The AJN Podcast

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.