Finding Future Leaders – and a NICHE in Nursing

By Maureen Shawn Kennedy, AJN editor-in-chief

It has been a hectic few weeks, as I’ve been traveling to the early spring nursing meetings (with still more to come).

With John Gransbach at NSNA meeting With John Gransbach at NSNA meeting

First I went to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) annual meeting (April 3–7). AJN has had a long association with the NSNA, supporting it in various ways since its 1952 founding, from hosting board meetings at AJN offices to producing the convention newsletter to convention scholarships for key contributors. In recent years, we’ve sponsored travel expenses to the annual meeting for the winner of Project InTouch, the member incentive plan. This year, the winner was John Gransbach, who graduated from the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College in St Louis. He recruited 228 new NSNA members—an achievement certainly worth recognizing.

Future leaders. As I told the audience when I presented the plaque to Mr. Gransbach, this award isn’t just about growing membership in the NSNA—it’s about contributing to the future of the profession. Students who join the NSNA are already demonstrating a commitment to nursing by going beyond what’s required of them. They’ve joined an organization that provides considerable resources to help them begin their careers. Not only does it provide practical help with passing the NCLEX exam, writing a resume, and finding a job, but it informs them about what it means to be […]

2018-03-28T10:34:13-04:00April 15th, 2013|nursing perspective, students|0 Comments
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Nurse Brings Photo Exhibit to U.S. Capitol

By Shawn Kennedy, AJN editor-in-chief

Kathleen Bartholomew, MN, RN, a consultant and speaker from the state of Washington, has made it her mission to enlighten policy makers and legislators about the important work of nursing. And she believes in the power of photographs to help her make her case.

From January 24 through January 28, Bartholomew hosted AJN’s award-winning photo exhibit, Faces of Caring: Nurses at Work, which was on display in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.  For two days of the previous week it was on display in the Rayburn House Office Building. Bartholomew had enlisted the help of her legislators, Congressman Rick Larsen and Senator Patty Murray, to get the necessary clearances and permissions for this unique location within the Senate building. While people viewed the exhibit, Bartholomew was available to speak with them about the vital work of nursing. She also visited senators’ offices and met with legislative aides.  

The photographs in the exhibit are the winners and selected honorees from an international photo contest that was first exhibited at New York University College of Nursing in New York City in 2007, with support from the

2016-11-21T13:14:05-05:00February 7th, 2011|Nursing|3 Comments
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Why Didn’t Physicians Know What Nurses Know?

By Shawn Kennedy, AJN interim editor-in-chief

A recent post on our blog highlighted the experience of AJN’s associate editor Amy Collins in trying to get someone to diagnose the underlying reason for acute confusion in her grandmother. Over a two-week period, Amy’s grandmother was seen by various private and ED physicians, none of whom seemed to have an adequate diagnosis or a suggestion for treatment. Finally, nurses suggested that a urinary tract infection (UTI), fecal impaction, or some other infection might be a factor. It was a fecal impaction and yet none of the five physicians who previously evaluated Amy’s grandmother had thought about or assessed for it.

What the nurses said. Amy’s post generated many comments, both on the blog and on our Facebook page. What was interesting to me was how many nurses knew to first check for a UTI, electrolyte disturbance, or fecal impaction as a reason for confusion. Here are a few samples:

“Though not conclusive, in every case I have seen a change in cognition or behavior it was either a UTI or fecal impaction. I work in home health as a CNA and I am a nursing student.”

“The first thing I think to check is infection (UTI) with elderly, confused patients.”

“I’m a senior nursing student…and this material is on our exam that we are taking Friday. With acute confusion, always check for UTI and constipation.”

“Possible UTI. Possible dehydration &/or  constipation. Poor nutrition. All can (and do) manifest as “altered mental status.” Think I’d start with […]

2016-11-21T13:15:35-05:00September 27th, 2010|healthcare social media, nursing perspective|1 Comment
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