The AJN Podcast

It used to be that evidence of sexual assault was not collected during the initial health exam unless the assault survivor had already initiated a report to law enforcement agencies. However, recognizing the trauma surrounding an assault, some states do conduct a forensic exam, store the evidence and allow survivors up to two years to decide whether or not to report the crime. Lead author Laurie Heffron discusses with AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy the findings of her mixed methods study of the impact of this nonreport option on health professionals, survivors and the criminal justice system.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On our cover this month, young men pose at an AIDS service center in NYC, and our first CE, Nursing in the Fourth Decade of the HIV Epidemic, highlights changes in patients’ life expectancy, quality of life, policy, epidemiology, and nurses’ impact on this population. Our second CE is an original research on sexual assault survivors and the implementation of their nonreport option. Our Emerging Infections discusses a treatment resistant strain of Clostridium difficile and the accompanying rise in mortalities. We launch a new series this month from the Joanna Briggs Institute, Systematic Reviews Step by Step. An AJN Reports reviews tobacco cessation programs, and since March is Red Cross month, we profile five American Red Cross nurses who received the Nightingale Medal this year. And of course there’s News, In Our Community, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Brous is a nurse and attorney, a contributing editor for AJN, and coordinates our legal column. AJN editor-in-chief discusses with Brous common problems that lead nurses to her door and what nurses can learn from this particular case.

Although pain following tonsillectomy varies from patient to patient, it is typically prolonged, constant and fairly severe. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the authors about their work in managing pain following the procedure, changes in guidelines and thinking around medications and schedules, and important considerations for increasing parental adherence to treatment plans.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the February issue of the American Journal of Nursing. In honor of black history month, our cover photo comes from a 1951 Life Magazine photo essay about a nurse mid-wife who served the poor, mostly black communities in rural South Carolina. Our first CE is an original research piece on changing trends among newly-licensed RNs, assessing data about the job market and workforce. Our second CE discusses the management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Our cultivating quality piece this month explores strategies that one group of hospital nurses implemented to reduce medication errors resulting from workplace interruptions. Another article from the American Organization of Nurse Executives for Emerging Nurse Leaders, describes how one nursing unit improved nurses’ abilities to delegate. And a new series debuts this month in our Legal Clinic column, reviewing true cases of medical malpractice suits. And of course there’s News, In Our Community, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Recent mass shootings may lead the public to believe all people with mental illness can become violent. Author Donna Sabella discusses with AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy what role, if any, mental illness plays in violent behavior. She describes what the research shows and offers some pointers for assessing for violence risk.

In June 2010, we published Pittman’s article on ethical recruitment of foreign-educated nurses (FENS); now, Pittman and colleagues report on a survey of FENS regarding equitable treatment in the workplace. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the findings with Pittman.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A painting on this month’s cover depicts a more modern provider in today’s changing healthcare landscape than Norman Rockwell’s typical portraits of the kindly older family doctor. Our first CE is an original research on employment-based discrimination among foreign-educated nurses. Our second CE defines the principles behind the self-management of urinary and fecal incontinence and what patients need in order to control these conditions on their own. Our annual “Year in Review” recognizes the most significant healthcare stories of the year and assesses the nursing job market. The “Mental Health Matters” column explores public perceptions of the link between mental illness and violence, reviewing the research and how nurses can identify risks. “Emerging Infections” provides updates on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. We also announce our annual Book of the Year award winners in this issue. And of course there’s News, In Our Community, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Should there be an influenza pandemic, hospitals will need to rely on their employees who may be fearful for their own health or spreading the illness to families. In this study, research Sharon Martin and colleagues report on a survey of Maine nurses and their willingness to report to work and what factors might influence them to do so. Some of her results are surprising. AJN’s editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the ramifications of her findings and what nurse administrators need to keep in mind.

If you’ve ever been a patient in a hospital, you know how noisy it is, even at night. One unit at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center decided to embark on a quality improvement project aimed at decreasing noise to promote sleep. Gina Murphy, the nurse manager of the unit and the lead author, discusses the project with AJN’s editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy.

Linda Eisele-Hlubocky & JoAnne Sehr Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush speaks with the authors about their article and the implementation of the Iowa Model to promote quality care through a family pet visitation program. They explain the benefits to patients, their families, and even to hospital staff.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the December issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A photo of a thirteen year-old girl with a trained therapy dog appears on this month’s cover, relating to our article on family pet visitation and a piece called “One Health at Kansas State University.” Our first CE this month is an original research about nurses’ willingness to work during an H1N1 pandemic. The second CE discusses HIV and foot care management, providing nurses with tools to diagnose and treat peripheral neuropathy. A cultivating quality article called “Quiet at Night” explains a hospital-wide initiative to decrease nighttime noise that disturbs patients. In addition, our issue includes News, In Our Community, a special three-part Reflections column this month, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Hospitals invest considerable resources in recruiting and transitioning new nurses to practice, yet many leave after their first year. This qualitative research study explores what a cohort of these nurses have to say about what they found valuable – or not- in their orientation program. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the issues with the lead author and what the key messages might be.

Also known as valley fever, this fungal infection is under-diagnosed or often misdiagnosed, leading to debilitating and chronic effects. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the author’s personal experiences, why this disease seems to be increasing, and what she hopes nurses will take away from this article.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the November issue of the American Journal of Nursing. A nursing student appears on this month’s cover tying in with our original research piece on newly licensed RNs. Our first CE this month is an emergency article on IV access with an accompanying video. The second CE discusses a pilot study on assessing patients for dysemia. An Emerging Infections article explains Coccidioidomycosis or “valley fever.” AJN Reports and Safety Monitor this month both explore obesity-related topics including the political implications of obesity as a “disease,” and equipment concerns when caring for obese patients. In addition, our issue includes News, In Our Community, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy sits down with Bev Malone at the NLN Summit in September 2013, in Washington, DC. Discussion ranges from NLN’s recent move of its headquarters to Washington DC from New York City, NLN’s strategies and priorities and status of the nursing faculty shortage.

Christine Waszynski & Patricia Veronneau Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the authors about their nurse-led project to make better use of the “sitters” who were providing continuous observation for patients suffering from cognitive impairment, delirium and other conditions causing agitated behavior. Simple interventions led to less disruptive behavior.

Often times, mouth care may be neglected or performed inadequately to reduce oral bacteria that may cause pneumonia. This article offers a step-by- step guide to evidence-based practice for oral care for intubated patients. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the author’s experience in writing this article and what she hopes nurses will take away from it.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the October issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover photo comes from a photo essay of gender non-conforming children at a camp for transgender children, tying in with our AJN reports on the same topic. Nurses from Hartford Hospital wrote our first CE this month, describing their successful nurse-led quality improvement project for cognitively-impaired patients. The second CE discusses the prevention of VAP pneumonia through mouth care. Another article explains how nurses can advise patients who have an infestation of bed bugs. The iNurse column introduces podcasts to those unfamiliar with their relevance to nursing today, and the Evidence for Excellence column explores opioid-induced neurotoxicity. In addition, our issue includes News, Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

AJN's editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with Dr. Hartley, who along with nurse epidemiologist Marilyn Ridenour, led a team to develop a program to educate nurses about workplace violence. The program, a series of online modules, is free and available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/training_nurses.html See the related blog post at http://wp.me/prthD-43r

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Managing Editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the September issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Photography by an upstate New York physician appears on this month’s cover – from his project capturing the stories of patients in the Adirondacks. The image ties in with our first September CE examining loneliness in older adults. The second CE describes care of pregnant women in the criminal justice system. Policy and Politics this month assesses gun violence as a public health issue, and another article recognizes Nurse Academy, a program that introduces high school students to the nursing profession. The authors of our Cultivating Quality describe failure to rescue, the Wound Wise column explains pressure ulcer guidelines, and of course, our issue includes Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

Current practices in the treatment and transfer of pregnant inmates in this country may negatively affect maternal and fetal health or well-being. Some, like shackling during labor, may violate federal or state laws; others conflict with standards of obstetric care and are widely considered unethical or inhumane. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses these practices and implications for nurses with the author.

Jennifer Mallow (Left) & Laurie Theeke (Right) Loneliness is a contributing factor to various health problems in older adults. This pilot study of community-dwelling older adults in Appalachia showed the presence of significant loneliness and loneliness was significantly related to the number of comorbidities and use of several medications. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the authors about the implications for nurses in assessing and intervening in loneliness.

Clinical managing editor Karen Roush speaks with Dr. Jodie Gary, assistant professor at Texas ANM Health Science Center College, and author of the article “Exploring the Concept and Use of Positive Deviance in Nursing.” She describes the difficulty nurses encounter providing patient-centered care while remaining within strict policies in a complex environment. Nurses who extend care beyond these policies know that they’re deviating, but are doing so in a responsible way with honorable intentions that benefit the patient. She suggests increased flexibility through guidelines rather than rules under circumstances that require the adaptation of care to suit the patient and their immediate needs.

Clinical managing editor Karen Roush presents the highlights of the August issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On the cover this month, a nurse enjoys fishing with a boy at a summer camp for children with life-threatening disorders. Our first August CE describes positive deviance - an intentional act of breaking the rules in order to save the greater good – as it applies to improving patient care. The second CE describes an automated vital sign system to alert nurses of early warning signs of cardiac pulmonary arrest. Another article explains how patient focus groups can lead to innovative solutions to healthcare problems and improved care. And a piece from the Netherlands describes how a grassroots team of nurses developed a successful new model of homecare that has spread throughout their country. The authors of our Correspondence from Abroad column this month describe their experiences teaching bachelor’s level nursing in Bangladesh since 2004. And of course, our issue includes Reflections, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

It’s estimated that only 25% of veterans access care through the VA Health Care System, so it’s highly likely that nurses in all settings will find themselves at some point providing care to veterans. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with this author about the unique health issues of recent veterans and what nurses should know and think about when they are assessing them.

Nurses often encounter patients who, despite best efforts by both the nurse and the patient, are unable to follow the treatment plan and may even pursue hurtful behaviors, like a patient with COPD who continues to smoke. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the author, who is also AJN’s contributing editor for ethics, about this issue, how it can interfere with the nurse-patient relationship, and approaches nurses can take when patients do self-defeating behavior.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing. In recognition of the recent lifting of the ban on women in combat, a female soldier appears on our cover this month, on a patrol in Southern Afghanistan. Our first CE describes important factors for nurses to consider when treating veterans in non-VA settings. The second CE is on irritable bowel syndrome and reviews current approaches to treatment and implications for nurses. Our Ethical Issues column describes caring for patients while respecting their choices, no matter how unhealthy. Cultivating Quality features a QI project that decreased hospital readmissions, and AJN Reports explains how women’s longevity and health needs lead to higher insurance costs. And of course there’s Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy interviewed outgoing ICN president Rosemary Bryant in Melbourne, Australia, site of the 25th Quadrennial Congress. Bryant, who is Australia’s chief nurse and midwifery officer, spoke about her accomplishments and challenges, including recent issues around dues, governance changes and the suspension of the Royal College of Nursing.

Sleep patterns are fairly well-established until adolescence when physiologic and social needs interfere with sleep cycles. Adolescents typically need about nine hours of sleep but typically get far less. AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the ramifications of sleep disruptions in this group with author Nancy George.

Ruth McDermott Nina Kaktins Barbara Sattler Fracking (high volume hydraulic fracturing) releases natural gas trapped below the earth and involves a process of drilling into the earth and pumping high volumes of water, sand and chemicals (some of which are known to be toxic) under pressure to release the gases. The water is then collected and stored in open air tanks until it can be decontaminated and discarded. Early reports link fracking with contaminated drinking water from leakages as well as health problems for workers, farm animals and residents, including respiratory, skin and eye problems, headaches and other neurological symptoms and fatigue. Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the authors about how nurses can be involved in monitoring exposure symptoms, raising awareness of hazards and advocating for prevention of public health illness by being proactive.

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 resident of Washington County Pennsylvania appears on our cover this month, holding tap water contaminated by fracking that began above her farm in 2005. Our first CE describes sleep deprivation and physiology in adolescents. The second CE is an original research article on catheter-associated urinary tract infections. And of course, there are other features, an iNurse column describing nursing applications for microblogging, an Evidence for Excellence column on adolescent sexual health, News, AJN Reports, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

In our May issue, we celebrate Nurses Week with this podcast on a program at Salem Hospital called Nurses Give Back. These projects addressed access to care and community health improvement activities (such as vaccination drives) and community building (working with Habitat for Humanity, for instance). Some were designed to provide money and in-kind contributions to chosen charities. Other projects benefited patients during hospitalization, such as the “Clothing Closet,” which is stocked by the staff and offers items to homeless and low-income patients.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Our cover photo comes from an award-winning 2005 Boston Globe series that included an article about the progress of a nursing student in Mass General’s eight-month ICU program. Our first CE is an article on hemodynamic indicators and their use for fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients. The second CE is an original research from Brazil on telephone follow- up for patients after myocardial revascularization – a systematic review. And of course, there are other features, an Ethical Issues column on limited staffing and delayed response to patients, article on nurses giving back to the community during National Nurses Week, News, AJN Reports, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

In our April issue, we give a nod to Earth Day (April 22) and its focus on the environment. The article, “Greening the ‘Proclamation for Change’: Healing Through Sustainable Health Care Environments” (free until May 8), by Laura Anderko and colleagues Stephanie Chalupka, Whitney Austin Gray, and Karen Kesten, highlights how hospitals can incorporate design elements and practices not only to reduce energy consumption and garbage, but to provide a healing environment for patients and staff.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing. AJN recognizes Earth Day with a cover photo of Phoenix Children’s Hospital new 11th story environmentally conscious patient tower for the calm and healing of patients, families, and staff. Our first CE is an original research article on mechanical prophylactic devices and their frequent misapplications. The second CE is on preventing and responding to acute kidney injury describing identifying signs and symptoms that can improve outcomes. And of course, there are other features, News, an AJN Reports on disparities in healthcare, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

“Acute kidney injury is an independent risk factor for both prolonged length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.” Incidence rates among patients in US ICUs ranges from 22% to as high as 57%. Vrtis talks with AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy about the importance of assessing early indicators and implications for nurses.

People with mental health issues are often labeled as mentally ill even though they may be functional and even successful in other areas. Author Sabella and AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy discuss how our view of mental illness focuses on definitions of pathology (which can change over time) and tends to be limiting in a holistic view of human reactions.

Sex in nursing homes? Why not. As author Katz explains, “we all have a fundamental need for touch and self-expression.” AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with Dr. Anne Katz about how most facilities haven’t addressed this issue and what might nurses and administrators consider.

While there’s been much in the literature about the importance of improving hand hygiene practices in acute care settings, there’s been little about this topic in the outpatient setting. AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with the lead author about this report on an intervention to improve hand hygiene practices among health care providers in two outpatient clinics.

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the March issue. AJN’s cover features a lithograph titled A Map of the Open Country of a Woman’s Heart, linking to this month’s CE, “Update on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women.” The second CE is an original research article that evaluates a hand hygiene campaign at two outpatient health care clinics. And of course, there’s News, an AJN Reports on the economy and nursing employment, a Viewpoint on advance care planning, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

Medication regimens in patients with Parkinson’s Disease may be complex, partly owing to the short one-to-two hour half-life of the primary medication, carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet). When these patients are subject to prolonged medication withholding because of NPO restrictions prior to surgery, symptoms become exacerbated quickly and patients can become agitated, hallucinate and suffer extreme rigidity. AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy discusses the findings of these two studies with the authors and the implications for nurses.

The article details how a public health nurse (Matthews) teamed-up with a mother (Moore) who lost her young son to SIDS. Together, they helped change Arkansas child-care licensing regulations to mandate safe sleeping practices. AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy talks with them and pediatrician David Matthews (husband of Rebecca and Moore’s pediatrician) about their successful public health initiative.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the February issue of the American Journal of Nursing. AJN’s cover features a color-enhanced X-ray showing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) developing in the lungs of an 83-year-old man, tying in with one of this month’s CE articles on “COPD Exacerbations.” The second CE is a qualitative original research article describing the perioperative experiences of patients with Parkinson’s Disease. And of course, there’s News, an AJN Reports on post-Sandy health care recovery, a Viewpoint on minorities in the nursing profession, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

We know that traditional health counseling for obese children and adolescents, in which we prescribe more exercise and better eating habits, hasn’t been all that successful. AJN editor in chief Shawn Kennedy speaks with Viewpoint author Bonnie Gance-Cleveland about her work with obese teens and their families that began with an initiative by NAPNAP in 1996 and has become her focus. She discussed using motivational interviewing as a collaborative approach to help families change.

While growth in many other professions have seen more balance in the sexes, this has not been true for nursing. Men still represent fewer than 10% of licensed RNs since 2000. AJN’s editor in chief discusses the issues with the authors (in photo, Bonnie Schmidt with Brent MacWilliams, and Michael Bleich), examining what factors might be barriers to more men becoming nurses and how might the professional change them.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover features male RN Tung Tran, as part of this month’s focus on men in nursing and the unique challenges they face in the field. This issue also offers two CE features. The first is an original research article highlighting the hazards of perioperative medication disruptions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The second CE is a literature review of what gender-related issues male nurses experience at work. And of course, there’s News, an AJN Reports on navigating the PSA screening dilemma, our 2012 Book of the Year Awards Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical managing editor Karen Roush present the highlights of the December 2012 issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover features Syrian children forced to flee from the violence in their country. This issue also offers two CE features: one on the importance of sufficient staffing during all shifts to avoid certain hazards. The second CE discusses missing incidents from wandering in patients with dementia. This month’s ethical issues column explores ethical nursing care for transgender patients, and our legal clinic column explains how nurses can protect their licenses. And of course, there’s News, an AJN Reports on global health worker shortages, Viewpoint, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, Reflections, and more.

AJN’s editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy talks with author Meredeth Rowe about her CE feature article this month, in which she explains the difference between missing incidents in people with dementia, and dementia-related ‘wandering;’ a distinction that is critical to assessment, intervention, and prevention.

Many people erroneously consider depression to be an inevitable part of aging, but this is untrue. AJN’s editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy talks with author Cynthia Cahoon about her review article, in which she provides an overview of depression in older adults and offers information on screening, treatments and implications for nurses.