Letters to the Editor – Novenber 2006

November 11, 2006

A new standard
I just received your premier issue, and WOW! I found the different perspective, lively editorial style, and timely topics quite pleasing. It’s funny. I just participated in a telephone survey about nursing journals, and I described my preferences. Two days later, I received the premier issue of American Nurse Today, and it’s just what I was asking for! You better be careful—you have set a new high standard with this premier issue!

John Reitz RN, BSN

Wow! I read the premier issue from cover to cover. A+++. Keep up the good work!

Name withheld

Breath of fresh air
I want to let you know that your premier issue of American Nurse Today was a breath of fresh air for our nursing profession of today. The information and articles were very much an eye opener. This is the first magazine I’ve seen cover today’s technology and give helpful hints to keep our patients and ourselves safe. Keep it coming. I’m impressed.

Patty Andrews RN
Washougal, WA

Timely topics
The premier issue arrived today, and while just browsing through, I found at least three or four articles on topics currently being discussed at our hospital! WOW, good job!

Joanie Cool Jackson, APRN
DNP-Forensic Candidate
Dalton, GA

Nursing—today and beyond
I was disappointed to lose the American Journal of Nursing because I valued the content and was skeptical of the replacement, but I am impressed with the first edition of American Nurse Today. The content was well balanced, timely, and global. I was initially enthralled by the articles on delegation and disaster preparedness but was most impressed with Cindy Saver’s “Nursing—today and beyond,” which presented a cogent assessment of our strengths and weaknesses. I read this premier issue with scrutiny and applaud the authors and editors for a finished product that is not only readable, but inspiring. Nice work.

Kenneth Duncan, RN, BSN, CENBradenton, FL

Although generally interesting, the article “Nursing—today and beyond” does not include the voice of nurses who do the everyday work of nursing. I respect the members of your panel for their work and contributions to the workplace. But the failure to include a staff nurse or nurse-manager leaves me with a sense that our nursing leadership will forever be distant collaborators.

Eileen McGorry, RN, BC, MSN
Olympia, WA

Refreshing format
This past weekend, I read the first issue of American Nurse Today cover to cover, and I must compliment you! It is extremely well done. It appears the goal of the journal is to offer accessible and usable information on current trends in the profession and clinical practice. The format is refreshing and should interest experienced and novice nurses alike.

Joyce E. Johnson, RN, PhD, FAAN
Washington, DC

Something for everyone
I became engrossed with each page. The articles are great, and there’s something that everyone can learn from and relate to. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a nursing journal so much. You have a winner with this and have done a wonderful job in creating a nursing journal that everyone will enjoy. Thanks again and well done!

Pam Farris, RN, BSN, OCN
Brookhaven, MS

I was skeptical about the switch to American Nurse Today as the official ANA journal. But I’m very pleased with the content and variety of articles. Thanks!

Toni King, RN, BSN
Lexington, KY

How do you look?
I read with interest the article “How Do You Look?” I would love to look like the “nurses” depicted. However, most real nurses do not look like that. We come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. If 45 is the mean age of all nurses today, you should depict that nurse 10 hours into a 12-hour shift after a sick child has vomited on her uniform or an elderly GI bleed patient got bloody stool all over her pants. Yes, we need to look professional. But the “uniform does not make the nurse.” Most important to the patient is that we are professional and competent in what we do.

Connie
Nurse from Wisconsin

After reading the article “How do you look?” in your premier issue, I smiled. I recently visited a hospital in Washington, DC, where I saw a young woman in a crisp, white uniform. I wondered, could she be a nurse? I asked and was told, “Yes, she is a nurse.” It did my heart good! It was refreshing to see a young nurse take pride in her appearance and stand out as a symbol of confidence among the “scrub”-attired staff. If I needed a nurse, she would be the one I’d want.

M. Maureen McLaughlin, PhD, RN
Bristow, VA

Remember when…
In the premier issue, we asked for letters describing nursing through the years. Here are two of our favorite responses.

I graduated from nursing school in 1964. I remember reusing rubber gloves and rubber Foley catheters that had been sterilized, boiling glass syringes for reuse, and filing off the burrs on needles (really). I also remember the BIRD positive pressure respiratory machine, the Wagenstein gastric suction set-up, TB wards, and the Iron Lung (yes, I’ve seen one).
I didn’t own a stethoscope and didn’t learn to use one in school. The nursing school dorm had a housemother who clocked us in at our 10:00 p.m. curfew. My first paycheck was $30 for a month, as a student. Thought you’d get a kick out of these memories. I am still working as a staff nurse on a busy postop unit.

Carol Haugen, RN
Renton, WA

I remember when ECGs were run in one long strip, and you had to mark them to tell which lead you were looking at. The Emergency Room had one monitor with a green, round oscilloscope, and it did not run ECG strips. Pills were stored in jars kept in unlocked metal cabinets with glass doors. Sugar tong splints were used to stabilize fractures. Those were the days!

Paula M. McNulty, RN, BSN, MBA
(Baby boomer nurse)
Altoona, PA

Visual challenges
I have visual challenges, so I do realize that I am in worse shape than others, but the type font is too small for me to read. Also, reading text on colored backgrounds is a challenge for me.
Name withheld

Thank you from the Editor- in-chief
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent us feedback on the premier issue of American Nurse Today. The response has been passionate and overwhelmingly positive, as you can see in the sampling above. Please continue to tell us what you want, what we’re doing right, and what we can improve. Thank you again for writing and for caring.

Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, FAAN

Are you interested in sharing your input?
Please consider sending an electronic Letter to the Editor to share your opinion on American Nurse Journal content.

What are the guidelines for letter submissions?
Letters should be fewer than 275 words and take as their starting point an article published in American Nurse Journal in the past 2 months. Letters should be exclusive to American Nurse Journal and not submitted to or published in any other media. They must include the writer’s full name. Anonymous letters and letters written under pseudonyms will not be considered. Writers should disclose any personal or financial interest in the subject matter of their letters. Letters should not contain attachments.

Letters are screened prior to approval for posting; not all will be posted. We do not respond to requests for medical or legal advice. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical and legal advice.