Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA - Adjunct Clinical Professor

About Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA

Dr. Nicola Hawkinson is Adjunct Clinical Professor at New York University College of Nursing in New York, NY. Since 2008 Nicola Hawkinson has been the founder and CEO of SpineSearch, a nationwide recruitment and continuing educational company. SpineSearch works with hospitals, private practices and ambulatory surgery centers to partner highly qualified individuals with specialized career opportunities.

Nicola received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Delaware, Master’s Degree (Nurse Practitioner Program) from New York University and Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Case Western Reserve University. Her career in nursing has spanned from the operating room, neurosurgical oncology, to orthopedic spine. Simultaneously, Nicola remains an adjunct clinical professor at NYU’s College of Nursing.

Nicola has presented and published extensively in the field of Spine, first as a clinician, and now she continues to utilize this academic platform to speak and write extensively regarding recruitment, retention, and staffing needs in orthopedic and neurosurgical practices, ambulatory surgery centers and a variety of other companies that service the spine market.

Articles Written by Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA

Are Creating Job Descriptions Worth the Time and Effort?

A well-written job description serves a multitude of purposes and the better it’s written, the more useful it can be to define the roles of employees in your practice.

Improving Human Resources and Productivity in Orthopaedic and Spine Practices

How spine practices can plan for the everyday stress of caring for patients while at the same time improving productivity and profitability.

Patients with Back or Neck Pain Have a Voice in Their Spine Care

As a patient with neck or back pain, you have specific rights that help protect you and your information.

Great Job Candidate? Don't Be Too Quick to Extend the Offer

Using a multi-step approach to hiring will create a more organized and productive search.

Ghost Attendance: How to Handle a Candidate who Lied about Their Education

A common practice for most candidates applying for jobs is to make their resumes more robust possibly by embellishing. What if the candidate never graduated or even attended a school they said they did? How to avoid difficult situations.

Corsets: A Type of Spinal Brace

There are many types of spinal braces.This article focuses on corsets, which are used for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease, injury, or spinal deformity.

Sacroiliac and Lumbosacral Belts: A Type of Spinal Brace

Sacroiliac and lumbosacral belts are back braces that treat pain in the lumbar spine and sacrum. If you have low back pain, your doctor may recommend one of these spinal braces to immobilize the painful area and allow it to heal. Learn more here.

Exams and Tests for Back Pain

To diagnose the cause of your back pain, your doctor will need to do several tests.

Back Conditions Treated by Spinal Bracing

Read this article to learn about the back and neck conditions that may be treated using spinal bracing (also known as orthotic management).

Physical Therapy to Relieve Back Pain

Read about what your physical therapist may use as he or she works to reduce your back pain.

Physical Exam

The physical exam is one way the doctor will try to assess your pain and condition.

Common Back Pain Questions

This article answers common back pain questions, such as "I just injured my back, but it doesn't hurt enough to go to the doctor. What can I do?"

Symptoms of Back Pain

There are various ways to feel back pain and your symptoms depend on what is causing your pain.

Recent blog posts from Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA

December 23, 2015

5 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Prior to Back Surgery

An expert offers 5 questions to ask your surgeon prior to back surgery. Don't miss your opportunity to get clear about what to expect from the procedure as well as post-surgical outcomes.

Spine Surgery: How Surgeons and Patients Make Decisions Together

Patients are more involved in their healthcare plan than ever before; more information is available to patients, and they often become their own healthcare advocates.

Spinal Arthritis and Weight Loss

My doctor says I need to lose weight in order for any types of treatments, including spine surgery, to be effective. I've recently started a weight loss program. My goal is to lose 60 more pounds by the end of the year. I would like to know: What can I do in the meantime to treat my back pain?

Articles Reviewed by Nicola V. Hawkinson, DNP, RN, RNFA

Global Recruitment Trends for Advanced Practice Providers in Spine Care

Nicola Hawkinson, DNP, RNFA, RN talked with SpineUniverse about trends in health care employment affecting spine practices today.

Questions to Ask Your Orthotist

An orthotist is a specialist who designs and fits braces. During your visit with your orthotist, it's important to come prepared with questions.

Slideshow Six Surprising Everyday Habits that Are Hurting Your Back

This slideshow shows you 6 surprising ways you’re hurting your back. Learn how everyday bad habits like poor posture and eating unhealthy foods can lead to chronic back pain.

Hyperextension Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

A hyperextension brace is a spinal brace used to restrict forward bending to help your spine heal properly. Learn how this treatment may help you recover from a spinal compression fracture or from spine surgery.

Rigid Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

Rigid braces may be used to treat low back pain. They are also commonly prescribed to stabilize your lumbar spine after surgery. There are many types of spinal braces (called orthotics or orthoses). This article describes rigid braces.

Molded Jackets: A Type of Spinal Brace

A molded jacket, also called a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, provides rigid stabilization. This brace may treat a number of spinal conditions, including spinal fractures and scoliosis. It can also limit movement after surgery. Learn more here.

Neck Braces: A Type of Spinal Brace

Neck braces are among the most common of all spinal braces (which your doctor may call orthoses or orthotics).

How to Improve Nursing Retention in Spine Practices

Nursing turnover rates are elevated in the United States, with estimates as high as 60% in some healthcare systems. Why nurses leave their jobs and solutions to improve nurse retention.

Alternative Treatments for Back Pain

Back pain treatments may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, or massage as part of your alternative non-surgical therapy plan.

Back Pain Prevention and Relief

Many helpful tips about body mechanics and posture are presented to help back pain patients prevent injury.

Statins and the Spine

The anti-cholesterol drug lovastatin (Mevacor) may improve degenerative disc disease surgical outcomes, according to a recent study.

Drugs, Medications, and Spinal Injections to Relieve Back Pain

Learn the basics of what medications are prescribed and the different medications for acute and chronic back pain.

Anatomy of Back Pain

Understanding why you have back pain starts with understanding the parts of your spine. This article provides an informative overview of the vertebrae, joints, muscles, and nerves that make up your backbone.

Back Pain Exercises and Stretches

Keeping your back healthy is a daily commitment. It helps to do daily stretches and exercises specifically designed to prevent back pain. Follow these easy instructions on how to prevent back pain or find back pain relief.

Surgery for Back Pain

Less than 5% of people with back pain need spine surgery. But if you're in that 5%, your doctor will make the best recommendation for the type of surgery. This is a list of typical surgical procedures used to treat back pain.

Financial Disclosures

SpineUniverse, a Remedy Health Media, LLC website, is committed to ensuring that the medical information it presents is accurate, balanced, objective, and trustworthy.

To help achieve this goal, SpineUniverse requires all authors, editors, and reviewers to disclose any financial relationships or affiliations they have with companies whose products or services may be mentioned in the content they author, edit, or review.

The intent of this policy is to identify any perceived, potential, or real conflicts of interest so that readers can make their own judgments about the value of information being presented.

Author's Statement

I, or an immediate family member, have a financial interest(s) or affiliation(s) with the following commercial companies whose products and / or services may be mentioned in the materials I have authored, edited or reviewed for presentation on Remedy Health Media, LLC’s websites.

Disclosed Relationships

Stock Options/Shareholder

SpineSearch LLC

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