SCI Nursing Journal

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN)
32nd Annual Educational Conference
“A Call to Action”
October 4–7, 2006
Palmer House Hilton
Chicago, Illinois
Web site: www.rehabnurse.org

Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
37th Annual Educational Conference
October 27-30, 2006
Hyatt Regency Crown Center
Kansas City, Missouri
Web site: www.suna.org

The Howard H. Steel Conference
Injuries and Dysfunction of the Spinal Cord in Children
November 29–December 2, 2006
The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Web site: www.pedssci.com

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Karen L. Klemme, RN, BSN, CRRN, CNLCP

During the 2005 Annual Conference, the AASCIN Board of Directors took the initiative to organize our first “silent auction.” The purpose was to raise funds for AASCIN activities by soliciting donations of baskets from members and then auctioning the baskets at the conference. We also thought our attendees might have fun. As this was our first effort, we only hoped for a few donations, so we were pleasantly surprised, and thrilled, when 19 baskets were presented. Read the rest of this entry »

Deanna Persaud, MSN, RN

SCI Nursing, the official publication of the American Association of SCI Nurses (AASCIN) for over 20 years, has joined the era of electronic publishing. As we begin this new venture as an “online” journal, it seems appropriate to point out ways that our new format will benefit you, the reader.

Let me begin by assuring you that the quality and focus characteristic of SCI Nursing will remain unchanged. Our journal will retain its scholarly integrity through the continued use of the blinded peer review process for all feature articles. We will continue to share information important to our readers via regular columns such as: A Message from the President, AASCIN News, Research Corner, Innovation Station, Aging Column, Leadership Circle, and reviews of books and periodicals. Read the rest of this entry »

Jeanine M. Rundquist, RN, MSN, CRRN; and Kelly Johnson, RN, MSN, CFNP, CRRN, CNAA, BC

Kelly Johnson, RN, MSN, CFNP, CRRN, CNAA, BC, left, and Jeanine M. Rundquist, RN, MSN, CRRN

Abstract
Craig Hospital is a 93-bed, acute rehabilitation hospital specializing in the care of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury and/or brain injury. Craig Hospital applied for the Magnet Recognition Program® in early 2003 and achieved Magnet Recognition in August 2005.

The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and recognizes excellence in nursing programs. Read the rest of this entry »

Matthew R. Sorenson, PhD, RN; Linda Janusek, PhD, RN; and Herbert L. Mathews, PhD

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among illness uncertainty, perceived stress and disease symptomatology in outpatients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Forty three subjects with MS and 38 healthy control subjects completed a series of standardized psychological instruments. MS subjects also completed a measure of disease symptomatology. MS subjects scored significantly higher on measures of perceived stress and negative mood, with a significant reduction in positive affect when compared with control subjects. Read the rest of this entry »

LISTENING TO THE PATIENTS: ANOTHER APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
Caroline J. Anderson, PhD; and Lawrence C. Vogel, MD

Introduction
When children or adolescents with spinal cord injury (SCI) receive rehabilitation and follow-up care through a facility that specializes in pediatric rehabilitation, the goal is to provide care that is developmentally-based and geared to the changing needs of children as they grow. Read the rest of this entry »

Matthew R. Sorenson, PhD, RN

In the last several years, we have seen an increase in studies, particularly those with a clinical focus that employ research methods from differing traditions, a mixing or blend of research methodologies. The use of mixed methodology in answering research questions is a form of what has been referred to as “triangulation.” In mixed-method studies, a qualitative research strategy is often used in combination with a quantitative strategy. Read the rest of this entry »

Romilda Ang RN, MSc(A)N, CRRN

You begin your shift bombarded with a ton of information, not only regarding the patients to whom you are assigned, but also about the activities of the unit. You are “in charge.” You implement your system to organize your day, absorb as much information as you can, and start prioritizing and checking in on your patients. Shortly into your shift, one of your patient’s medical conditions starts to deteriorate.

As a prudent nurse you intervene accordingly and now you are required to inform and communicate with the patient’s attending physician. One of the new initiatives at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority in Vancouver, British Columbia, is the application of a communication technique called SBAR. SBAR is an acronym and stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. This technique was developed by Dr. M. Leonard, along with colleagues from Kaiser Permanente of Colorado (Kaiser Permanente of Colorado, 2006). Read the rest of this entry »

Designing A Shared Governance Model: Soaring To New Heights

Berthenya Dunbar, ARNP, MSN, BC; Diane Mayes, MSN, RN, CCRN; Bonnie Park, RN, BSN, CPAN; Rosemary Ashby, MS, ARNP-C; Mary Berger-Wesley, RN, MSN; Terri Cameron, RN, BSN ; Barbara T. Lorenz, ARNP-BC; and Magaret Veneman,BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS.

Shared governance nursing models were introduced as a vehicle to improve nurses’ satisfaction, retention, and perception of their work environment (Anthony, 2004). Porter-O’Grady (2001), a pioneer in the field, reports nursing shared governance models have been in practice for over 20 years. Between 1986 and 1998, however, Aiken, Clark, & Sloane (2000) found nurses’ perceptions of their freedom to participate in important decisions about patient care and their work had decreased from 98% to 80%. Read the rest of this entry »