http://www.rnjournal.com http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/missionary_to_haiti.htm On January 28th I started out on the treck to head to Haiti. Living in Honduras I found myself traveling through Miami, to get to Chicago, to head out to Haiti. But, as there were few choices of air transportation to Haiti, we took whatever we could get. Upon arrival into Haiti, the first thing that hit me was the sea of humanity. This little town held 4 million people. Keeping things in perspective, I am living in a country of 7 million people – so over half of the population of Honduras resides in the city of Port-au-Prince. We drove to our camp site, Quisqueya Christian School (QCS). We immediately found a “spot” on the grass, set up our tents, and got to the business of preparing ourselves for the tasks ahead of us. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/missionary_to_haiti.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/clinical_profiling_natural_history_of_essential_hypertension.htm Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor that directly contributes to myocardial episodes such as abnormal wall motion, hypertrophies, and subsequently an infarction (MI). Also noted, are cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), congestive heart failure (CHF), peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI), and premature mortality. Optimal and cost-effective management of the condition depends on careful diagnosis, treatment minimization, and optimized adherence to the selections of tests and treatment plans. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/clinical_profiling_natural_history_of_essential_hypertension.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/the_power_of_preceptorship.htm The clinical experience is an essential component to nursing education. The identification of formal preceptors grows increasingly difficult as competition for clinical sites and nursing faculty shortages continue to place a strain on the system. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/the_power_of_preceptorship.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/pressure_ulcers_management.htm Pressure ulcers are a major complication associated with the loss of mobility, activity, increased moisture, poor nutrition, friction, shear, and altered sensory perception. They are caused by unrelieved compression of the blood vessels and tissues resulting in the lymphatic system not filtering waste products. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/pressure_ulcers_management.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/there_are_no_simple_cases.htm As a twenty year experienced recovery room nurse, I know that no case is ever the same. People are individuals. They react differently to medications. They metabolize drugs at different rates depending on age, body mass, body temperature, kidney and liver functions. Although everyone is different, I can basically expect a certain outcome in recovering people. But in saying this, you can always expect the unexpected. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/there_are_no_simple_cases.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/distress_and_depression_among_bone_and_marrow_transplant_patients.htm Bone and Marrow Transplant (BMT) is a five step treatment process: screening, collecting, conditioning, infusion, and engraftment. Bone and marrow transplant treatment is very aggressive that creates significant physical, social, psychological, and emotional stress. During the treatment process, many BMT recipients experience and display a wide array of psychosocial disorders including distress, anxiety, and depression. The way an individual experiences and copes with the distress, anxiety, and depression contributes to the physiological, psychological, and psychosocial outcomes of BMT treatment. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/distress_and_depression_among_bone_and_marrow_transplant_patients.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/malnutrition_in_the_elderly_an_unrecognized_health_issue.htm On January 28th I started out on the treck to head to Haiti. Living in Honduras I found myself traveling through Miami, to get to Chicago, to head out to Haiti. But, as there were few choices of air transportation to Haiti, we took whatever we could get. Upon arrival into Haiti, the first thing that hit me was the sea of humanity. This little town held 4 million people. Keeping things in perspective, I am living in a country of 7 million people – so over half of the population of Honduras resides in the city of Port-au-Prince. We drove to our camp site, Quisqueya Christian School (QCS). We immediately found a “spot” on the grass, set up our tents, and got to the business of preparing ourselves for the tasks ahead of us. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/malnutrition_in_the_elderly_an_unrecognized_health_issue.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/symptoms_of_cardiomyopathy.htm A careful history-taking by the registered nurse or practitioner along with a complete physical examination can reveal cardiomyopathies, but it is appropriate to confirm the diagnosis with a transthoracic echocardiography and selected laboratory studies. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/symptoms_of_cardiomyopathy.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/exploring_communication_technology_in_the_family_birthing_center.htm Technology is being used increasingly in the health care field in order to improve patient outcomes. An e-health nursing initiative has been set forth by the Canadian Nurses Association to direct the development of information and communication initiatives. Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2009) defines e-health as, "The leveraging of information and communication technology to enhance professional practice in order to promote and facilitate the health and well-being of individuals and families.” The purpose of the article is to explore ways in which communication technology in particular can aid nurses in providing more effective care, and allow for an enhanced health outcome. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/exploring_communication_technology_in_the_family_birthing_center.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/increasing_new_graduate_nurse_retention.htm Research shows that turnover rates are high for new nurse graduates as a result of a stressful work environment coupled with inadequate support during the transition from student to professional practice. This article seeks to define the problem of new nurse graduate retention, examine strategies implemented by specific organizations that decreased turnover rates of new graduate nurses, and offer recommendations for the new graduate nurse about to enter professional practice. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/increasing_new_graduate_nurse_retention.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/sepsis_recognition.htm At present, the US reports approximately 750,000 cases of sepsis a year and estimates 1 million cases by 2020 With a mortality rate of 30%, an estimated 250,000 annual deaths, and hospital costs exceeding $16 billion, sepsis has become a burden. It is imperative to increase the awareness and early recognition of sepsis http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/sepsis_recognition.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/a_man_apart.htm The idea of individuals with developmental disabilities becoming sexually active was disconcerting. Imagine having a daughter with disabilities, with limited cognitive comprehension, how could you protect her from tragic sexual encounters? Past abuses were common as institutionalized women were sterilized without consideration of their basic human rights. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/a_man_apart.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/cardiac_assessments_physical_examination_electrocardiography_chest_radiography.htm The human heart is one of the major organs adversely affected by high blood pressure. Therefore, the registered nurse must provide a careful and thorough evaluation of the assessments needed via the cardiac structure and function (i.e., including visual signs, all non-and invasive cardiac medical devices), which is an obligatory part of the examination of the hypertensive patient. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/cardiac_assessments_physical_examination_electrocardiography_chest_radiography.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/acute_renal_failure.htm Acute renal failure (ARF) has become increasingly common in patients with critical illnesses. Up to two-thirds of intensive care unit (ICU) patients develop ARF with the leading cause being sepsis. Treatment of ARF has been associated with higher costs and the following adverse outcomes: increased length of stay, excess mortality of 30-71%, need for chronic dialysis in the patients who survive, and the requirement of discharge to short-term or long-term care facilities. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/acute_renal_failure.htm http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/preventing_falls_in_the_elderly_long_term_care_facilities.htm The elderly long-term care population is at increase risk for falls and fall related injuries. The implementation of a fall prevention program is important for ensuring resident safety. Systematically assessing residents’ risk for falls and implementing appropriate fall prevention interventions can reduce the number of falls in the elderly long-term care residents. http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/preventing_falls_in_the_elderly_long_term_care_facilities.htm