20 Incredible TED Talks for Nurses & Doctors

By Donna Reish

Medicine is nothing if not a constantly changing practice. The treatments for a disease that were deemed necessary and proper ten years ago have given way to new plans derived from advances in technology and science. But it's not just the tech that's constantly revolutionizing the field: it's the ideas from which they're born. The future of medicine has always been dictated by men and women who think outside the box, and this scattering of TED talks is a great way for today's doctors, nurses, and medical students to get a glimpse of what's to come.

  1. Aditi Shankardass: Neuroscientist Aditi Shankardass is doing amazing things with EEG technology, especially when it comes to redefining the way we approach diagnosing developmental disorders in children. She argues (compellingly) that looking at a child's brain, not just their behavior, is the key to discovering the truth.

  2. Alan Russell: Alan Russell's 2006 speech digs into something that would have been considered science-fiction a generation ago: instead of treating bodily injury with supports or prosthetics, why not attempt to regenerate real body parts and organs? It's a fascinating look at the horizon of modern medicine, one that's getting closer every day.

  3. Anthony Atala: This 2009 video makes a great follow-up to the previous one, as Anthony Atala talks about what's happening in the specific areas of organ generation and how it can change the world.

  4. Catherine Mohr: "A talk about surgical robots is also a talk about surgery." Catherine Mohr's fascinating look at the past and present of surgical tech highlights the future as well, and how more and more procedures are being assisted and performed by machines.

  5. Christopher deCharms: This quick (four-minute) talk from 2008 is riveting despite its brevity, thanks to the subject matter. Christopher deCharms talks about using MRI technology to see how we function and feel in real time.

  6. Daniel Kraft: Kraft is a real pioneer, and his 2009 speech covers his innovative methods of harvesting bone marrow with minimal discomfort to the donor.

  7. David Agus: David Agus speaks frankly about how cancer diagnosis and treatment needs to radically change and take a long-term view of disease eradication and not just stopping the short-term problems.

  8. Dean Ornish (2004): The first Dean Ornish speech to make the list, this 2004 address deals with the body's natural ability to heal itself. It's a smart and deceptively simple way to approach a big-picture view of health care.

  9. Dean Ornish (2008): This quickie from Dean Ornish talks about how lifestyle changes don't just improve your health but can actually alter your genetic make-up.

  10. Eric Topol: Smartphones aren't just for playing "Angry Birds" anymore, as Eric Topol highlights in his engaging talk. Wireless devices are becoming tools of medical diagnosis as well as colleague-to-colleague communication. Expectant mothers can now monitor fetal heartrate on their iPhones. How awesome is that?

  11. Joe DeRisi: Joe DeRisi, a biochemist, has some amazing ideas about how DNA can be used as a predictor of disease, effectively making it possible to cure problems before they appear.

  12. Kary Mullis: Kary Mullis has won a Nobel Prize for chemistry, so he knows what he's talking about. His brief speech illuminates the way molecules can be targeted to kill bacteria.

  13. Kevin Stone: An orthopedic surgeon, Kevin Stone has some great ideas about using animal tissue to reconstruct damaged human limbs and joints. It could be a way to eliminate the entire donor process.

  14. Marc Koska: Filmed in 2009, this frank talk from Marc Koska deals with how the reuse of syringes kills more than 1 million people every year.

  15. Michael Specter: Many medical professionals find themselves beset by complaints from people who suddenly deny the track record of scientific progress. This speech will comfort any nurse or doctor who's dealt with a wingnut denier and give them ways to counter bogus claims.

  16. Paul Ewald: Evolutionary biologist Paul Ewald is pushing the envelope when it comes to how we think about germs and other micro-organisms and the way they lead to disease.

  17. Pawan Sinha: We tend to take sight for granted, but Pawan Sinha doesn't. By providing treatment to children born blind, Sinha and his team are able to study how the brain learns to see, and they can then use that data to gain insight into broader neurological areas.

  18. Seth Berkley: The key to defeating HIV isn't just developing a vaccine but implementing a distribution process that works for the third world, according to this insightful talk from Seth Berkley.

  19. Thulasiraj Ravilla: The costs of health care have been in the news more than usual in the past couple years, which makes Thulasiraj Ravilla's 2009 especially relevant. His work to bring affordable eye care to millions in India offers a template for ways other countries can increase the quality of care without seeing costs skyrocket.

  20. William Li: Most patients — and most doctors and nurses, as well — think about cancer in terms of treatment after diagnosis. But William Li's captivating talk asks viewers to consider taking preemptive measures, namely eating foods designed to fight cancer and prevent the growth of blood vessels that would support tumors. Maybe the new year means a new diet.

Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make Freshman Year

The old saying goes that most people learn from their mistakes, but wise men learn from the mistakes of others. This is certainly true of the decisions you will make during your freshman year in college. Here we’ll explore some common mistakes you can avoid your freshman year.

One of the mistakes many freshmen make is assuming that because high school was easy for them, college will be easy too. Soon, however, they find that they were unprepared for the difficulty of college-level work. To avoid biting off more than you can chew, start by taking only the minimum amount of courses that allows you to remain a full-time student, which typically equates to four courses, or 12 credit hours. This way you won’t be blind-sided by the amount of work you will have to complete in college. If you are able to keep up with those courses successfully, you can try adding on an additional course next semester and go from there.

Another mistake freshmen have been known to make is dropping classes they don’t like or dropping classes at the first sign that it’s going to be more difficult than expected. Not only can dropping classes put you below the requirements of a full-time student, thus putting your financial aid and scholarships in jeopardy, but it can also put you behind on your schedule to graduate. Trust me, when you’re taking a grueling 18 credit hours your senior year to stay on track to graduation, you’re going to wish you hadn’t dropped so many classes your freshman year. Not to mention you miss out on a good challenge when you drop classes at the first sign of difficulty.

Freshman often don’t capitalize on their free time the way they should, like using that two hours between classes to study, or hitting the books for that test on Friday instead of hitting up that Thursday night house party. Effective time management doesn’t have to be something a freshman learns the hard way; it can be put into practice from the moment you start school

Finally, another mistake freshman make is making poor decisions when it comes to alcohol. All too many college freshman are so excited at the prospect of partying it up in college that they get in trouble with the law for underage drinking or public intoxication, and end up having to pay expensive fines and even spend the night in jail. College freshman would do well to drink responsibly and abide by the law when they’re out with friends instead of learning the hard way.

How to Stay Motivated as an Online Student

While attending classes online may be convenient, sometimes focusing on the pre-recorded or live lectures can be a challenge. Especially if the professor is exceptionally boring or if you are a parent or working adult whose mind typically is at multiple places at once. But there are easy things that you can do to help you stay motivated and focused on your online coursework. Continue reading to learn what those things are.

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you eat a well-balanced meal before you "attend" class. This might sound silly, but it really helps you stay focused. This is because when your body is not fueled with the right nutrients, you will feel drowsy. Drowsiness is also a side-effect of dehydration caused by caffeinated beverages such as soda and coffee. When one feels drowsy or tired, it can be exceptionally difficult to pay attention to class lectures. So drink the recommended 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and munch on healthy snacks like apples whenever you are feeling sluggish (certain fruits will give you the instantaneous boost of energy you need to help you stay focused).

Another way to stay focused and motivated is to try to find points of each lecture that interests you. Even if the course as a whole is rather boring, try to make it relatable. A good way to do this is to make connections between your assignments/lectures with a memory or personal goal. While on the same subject, it’s also important that you are aware of your goals whenever you are losing interest or motivation. Remind yourself why you are enrolled in school, and how you are oh-so-close of achieving your goals.

Lastly, one of the best ways to keep yourself motivated is to be actively involved with your professor and other students. The more you are engaged, the more you will feel as if you are being productive and the more likely you are to get positive feedback. Positive feedback can give you the motivation you need to keep on going. So try to make virtual study buddies and participate in discussions. Reach out to your professor and e-mail him or her whenever you have questions.

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Classes

Online classes are perfect for those that are unable to attend a traditional school, but many are unaware that there are actually two different types of online formats—synchronous and asynchronous classes. Both are completely different and are designed for different types of students and learners. To find out which format is best for you, continue reading.

Synchronous classes are more like traditional classes. This is because students are required to "attend" class and log-in a specific time every day. They must also engage and participate with professors and other students in real-time, typically via a webcam, conference call, or chat forum. These types of classes are perfect for those who want a real class-room experience but do not have the ability to make the commute to a brick-and-mortar institution. But like when attending a traditional class, students must be prepared to answer lecture questions and participate in discussions on demand. This means you have to do all of the appropriate readings the night before to be prepared for class. This is a great option for students who easily lose focus when not closely monitored by a professor. It’s important to note that if you are considering this option that you have a high bandwidth Internet connection, a web cam and a microphone installed in your computer or laptop.

Most online classes, on the other hand, are asynchronous. This route is the most desired choice for working parents or those that need a more flexible schedule. Unlike synchronous classes, asynchronous classes allow students to attend class at their own convenience. Assignments and due dates are generally posted on a course management site daily. It’s the student’s responsibility to turn the assignment in on time, but he or she can watch the lecture videos, for example, whenever he or she pleases. While asynchronous classes are designed for those whose schedules don’t permit them to meet at a set time, it’s also perfect for those who generally take a longer time to prepare their thoughts, feel uncomfortable speaking in front of a large class of other students, or have difficulties speaking the English language. With that said, those who would like to pursue asynchronous online classes must be very detail oriented and must have strong writing and reading skills, and must do exceptionally well with individual work.

10 Reasons to Graduate in 3 Years

Four-year college graduates are becoming increasingly less common, so graduating early is quite the achievement. During a time in life when many of your peers are still uncertain about what they want to do and how they want to go about doing it, you can set yourself apart by skipping that whole emerging adulthood stage and entering the real world. If you’re a driven student who isn’t afraid of growing up, then consider the following reasons to graduate in three years.

  1. Save Money: As you well know, the cost of tuition is continually rising, making it increasingly difficult for average middle class families to afford four or more years of tuition and fees. According to the College Board, even after financial aid, in-state students at public colleges pay an average of $7,605 per year, while students at private colleges pay an average of $27,293 per year. Graduating in three years either saves your parents a lot of money or prevents you from going further into debt. In fact, because of those reasons, some colleges have designed special three-year degree programs that efficiently utilize students’ time by requiring 18 hours per semester and commitments during summer and winter breaks.
  2. Make Money: Eating Ramen Noodles and fast food, drinking cheap beer, staying with five people in a hotel room during trips, and everything else that comes with the college experience may be fun in the beginning, but after a while it begins to take its toll, leaving you wondering what life would be like if you didn’t have to live dollar to dollar. The full salary that comes with your first job after college will enable you to live more comfortably and enjoy those many, many things you couldn’t previously afford. Additionally, you’ll get a head start on repaying your student loans and eliminating debt so that you’ll be able to do more financially later in life.
  3. Gain Work Experience: By the time most of your friends graduate, you’ll more likely than not have already received at least one raise and possibly even a promotion. The same work ethic it took to get your degree in three years will pay off during your career, literally, and starting early will allow you to achieve more at a young age. Nothing substitutes for real work experience.
  4. Become Independent: People in their 20s these days aren’t nearly as financially independent as the group was decades ago when fewer people attended college. The economy hasn’t helped matters, but it’s certainly not impossible to find a decent job and break the dependence on mom and dad. Graduating early gives you a head start, enabling you to no longer have to answer to your meddling parents. Plus, the self-satisfaction that comes with knowing that you’re doing it completely on your own is invaluable.
  5. Save Early for Retirement: The earlier you begin your career and establish yourself, the earlier you’ll be able to save for retirement. The recent economic crisis has shown that retirement is far from a guarantee, and it takes foresight and financial discipline to ensure your golden years won’t be spent as a Wal-Mart greeter. If your employer offers you a 401k plan, use it and add as much money as you can. Or contribute to a Roth individual retirement account. Retirement will become more of a reality, and you may even be able to retire early depending on how much you put into it.
  6. Escape Your Lousy School: Is your school failing to meet your expectations early in your college career? Are your professors uninspired and aloof? Have you been screwed over by the financial aid or bursar’s office? Does your personality not quite mesh with the campus culture? Graduating early can be your ticket out of your lousy school and an end to a lackluster college experience. Hey, college isn’t guaranteed to be the time of your life despite what popular culture has told you.
  7. No More Schoolwork: There’s no doubt that graduating in three years is an arduous task. It requires taking no fewer than 15 hours per semester and the sacrifice of off-time, like summer and winter break, in order to accumulate the 120 or so hours you’ll need for your degree. That means you’ll be studying and stressing over exams and projects year-round, while many of your friends will be living it up on their five-year plans. When you graduate, however, you’ll have two years to point and laugh at them as they continue to deal with the general inconveniences of college, and you’ll be able to take satisfaction in the fact that you won’t have to worry about that stuff again.
  8. Jump Early into Grad School: On the other hand, if you plan to seek an advanced degree, you’ll be able to jump right into grad school without losing much time. This can be enticing if you enjoy academia, as grad school is more of an intellectual challenge. You’ll be expected to exhibit more in-depth and applied knowledge, and thus your class experiences will be more engaging and enlightening. You’ll also encounter research opportunities, which will enable you to leave your own mark on your discipline. Of course, by the time you finish, many of your friends will be completing only their first degree, reinforcing that you’re ahead of the game. And if you plan to get a PhD, you’ll spend one fewer year on your quest to attain it.
  9. Time: You’ll have more time in general. Not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also for other things in life, such as getting married and starting a family — if you want to get a head start on that. You could travel or join organizations like the Peace Corps. You could explore alternative professions that may not require a college degree but interest you anyway. You could help out with the family business before jumping into your career. What you do with the extra year or two is up to you.
  10. It’s a Challenge: Like Joe Brown said, "A challenge is an opportunity to prove your ability to yourself, and others." College is where you should build the work ethic and confidence needed to explore those limitless possibilities in life. Students who graduate in three years have high expectations of themselves, and realize that such an accomplishment will set them up for many more accomplishments in the future.

« Previous Page