Malignancy-induced hypercalcemia

A 69-year-old man arrives in the ED with reports of persistent fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, excessive thirst, increased urination, and back pain for 3 days. His medications include oral hydrochlorothiazide, oral cholecalciferol, oral atorvastatin, and subcutaneous teriparatide. The ED nurse obtains orders for a CBC, CMP, parathyroid hormone level, vitamin D, urinalysis, and electrocardiogram. The patient’s calcium level is 13.5 mg/dL.

The impact of belonging

Healthy workplace environments create safe, nonjudgmental, and engaging learning conditions to support the achievement of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to enhance levels of student confidence, competence, and satisfaction. New nurse graduates who’ve experienced belonging as a member of a healthcare team may be better prepared to contribute to excellent patient outcomes, meet the needs of the nursing workforce, and lead the profession.

The impact of belonging

Healthy workplace environments create safe, nonjudgmental, and engaging learning conditions to support the achievement of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to enhance levels of…

Malignancy-induced hypercalcemia

A 69-year-old man arrives in the ED with reports of persistent fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, excessive thirst, increased urination, and back pain for 3…

Remembering Eloise Richardson

During World War II, countless women answered the call to serve, stepping into roles that reshaped history and helped turn the tide in humanity’s darkest hour. They served as mechanics, nurses, codebreakers, factory workers, and spies. They fulfilled their duties…

Specialized nursing care for times of greatest need

An adolescent patient came to my clinic traumatized after being sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. I noticed her raspy voice. After further examination, I recommended that we complete a strangulation assessment, during which we recovered the perpetrator’s DNA. The…

Multitasking: Gift or Nursing’s Curse?

A study that examined the cognitive mechanisms involved in task switching, particularly how executive control processes manage multiple tasks (think of the time you checked a text message while programming an I.V. pump), suggests that multitasking reduces efficiency because the…

A view of 5600 Fishers Lane in Rockville, Maryland, which houses the headquarters of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and other health agencies. According to a senior AHRQ official who spoke on condition of anonymity, a climate of deep depression has settled over the agency’s offices. (Antony-22/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)

What’s Lost: Trump Whacks Tiny Agency That Works To Make the Nation’s Health Care Safer

Sue Sheridan’s baby boy, Cal, suffered brain damage from undetected jaundice in 1995. Helen Haskell’s 15-year-old son, Lewis, died after surgery in 2000 because weekend hospital staffers didn’t realize he was in shock. The episodes turned both women into advocates…

I remember: Reflections of a hospice nurse

As I drive down the road I pass familiar houses. The homes flood me with memories. I remember the faces. I remember…

Syphilis eradication is still a long way off: Doxy-PEP can help

In the late 1990s, public health departments around the globe celebrated the prospect of eradicating syphilis. However, by the early 2000s, this…

COVID-19 patients fared worse on ECMO than non-COVID-19 patients: Study

Pneumonia patients with COVID-19 who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) fared worse than those without COVID-19, according to a study that looked…

Enhancing rural health through expanded APRN scope of practice

Rural American communities frequently struggle to provide adequate primary care services due to limited healthcare facilities and a shortage of qualified professionals.…

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Continuing Education

STIs: Antibiotic resistance and treatment challenges

Since the discovery of multidrug-resistant infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, concern has grown regarding antibiotic resistance among sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This concern is especially significant for gonorrheal infections because antibiotic resistance already exists. Understanding antibiotic…

Premature ventricular complexes

Your patient has heart failure exacerbation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal failure, and depression. She says that she feels lightheaded and anxious. She also describes her heart as “fluttering” at times. After placing leads and electrodes…

Sepsis in the hospital setting: A case study

A 42-year-old man arrives in the ED. He reports not feeling like himself. Three days ago he stepped on a nail, which punctured his…

Cancer treatment delays and survival outcomes

Delays in seeking treatment frequently lead to poor health outcomes. Especially with regard to symptoms associated with cancer, early detection and treatment can improve…

Women and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Why are new HIV cases still occurring when we have preventive treatment? One reason could be a lack of knowledge and experience among healthcare…

Coaching and evaluating new graduate nurses

Ongoing research shows a decline in new graduate nurses’ clinical judgment. Effective mentorship plays a crucial role in ensuring patient safety while new nurses…

STIs: Antibiotic resistance and treatment challenges

Premature ventricular complexes

Your patient has heart failure exacerbation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, chronic renal failure, and depression. She says that she…

Sepsis in the hospital setting: A case study

A 42-year-old man arrives in the ED. He reports not feeling like himself. Three days ago he stepped on a nail, which…

Cancer treatment delays and survival outcomes

Delays in seeking treatment frequently lead to poor health outcomes. Especially with regard to symptoms associated with cancer, early detection and treatment…

Education and Career Guide

Education can be the key to professional success. Whether you’re a new or experienced nurse, returning to school to get your BSN or another advanced degree can make the difference between thriving and stagnating in your career. Tap into the articles presented in this year’s education guide for tips and thoughtful advice on nursing education. The American Nurse Education and Career Guide, provides you with facts, figures, other nurses’ experiences, and tons of other resources to help you in your journey.

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Current Journal

Reducing orthostatic hypotension

Investing in innovation

Medicaid matters

Alcohol screening in acute care settings

Everyday ethics: Informed consent

As a study coordinator, I recruit participants to a randomized clinical trial that’s evaluating experimental drugs for renal cancer. One of the…

Intellectual and developmental disabilities: Nurse advocacy

Individuals with IDD face several challenges when accessing healthcare services. Although most nursing and medical schools offer little comprehensive education on IDD,…

The essence of nursing

Technological advances and artificial intelligence continue to grab headlines while clinicians’ documentation burdens mount almost daily. Is basic nursing care receding into…

Hair For You

Performing scalp and hair assessment is an integral part of patient-centered nursing practice. While frequently overlooked, missing this care may result in…

Rapid Response

Malignancy-induced hypercalcemia

Acute myeloid leukemia

An 80-year-old man received a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. He’s been hospitalized for a month, including an ICU stay during which he received mechanical ventilation due to acute hypoxic respiratory failure. He also developed an acute kidney injury secondary…

Acute kidney injury: A quick diagnosis aids recovery

A 35-year-old man arrives at the ED with severe weakness, diarrhea, nausea, hypotension, and tachycardia, which began after he finished a 100-mile race the…

Aspiration: Blocking the airway

You’re caring for a 75-year-old man admitted to your unit with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, left-sided weakness, and dysphagia. He receives continuous feedings…

Acute dystonic reaction

Acute dystonic reactions, movement disturbances, fall under the umbrella of extrapyramidal side effects. They’re associated with medications (including antipsychotics and antiemetics) that mediate dopamine.

Cystic fibrosis

A 48-year-old woman with a history of cystic fibrosis, is admitted to the surgical unit with a small bowel obstruction. At home, the patient…

Malignancy-induced hypercalcemia

A 69-year-old man arrives in the ED with reports of persistent fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, excessive thirst, increased urination, and back pain…

Acute myeloid leukemia

An 80-year-old man received a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. He’s been hospitalized for a month, including an ICU stay during which…

Acute kidney injury: A quick diagnosis aids recovery

A 35-year-old man arrives at the ED with severe weakness, diarrhea, nausea, hypotension, and tachycardia, which began after he finished a 100-mile…

Aspiration: Blocking the airway

You’re caring for a 75-year-old man admitted to your unit with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, left-sided weakness, and dysphagia. He receives…

Practice Matters

Hair For You

Performing scalp and hair assessment is an integral part of patient-centered nursing practice. While frequently overlooked, missing this care may result in physical harm and emotional distress.

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Progress and promise

The American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Awards recognize nurses who are creating change from the inside out, not only for themselves, but also for…

Oncology nurses and prognosis-related communication

Nurses’ knowledge and communication skills enhance informed decision-making for patients with cancer. Discussions with patients and families about a cancer diagnosis or recurrence typically…

Caring for veterans

Strategies to understand and support health goals Veterans have distinct determinants of health related to their military service and occupational exposures. With more veterans…

Advance care planning in the Black faith community

Advance care planning, a routine aspect of healthcare, helps individuals make decisions about future care by reviewing their values, goals, and wishes. However, many…

PTSD: Increase screening and treatment

Many nurse practitioners (NPs) provide care in medically underserved areas, some in one of the more than 1,400 free clinics throughout the…

Support planetary health

Actions to promote and protect the environment Spring marks a time of renewal and reawakening with cleaning, planting, and other fresh starts,…

EBP, QI, and IS

Some use the terms evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement (QI), and implementation science (IS) interchangeably. However important differences exist. Clinicians must understand…

From the Ethics Inbox

Everyday ethics: Informed consent

As a study coordinator, I recruit participants to a randomized clinical trial that’s evaluating experimental drugs for renal cancer. One of the individuals who met the trial’s eligibility criteria told me that he was enrolling regardless of what the informed…

Everyday ethics: Balancing beliefs with care

I’m a nurse in a med–surg unit. A patient I recently cared for who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis decided to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) because she wanted to avoid death from disease progression. I consider this suicide and…

Everyday ethics: Responsibility and accountability

A few weeks ago, I was floated to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), which was seriously short-handed due to surgeries from a multiple-car accident.…

Everyday ethics: Privacy and trust

As a perioperative nurse, I understand I should ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my patients and their information while providing care throughout pre-,…

Everyday ethics: Prioritizing patients

It’s my understanding that a nurse’s primary commitment is to our patients. Recently, while working as a travel nurse, I’ve been concerned about some…

Ethics in everyday care

The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society.…

Everyday ethics: Informed consent

As a study coordinator, I recruit participants to a randomized clinical trial that’s evaluating experimental drugs for renal cancer. One of the…

Everyday ethics: Balancing beliefs with care

I’m a nurse in a med–surg unit. A patient I recently cared for who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis decided to voluntarily stop…

Everyday ethics: Responsibility and accountability

A few weeks ago, I was floated to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), which was seriously short-handed due to surgeries from a…

Everyday ethics: Privacy and trust

As a perioperative nurse, I understand I should ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my patients and their information while providing care…

Community

Noncompliance or healthcare illiteracy?

American Nurse Journal 2020 All Pro Nursing Team Award Winners

Peaches and crocs: A story of gratitude for nurses

My story began when I was 49 years young and told I had Stage IV colorectal cancer. That was almost 12 years…

A Quest to Human-centered AI

Generative AI is a hot topic in healthcare right now. There are a lot of questions about its use and how we…

News

What’s Lost: Trump Whacks Tiny Agency That Works To Make the Nation’s Health Care Safer

COVID-19 patients fared worse on ECMO than non-COVID-19 patients: Study

What’s Lost: Trump Whacks Tiny Agency That Works To Make the Nation’s Health Care Safer

Sue Sheridan’s baby boy, Cal, suffered brain damage from undetected jaundice in 1995. Helen Haskell’s 15-year-old son, Lewis, died after surgery in…

COVID-19 patients fared worse on ECMO than non-COVID-19 patients: Study

Pneumonia patients with COVID-19 who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) fared worse than those without COVID-19, according to a study that looked…

My Nurse Influencer

Publication extenders include infographics

Publication extenders—A powerful tool for extending your article’s reach

Do you want your work to resonate with as large a readership as possible? If so, consider publication extenders (also called publication enhancers)—tools that present key points of an article in an engaging style. Extenders include infographics, video abstracts, graphical…

Why human flourishing matters in nursing

I had the honor of serving on the expert panel entrusted with the 2025 revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Amid a vast constellation of concerns, one concept stood out for its quiet gravity and elusive power: human…

In sickness and in health: The parallels of weddings and nursing graduations

May and June mark the season of graduations and weddings—milestones that celebrate commitment, transformation, and new beginnings. There’s something vaguely matrimonial about a nursing…

The future of innovation in nursing is you!

Over the years, my definition of innovation has changed — I care less about the end product and more about the human-centered process used to create…

The case of the vanishing stethoscope

A 2001 study assessed the cardiac auscultation skills of 314 internal medicine residents from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The results…

The symbiotic relationship between nursing and design

Like nurses—who can use their degrees in a range of areas from clinical bedside care to research, education, entrepreneurship, history and more—professional designers also…

Publication extenders—A powerful tool for extending your article’s reach

Do you want your work to resonate with as large a readership as possible? If so, consider publication extenders (also called publication…

Why human flourishing matters in nursing

I had the honor of serving on the expert panel entrusted with the 2025 revision of the Code of Ethics for Nurses.…

In sickness and in health: The parallels of weddings and nursing graduations

May and June mark the season of graduations and weddings—milestones that celebrate commitment, transformation, and new beginnings. There’s something vaguely matrimonial about…

The future of innovation in nursing is you!

Over the years, my definition of innovation has changed — I care less about the end product and more about the human-centered process used…

Mental Health

spanish-flu-covid-19-appreciate-important

Take time to appreciate the importance of what you do

Lessons learned from 1918 d In 1918, the “Spanish flu” killed most people who were infected. Thanks to the efforts of thousands…

Join a national conversation on bereavement

The “silent storm” of grief could be the next epidemic that spreads throughout our country. How could it not be, when almost…

Critical Care

Preventing postoperative pulmonary complications

Postoperative pulmonary complications are costly and responsible for extended hospital stays and mortalities. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) are multimodal evidence-based guidelines…

Researchers Explore Ways to Curb ED Violence

Experts say registered nurses who work in hospital emergency departments are at greater risk of violence from patients than nurses in other…

Pediatrics

Troubling Imagery

“Young children can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy,” says Montoya, president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and a…

You can help stop the cycle of teen bullying

Bullying refers to repeated negative activity or aggression intended to harm or bother someone that the aggressor perceives as less powerful. In…

Cardiology

Mobile stroke units

Mobile stroke units (MSUs), ambulances equipped to evaluate, diagnose, and treat strokes in the prehospital environment, decrease door-to-thrombolytic administration time, cut door-to-thrombectomy…

Ambulance diversions increase mortality

A new study finds that ED diversion is associated with increased mortality.

American Nurse TV

HealthCom Media, the publishers of American Nurse Journal, the American Nurses Association and Al Roker Productions collaborated to bring a few shining examples of the exemplary work being done by nurses in today’s very challenging healthcare environment to the American public.

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