Past Issue: July 2011 Vol. 15, No. 7/8
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often goes undiagnosed in the primary care setting despite practitioners’ increasing awareness of PTSD in veterans of war and in survivors of certain types of trauma such as domestic abuse. Recognizing PTSD in Cambodian civilians who once faced genocide and torture… Read More
Delayed sleep-phase disorder (DSPD) is the most common disorder involving human circadian rhythm. DSPD typically arises during adolescence but often persists throughout life. Delayed sleep onset and late wake times in DSPD tend to be intractable to change, and can adversely affect one’s occupational,… Read More
Nurse practitioners have lobbied for years for the freedom to practice independently. This issue has now become critical in light of the healthcare reform movement and the lack of universal, affordable, accessible, high-quality health care. The nation will save healthcare dollars and increase people’s… Read More
Ulcerative colitis negatively impacts patients’ quality of life, but little is known about which aspects of patients’ lives are affected, how patients’ perceptions compare with patients with other chronic conditions, and how these perceptions compare with those of physician gastroenterologists Read More
Other Features
Do you know an NP whose achievements caring for women inspire others? Think of the person you work with or know of who makes you want to do your best. Maybe you know of someone whose example in clinical practice, research, or teaching helped you or others be that much better. Pay tribute to this person… Read More
The Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation and the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved announces the release of 10 educational handouts for patients starting insulin. Read More
Here are two great tools for prospective and new parents: The Pregnancy Power Workbook and Start Here. Read More
Unity is Just Good Business
Since it is customary for nurse practitioners (NPs) to encourage each other in the workplace,
... Read MoreFrom the Editorial Co-Directors
Dear Colleagues,
Health care and our country in general are faced with many challenges these days: the economy, the loss of jobs, healthcare provider shortages, increasing healthcare costs, the rising numbers of persons with chronic illness and/or obesity, and an aging population. As nurse practitioners, we are more essential than ever. Our services are in great demand, but we still need to continue to overcome certain barriers. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, the Institute of Medicine report, is essential reading. Schools are in need of faculty. Your involvement in all that is government is essential—whatever your beliefs may be. Please find ways to contribute to the policy decisions that are being made nationally, statewide, and locally. Stay informed. Join your professional organizations. Offer your services in a variety of venues so that nursing has a voice at the table. One person can make a significant difference!
In order to keep you well informed and up to date, we offer these feature articles in this issue of The American Journal for Nurse Practitioners: Understanding PTSD in Cambodian Survivors: Implications for Primary Care, by Phirin Lorth; Living Life on the Dark Side: Delayed Sleep-phase Disorder, by Valerie E. Rogers; and Breaking Away: The Ethical Case for Nurse Practitioner Independence, by Deanna R. Tolman. Mary Ann E. Zagaria, our Issues in Pharmacotherapy columnist, discusses proton pump inhibitors, specifically with regard to their association with fracture risk. This issue of AJNP also includes two book reviews and the NPWH Inspirations in Women’s Health Award information and nomination form.
Finally, only at webNPonline.com, we present Ulcerative Colitis from the Patients’ Viewpoint: A Review of Two Internet Surveys, by Sharon Dudley-Brown and Kathy Baker. Log on to http://www.webNPonline.com to read this excellent article.
Have a happy and healthy summer.
 Charlene M. Hanson EdD, FNP-BC, FAAN |
 Donna R. Hodnicki PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN |