“A respite for nurses may be more needed than ever. Workplaces are more complex than they used to be and . . . changing faster. . . . And there never seem to be enough people to do what needs to be done.” —editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy, in her editorial, “A Day By the Sea”

The August issue of AJN is now live. Here’s what’s new:

CE: Original Research: The Clinical Research Nurse: Exploring Self-Perceptions About the Value of the Role

This study analyzes how clinical research nurses perceive the value of their practice, specifically as it relates to the care of clinical research subjects and the implementation of clinical research protocols.

CE: Obesity-Related Cancer in Women: A Clinical Review

The author discusses the role of obesity in the development and recurrence of breast, gynecologic, and colorectal cancers in women; describes weight loss interventions that may help overweight or obese patients reduce their cancer risk; and explains interviewing techniques nurses can use with such patients.

Special Feature: The Changing Landscape of Simulation-Based Education

This article details three foundational concepts of simulation-based education: prebriefing, debriefing, and safety in simulation. It also provides examples of academic, hospital- and health care center–based, and in situ simulation programs.

Cultivating Quality: Improving Screening and Education for Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Primary Care Settings

How a nurse-led QI initiative used interventions such as clinician education, visual reminders, flag reminders, and a monetary incentive to increase the number of secondhand smoke screenings providers performed and the number of patients screened and counseled.

There’s much more in our August issue, including:

  • A Viewpoint on making oral contraceptives available over the counter.
  • An AJN Reports on the lack of opioid addiction treatment options for U.S. prison inmates.
  • An EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change article on an intervention to improve oral care for the management of mucositis during cancer treatment.

Click here to browse the table of contents and explore the issue on our website.

A note on the cover:

The seaside scene on this month’s cover evokes a sense of summer tranquility. We chose to feature it because it represents much-needed feelings of rest and relaxation for everyone at this time of year—especially for nurses.