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Nurses Are Taking Flight Images of the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita almost a year ago are still very vivid for many Americans who were glued to their televisions watching people being rescued from roof tops and flood plains. Some of the most heroic efforts were witnessed as the critically ill and elderly patients were hoisted from hospitals into helicopter ambulances and transported to neighboring states for medical care, and for some, emergency care was needed while in transit. As many citizens of New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama are still picking up the pieces of their lives destroyed by the disaster, they are anxiously preparing for what this year's hurricane season might bring. At the same time, hospitals and health organizations in hurricane-prone areas are devising new plans and operating procedures. Due to last year's trauma and rescue efforts, there is a heightened awareness and need for a specialized field of nursing--flight nursing. "Being a flight or transport nurse means having exceptional critical care and thinking skills, a wealth of emergency knowledge and the desire to want to do it all airborne--often times alone," said Andrea Higham, director of The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future. "Under what can be physically and emotionally demanding situations, these nurses play an integral role in giving the level of care that impacts the outcome of a patient in a positive way." This year's hurricane season is predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to be highly active, and now with fewer medical facilities in those regions and still fewer that are prepared to offer critical care and trauma services, more flight nurses are needed during such disasters and emergencies to provide acute care and transport patients to other medical facilities. Currently, there are more than 3,000 civilian flight nurses in the United States, and the number is expected to climb considerably to meet the growing demand for this specialty. The number of certified training programs continues to increase as well. According to the Air and Service Transport Nursing Association (ASTNA), many flight nursing programs require a license as a registered nurse, two to three years of critical care experience and/or an Advanced Cardiac Life Support certificate and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certificate. In addition, some flight services may need to complete a neonatal resuscitation program, a nationally recognized trauma program and certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN), Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN). Flight nursing can be a very appealing option for men and women who are interested in health care and enjoy the challenge of physically intense, emotionally charged medical rescue efforts. Along with flight nursing, the options available in the nursing field are vast. To learn more about the roles of flight nurses, or to obtain additional information on flight nursing programs, visit http://www.astna.org/ or http://www.discovernursing.com/.

Increased Awareness of Kidney Disease Calls for Specialized Care Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and swelling of the legs are some of the common symptoms associated with kidney disease. According to recent statistics, 10 to 20 million Americans suffer from kidney disease and many are unaware of their condition. Over the years, a heightened awareness for this condition has created an increased need for nurses with sufficient training and skills in this area of expertise. Recognized as a specialty for over 35 years, nephrology nursing involves caring for patients who are experiencing or at risk for acute and chronic kidney disease. Care spans the life cycle of the patient, and this specialty of nurses is charged with helping patients manage their lives, including succeeding at school or work, socializing, maintaining relationships and enjoying hobbies, while effectively dealing with their health issues. Nephrology nursing requires a common knowledge base to care for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients with kidney disease, and can include the roles of primary caregiver, educator, coordinator, consultant, administrator and researcher. These nurses practice in a variety of settings including dialysis clinics, hospitals, physician practices, transplant programs, patients' homes, and many other in- and out-patient environments. "This is a dynamic field driven by technological and educational advances," said Andrea Higham, director, The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future. "Nephrology nursing offers a wide variety of career opportunities for nurses at all levels--from those with basic nursing credentials to those with master's degrees, nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. " Recently, more than 1,300 nephrology nurses and health care professionals, attended the 37th National Symposium to learn more about the disease, latest treatments and advancements in care. To learn more about nephrology nursing or training programs, visit http://www.nursesource.org/ or http://www.discovernursing.com/.

American Nephrology Nurses' Association Inducts New Officers At the 37th National Symposium held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) recently inducted new officers for 2006-07. Suzann Van Buskirk, BSN, RN, CNN and outgoing ANNA president, continued the organization's tradition of transitioning to a new president by passing the "vision crystal" to JoAnne Gilmore, BSN, RN, CNN. Gilmore's goals for the year include fostering continued growth of ANNA's new Acute Care Special Interest Group, increasing educational offerings for advanced practice nurses and developing an Open Mentorship Program for all levels of nephrology practitioners. For more information about the symposium and ANNA, contact the ANNA National Office at 888-600-ANNA or visit http://www.annanurse.org/.

Eloise S. RN, Urology Clinic Wauwatosa, Wis. My childhood aspirations were to always pursue the teaching profession. I am passionate about the one-on-one interaction of education and service to those who are around me, thus my love for learning never ends. Nothing is out of bounds, despite the speed bumps that guide my decisions and remind me of my limitations. Boundaries exist in the gray areas for me. Teaching at the master's level provides structured collaboration between national and international master's students. Writing for publications at the international level may be daunting, but can be accomplished. Web site consulting adds yet another avenue of nursing that is fulfilling. As long as there is time, and moments to touch one another, one will find me out there, somewhere.

A Career In Nursing CNN--May 12, 2006 "It is National Nurses Week. The profession has come a long way since Florence Nightingale blazed that trail back in the 1850s. Christy Feig is here with a look at where it is today and where it's headed." To view this story in its entirety, click here.

©Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc., 2006