The March issue of AJN is now live.

Here are some highlights. Some articles are open access or temporarily free; others will require log-in for access.

In this month’s editorial, “A Turning Point in Psychiatry,” AJN‘s editor-in-chief Carl Kirton discusses key aspects of the current mental health crisis and explores whether a paradigm shift to more rapid treatment with drugs like ketamine and MDMA may be in sight for at least some percentage of those in need (the editorial is always free). Writes Kirton:

“The promise of ketamine therapy is not that it will ‘replace’ everything else, but that it may signal a broader turning point: psychiatry moving beyond slow-onset, monoamine-focused treatments toward interventions that target rapid symptom relief.”

In addition, the CE article (CE articles are free) in the March issue reviews current evidence on ketamine as a mental health treatment. Discussing the use of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, the authors write:

This article provides “a foundation of clinical information that nurses should understand as they advise patients who are receiving or curious about ketamine” and discusses “the regulatory, ethical, and nursing implications of using ketamine in the treatment of mental health disorders.”

The Viewpoint in this issue, “AI Won’t Solve the Staffing Crisis—Safe Staffing Ratios Will,” is by Cathy Kennedy, PhD, BSN, RN, president of National Nurses United. Kennedy argues that nurses should be open to the benefits of new technology like AI, but they should not just accept it blindly if it undermines the autonomy of the nursing role.

The original research article in this issue is “Naloxone Training Among Sorority-Affiliated College Students: An Observational Study.” According to the authors:

This novel intervention, which combined didactic with hands-on learning methods, led to demonstrated improvements in knowledge of opioids, opioid toxicity, and opioid overdose response among sorority-affiliated college students.

In our Evidence-Based Decision-Making series, which addresses “how to teach and facilitate learning about the evidence-based practice and quality improvement processes and how they impact health care quality,” the March issue article is called “Implementation: From Plan to Action.” This article “will be helpful to DNP faculty, students, and clinical mentors and explains the conceptual foundation for moving from the implementation plan to action, the need for an implementation framework to guide each step, and the actual steps of putting the project in place.”

In our Reflections column, “Between Professionalism and Pain,” a nurse reflects on the experience of insults, violence, and casual humiliations from patients (and sometimes colleagues) that might be hidden behind the caring smile of a nurse.

Finally, don’t miss the extensive health care news section, the Drug Watch and Journal Watch departments, and the Specialty Spotlight, which is about the role of nursing ethicists.

Browse and subscribe.

You can subscribe to AJN, America’s oldest (125 years and counting) general interest nursing journal, for just $52.00 for a year (12 issues), whether for yourself or as a gift. AJN stands out from other nursing journals for the variety and timeliness of its content, the rigor of its review and editing, and the continuing attention to appearance, including covers that often feature original and vivid artwork and illustrations. Visit us online at https://ajnonline.com.