Every long journey must face its consequential end – and so it is with the career of reporter. The journalistic odyssey of every reporter must eventually reach the end point… the last report from the field. The long years of tedious work in covering beats, going to different places, meeting different personalities and dignitaries all these have induced stress and anxiety even on the most hardiest news reporter.

As a reporter, a part of me rejoices while another part laments. It is really a difficult to swim in the polluted waters of politics and treacherous waters of truth-telling. However, with a deep sense of integrity and love for work, I managed to keep my head above the water. Eating death threats for breakfast, averting every danger while covering rally dispersals, and rendering more than the usual regular work hour just to substantiate and give justice to the news that people read and need. The stress and anxiety challenged not only my physical strength but also the stability of my emotions, and my commitment to the principles of journalism.

Amidst all the challenges of journalism, I always found strength in God who is the Truth. Taking the long, arduous road to the factual truth was truly worth it. It is not everyday that a news item can enlighten the masses to the point of inspiring them to take action. All the stress and anxiety of the work seemed to be of little importance compared to the fulfillment of having brought to the people the information they need.

Quite frankly, I went through heaven and hell just to find my own place in the competitive world of journalism. I, too, had to make sacrifices in terms of time and energy just to fulfill my calling. Like every journalist who tried to maintain integrity in work I, too, had to tread my own via dolorosa my road to suffering. Chasing one scoop after another, haggling to get the best shot and the most exclusive interviews among the Who’s Who — it was expected that I would sooner or later slow down due to stress and anxiety.

Many times, I have contemplated about my worthiness to be a reporter. Modesty aside, my journalistic record already shows that I have what I takes to see my articles in print. Perhaps, like my fellow writers who have finished the struggle before me — I, too, have earned my right…to have a place in this world. Admittedly, there were times when I fell due to self-doubt and envy. But something within me gave me reassurance that I could stand together with the best of them — if I could only stop comparing myself to others. Thankfully, I learned that being a reporter…being a writer is such a solitary work. In the same manner, I should also learn to judge my own work — motivated not by the need to belong or to get approval from others, but for the sheer love of the craft and the desire for continuous self-improvement as a writer and journalist.

My experiences as a writer-reporter reminds me of the story about a man who found favor in the eyes of God. An angel of the Lord appeared to the man and said that he can have three wishes. The only catch was that whatever he wishes for, his neighbor will be granted twice of what he wished for. In reverent awe, the man fell on his knees and thanked the Lord for the blessing he has received. He first wished to have 1,000 heads of cow, and in effect, his neighbor received 2,000. His second wish was for a son, and subsequently his neighbor had twins. In a sudden bout of envy, he asked the Lord to gouge out his left eye so that his neighbor would lose both eyes. The angel of God was saddened by his wish and never granted the last request. Indeed, man must never fall into the trap of envy. Instead, we must strive for excellence while wishing good for our fellowmen.

As a reporter, stress and anxiety will always be present and should be treated as part and parcel of being a journalist. In summary, a reporter-writer must not only search after the truth. He must also be a force for good.

The Role Of The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – A Look Into SANE Programs

Studies have shown that less than half of the victims of sexual assault treated in emergency rooms get basic help with information about the risk of pregnancy or emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

They have to wait for sometimes up to six hours for treatment, and during this wait, theyre told not to eat, drink, or even use the bathroom before theyre examined because it might destroy evidence.

By the time of the examination, victims often feel re-raped from the treatment by the staff of the emergency room. For this reason, emergency rooms are realizing a need for SANE programs.

SANEs are registered nurses who have specialized training in examining victims of sexual assault. They provide much needed emotional support for victims as well as testify in trials as expert witnesses in the victims perpetrators trials.

They have extensive training in forensic evidence collection, expert witness testimony, STD treatment, and pregnancy evaluation. 75% of SANE programs are hospital based, housed in the emergency rooms while 25% are in the community setting at rape crisis centers or health clinics.

The first SANE programs started in the mid 1970s but it wasnt until the late 1980s that the programs got a major growth spurt as they grew more rapidly in the 1990s when localities started to see the benefits of what these SANE programs have to offer. And by 1996, there were approximately 70 programs in existence.

Now, there are at least 280 SANE programs throughout the United States. Nearly all of these SANE programs serve adolescents and adults, and around half serve pediatric patients.

The programs are staffed by RNs and nurse practitioners that conduct forensic exams of victims of sexual assault. They are required by law to report to local law enforcement sexual assaults that may have caused the victim injury.

On the other hand, the victim has the right to decide to have evidence collected and cooperate with law enforcement by providing them with information. After a SANE program is established, most emergency room personnel are relieved by the service that SANEs provide.

Many municipalities are starting to see the need in these much needed programs. They offer a great service to victims by quickly processing forensic evidence and giving emotional support while making their time to wait for examination as short as possible.

As SANE programs get more and more popular, well start to see many more of these programs as time goes on and this can only help the victims of sexual violence and help put their perpetrators behind bars so they wont have a chance to hurt anyone else.

Among the various kinds of virtual assistant profession, real estate virtual assistants are those who provide services to the real estate agents by taking the load off them. They are very similar to the virtual assistants except for the fact that they are specialized in real estate business providing specific and specialized services to their clients.

The real estate virtual assistants job includes the following:

The real estate virtual assistants maintain and update their clients websites with the present information on homes, contact information; some may even create flyers, advertisement, logo, scheduling appointments with prospective buyers etc. A certified real estate virtual assistant can simplify the process for the realtors. They can handle queries more professionally, handle phone calls and do the general secretarial and administrative jobs, answering emails etc.

Advantages of using a real estate virtual assistant:

The realtor can achieve higher sales and increase the revenue generation when getting the assistance of virtual assistants. The business is well structured with their help and growth of the business is sure. The realtor gets more time for listing and selling homes than taking care of routine activities as they have the professional help got from virtual assistants. The realtor gets more leisure time with less amount of stress. Long-term clients can be taken care with their help by sending updates etc.

Real estate virtual assistants are capable of handling lead generation activities, follow-ups, client database management, coordinating online transactions, planning marketing activities and so on. They can assure the realtor for meeting overall objectives with greater satisfaction.

Virtual real estate assistants will be able to promote the important aspects of business called the customer service. Even though many real estate agents intend to send holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards and follow-up emails and cards to their customers and open house attendees, time does not permit them to do so. All these can be done with the help of virtual assistants, as a happy customer is a customer for ever. Apart from these services, a virtual real estate assistant can send closing gifts, creating and sending mailers, creating CD tours of real estate listings, planning events for the customers etc.

Hence the services offered by the real estate virtual assistants are crucial for running the business. It is very important to check the references before hiring a virtual real estate assistant. Hiring a virtual real estate assistant who is self-motivated and efficient is a priceless possession for a real estate agent or a realtor.

Licensing is necessary for an engineer to prove they maintain the expected level of professional competency. A degree alone is not enough. Practicing as an engineer involves important safety and public health issues. For this reason, licensing is required as proof that the individual understands the concepts, their applications and the code of ethics behind working as an engineer.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) governs the licensure of engineers. They prepare all the engineering licensing exams, regardless of the state the exam is taken in.

There are many advantages to becoming a licensed engineer. For one, only a licensed engineer may use the initials P.E. after their name (Professional Engineer). In addition, only a licensed engineer may use the title engineer to the public and become a private practitioner.

As you probably already recognize, with the uncertainties in this day and age, the more credentials you have, the better your chances of finding employment are. Therefore, becoming a licensed engineer only makes sense.

To summarize the steps to gaining your Professional Engineers License, most states require the completion of an engineering degree and the passing of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Upon completion of the degree and the passing of the FE Exam, you will qualify for the EIT certificate.

Once you complete the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience is required) and an 8-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam in the your specialty, you will qualify for official certification as a Professional Engineer and may use the initials P.E. after your name.

So once you graduate, make sure you start the licensing process (if you have not already done so) by gaining the pre-license certificate known as the Engineers in Training (EIT) certificate. Then begin gaining your experience. Be sure to tell your employer that you plan to become a licensed engineer. They will usually be happy to ensure that your work experience meets the criteria for licensing.

The pen is mightier than the sword, says an adage. But most people do not know that when written words become spoken words, they explode like firecrackers! If books speak volumes, speeches fire up entire lives.

There are three kinds of words: the written, the meditated, and the spoken.

Written words inform and give full spectrum of probabilities about a topic or event. Meditated words have the potential to bring out explosive ideas. But when both the written and meditated words are verbalized, the result is tremendous, to say the least. Spoken words are fired from the barrel of a gun (the mouth), through a triggering mechanism (our tongue). When used effectively, words are like bullets that hit targets accurately and leave an indelible mark.

Speaking is a very unique technique of conveying messages. It involves body and soul. It can create a visual drama with live emotions and gestures that put life into the message like no written or meditated messages can achieve. In speaking, you really become the message rather than the words you speak. Thus, entire multitudes can go berserk in public with a moving speech.

It pays to learn how to speak with fire or have a flowery tongue. The power of the spoken word is insurmountable. Entire nations have been either united or divided by one dominant leader who spoke winningly of a cause. Abe Lincoln spoke and persuaded divided Americans to unite, and this was before modern sound systems and media were used.

Vladimir Lenin, on the other hand, spoke with fire to sway Russian peasants and workers to bolt away from Czar Rule, and even called on the Proletariat or working class of other nations to a similar action.

You can also wield this powerful tool of speaking very credibly to an individual or crowd by just learning and practicing the chief points of public speaking. You may be amazed that steps to potent public speaking skills are very simple and easy, yet practicing them is crucial. Delivering the spoken word with power is a science and an art that requires diligence.

Power is gained through mastery. Powerful leaders since ancient civilizations have mastered the ways of the spoken word handed down to them by their forerunners. And if you desire to attain the power of the spoken word, you have to persistently practice your skills in public speaking.