AJN’s monthly news section covers timely and important research and policy stories that are relevant to the nursing world. Here’s a preview of the stories you’ll find in our current issue (news articles in AJN are free access):

16802[1]

Two culture plates growing bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. Photo by Melissa Dankel / James Gathany / CDC.

Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescriptions

On-the-job behavioral interventions that involved social components—accountable justification (an EHR-based prompt requiring a prescriber to document an explanation for the choice of medication) and peer comparison—resulted in lower rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing by primary care physicians, according to a recent study.

Increase in Colorectal Cancer Occurring Before Age 50

Diagnoses of colorectal cancer in younger people are on the rise: between 1998 and 2011, one in seven patients diagnosed with colon cancer was younger than 50. This summary provides some useful context to help readers understand the implications of such numbers.

AACN Recommends Increased Palliative Care Training in Undergraduate Nursing Education

Undergraduate nursing school curricula should devote greater attention to palliative care training to reflect updated understanding and practice in the field, according to new recommendations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Study Challenges Views on Alcohol Consumption in Native Americans

Researchers at the University of Arizona analyzed self-reported data from annual government surveys to compare the drinking habits of Native Americans and whites, and found the two groups had similar rates of alcohol consumption.

20130425_Ventilation_Prototype-5

Photo © Voisin / Phanie / phanie / Phanie Sarl / Corbis.

Replicating Real Life: Simulation in Nursing Education and Practice

From straw-filled dummies to sophisticated computer-based manikins, the use of simulation has long been crucial for safely teaching and improving nursing skills—and it’s playing an even bigger role now than ever before.

In addition, click here and scroll down to “In the News” for this month’s NewsCAPs (brief takes on health-related hot topics) as well as a From the Agencies roundup of announcements from U.S. and global health agencies.