LETTERS
to the Editor
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE QUESTIONS
“Intimate Partner Violence in Rural U.S. Areas: What Every Nurse Should Know” (May) brought to mind several personal examples of how health care providers don’t take domestic violence seriously. Those who work in hospitals and EDs may now be required to ask patients, “Do you feel safe at home?” But this question is too often asked in a setting that guarantees a positive answer. For example, after my husband had surgery and was sleepy from the anesthetic, the admitting nurse told me she didn’t want to disturb him and that we should go outside the room so she could ask me a few questions. One was, “Is he safe at home?” What did she think I would say? In another recent episode at an ED, when I was in the room, the nurse asked my husband if he was safe at home. I told her she shouldn’t ask that question in my presence, but she just shrugged. I doubt if these are isolated examples. If the patient isn’t alone when domestic violence is discussed, it’s an exercise in futility. Nurses must also be aware of local resources, so that they can assist victims of partner violence in making a plan, or refer them to someone who can. Linda Q. Thede, PhD, RN-BC Aurora, OH
WORKPLACE FATIGUE
“It All Comes Back to Staffing” (Editorial, February), in which Maureen Shawn Kennedy mentions Elizabeth Jasper, a nurse from Ohio who was killed while driving home after a busy 12-hour shift, was a true eye-opener for me. I am a mother, nurse, and student (enrolled in an RN completion program), and I work full time—12-hour shifts, 7 am to 7 pm. This article highlights how workplace fatigue is truly a matter of life and death. Kennedy notes that the Joint Commission issued a sentinel event [email protected]
alert in 2011 to encourage hospitals to address the effect extended work hours and worker fatigue are known to have on errors and safety. Not enough hospitals have done so, though, and it doesn’t seem like they are as mindful of worker safety as they are of patient safety. Nurses must work together to urge health care administrators and chief executive officers to implement necessary changes— for example, by supporting the recently introduced Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act and other legislation that advocates adequate staffing. Charisse Walker, RN Jamaica, NY
HARD OF HEARING
I’ve been a nurse for more than 50 years, and a nursing instructor for much of that time, but I’m not aware of a reliable means of communicating with those who are hard of hearing (“Hard of Hearing Is Not Deaf,” Viewpoint, February). Nor have I read or heard a discussion about which types of communication are best for patients who are deaf versus those who are hard of hearing. My mother-in-law is deaf in one ear and very hard of hearing in the other. Beyond facing her and speaking loudly, we have no other strategies to improve our communication with her. It would be nice to have these, both to alleviate our frustration and to enhance her interactions in social situations. A follow-up article detailing such strategies would be a great service to nurses and other health care professionals. Shannon E. Perry, PhD, RN, FAAN Phoenix
TEACHING HISTORY
“Building on Nursing’s Legacy” (Editorial, June) inspired me. I’ve been an educator for six years, and Maureen Shawn Kennedy is absolutely right: we only touch
on nursing history very briefly when educating new nurses. Thank you for bringing attention to this topic. We must continue to inspire our students. Roselle Sadornas, MSN, RN, PCCN San Antonio, TX
POSITIVE LEADERSHIP
In “Developing New Nursing Leaders” (Perspectives on Leadership, June), Beverly Hancock highlights some valid reasons why many staff nurses are reluctant to become leaders or pursue leadership roles. As a relatively new nurse (for less than four years), I’ve encountered various nurse managers— some who were exemplary leaders and others who were not. The managers I remember most fondly are those who offered encouragement and pointed out strengths I wasn’t even aware I possessed. Their encouragement fostered my professional growth and confidence, providing me with a great start up the leadership ladder. It would be beneficial if all nurse mentors and leaders could take this positive approach. Katie Immler, RN Raleigh, NC ▼
AJN welcomes letters to the editor regarding recently published articles, although critiques of original research may be submitted at any time. Submissions must be typed, contain fewer than 300 words, and must include the correspondent’s name, city and state, phone number, and e-mail address. Please include no more than three references for any statistics or studies cited. Letters will be edited for length, clarity, and accuracy. Submission of a letter will constitute the author’s permission to publish it, although it doesn’t guarantee publication. Letters become the property of AJN and may be published in all media. Send letters to AJNLetters@ wolterskluwer.com, or AJN Letters, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 333 Seventh Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or (212) 8861206 (fax). AJN ▼ August 2014
▼
Vol. 114, No. 8
13
to the Editor
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE QUESTIONS
“Intimate Partner Violence in Rural U.S. Areas: What Every Nurse Should Know” (May) brought to mind several personal examples of how health care providers don’t take domestic violence seriously. Those who work in hospitals and EDs may now be required to ask patients, “Do you feel safe at home?” But this question is too often asked in a setting that guarantees a positive answer. For example, after my husband had surgery and was sleepy from the anesthetic, the admitting nurse told me she didn’t want to disturb him and that we should go outside the room so she could ask me a few questions. One was, “Is he safe at home?” What did she think I would say? In another recent episode at an ED, when I was in the room, the nurse asked my husband if he was safe at home. I told her she shouldn’t ask that question in my presence, but she just shrugged. I doubt if these are isolated examples. If the patient isn’t alone when domestic violence is discussed, it’s an exercise in futility. Nurses must also be aware of local resources, so that they can assist victims of partner violence in making a plan, or refer them to someone who can. Linda Q. Thede, PhD, RN-BC Aurora, OH
WORKPLACE FATIGUE
“It All Comes Back to Staffing” (Editorial, February), in which Maureen Shawn Kennedy mentions Elizabeth Jasper, a nurse from Ohio who was killed while driving home after a busy 12-hour shift, was a true eye-opener for me. I am a mother, nurse, and student (enrolled in an RN completion program), and I work full time—12-hour shifts, 7 am to 7 pm. This article highlights how workplace fatigue is truly a matter of life and death. Kennedy notes that the Joint Commission issued a sentinel event [email protected]
alert in 2011 to encourage hospitals to address the effect extended work hours and worker fatigue are known to have on errors and safety. Not enough hospitals have done so, though, and it doesn’t seem like they are as mindful of worker safety as they are of patient safety. Nurses must work together to urge health care administrators and chief executive officers to implement necessary changes— for example, by supporting the recently introduced Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act and other legislation that advocates adequate staffing. Charisse Walker, RN Jamaica, NY
HARD OF HEARING
I’ve been a nurse for more than 50 years, and a nursing instructor for much of that time, but I’m not aware of a reliable means of communicating with those who are hard of hearing (“Hard of Hearing Is Not Deaf,” Viewpoint, February). Nor have I read or heard a discussion about which types of communication are best for patients who are deaf versus those who are hard of hearing. My mother-in-law is deaf in one ear and very hard of hearing in the other. Beyond facing her and speaking loudly, we have no other strategies to improve our communication with her. It would be nice to have these, both to alleviate our frustration and to enhance her interactions in social situations. A follow-up article detailing such strategies would be a great service to nurses and other health care professionals. Shannon E. Perry, PhD, RN, FAAN Phoenix
TEACHING HISTORY
“Building on Nursing’s Legacy” (Editorial, June) inspired me. I’ve been an educator for six years, and Maureen Shawn Kennedy is absolutely right: we only touch
on nursing history very briefly when educating new nurses. Thank you for bringing attention to this topic. We must continue to inspire our students. Roselle Sadornas, MSN, RN, PCCN San Antonio, TX
POSITIVE LEADERSHIP
In “Developing New Nursing Leaders” (Perspectives on Leadership, June), Beverly Hancock highlights some valid reasons why many staff nurses are reluctant to become leaders or pursue leadership roles. As a relatively new nurse (for less than four years), I’ve encountered various nurse managers— some who were exemplary leaders and others who were not. The managers I remember most fondly are those who offered encouragement and pointed out strengths I wasn’t even aware I possessed. Their encouragement fostered my professional growth and confidence, providing me with a great start up the leadership ladder. It would be beneficial if all nurse mentors and leaders could take this positive approach. Katie Immler, RN Raleigh, NC ▼
AJN welcomes letters to the editor regarding recently published articles, although critiques of original research may be submitted at any time. Submissions must be typed, contain fewer than 300 words, and must include the correspondent’s name, city and state, phone number, and e-mail address. Please include no more than three references for any statistics or studies cited. Letters will be edited for length, clarity, and accuracy. Submission of a letter will constitute the author’s permission to publish it, although it doesn’t guarantee publication. Letters become the property of AJN and may be published in all media. Send letters to AJNLetters@ wolterskluwer.com, or AJN Letters, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 333 Seventh Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or (212) 8861206 (fax). AJN ▼ August 2014
▼
Vol. 114, No. 8
13
