“Innovations and revelations that came about because of the pandemic . . . will perhaps drive badly needed system changes. There is reason to hope that 2022 will be a better year.”—editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy in her January editorial, “2021: A Year of Hope and Heartbreak”

The January issue of AJN is now live. Here’s what’s new. Some articles may be free only to subscribers.

Original Research: Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Patients and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Communication Challenges

This qualitative descriptive study examined nurses’ perceptions and experiences of communicating with patients and families under the pandemic’s socially restrictive practices and policies.

In the News: The Year in Review: 2021

The top health care, clinical, and social justice news stories of the year, plus stories to watch in 2022. Also see our coverage of nursing and COVID-19, the pandemic’s hidden toll, and the climate crisis.

CE: Diagnosing and Managing Migraine

An overview of migraine pathophysiology, prevalence, risk factors, assessment, and acute and prophylactic treatment in the outpatient primary care setting.

Policy and Politics: Understanding the Language of Health Reform

The authors define key terms, such as public option, single payer, and universal health care; outline health care–related elements of the American Rescue Plan Act; and offer suggestions to support nursing advocacy.

Book of the Year Awards 2021

The most valuable texts of the year in multiple categories, as chosen by AJN’s panel of judges.

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

  • A Viewpoint on the use of war language during the pandemic.
  • An AJN Reports on alternative-to-discipline programs for nurses with substance use disorders.
  • A Special Feature on nursing student involvement in COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

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

A note on the cover.

This month’s cover features a photo of In America: Remember, a September 2021 art installation that memorialized the U.S. victims of COVID-19. Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, along with a team of volunteers, placed nearly 700,000 white flags on the National Mall in Washington, DC—one for each death.