Latest Entries Journal of Nursing

Opinion: New Nurse Training Needs a reality check

Tags: Nurse Education nurse training

Opinion on new nurse orientation

Why Nurses Are the Key to Solving Today’s Healthcare Challenges

Tags: healthcare training Nurse Education nursing career patient advocacy

The healthcare industry faces many challenges, such as rising patient loads, staff shortages, and increasing chronic conditions. Nursing professionals stand at the forefront, offering the skills and compassion required to address these challenges and drive meaningful change

At the Intersection of Respect and Safety: Navigating the Hardest Balance in Family Caregiving

Tags: caregiver elderly care elderly patients

This article is about my own caregiving journey with my grandfather, as a nurse, who navigated the difficult balance of safety and respect.

Early Mobilization in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients: Advancing Recovery Through Evidence-Based Practice

Tags: ICU Nurse nurse training nursing attitudes

The proposed study aims to examine how the timing of early mobilization in mechanically ventilated patients influences Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay and the incidence of delirium. The purpose of this study is to identify key factors and barriers that delay early mobilization efforts, which may contribute to lengthened hospital stays and higher delirium rates among critically ill patients. This study is guided by the research question: How does the timing of mobilization in mechanically ventilated patients influence length of stay and incidence of delirium? Understanding these relationships is essential for improving patient outcomes, optimizing critical care practices, and promoting evidenced-based interventions. The findings from this study have the potential to inform clinical guidelines and encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to overcome barriers to early mobilization in the ICU.

Calling on Nurses: Adopt An Orphan (Disease)

Tags: Nurse Education patient care rare disease

Nurses can be experts on a illness many not be familiar with and can advocate fo these patients. In learning about a rare disease you will learn about many related "minstream" illnesses increasing your overall knowledge. You will bring hope to those who have been neglected in research and the pharmaceutical industry.

Nine or Ninety, We All Want a Choice

Tags: elder care elderly patients Nurse Education

A well-intentioned “reading buddies” program paired third graders with nursing home residents, but during a clinical rotation, I witnessed a painful mismatch: a struggling young reader in tears after a resident on hospice brusquely dismissed him. The resident hadn’t chosen to participate and didn’t want to spend her limited time that way, and the child felt rejected. The incident revealed how intergenerational programs, though beneficial in theory, can backfire when participation isn’t voluntary or thoughtfully matched—showing that choice is essential for both children and older adults. A well-intentioned “reading buddies” program paired third graders with nursing home residents, but during a clinical rotation, I witnessed a painful mismatch: a struggling young reader in tears after a resident on hospice brusquely dismissed him. The resident hadn’t chosen to participate and didn’t want to spend her limited time that way, and the child felt rejected. The incident revealed how intergenerational programs, though beneficial in theory, can backfire when participation isn’t voluntary or thoughtfully matched—showing that choice is essential for both children and older adults.

Burned Out Nurse, Restored

Tags: burnout career guidance nurse burnout

Mid-career nurse who after 20 years and suffering burnout, pivoted to a remote nursing role, restoring work-life balance and peace of mind.

I'm Not Family

Tags: end of life care nurse training patient care

Nurses may not be your family, but we care like you'll invite us to your next family dinner.

From No Suck to Small Steps: A Story of Persistence and Care

Tags: new born care

A newborn lacked a suck reflex, prompting alternative feeding and an OT consult. Post-discharge, the mother remained committed to breastfeeding despite challenges. Continued support and therapy led to gradual improvement.

BRN Complaint - Do Not Let This Happen To You

Tags: brn complaint legal advice nursing license

I recently had a BRN complaint from a prior employer. My story outlines what I learned and will practice moving forward.

Neuroplasticity Unveiled: A Nonpharmacological Approach to Reducing Behavioral Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Tags: Alzheimer’s behavioral dementia mental health need

The purpose of this article is to highlight what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can do to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of Dementia with a multimodality Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a memory care unit. CBT is discussed in detail, and nurses can replicate this CBT with their patients who have mild and moderate dementia or cognitive decline.

A Seat at the Table: Nurses Leading the Call for Change

Tags: healthcare leadership leadership in nursing nursing community

This poem expresses my concern over injustice and loss of compassion in healthcare and all aspects of our society. It highlights nurses' trusted role in caring for vulnerable people and calls for change. I hope it inspires nurses to unite and lead in shaping healthcare policy because healthcare is a basic right and nurses must have a voice in decisions that affect us all.

Orthodox Jewish Medical Beliefs and Practices

Tags: culture diversity ethical values nursing education

his article provides an overview of Orthodox Jewish medical beliefs and practices. It emphasizes how the Orthodox faith influences healthcare decisions. The article explains key pracitices such as observance of the Sabbath, daily prayer routines, and strict modesty may affect patient care. Overall, this article stresses that healthcare providers should respect and accomadate Orthodox Jewish traditions and how their faith guides every decision.

Impact of Stress and Lifestyle on Cardiac Health in College Students

Tags: cardiac health cardiovascular disease nurse well-being Nursing Initiative nursing students Stress among Nurses Young People

This article explores how stress and lifestyle habits influence cardiac health in college students. It emphasizes the role of nurses in promoting heart-healthy practices and managing stress. Observations suggest that irregular meals, sedentary routines, and late-night study patterns increase cardiovascular risk.

The Unmeasured Discomfort: Shivering in PACU and The Use of a Bedside Shivering Assessment Scale

Tags: anesthesia Hypothermia nurse training Post-Anesthesia Care Surgical Recovery

Postoperative shivering is a common complication of general anesthesia. This can cause patient pain, distress, and hemodynamic changes. Nurses should use a BSAS to assess the severity of shivering and take appropriate interventions to minimize this with pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

The House of the Least of These

Tags: compassion ethical principles in nursing trauma

This is a brief article about the impact of advocating for your patients in a correctional facility.

Evidence Based Practice - Ultrasound Guided Peripheral IV Placement

Tags: catheters clinical nurse critical care Emergency nurse patient safety

This study aims to show that nurse driven placement of ultrasound guided peripheral intravenous access in the emergency department will improve patient care.

Nurse Burnout: Am I the Only One?

Tags: nurse burnout nurse mental health nurse well-being self care wellbeing

A poetic piece on burnout in nursing with a positive note added.

The Vagina :Bringing the Vagina Back to Life After Menopause Non-Hormonal Treatment Approaches for Atrophic Vaginitis and Chronic UTIs in Estrogen-Restricted Women In honor of the women who have suffered in silence

This paper is dedicated to the many women I have had the privilege of treating for atrophic vaginitis during menopause. Atrophic vaginitis—characterized by vaginal dryness, tissue thinning, and the involution of the vagina, labia, and urethra—is primarily caused by estrogen deficiency. I reflect on the voices of women whose needs have been unmet due to contraindications for estrogen therapy, often stemming from a history of cancer or other medical concerns. This work seeks to explore evidence-based, non-hormonal alternatives to manage atrophic vaginitis in menopausal women who cannot undergo estrogen therapy. Atrophic vaginitis does not affect the vagina alone—it also compromises the urethra, labia minora, labia majora, and the vaginal introitus (Faubion et al., 2017). Many of my patients have expressed frustration and distress as they navigate these symptoms without access to estrogen treatment. Their suffering and pleas for relief fuel the urgency of exploring and validating safe, effective, and estrogen-free therapeutic options.

All the Hats We Wear: The Soul of a Nurse

Tags: compassion nurse support nurse well-being

This article explores the many roles that nurses take on- mentor, leader, advocate, caregiver- and highlights how the essence of nursing goes beyond clinical expertise to the heart of human connection. As new generations enter the profession in a post-COVID, increasingly virtual world, many lack opportunities to develop crucial interpersonal skills. The piece emphasizes the importance of mentorship, modeling compassion, and preserving the "old-school" art of nursing to ensure the soul of the profession endures.

The Effect of A Neurological Training Module On The Competency of Neurocritical Care Staff Nurses

Tags: Brain EMERGENT training nurological care nurse training stroke

In this study, the competency training module had an effect in the post-test in the aspects of cognitive and affective domains only; thereby, accepting H1 and H0 was rejected. The training module did not affect the psychomotor domain. Based on the results of the study, H2 was accepted, there was no significant difference between the staff nurses’ profile with the results of the post-test; therefore, H3 was rejected. In this study, the competency training module had an effect in the post-test in the aspects of cognitive and affective domains only; thereby, accepting H1 and H0 was rejected. The training module did not affect the psychomotor domain.

Silenced and Overlooked: The Impact of Societal Norms on Women’s Mental Health Care

This article examines the ongoing influence of societal norms and gender bias in the treatment of women’s mental health. Despite advances in medical understanding, many women continue to face dismissal, misdiagnosis, and emotional invalidation within clinical settings. Drawing on contemporary research and lived experiences, the paper sheds light on issues such as medical gaslighting and diagnostic overshadowing, emphasizing how these challenges impact trust, access, and outcomes. It calls for greater awareness among healthcare providers, particularly nurses, and advocates for a more compassionate, inclusive approach to mental health care that validates the experiences of all patients.

The Effect of A Neurological Training Module On The Competency of Neurocritical Care Staff Nurses

In this study, the competency training module had an effect in the post-test in the aspects of cognitive and affective domains only; thereby, accepting H1 and H0 was rejected. The training module did not affect the psychomotor domain. Based on the results of the study, H2 was accepted, there was no significant difference between the staff nurse's profile with the results of the post-test; therefore, H3 was rejected. In this study, the competency training module had an effect in the post-test in the aspects of cognitive and affective domains only; thereby, accepting H1 and H0 was rejected. The training module did not affect the psychomotor domain.

A Retrospective on Nursing During the 2014 - 2016 Ebola Outbreak

The 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa was one of the most severe global health crises of the 21st century. Nurses, as the largest group of direct care providers, faced extraordinary risks and responsibilities during this outbreak. This document explores the multifaceted role of nurses in EVD management, emphasizing the dangers they faced, the leadership they provided, and the public’s shifting perception of their work. The document also addresses how Ebola’s transmission dynamics and containment measures affected nursing practice, and how the epidemic evolved into a complex humanitarian emergency (CHE). Through analysis of documented experiences, media coverage, and global responses. This document illustrates the essential contributions of nurses during the EVD crisis and underscores the need for better support and recognition of nursing roles in future epidemics.

Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults: A Growing Concern and a Call to Action

Tags: cancer symptoms colon cancer Colonoscopy Colorectal cancer Genetic testing

Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults, Early Detection Methods, Warning Signs to Look For

More Than Evidence: How Experience and Reflection Shape My Epistemological Stance in Nursing

Tags: empirical knowledge ethical principles in nursing Nurse Education nursing epistemology Patient-centered care

This paper explores the author's personal epistemological stance in nursing, emphasizing the integration of both empirical evidence and experiential knowledge gained through clinical practice. Drawing on Barbara Carper’s four patterns of knowing, empirical, personal, ethical, and aesthetic, the author highlights how meaningful nursing care requires more than scientific knowledge; it also demands relational understanding, critical reflection, and empathy. A fictional case study is used to illustrate how these ways of knowing intersect in real-life decision-making, particularly when caring for marginalized patients. The paper ultimately argues for a holistic, patient-centered approach to nursing that honours both objective data and the lived experiences of patients.

Patient Autonomy

Tags: healthcare ethics Informed consent Nurse-patient communication Patient autonomy Patient-centered care

An article discussing honoring patient autonomy while maintaining professional obligations.

A Nurse has a Baby

Tags: labor nurse healthcare nurse pregnancy pregnancy

An article about having a baby from the perspective of a nurse.

From Classroom to Chaos: A Concept Paper on Transitional Dissonance in the Nursing Profession

Tags: challenges nurse burnout Nurse Education

This concept paper explores transitional dissonance experienced by newly licensed nurses as they move from academic training to clinical practice. It identifies key factors contributing to this dissonance, including the gap between theoretical preparation and real-world clinical demands, role ambiguity, inadequate organizational support, emotional labor, cultural challenges, and rapid technological changes. The paper highlights how these interconnected issues lead to stress, burnout, job dissatisfaction, and high turnover, ultimately impacting nurse well-being and patient care quality. Understanding the causes and effects of transitional dissonance is critical for developing targeted interventions that support nurses’ professional adjustment and improve healthcare outcomes.

Rebuilding Community and Resilience: Establishing a Wellness Committee to Support Nurses' Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Tags: menal health nurse mental health nurse support wellness

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated burnout and emotional distress among nurses, eroding workplace cohesion and well-being. Recognizing the limitations of existing mental health resources, one nursing unit established a wellness committee focused on fostering community, inclusivity, and mental health support. This article describes the committee’s initiatives—including social events, support during local Pride parades, care packages for new mothers, and promoting wellness tools—and highlights measurable outcomes. In just the first year, the unit’s survey revealed a 25% increase in staff reporting that their mental health was being addressed and a rise in staff feeling able to be their authentic selves. These findings emphasize how grassroots efforts can play a critical role in restoring resilience and connection among nurses, contributing to better retention, morale, and patient care outcomes.