OJIN rings in year of the nurse
The January 31 topic of OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing celebrates nurses and offers examples of practice changes by individual nurses and nursing organizations. (more…)
How to recruit and retain volunteers for your professional organization
Communication, respect, and appreciation are key. Takeaways: The benefits of joining a professional nursing organization include having a voice about issues that impact healthcare, networking, and professional development. Successful organizations must have a network of volunteers to plan and execute…
School nursing—Always student-centered
Leading and innovating on the frontlines of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic challenges school nurses to continue providing health services when schools are closed and as they re-open. During this health crisis, school nurses are called to boldly use their…
Empowering Psych Nurse Practitioners Like Me to Strengthen Patient Relationships to Optimize Outcomes
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), I’m challenged to continually learn—evolving my approach to nursing care and growing my knowledge base to ensure I am meeting the needs of those I am treating. I often think of someone…
Let’s hear it for the boys
To say that 2020 has been noteworthy so far would be an understatement. Globally, COVID-19 has rewritten what it means for humans to interact socially with one another safely. As a result, nursing school pinning and graduation ceremonies across the…
Black Americans in nursing education
Reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. Takeaways: There is a need for increased Black nursing faculty and students in an effort to promote diversity within the profession and to decrease disparities among those receiving care. Black Americans…
Understanding bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by extreme mood swings—from emotional highs (mania) to lows (depression). Unfortunately, BD frequently is misdiagnosed, which can lead to delays in treatment with mood stabilizers and harmful exposure to antidepressants as monotherapy.
As Zepbound dominates headlines as a new obesity-fighting drug, a nutritionist warns that weight loss shouldn’t be the only goal
If the buzz surrounding a medication could elevate it to celebrity status, then Zepbound is reaching Taylor Swift rank. Zepbound is the newest addition to the weight loss drug arena. In November 2023, it joined the list of obesity-fighting drugs…
Patient care assistant training
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 195,400 RNs will leave the nursing profession from 2021 to 2031. Addressing this predicted nursing shortage will require innovative approaches and the support of well-trained assistive healthcare personnel, including patient care assistants…
Problem of psychiatric patient ED boarding
Leaders can advocate for changes to reduce ED boarding and crowding. IN SEPTEMBER 2012, in Update 2 to the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals, The Joint Commission published revisions to Leadership (LD) Standard LD.04.03.11 (the patient flow standard). The revision, which…
Inspire, innovate, and influence
Let’s work together to tackle public health issues. With National Nurses Weekcoming soon, we’ll be publicly recognized for our many positive contributions to healthcare at the bedside and beyond. While celebrating and looking back on all that we’ve accomplished, I…
UTI revisited: Optimizing best practices
Urinary tract infection (UTI) continues to attract clinical attention as one of the world’s most prevalent infections. UTI broadly describes several clinical conditions, including cystitis, pyelonephritis, and renal or perinephric abscess.
Nurses focus on pandemic challenges while looking to the future
The current and ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism dominated discussions at the 2020 American Nurses Association (ANA) Membership Assembly, which was held virtually for the first time. (more…)
Giving thanks
The best gifts frequently are the smallest. Lillee Gelinas Nurses and the nursing profession enjoy many expressions of gratitude nationally and internationally. The World Health Organization celebrates International Nurses Day and the American Nurses Association celebrates National Nurses Week, which…
School nurses: Keeping school children, families, and communities healthy
School nurses play an integral role in the health of children and youth, by increasing access to healthcare, addressing social determinants of health, and providing essential care coordination.
Preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a serious complication of an acute care admission, particularly for patients noted to be at risk. HAP can be reduced when infection prevention measures are followed and nursing care is delivered following evidence-based practice guidelines.
The human cost of war: A nurse’s reflection on the tragedy of forced migration from the Zaatari Camp
Abeer Alharthi, MSN, RN, PhD Student As the doors to the primary health center (PHC) swung open, the triage room overflowed with Syrian refugees, their eyes fixed on the healthcare staff, yearning for attention and aid. My green vest, embroidered…
Honoring the nurse victims of COVID-19
We at American Nurse Journal want to acknowledge the nurses and other healthcare workers who have given their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses, physicians, and first responders tend to garner the most media attention, but let’s not forget the…
Why exercise is so important during menopause
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s National Nursing Workforce Study, about 91% of RNs are women, and their average age is 50. In fact, almost half of the full-time and part-time RNs in the U.S. are…
Rural NC school receives grant to fund school nurse
The Summit Charter School in North Carolina recently received a grant from the Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation to employ a full-time school nurse. This grant will enable the school to provide the students of Summit greater access to healthcare professionals. American…