Family Journal of Nursing

A Husband's Difficult Decision

A Husband's Difficult Decision

Tags: bedside reporting end of life family Family Presence PACU sepsis

A husband's difficult decision regarding his critically ill wife and DNR status

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When

When "Old Dogs" go Back to School

Tags: Bachelor's degree education family nursing leadership PACU stress

I went back to college at the age of 62. Being an "old dog", I was not computer savvy, so taking classes mostly on-line was quite challenging. I believe that my trials and triumphs evidenced in this article, will encourage nurses, especially older nurses, to go back to school for their BSN.

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The Other Side of Healing

The Other Side of Healing

Tags: cancer death end of life family oncology patient experience

A glance back at how I came to appreciate the special role a nurse plays in helping patients experience a peaceful death and assisting family members through the experience.

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My Pet Rock and Other Fictions

My Pet Rock and Other Fictions

Tags: brain damage Disabilities family

Mother of son with severe disabilities explaining to her daughter why parents never divorced as they & the family experienced the tragedy of a brain damaged son.

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Advocacy for Those without a Voice: Helping Parents with Smoking Cessation

Advocacy for Those without a Voice: Helping Parents with Smoking Cessation

Tags: cessation child children family pediatric pediatrics second-hand smoke smoking smoking cessation

The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize current research in the area of second-hand smoke exposure in children and smoking cessation interventions for their parents.

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The Blessing: A Nurse’s Story

The Blessing: A Nurse’s Story

Tags: blessing family nursing stroke

It was nine o’clock pm and I was walking briskly out of Recovery Room, knowing I had to be back the next day at six am. Though in a hurry, I purveyed the family waiting room to see if there were any visitors who needed help after the patient representative had gone home. I immediately noticed a lone woman with an anxious look on her face. As it turned out, her daughter-in-law had just been transferred to Intensive Care. Instead of waiting for one of our transporters, I decided to take her up myself. As we headed down the hall, she stated: “I bet you’re trying to leave, aren’t you?” I affirmed her observation. I added that, it was quite all right. We arrived at the particular ICU where her daughter-in-law was transferred, and upon talking with the patient’s RN, I was able to let her in right away. She turned to me and said: “Thank you; you will be blessed.”

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Family Presence During CPR in the Emergency Department 

Family Presence During CPR in the Emergency Department 

Tags: Bedside Manner cpr critical care emergency emergency department Emergency nurse family Family Presence nurse

A descriptive survey conducted in 2000 (Myers, et al 2000) investigated attitudes and beliefs of patients’ families and ER staff members about FWR. The survey reported that 98% of patients’ families indicated that they had a right to be present and would do it and would participate in FWR again; 100% of family members said that FWR was helpful to them, and 95% said it was helpful for the patient. It also showed that 70% of professionals surveyed after their participation in FWR actually produced a higher level of “professional” behavior along with a more “professional” bedside dialog amongst the health care team. The survey also indicated that having the family in the resuscitation room prompted the staff to take the patient’s dignity, privacy, and need for pain management into greater consideration when compared to an un-witnessed resuscitation effort. (Myers, et al 2000)

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My Father the Medicine Man 

My Father the Medicine Man 

Tags: eastern medicine family health western medicine

My father continues to avoid western medicine as much as he can and there is no convincing him any different. I only hope that the next key given to me will open a door where Eastern and Western medicine will compliment each other. Health care would have the best of both worlds if this would happen.

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