Linda C. Hodges

Prevalence of glioblastoma multiforme in subjects with prior therapeutic radiation.

&NA; This retrospective study profiled subjects with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who had previously received therapeutic radiation. A chart review was conducted of 100 adult patients diagnosed with GBM and referred to a major medical center in the southwestern United States. Seventeen patients received previous radiation therapy with an average dose of 485 Grey (Gy) and an average latency period of 15 years between initial therapy and GBM diagnosis. Of these 17, four white females fit all four attribution criteria for radiation‐induced GBM. Two had been treated with radiation for prolactinomas, one for pinealoma and one for squamous cell cancer of the ethmoid sinus. The addition of these four case studies to the previously published descriptions of 80 cases of gliomas, 36 of which were GBM, subsequent to radiation therapy provides additional support for considering therapeutic radiation as a risk factor for GBM development.

Fibromyalgia and the neuroscience nurse's role

&NA; Fibromyalgia is recognized among rheumatologists as one of the more common problems in patients with musculoskeletal pain. It is a chronic, nondegenerative, noninflammatory pain condition associated with musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, fatigue, nonrestorative sleep, alterations in cognitive functioning, and depression. Less common symptoms arise from a variety of body systems. Diagnosis is difficult; patients suffer, on average, for 5 years and spend thousands of dollars before receiving a diagnosis and proper management. The neuroscience nurse is in an excellent position to assist these patients from initial assessment and history taking to facilitating the patient to achieve optimal functioning by using measures to control their pain and associated symptoms.

Financial responsibility and budget decision making.

The nursing budget constitutes one of the largest department budgets in most hospitals and in many cases involves managing millions of dollars. The degree to which the nurse executive has freedom to control financial resources has a major impact on the hospitals ability to compete in a rapidly changing marketplace characterized by a severe nursing shortage. Findings indicate a continuing problem with authority in matters germane to resource allocation.

Head nurses: their practice and education.

The head nurse has become a critical link in managing successful hospital units in this post-DRG (Diagnosis Related Group) era. As more nursing services move to a decentralized model, the head nurse role has grown in complexity and accountability far beyond entry level nursing preparation. This study explores the patterns of use of head nurses in United States hospitals and how they should be educated.

Strategies for ensuring a successful curriculum consultation.

The process of curriculum revision in a school of nursing is time-consuming and expensive. Often, the first step in this process is determining the need for a curriculum consultant. This article describes the role of the curriculum consultant in the process and also addresses the administrative and faculty roles in the curriculum revision process. Guidelines for selecting a curriculum consultant with appropriate educational and experiential credentials are identified. The importance of strategic timing for visits is emphasized, along with the key elements of the contract.

Promoting scholarship for graduate education

Abstract Fostering the scholarly contributions and achievements of graduate students is an important component of the graduate nursing faculty role. This article describes a graduate nursing curriculum designed to ensure the development of the necessary skills to allow graduates to make meaningful contributions to the nursing literature. Teaching strategies and learning activities for accomplishing this goal are included. The expectations for scholarly written work is set forth in the orientation to the curriculum at the beginning of the first semester or term. As the issue of role development in advanced nursing practice is discussed, the role of scholarship is shown to be a necessary component of advanced nursing practice roles — educator, consultant, researcher. The authors believe that the time to reinforce the rudiments of scholarly writing and publication is during graduate educational programs while students can be guided by a faculty member knowledgeable and experienced in the process.

A new role for neuroscience nurses: the case manager.

Nurse case managers are becoming more visible within the nursing profession. Practice settings range from acute care to independent companies developed for the purpose of case management. In each area, the development of a more autonomous nurse is emphasized. Neuroscience nurses are particularly suited for the role of case manager since their patients often require extensive rehabilitation and nursing care. As patients face earlier discharges, neuroscience case managers will be the link to vital resources in what is now an often fragmented system of care.

Clinical trials: the role of the neuroscience nurse.

Participation in clinical drug trials is becoming a common expectation of many neuroscience nurses. Prior to assuming responsibilities associated with a research study, the roles, rights and responsibilities involved must be thoroughly understood. The effective neuroscience nurse brings to the research arena a thorough knowledge of the drug under study, outstanding skills as a clinician and a commitment to ensure the safety and comfort of the participant as the search is made for better and more effective drug regimens.

New drugs for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinsons disease continues to be a tragic debilitator of close to half a million Americans. As more is learned about the disease, pharmacological treatment improves. Just recently, deprenyl became a part of our therapeutic armamentarium, and it appears that Sinemet CR will soon be following. It is hoped that these drugs will improve the quality and quantity of life for patients with PD until the disease can be cured.

Strategies for journal publication.

&NA; Publication in professional journals has become an expectation not only of neuroscience nurse educators but practitioners as well. Through publication, the neuroscience nurse demonstrates commitment to the profession and specialty area by sharing clinical insights and knowledge with colleagues practicing in the field. The publication process includes many steps beginning with the idea for publication to a careful review of the galley proofs. This article describes opportunities for journal publication and strategies for ensuring success in the publication process.