Oncology Nursing Considerations in a Clinical Trials Environment

ObjectiveTo provide non-research–trained oncology nurses with targeted information they need to know when caring for research participants on clinical trials.Data SourcesProfessional scopes and standards, published literature, and governmental websites.ConclusionTo optimize the safe care of research participants enrolled in cancer clinical trials, oncology nurses must have knowledge of the study team composition, protocol navigation, grading of adverse events, patient education, and communication with clinical research nurses and study teams.Implications for Nursing PracticeOncology nurses are integral to the success of clinical trials and the development of new therapies for cancer patients.     

Oncology Nursing Considerations when Developing Outpatient Staffing and Acuity Models

ObjectivesObjectives include review of existing benchmarks and nurse-sensitive indicators relevant to the ambulatory care setting. Applying the data to existing ambulatory staffing models with consideration of multiple clinic settings that include medical oncology, infusion, and stem cell transplant clinics. And to describe key considerations needed to optimize oncology care efficiently with an acuity-based staffing model.Data SourcesPublished literature indexed in PubMed, CINAHL, textbooks.ConclusionIn today's complex oncology environment, optimization and utilization of outpatient facilities is essential in providing high-quality care and improving satisfaction of patients as well as providers and staff.Implications for Nursing PracticeNurse leaders should utilize benchmarking data to ensure staffing levels are appropriate, given the size and scope of their facility. Staff nurses should be engaged to ensure that acuity tools are developed in accordance with their experiences and perceptions of patient care.     

Caring: Reappropriating Our Tradition

Nursing stands poised before a new century that promises radical changes in healthcare delivery. Circumstances of care will offer the profession new opportunities. The authors provide a provocative review of the past two decades of nursing as a caring profession. Actions for the future are noted, which will enable nurses to reappropriate nursing's tradition of caring.     

Caring for Street Youth: A Nursing Challenge

The Advocate is a forum for exploring our roles as advocates for the children and families we serve.     

Caring for the Dangerous Patient: Legal and Ethical Considerations

When assessing and treating patients who report that they are thinking about hurting themselves or others, nurse practitioners (NPs) must consider not just their codes of ethics but federal laws, state laws, cases in the different courts, and the guidelines set forth by credentialing boards and professional organizations, all of which impact the application of basic confidentiality. The purpose of this article is to help NPs deal with unusual situations that might require a breach of patient confidentiality and to address legal concerns and possible actions by state boards of nursing for breach of patient confidentiality. A list of 10 considerations for NPs facing such a challenge is included.     

Caring for Patients of the Millennial Generation: Considerations for Nurses

Much has been written about teaching students of the Millennial Generation (those born between the years 1980 and 2000) and about intergenerational dynamics in the healthcare workforce. However, little can be found in the literature regarding generation‐specific nursing care of Millennial patients. This article presents six categories of considerations for nurses caring for patients of the Millennial Generation based on the characteristics, attitudes, and values that have influenced them as well as the healthcare issues confronting this group of young adults.     

Future Emergency Nursing Workforce: What the Evidence Is Telling Us

Introduction

In Australia, on any given day, there are more than 300 advertised emergency nursing positions, and this situation can be replicated in nearly every country internationally. The nursing shortage globally is known. The importance of not only why nurses specialize in the field of emergency nursing but also why they remain in the field requires an understanding of the evidence and research into nursing recruitment and retention. Leadership within the emergency department has a strong correlation to staff retention. It is hoped that, by gaining a greater understanding of the elements that influence staff retention, we will be able to lay down a strong foundation for the future of emergency nursing.

Nursing: Caring or Codependent?

Can nurses practice caring within a healthcare system that promotes codependency? Caring promotes mutual empowerment of all participants while codependent caring disempowers. Nurses are expected to practice caring with clients, The authors contend, however, that nursing, as historically and currently practiced within bureaucratic/patriarchal organizations, is founded on a vlue system that fosters codependency. Until nursing is practiced within the context of caring organizations and a caring healthcare system, nurses will continue to be powerless to shape their own practice as carers and burnout will continue to be a problem.