The AJN Podcast

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing. this month’s cover is a painting by artist Janis Wolf, one of the original participants in the program, Studio E, which blends art therapy and health community for people living with epilepsy. Our first CE, “Atrial Fibrillation: Updated Management Guidelines and Nursing Implications,” focuses on the prevention of thromboembolism and on symptom control, and stresses the importance of patient adherence to treatment plans in order to ensure better outcomes Our second CE, “Epilepsy Update Part 1: Refining Our Understanding of a Complex Disease,” discusses new research that has increased our understanding of epilepsy’s etiology and pathophysiology, new definitions that are changing the ways we evaluate and treat this disease, conditions that frequently present with epilepsy, and psychosocial challenges faced by people with epilepsy. Our series, “Advancing Health Through Nursing,” examines The Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Our “Perspectives on Leadership” series explores conflict engagement coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives. And our “Critical Analysis, Critical Care” article is part of an ongoing series of columns from nurses at the University of Washington that will examine in depth the research related to critical care practices. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On our cover this month is Pablo Picasso’s Le Rêve (The Dream). Our first CE, original research, examines the efficacy of a nurse-led breathing training program in reducing depression and improving quality of sleep in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Our second CE presents the dangers of the pervasive 12-hour nursing shift that have been hotly debated in recent years. Our series, “Advancing Health Through Nursing,” examines The Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. And our “Perspectives on Leadership” series presents a model for addressing conflict based on recognizing the importance of relationships and the patterns they create. “Question of Practice: Clinical Challenges in Isolation Care,” reviews the results of a 2014 study that investigated nurses’ use of PPE in the care of a live simulated patient requiring contact and airborne precautions. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Author Linda Eanes describes the acute and chronic effects of sleep loss on nurses, strategies they can use to increase the quantity and quality of their sleep, and institutional policies that can promote adequate rest and recuperation between work shifts for nursing staff.

There are multiple options available for men with newly diagnosed, low-risk, localized prostate cancer. Author Anne Katz explains how nurses can help these men and their partners make treatment decisions that are appropriate for their particular circumstances.

Author Debra Gerardi describes her article - the first in a three-part series on conflict engagement for nurse leaders. She explains these abilities and presents a model for addressing conflict based on recognizing the importance of relationships and the patterns they create.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover photo, taken on January 12, 1923, depicts several notable women in the field of nursing. Our first CE, “The Critical Care Recovery Center: An Innovative Collaborative Care Model for ICU Survivors,” describes the creation and implementation of a program aimed at maximizing the cognitive, physical, and psychological recovery of ICU survivors. Our second CE, “Early Localized Prostate Cancer,” examines the options available for men diagnosed with low-risk, localized disease and explains how nurses can help them and their partners make appropriate treatment decisions. Our new series, “Advancing Health Through Nursing,” examines The Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. And our new “Perspectives on Leadership” series explores conflict engagement coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Author Susan Hassmiller discusses the impact of the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, at five years. This is the first article in our new series exploring the report’s recommendations, outcomes, and projections.

Author Jane Braaten discusses how she used a framework of cognitive work analysis to examine factors affecting nurses’ decision making when activating rapid response teams in emergency situations.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the February issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover shows the rapid response team (RRT) at Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital in action. Our first CE, an original research article, is a study of rapid response teams describing the factors affecting nurses’ decisions to activate RRTs. Our second CE reviews four common congenital heart defects, their repairs, common long-term outcomes, and implications for nurses in both cardiac and noncardiac settings. Our Diabetes Under Control column describes a case study of a patient engaged in self-management. Our new series Advancing Health Through Nursing, explores The Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. And our Looking Back column remembers the life and legacy of an unsung African American nurse: Charlotte Rhone. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Life-threatening problems can occur years after repair of congenital heart defects and many adults who had these repairs as children may present in EDs, clinics and other non-cardiac settings, especially if they have not had ongoing cardiology follow-up. AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author McRae about her work with these patients and what nurses in any setting need to know about congenital heart disease.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing. 2015 is our 115th Year! The photo on our cover shows an eight year-old boy with a congenital heart abnormality. Our first CE, the first of a two-part series, discusses treatment of congenital heart disease. Our second CE is the second part of our series on the obesity epidemic, focusing on treating obese people with respect while empowering them to manage their weight. Another article explains several strategies for nurses to prepare for retirement. Our Quality Counts series this month updates nurses about quality initiatives in health care. The Teaching for Practice column continues our series about teaching in clinical settings. We have our “Annual Year in Review” news coverage, and announce our Book of the Year Award winners. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

An IV infusion therapist with the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Debbie Wilson describes her experience in Liberia, where she worked with Doctors Without Borders at a 120-bed Ebola treatment center.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the December issue of the American Journal of Nursing. The photo on our cover shows the burial of an Ebola victim in Uganda. Our first CE, the first of a two-part series, discusses the obesity epidemic and implications for nurses. Our second CE is an original research piece from the Netherlands, on patients with dementia and the use of surveillance technology. And we have an evidence-based practice article on blood transfusion policy and practice without using large needles. We also have a column from the International Council on Nurses (ICN) about the work they do on global nursing issues such as violence against health care workers. Our Policy and Politics column reviews the Affordable Care Act and the challenges that lay ahead. Our AJN Reports explores nurses and health information technology and we have a historical piece in recognition of Penicillin’s 70th birthday. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Three nurses from Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI, discuss how their evidence-based project found that smaller-than-20-gauge catheters can be used safely.

ICN CEO David Benton speaks about the challenges with safely delivering health care to patients and families in conflict zones across the world. He describes how ICN provides resources and support to nurses in these areas.

Doug Olsen discusses how military nurses at Guantanamo Bay face conflicting ethical imperatives and potential real world consequences over force-feeding Guantánamo Bay detainees. Military nurses are bound by the Oath of Commissioned Officers to protect their country and not simply to follow orders—in this way, their oath differs from the one taken by enlisted personnel. While officers are legally bound by the Uniform Code of Military Justice to follow orders, they are also expected to use sound judgment in assessing them—and to sometimes refuse those that are not in the best interests of the country, even if doing so means they will be held morally and legally responsible for the exceptional act of refusal. In some situations, the moral expectation to assess orders can present a conflict of fundamental values with a high potential for moral distress for the nurses involved.

Sufferers of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) often have no physical symptoms and this injury may be undetected at first, yet it often has a profound negative effect on quality of life, including functional abilities and interpersonal relationships. AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with author Hyatt about her work with these patients and what all nurses need to know to recognize mTBI injuries.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy presents the highlights of the October issue of the American Journal of Nursing. The photo on our cover of a nurse and patient ambulating in the halls of Mount Sinai Hospital, highlights our CE article on how a mobility program on an acute care medical unit improved patient outcomes. Our second CE is about calciphylaxis – a case study of how excellent nursing care can change a patient’s life. Our clinical feature describes research into nursing interventions on hospitalized older adults with cognitive deficits. And we have a special feature about a pregnant patient with ovarian cancer, her philosophy about birth and death, and how nurses focused on what the patient needed. Our Disaster Care column focuses on lessons learned by visiting nurses through their response to Hurricane Sandy. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Author Maureen Cavanagh shares her experience treating a pregnant woman with terminal ovarian cancer, and how the patient inspired in staff a commitment to patient-centered care.

Authors Kathleen McCauley and Karen B. Hirschman discuss the identification and management of cognitive impairment in hospitalized older adults. They stress that research involving this population must actively engage clinicians, patients, and family caregivers, as well as address the complex process of managing postdischarge care.

This is a story of how a team of nurses restored a patient’s hope. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the lead author of the team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester about how they helped this patient with an unusual and painful illness to begin a journey towards recovery. Their attention to basic nursing care with a holistic approach is an exemplar of what care should be.

Dr. Kathleen Murphy is the author of this month’s In Our Community, “Emergency Anaphylaxis at School.” She discusses how as the health services director for the Milwaukee Public Schools, she witnessed children having symptoms of anaphylaxis who lacked the first response they needed. As a result, Dr. Murphy helped to develop and initiate an emergency anaphylaxis response protocol so nurses would have access to stock epinephrine autoinjectors.

Seth Reed is the lead author on this month’s CE, “Champions for Central Line Care.” He discusses his work as a nurse in the acuity adaptable critical care unit at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, where he and colleagues developed a quality improvement project for reducing central line associated blood stream infections.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy, Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush, and AJN’s new clinical editor, Betsy Todd, present the highlights of the September issue of the American Journal of Nursing. The photo on our cover of a nursing supervisor and young student, highlights back-to-school month. The In Our Community column also discusses the development of a successful emergency anaphylaxis response protocol for nurses in Milwaukee Public Schools. Our first CE is an original research piece on barriers to using evidence-based practice. Our second CE describes how a critical care unit significantly reduced their own rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Our Policy and Politics article explores elder abuse and neglect and explains how nurses can prevent and eliminate abuse in the elderly. And we have a new column by New York Times opinion columnist Theresa Brown, who shares what she’s reading and discusses the books’ implications for nursing. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Rohini Paul is the primary author of this month’s CE, “Sustaining Pressure Ulcer Best Practices in a High-Volume Cardiac care Environment.” As one of the world’s largest and busiest cardiac hospitals, NHCH experienced a sharp increase in surgical procedures in 2009 as well as a rise in hospital acquired pressure ulcers. As a result, staff embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce these occurrences, and were surprisingly successful.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the August issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Artwork on our cover this month illustrates the strength-based nursing approach to care in a holistic context, relating to our first CE about pressure ulcer reduction efforts in the world’s largest cardiac care environment in Bangalore, India. Our second CE discusses how one hospital’s nursing program promoted wound healing in hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. We have the sixth and final installment of our Systematic Reviews series on presenting and interpreting findings. And our Teaching for Practice article takes you through the first steps for success as an adjunct clinical educator. Our AJN Reports column explores the medical marijuana laws and the implications for nursing. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Jeniece Trast is a clinical research nurse and certified diabetes educator in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Children’s Hospital Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. A former patient of Trast’s, 16-year-old Ana and her mother, Angie, describe adjusting to the special physical and psychological challenges in managing type 1 diabetes during adolescence.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A 17-year-old football player with type 1 diabetes appears on our cover this month, relating to our first CE, “Diabetes and Puberty: A Glycemic Challenge.” Our second CE, an original research piece, discusses engaging patients as partners in quality improvement projects. We have the fifth installment of our Systematic Reviews series which explains data extraction and synthesis. And our new Quality Counts column explores the role of nurses in programs that measure health care quality. A patient advocate and cancer survivor wrote this month’s Viewpoint on what patients need from nurses. And an AJN Reports column provides an update on what conditions should be screened for and when. We profile the chief nurse of the U.S. Public Health Service, and our Safety Monitor column this month outlines infection prevention practices in ambulatory surgery centers. In addition, there’s Legal Clinic, News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

The health care needs of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) are receiving attention from the IOM and AHRQ to address disparities that result from lingering social stigma. AJN’s editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy talks with lead author Fidel Lim about the issues and how nurses can help provide culturally competent care.

Some hospitals will not employ workers who smoke, including nurses. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the author, who is also AJN’s contributing editor for ethics, about the ethical aspects around this issue and whether this is the best way to curb smoking.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the June issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A newborn appears on our cover this month, relating to our first CE, “Genomic Breakthroughs in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.” Our second CE (with podcast) discusses the health care disparities faced by the LGBT population. We have the fourth installment of our systematic reviews series focusing on study selection and critical appraisal. Our Mental Health Matters column provides an overview of clinical depression and a new treatment: transcranial direct current stimulation. And an Ethical Issues column addresses the implications of denying smokers employment in health care, and Shawn Kennedy speaks with the author in a podcast this month. In addition, there’s an AJN Reports column on whether nurses are ready for retirement, News, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A nurse practitioner we profile appears on our cover this month with a young Haitian patient. And our first CE article assesses the epidemic in Haiti. Our second CE discusses what nurses should know about intimate partner violence in rural U.S. areas. We have the third installment of our systematic reviews series focusing this month on search strategies. Our new Teaching for Practice series delineates the roles of adjunct clinical faculty. We have a critical care analysis article on noise in the ICU and present evidence-based strategies for nurses to decrease noise. And an AJN Reports addresses the rise in heroin use. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, a Viewpoint on power napping in the workplace, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more. Happy Nurses Week!

Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush and author Tracy Evanson discuss the importance of screening all patients for intimate partner violence and the unique issues rural survivors encounter because of where they live.

Less than a year after being was struck by a devastating earthquake, Haiti experienced a widespread cholera epidemic. Mary Lou Fisher, author of this article, discusses with AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy the work of Samaritan’s Purse, an NGO group, in responding to the epidemic and treating over 23,000 patients at several sites.

Telehealth (using technology and communications to provide care over long distances) is gaining in use as it contributes to increasing access to care and lowering cost by promoting out-of-hospital care and reducing readmissions. But because it’s new and unfamiliar, adoption may be slow or even resisted by some. Author Janet Grady discusses with AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy the important role telehealth is playing in care and offers a view of how it can be incorporated by nurses as a new tool to provide high quality care.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A 12 year-old painted the colorful work that appears on our cover this month, tying in with our first CE on the use of guided imagery as a cognitive behavioral coping mechanism for pain in school age children with sickle cell disease. Our second CE is an original research on telehealth, and the use of new technologies that eventually become the norm. Our iNurse piece explores the online media that students and professionals use to educate themselves. We have two special features: an AJN Reports on the Boston Marathon bombings including interviews with nurses who were there, and podcasts of their stories. Another feature recognizes the April 1942 Bataan Death March and the 72 nurses held as prisoners of War in the Philippines. And of course there’s News, Safety Monitor, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

As always, nurses rose to the occasion to provide needed care to those injured in the bombing. AJN contributing editor Gail Pisarcik Lenehan, EdD, RN, FAEN, FAAN, former president of the Emergency Nurses Association and a clinical nurse specialist in emergency nursing, revisited the day with several nurses who were on duty in one of Boston’s emergency departments. We present their stories in their own words below. Here, Lenehan and AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speak with MaryFran Hughes, MSN, RN, Emergency Nursing Director at Massachusetts General Hospital. You can read more in the April 2014 issue.