader this year? Well, the library can even help you with that. Many libraries offer a selection of eBooks for checkout as well. So, make a resolution to visit your local library in the new year and get a library card.

Are you looking for a new job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

New Year Greeting!

Happy New Year from Health Care Jobsite, Beyond, and In the Hot Seat!

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.

~Abraham Lincoln

Are you looking for a job in Healthcare? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobsite.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

Just Another Reason Why Spending The Holidays in Philadelphia Rocks!

Recently, U.S. Airways Magazine announced the “15 Best Cities for Getting That Holiday Spirit”. And, while it should come as no surprise to those who know how much Philadelphia Rocks, the city of Philadelphia took the Number 1 spot this year.

According to the article, some of the must-see holiday events were the Wannamaker's Christmas lights show, the Santa Express Train, the Dickens Christmas Village and the pipe organ at Macy's. It seems that the tradition of gathering in the Grand Court of Macy's to hear the pipe organ and waiting for the arrival of the Santa Express Train is the best way to get in touch with your Holiday spirit.

Philadelphia beat out many other cities, who are also well known for their Holiday traditions. London, U.K came in second place. The article lauded the Santa at the Christmas Grotto at Harrods, along with enjoying tea at Hamleys. Of course, Harrod's is famous for their annual Christmas teddy bear, and this year's bear is exceptionally cute bear named Archie.

Coming in a strong third place, was our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.. Although everyone loves the Nutcracker Ballet, it seems that U.S. Airways was especially impressed with the D.C interpretation of the holiday classic. The opening Christmas party is set in a Georgetown mansion and, appropriately, George Washington plays the role of the Nutcracker. Instead of sugar plums, the ballet features cherry blossoms.

I found it surprising that New York City, home of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller center, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes, came in at number 7 on the list after Rome, Rio De Janeiro and San Francisco.

One of the interesting things about the listing, is that the judges give equal weight to all sorts of holiday traditions. Christmas tamales in Austin, TX made the list, as did the Blue Christmas at Graceland in Memphis, TN.

So, how ever you celebrate the holiday and ring in the New Year, enjoy spending it in the number one place to get into the holiday spirit. And, have a happy New Year!

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Nurses May Take Load Off Doctors in Certain Areas of AIDs Care

by Alex A. Kecskes

HIV/AIDS takes the lives of nearly 1,000 people daily in South Africa. The area has the world's largest national program that treats patients with antiretroviral drugs. Yet only 17.4 medical practitioners are available for every 100,000 people. A partial solution may be at hand.

Nurses monitoring treatment for AIDS patients have been found to be just as effective as doctors. Taking the load of physicians could ease the burden of health workers. A "task-shifting" study in HIV care in South Africa uncovered little difference in patient outcomes for patients undergoing AIDS drug therapy under the supervision and care of a physician or nurse.

The United Nations estimates that 33 million people worldwide are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. And half of the 9.5 million people who need AIDS drugs have no access to them. To make matters worse, there is a global shortage of 4.3 million healthcare workers. To help alleviate the problem, the World Health Organization recently proposed task-shifting, allowing certain aspects of physician duties to be performed by other qualified healthcare workers.

To test this strategy, a team from the Comprehensive International Program for Research in AIDS in South Africa compared the outcomes of nurse versus doctor management for patients in two clinics between 2005 and 2007. The study revealed that 48 percent of patients encountered treatment failures in the nurse group, while 44 percent encountered similar failures in the doctor group. After two years, deaths and outcomes due to drug toxicity side effects or dropout varied only slightly.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

In the Hot Seat: Mustard

In the Hot Seat is an illustrated depiction of the good and bad ideas of job seekers in interviews.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Check out PhillyJobs.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

For The First Time Ever, A Man Has Been Officially Cured Of HIV

This post isn't about finding a job in the healthcare industry, but the news was so amazing, I felt that I had to share it with you. According to several recent reports, for the first time ever, a man has been officially cured of HIV. Yes, you read that right. Officially cured. Although the medical treatment he received was risky and could well have killed him, it gives us all a glimmer of hope that an honest to goodness cure might be found within our lifetimes.

I don't need to tell you how devastating the HIV virus is. I am old enough to remember the 80's and early 90's when so many people were dying from this disease. For many years, it was thought to be God's plague sent to eliminate homosexuals, and there was little to no medical research about it. In a very shameful period of our history, before it was officially called HIV, it was called GRID, standing for Gay Related Immune Disorder.

After watching several people I cared about die from the virus, I was hopeful when research found a way to manage the illness through the use of medications. But still, the outlook for finding a cure seemed bleak. But, this new breakthrough opens the door to the possibility that we may be able to get rid of this virus for good.

Timothy Brown was diagnosed with leukemia along with HIV in 2007. And since HIV is considered a manageable disease, the biggest concern for his doctors at Germany's Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin hospital was the bone cancer. The treatment he received was very aggressive, including chemotherapy that wiped out majority of his immune system.

After the radiation, he underwent a very risky stem-cell transplant that is so dangerous that almost a third of the patients don't survive the treatment. When the doctors chose the stem cell donor, they selected someone who has a very rare genetic mutation that makes him almost invulnerable to HIV. With his immune system wiped out by the chemotherapy, the healthy stem-cell transplant caused his immune system to become charged with the HIV resistant cells.

In the few days following the stem-cell transplant, doctors were optimistic about having destroyed the virus, but weren't willing to say that the virus was gone for good. But now, after not having not taken the HIV antiretroviral drugs since his stem-cell transplant, and after having extensive testing, all of which show no signs of the HIV virus, his doctors have declared him officially cured.

It isn't clear yet what this means for the future treatment of the virus. The procedure that Brown underwent is risky and caused him tremendous amounts of suffering. Not many people would be strong enough to attempt it or be able to afford it. But it does give us all hope just knowing that it can be cured and not just managed with medication. This medical miracle will open up new areas for research and provide clues for researchers to find a viable cure.

Source:

AidsMap

Are you looking for a job in the Healthcare industry? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobSite.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

What makes the best places to work the best?

Each year, magazines and newspapers both national and local survey companies large and small to come up with lists of the Best Places to Work.

One of the more recent entrants in this field is the website Glassdoor.com, which features insights into companies from the people who know them best - their employees. The site's 2011 list of the "50 Best Places to Work," out Dec. 15, is its third, and a much-discussed newcomer tops the list - Facebook.

Unlike many of the media surveys, in which companies can nominate themselves, Glassdoor's - like the Philadelphia Business Journal's local list - relies on input from employees. In Glassdoor's case, the employees post anonymous assessments of their companies' strengths and weaknesses to the site, along with the occasional surreptitious workplace photo.

What's remarkable is that many of the companies on Glassdoor's Top 50 list also make the more widely known lists like Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For." What this suggests is that at these outstanding companies, management and employees share not only the same high opinion of their businesses, but are likely in harmony because their corporate cultures encourage it.

That's certainly the case at Southwest Airlines, a perennial on Fortune's Most Admired Companies list, a Glassdoor repeat winner and second to Facebook this year. The company is famous for giving its employees a great deal of leeway to have fun with their jobs (within FAA regulations, of course). Creativity also appears to be a big reason why employees at Facebook and #3 General Mills love their companies and the people who run them (employees get to rate their CEOs on the site too).

Many of the employees at Top 50 companies also praised their strong family-like corporate cultures - a quality most of the reviewers ascribed to the one Philadelphia-area company on the list, financial trading firm Susquehanna International Group in Bala-Cynwyd. In fact, if there can be said to be any one quality that distinguishes a great place to work from the rest of the pack, it is that the great ones inculcate a "we're all in this together" spirit among their workforce. Or, as a pseudonymous poster put it in response to Forbes' article on the Glassdoor survey, a "'we' culture" is what makes a company a top performer in its employees' eyes. It usually makes it a top performer in the marketplace too.

Looking for a place where you can be part of the family? It's out there - start your search on PhillyJobs.com.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.

School Nutritionists Urged to Adopt New Guidelines

by Alex A. Kecskes

First Lady Michelle Obama recently remarked that nutritionists who prepare meals for schools have a greater influence over a child's diet that their parents. Since kids get about half their daily calories from school program lunches, it's not hard to see why these meals should be closely monitored.

With more children facing obesity than ever before--nearly one in three children--school nutritionists across the country have been given new guidelines to ensure children receive a healthy, balanced diet.

A recent study by the Institute of Medicine advised school nutritionists that their meals must reduce sodium, add fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and include a calorie limit. Parents are encouraged to support these efforts, since the new healthier guidelines are expected to raise the price of school lunches by up to 25 percent and school breakfasts by about 9 percent.

The new guidelines in the school lunch program will affect school lunches for more than 31 million children. Nutrition programs in the country are estimated to cost $24 billion this year.

The School Nutrition Association has embraced the new guidelines, which has been urging Congress to enact new nutritional guidelines for the school lunch program. Many schools have set up guidelines of their own, limiting sodium and calories, and adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their school meals. The new guidelines will even things out, provide a new healthful, anti-obesity benchmark and create consistency across the board.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

Do You Have a Case of the Winter Blues?

Besides the usual challenges that you may face while you are searching for a job, some individuals may also face another challenge this time of year – namely dealing with the “winter blues”. Winter blues affects about one in five Americans as the number of hours with daylight decreases; the more severe form of winter blues is referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or (SAD).

During the winter season, the sun of course rises later and the sun sets sooner. Moreover, the further you are away from the equator, the shorter your days will be and the likelihood that you will suffer from the “winter blues” increases. As an example, in Chicago, the sun is only up for approximately nine hours during an average December. The result? A whopping fifteen hours of darkness in just one day.

Some symptoms of the “winter blues” include lethargy, social withdrawal, and developing cravings for carbohydrates. Some scientists believe that the people that develop “winter blues” are more sensitive to any changes in light. Along similar lines, other scientists believe that serotonin levels in people affected by the winter blues decreases when there is less light.

All that said, how do you go about minimizing the effect that the decreased amount of light has on you? By doing the following:

Even though that you do not feel like it, you should exercise on a regular basis. Moreover, you should try to reduce the number of refined carbohydrates you intake.

Increase your personal exposure to light. For instance, you can spend time outdoors on midday lunch breaks, open your blinds to receive maximum light, add extra lights in rooms, and even go away to warmer climate.

Engage in light therapy and utilize a light therapy box. This type of box imitates natural outdoor light and is believed to positively affect mood-related chemicals in the brain. In order to obtain results from this light box, you would simply sit in front of this light box for a certain set time each day.

To conclude then, while some people may suffer from a case of the winter blues during the winter season, there are ways to overcome these feelings.

Ready to supercharge your job search? Visit PhillyJobs.com.


Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines.

Electronic Employee Records

API Healthcare, a company that works exclusively in the field of healthcare workforce management solutions has introduced the Electronic Employee Record. This new technology enables hospitals to improve patient care through best-practice talent optimization.

As healthcare reform finds providers caring for more patients with fewer resources, the Electronic Employee Record seeks to enable a patient-centered, end-to-end workforce management strategy.

The storing, managing and maintaining of all employee information throughout the entire cycle of employment allows for streamlined workflows, resulting in a seamless data flow that makes it possible to track trends and create forecasts that improve staff utilization. This improved efficiency can help increase employee morale, resulting in a more satisfied and empowered nursing staff.

J.P. Fingado, president and CEO of API Healthcare had this to say:

“The Electronic Employee Record provides a crucial link between the financial and clinical sides of the business. With real-time readily accessible information about actual patient care needs and the staff available to provide that care, hospitals are better able balance the financial realities of healthcare with their commitment to providing outstanding patient care.”

The Electronic Employee Record can be put to use in several areas:

• Controlling overtime. Complete insight into an employee’s schedule enables organizations to project overtime and take the appropriate measures to avoid it before it occurs. In addition, the use of data from an integrated labor resource management system allows for the analysis of incidental overtime patterns, enabling the development of policies that eliminate the unexpected and unnecessary instances of incidental overtime without violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Managing supplemental and contingency staff. Many providers are turning towards contingency staffing to fill gaps either as additional resources or as an alternative to hiring permanent staff. When both agencies and providers use a single integrated workforce management system to fill open shifts, providers can be sure their contingent staff has the right credentials and skills to provide the high quality patient care required.
• Staffing based on true patient care needs. Bridging the gap between patient needs and the staffing plan is essential to affordable, high-quality care, and setting nurses up for success is essential to maintaining a satisfied workforce. When patient classification information is linked with staffing and scheduling information in realtime, staffing adjustments can be made before the beginning of a shift, ensuring optimal patient care.
• Synchronizing productivity and budget numbers. With a complete end-to-end workforce management system, managers and staffing coordinators can find the nurse with the right qualifications to most cost-effectively staff each shift. That empowers healthcare providers to make both cost and quality part of the staffing equation.

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Are you looking for a job in Healthcare? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobSite.

Bambi Blue is a freelance writer, editor, and codemonkey living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She moonlights as a jazz musician, a social butterfly, and most apparently a weisenheimer. Loves to cook, hates to clean, and can easily be found on Twitter.

3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Online shopping is fun and can save you some money, but there are still challenges for even the savviest of shoppers. When I started writing the post "3 Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them), I had planned on making it 6 Online Shopping Pitfalls, but once I got going, I realized that I had a lot more to say on the subject than I thought. So, here is my "But wait...there's more..." moment.

It is no secret that I love online shopping and I probably buy more things online than I do from brick and mortar stores. In fact, my friends tease me and say that I would buy groceries online and have them shipped to me if I could. I laugh, of course, but what I don't tell them is that if I could, I would. Trust me, I've checked.

So, let me share some more of my online shopping tips to help make your holiday shopping a little easier. Here are 3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Take a good look at the return policy – Return policies vary tremendously from store to store. There are websites that offer free shipping both ways and who have liberal return policies and other sites that charge shipping and restocking fees for any returns. Recently, I purchased a couple of shirts from a well respected company's website. When I tried the shirts on, I realized that I should have ordered a size smaller. I checked the website to get information on their return policy and was amazed to find out that not only do they not pay for the return shipping, they also charge a $10 restocking fee for each item returned. I had purchased the shirts on sale for $15 each, so after paying for shipping to send the items back to them and covering the restocking fee I would end up with about $1.50 in credits that could be applied to purchasing the smaller sized shirts. But, just because a company has a tough return policy, doesn't mean they aren't a good place to do business. But, if you know the policy ahead of time then you can make sure that you only buy things from them that you are sure you won't need to return.
  
  
• Always read product reviews – One of the challenges of online shopping is the fact that you can't hold or touch the product before you buy it. You are in a position of having to chose a product based on a text description and a picture. Many times, when you receive the item, the color is different than you imagined or it doesn't fit the same on you as it did the model in the photo. While this may not be a problem most of the time, it is a good idea to read the customer reviews of the product before you buy it. Based on what other people had to say about their purchase can give you clues about what to expect. They will let you know if the product looks much different that the photo, if the sizes run big or small or if there are other issues with it.
  
  
• Price comparison – The internet makes it really easy to comparison shop and no matter what sort of item you are buying, it can save you a bundle. When you find the item you want to buy, do a quick Google shopping search to see what other companies are charging for the same item. Just copy the item name with all the make/model information and paste it into a search engine and you should get a list of other vendors who are selling the item along with the prices they are charging. It doesn't always pay to go with the cheapest website, especially if a company you know and trust to get it right is offering it at a slightly higher price. Be sure to factor in charges like shipping into your comparison. There are also website who have discount codes and perks like free shipping for certain companies, so be sure to search for those to see if there are any other ways to save.

Online shopping is a lot of fun, and the savings and ease is worth the time and effort of finding companies worthy of your business. Never forget that your business is valuable, so make sure that the companies you deal with deserve it.

Happy Shopping!

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Coffee Buzz Part Two: Kicking It

If you can’t seem to start your day without coffee you’re not alone. Caffeine is used by 90% of Americans on a daily basis and 80% of the world wide population. Not surprisingly with such a large amount of people consistently consuming cups of Joe a dependency develops from many of those daily routines despite the associated health risks and side effects.

Withdrawal is one of the sure signs it’s actually addiction. The most common side effect for caffeine addicts who are cutting back is an intense headache. Because caffeine narrows the blood vessels in the head, abstaining from it increases the blood pressure and the throbbing starts. Other side effects frequently reported are fatigue and crankiness.

For most people the incentive to quit isn’t worth giving up the boost that comes with the buzz. However dependence on anything even caffeine is destructive in the long term. If you’re ready to start weaning yourself from addiction doses down to an intermittent indulgence you don’t have to feel like it’s impossible.

On the road to recovery the most important thing you can do is keep your whistle wet. By staying hydrated you can clean your system and curb your cravings. Water will flush the toxins out of your body and once they’re gone the perceived need for coffee won’t be as intense. Be prepared with headache medicine especially the first 2 days after you quit.

Get a natural high with exercise if you’re feeling sluggish. The best way to boost your energy is to get your body moving which will increase endorphins. By taking 20 minutes to increase the blood flow in your brain with jumping jacks or a jog you’ll find yourself more refreshed and ready for the day than when you were counting on coffee to get you through.

Don’t try to do it alone. Consuming coffee can be a social experience, don’t try to quit alone. Have someone to encourage you when you’re at your crankiest. Find a substitute spot to meet with friends and discuss the day, maybe a walk in the park instead of a coffee shop.

There is no shame in gradually stepping down by substituting smaller amounts of caffeine for larger ones. One of the most common recommendations for quitting coffee is to switch to green tea. If you do decide that a particular day warrants a good old fashioned cup of coffee just don’t slip back into old habits before you realize what’s going on. It only takes one week for the body to change it’s make up so that the caffeine inceptors are less receptive to the effects and tolerance starts all over again.

Are you looking for a job in Healthcare? Be sure to visit HealthcareJobsite.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

3 Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

I have to admit, I love online shopping. For me, visiting my favorite online retailers is a way to window shop, look for the best deals and a great way to do product research. And, with the record high sales that many retailers reported after Cyber Monday, it seems that I am not the only one who enjoys shopping from home. With the holiday season in full swing, many people are looking online to find that perfect gift.

Shopping online is fun and can be a huge money saver, but it can also have some pitfalls. Finding the best deals, avoiding scams, looking out for extra charges and preventing big headaches can be tough. So, here are 3 pitfalls of online shopping (and how to avoid them):

• Shop with companies you trust - It is a good idea to do some research on a company before buying anything from them. A quick Google search on the company name will bring up pages of customer reviews and experiences with the company. Keep in mind that most companies don't enjoy 100% customer satisfaction, and unhappy customers are more likely to want to discuss their experiences than the ones who had no problems with their transactions, so just because a company has a couple of bad reviews doesn't mean you shouldn't shop there. The key is to pay attention to what the reviewers are saying and look for common threads. For example, if many people are complaining about shipping issues, then you would be safe in assuming that the company has shipping problems and may not be worth dealing with.
  
  
• Don't be tempted by a "too-good-to-be-true" deal – While there are many sites that offer one time only deals on small numbers of goods, they are well-established, well-known and have great reputations. But on the whole, if a site is offering deals that seem to good to be believed, then they probably are. For example, I love to shop for shoes. But, like many shoe-addicts, I have expensive taste without the budget to support it. Most of the time, I just window shop. I do however, keep a close eye on each designers new lines and look for great deals. Recently, I started seeing ads on my Facebook page for discounts on couture shoes. A pair of Christian Louboutin pumps for $150? You've got to be kidding me! M. Louboutin charges much more than that for his French, red soled shoes, and last I checked, he isn't desperate for cash or going out of business, so why the deep discounts? I did a quick Google search on the company and found pages and pages of complaints about that site and others like it, who are using pictures of these much sought after shoes to scam people into buying them, only to send them very poor knock-offs that aren't even worth the postage. A little more research on the website and their returns and payment policy revealed a very telling way to spot the scam. Which brings me to the next point.
  
  
• Never use a site that asks for, excepts or even mentions using Western Union – Always read over the shipping, returns and payment policies of any online vendor. If there is any mention of using an escrow service or a money transfer through MoneyGram, or more popularly, Western Union, do not do business with them. Wait, let me say it one more time. Do not send them your money. They are a scam and there is no way you will end up with anything more that a big headache and an emptier bank account. You should never send money to someone you don't know through Western Union and you should never use it to pay for purchases. The reason scammers like this method so much is that they can receive the money in whatever country they are in and it is the same as giving them cash. With a credit card or PayPal, when you feel that you have been taken advantage of, there are options for recourse. Wiring a couple hundred bucks to someone across the world in hopes of getting discounted products is just plain stupid. The scammers are laughing their heads off at the “greedy Americans”, because to them it is just a game. If you have some money laying around that you just want to get rid of that badly, consider giving it to a charity like the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots. At least you would have some good feelings to show for your troubles.

Shopping online can be fun and save you money. The key is to pay attention to the details and be sure that the company you do business with deserves it. By reading the fine print, you can save yourself frustration and headaches.

Watch out for my next post, 3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

New Guidelines for Treating Depression Include Medication, Talk Therapy, Exercise.

by Alex A. Kecskes

The hyperkinetic pace of U.S. society and the bad economic climate have resulted in an alarming number of people suffering from depression. According to the CDC, one in ten U.S. adults now suffer from some form of depression with well over three percent suffering from major depression.

The American Psychiatric Association's (APA) recently released new guidelines for treating depression. Five years in the making, the guidelines include a more balanced approach to the administration of various therapies. They also urge doctors to more closely assess symptoms and to tailor treatments more specifically to the patient. The recommendations include a mix of medications, talk therapy, exercise, and alternative treatments.

For mild to moderate depression, talking therapy and modern antidepressants can help reduce symptoms and make patients less vulnerable to the onset of future depression. If the depression is serious, medications can play a larger role. And if traditional treatments prove ineffective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may offer some relief.

In treating serious depression that resists drug and other therapies, the guidelines suggest using older medications like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Additionally, newer options like transcranial magnetic stimulation (basically using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and relieve symptoms) may also be used.

Finally, exercise has been suggested as a way to improve mood symptoms. This would include either aerobic exercise or resistance training. Aerobic exercise can make a difference in patients suffering from mild to moderate depression. Researchers found that 30-minute aerobic workouts of moderate intensity, done three to five times weekly, cut mild to moderate depression symptoms nearly in half.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

Gifts to give friends searching for jobs

What do you give someone who’s on the job hunt for Christmas? While it’s the thought that counts sometimes putting thought into what they need instead of want can be an even better gift. Gift certificates are a great way to help with expenses and allow someone to choose what they want. No one will turn down a gift certificate to their favorite store but here are some ideas if you want to seem a little more personal.

$1-10 range

Post its Go ahead and splurge on the fun colors or ones with inspirational quotes. Job seekers can never have enough post its on hand for jotting down quick information.

Travel Mug Coffee keeps job seekers going. A travel mug will let them take it with them, give them a discount for bringing their own mug and is environmentally responsible.

Perfect Pen There’s just something about writing with a really nice pen but it’s hard to justify the extra expense when pinching pennies. Maybe the pen you buy your job seeking friend will fill out the application that will lead to their future career.

$10-30 range

Planner A really nice refillable planner will help a job seeker stay organized and on top things. Other similar or accompanying gifts would be a pocket planner, address book, or journal.

Dress shirt A nice shirt for attending interviews is always a good find under the tree for the job seeker in your life.

Business Cards Go online or to your local printer and have nice cards with their contact information printed to help them network.

$30 or more

Dinner for 2 What better way to connect with a friend and let them relax than to take them out to a nice restaurant and enjoy a good meal together? You don’t get more personal than being there in person.

Photo Session Help you favorite job seeker get ahead with professional head shots. Look online for a local photographer that will give them something creative instead of the same old studio shot. It will help their branding and their confidence.

Leather-bound Laptop bag or brief case This posh accessory will put a professional appeal on any job seekers arm. Keeping it all together in style will set them apart at the interview and organize all the things they need at the same time.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Check out PhillyJobs.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a writer and blogger for Beyond.com. She researches and writes about job search tactics, training, and topics.

Tips For Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Keeping your brain fit and healthy is always important. But, if you are in college or taking career classes, like those for medical assisting for example, it is even more important to keep your brain in tip-top shape in order to be better able to perform well in your classes and balance work, life and school stresses.

In a recent article at SuperScholar, neuroscientist Matthew Stanford had a few tips for how to improve your brain health and increase your ability to function at a high level. Here are a few of them:

• Get Plenty of Sleep – As a population, it is no secret that Americans are chronically sleep deprived. But getting adequate sleep is essential for learning new material and for allowing the brain to sort out your daily activities and repair itself from stress. On average, an adult needs 7.5 hours of sleep each night. Science has proven that people who don't get enough sleep have shorter attention spans, impaired memory function, longer reaction times and reduced brain activity. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain will produce more cortisol and stress hormones. This can result in inflammation that can cause cell death in the brain and slows down the growth of new brain cells during learning.
  
  
• Movie, TV and Technology Should Be Used in Moderation – Video, computers, watching television and playing video games can have a negative effect on brain function. Scientists have found that these sorts of activities can induce alpha or slow wave activity in the brain. Long term exposure to this sort of media can lead to permanent changes in brain activity, creating impulsive behavior and a reduced ability to concentrate. The overuse of internet and texting can also rewire our brains and cause us to have a harder time forming close relationships and cause attention problems. You should try to schedule regular breaks from technology and the television and increase face to face interactions with peers.
  
  
• Exercise Regularly – Regular exercise is good for our bodies, but it is also good for our brains. Research has shown that getting exercise can stimulate the growth of new brain cells, increase blood flow to the brain and it also reduces the levels of stress hormones. People who exercise on a regular basis learn faster, remember more and think more clearly than those who don't.
  
  
• Read Everyday – Reading is a complex task. It requires your brain to use many neural systems. Doing things like reading are exercise for the brain. The brain is strengthened by completing all of the tasks necessary to decode words and comprehend them can build stronger conecctions. People who read tend to have better memories, vocabularies, comprehension skills and attention. Good readers are also better writers than their non-reading peers. There are even studies that show that reading can help your brain protect itself against damage from Alzheimer's, stroke, dementia or even traumatic brain injury.

Keeping your brain in good shape is one of the best ways to prepare for success and ensure that you are able to perform at your best level, no matter what the challenge might be. So, take a nap, take a walk and pick up a good book.

Are you looking for a job in the healthcare.industry? Be sure to visit HealthCareJobSite.com

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Economic outlook for the region: Beige

Many years ago, there was a breakfast cereal commercial in which people were asked if they could remember what they ate for breakfast that morning. Of all the non-answers given to that question, one stuck in my head and remains there to this day:

"Well, it was sort of ...beige."

That, I'd say, pretty aptly describes the economic outlook for the next few months for the Philadelphia region, based on the latest Federal Reserve "Beige Book" report for the Philadelphia district, which encompasses eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

According to the Philadelphia Fed, the region's businesses and industries are sending mixed economic signals right now. Manufacturing and retail are up, demand for credit and service sector activity is flat, and the real estate market is heading south. What's more, no one is forecasting anything more than modest growth in the near future.

In other words, it looks like the next three months are not much different from the three that just ended. Retailers will likely be adding to their workforces to handle better-than-expected sales, while Realtors will likely be beating the drums for sellers and buyers more than taking new agents on board. Car dealers had better-than-expected sales this fall too, but they don't expect that good fortune to continue into the new year. Manufacturers may have good reason to add to their workforces, but as long as they aren't lining up to take out loans to expand capacity, those additions will likely be small in number.

In short, the region's economy - and thus its job market - appear neither very bright nor terribly dark right now or in the months ahead, and there's nothing to get excited about. In other words, "sort of...beige."

Find more colorful employment in your field at PhillyJobs.com.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.

Expanding Roles for Occupational Therapists

by Alex A. Kecskes

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people young and old with physical, cognitive or emotional limitations. The demand for these professionals has bounced back after layoffs and hiring freezes brought on by federal legislation limiting reimbursement for these services.

OT professionals are branching out beyond hospitals and long-term care facilities and getting into a variety of heretofore-unconventional areas.

Making Homes Safer. OTs work with elderly individuals, families and architects to make homes more accessible and less hazardous for those with poor mobility, vision or other problems.

Making Cities Safer. OTs also help architects, city planners and engineers incorporate the needs of seniors into proposed projects.

Driver Screenings. OTs are often asked to screen drivers, and perform evaluations and interventions to ensure that older drivers or those with special limitations do not injure themselves or others.

Easing Live-at-Home Patients. People who have suffered strokes or must deal with other postoperative conditions often call on OTs to help them lead productive, independent lives.

Disabled Students. Many OTs work in schools, helping students with disabilities like autism prepare to enter special-education programs.

Older Workers. OTs are helping employers develop strategies and ergonomic environments that keep older workers productive and prevent injuries.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

4 Careers for People who Love to Travel

Is travel a passion of yours? Perhaps then you should consider some careers that let you engage in this pursuit. Below are four careers that involve travel for you to peruse at your leisure.

Travel Writer

Although a travel writer’s life will not be a glamorous one when he or she is just starting out in this type of career; with perseverance, one can definitely make a living as a travel writer. That said, if you are just starting out in this type of career, it is a good idea to begin your career by submitting your travel writing pieces to smaller publications at first. Of course, it is also an excellent idea to maintain your very own travel writing blog so that can show your amazing writing talents to the world.

ESL Teacher

In this position, you can teach English-as-a-second language in various countries throughout the world. However, the specific responsibilities of an ESL teacher may vary from job to job. In general, ESL teachers offer English instruction in universities, colleges, private schools, non-profits, private tutoring and/or through other methods. As expected, ESL teachers prepare lessons and cover topics such as English grammar, speaking, reading, writing, and culture.

Travel Nurse

As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to work at various medical establishments throughout the United States. As these positions last from about three months to a year in length, you do have the option of seeing the country – while all the while working at the same time. Besides travel, some of the perks of being a travel nurse can include paid accommodations, an interesting position, a competitive salary, and medical and dental benefits.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Worker

As working with an NGO involves working in another part of the world, a position with these types of organizations is an excellent way to see the world. Additionally, the work that you complete will benefit society as a whole – does it really get any better than this? That said, working with an NGO is not for the faint of heart as these positions can involve living in a rustic manner that you may not be accustomed to.

Overall then, if you love to travel, there are many career options that are available to you.

Ready to supercharge your job search? Visit PhillyJobs.com.


Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines.

A few Caveats on Buying Drugs in Canada

by Alex A. Kecskes

Prescription drugs are expensive. Not surprisingly, the elderly, disabled, and people on fixed incomes are crossing the U.S. border for more affordable drugs.

If you qualify for the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you'll save some money. Some pharma companies even offer prescription drug assistance programs if you qualify. And online pharmacies can be another source of savings. But if the cost is still too high and you end up having to choose between drugs and food, you may want to consider looking across the border--namely Canada--to secure less expensive drugs.

A Canada drug cost survey conducted by Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York was backed by a bill that would have given U.S. consumers, pharmacists, and wholesalers the ability to access drugs from Canada and possibly other foreign countries. The survey of 120 pharmacies across New York, eight of which were in Buffalo, revealed a big gap in cost between prescription drugs in Canada and the U.S.

But the FDA warned that drug standards and regulations vary from country to country. And that by using Internet pharmacies, which are set up as foreign storefronts, you may subject yourself to potential health risks stemming from:

• Quality Assurance Concerns
• Counterfeit Potential
• Presence of Untested Substances
• Risk of Unsupervised Use
• Labeling and Language Issues
• Lack of Information

In addition, the NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) noted that once patients and consumers go outside the U.S. regulatory system, they become vulnerable and put themselves at risk for expired, contaminated or counterfeit drugs, as well as subpotent or superpotent formulations. In other words, buyer beware.

For an additional perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.

How To Do More Instead of Just Buying More This Holiday - Part 2

Yesterday, I was talking about why spending tons of money on holiday gifts is just a trap that doesn't actually increase happiness and joy, but rather causes stress, debt and disappointment. But, how can you still celebrate the holidays without running into these problems? If you just decide not to give gifts, doesn't everyone feel somehow cheated or left out? Wouldn't the lack of gifts lessen the happiness and joy? Possibly. But, I am in no way suggesting that you don't give gifts this year.

What I am saying is that there is a difference between creating memories that last and giving in to the machine of commercialism and thinking that all we need to do is buy more stuff. A good life comes from doing things, not just having or buying things. Think back to your previous holiday experiences, and you will see that it is true. We get more joy from life experiences than we do from possessions. Wonderful memories don't expire, they don't break after a week, they don't have to be returned and don't take batteries. They aren't likely to lead to disappointment or regret in the same way that material good do. Experiences tend to be shared, recalled fondly and talked about over and over.

So, here are some gifts that can help you create memories rather than creating debt:

• Take your holiday savings and use it for a family vacation – Spending time with your family is what the holiday is all about, so rather than spending hundreds of dollars on each person, why not take a vacation together. There are many places online where you can get weekly rental information for houses and apartments in many cities and even other countries. Getting your whole family together to chip in to spend a week in Tuscany or on a Balinese beach or even somewhere closer to home, would be a great way to create memories and build family togetherness.
  
  
• Choose a family project, and get everyone to give gifts for the project – For example, maybe you have always wanted to turn your family room into a home theater room, or you have been wanting to build a deck for summer cookouts. Get everyone in the family to agree to the project, and give gifts that will help complete the goal. Building and doing things together can help families bond and will create something that will last.
  
  
• Draw names – If you have a large, extended family that gets together each year, consider drawing names and just buying one well thought out gift for one person.
  
  
• Shop together – You can't avoid shopping altogether, so when you go shopping, make it an adventure. Try not to get caught up in the crowds and frenzy, take your time and try to look for ways to have fun with your loved ones while you shop. Sometime, when shopping for presents, my daughter and I will stop for a cup of hot chocolate and admire the decorations. Making memories while you shop will give you more joy than fighting crowds and hurrying to get to the next sale.

Use your imagination and come up with the ways that work best for your family. Whatever you decide to do, just keep in mind that doing more always better than having more. What sort of satisfaction is there when you drive yourself crazy looking for the best deals, spend more than you can afford and end up disappointed and stressed in the end. Don't let yourself fall into the trap. And have a wonderful holiday filled with joy and love.

Are you looking for a job in Philadelphia? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.