I remember being introduced to the "blue journal,"The Nurse Practitioner, as a graduate student. The professor told the class that The Nurse Practitioner journal was the journal to read and that any NP worth her or his weight in gold read it. Articles from the journal were assigned and we were encouraged to cite authors and articles in our papers.
I also remember thinking the NPs who wrote the articles had to be geniuses!! The depth and scholarship of each feature article amazed me. How did anyone reach that level of knowledge and expertise?
Making a Difference
Well, I soon came to the realization that many of those authors were 'regular' NPs, if there is such a creature. They practiced every day, striving to make a difference in the lives of their patients. They improved the quality of life for many by setting high standards for care. What made these NPs stand out was their willingness to write about their practice and share their knowledge and experience with other NPs.
After graduation, I continued to look to The Nurse Practitioner journal to provide the latest information on the practical management of medical conditions in primary care through a nursing perspective, to publish nurse practitioner practice data and legislative updates, to disseminate clinical nursing research, and much more. I have never been disappointed.
The Future
As an adjunct professor at Lienhard School of Nursing, Pace University, I am now in a position to influence the future practice of my students. Many students, as I did, take research because it is a required course in the graduate core. I try to bring life to research for my students by demonstrating the link between practice and research and research and practice.
It is important for all NPs to critically and systematically appraise the scientific evidence that guides their practice.
It is important for all NPs to understand how protocols, guidelines, and recommendations are created and how to critically and systematically appraise the scientific evidence that guides their practice. It is no longer acceptable to "do what has always been done."
With the proliferation of NP journals in the past few years, one has access to thousands of articles. But remember the adage "a cat is a cat is a cat" does not apply to journals. Although journals may appear to offer the same content, they are not the same. When reading an article in The Nurse Practitioner journal or any other journal, look for criteria to discern if that article objectively represents the evidence.
Ultimately, whether or not you implement recommendations in your practice depends on several factors, such as staff training, feasibility, and applicability to your patient population. The Nurse Practitioner journal makes every effort to present information that is valid and that you can continue to depend upon.
I value this opportunity to serve as Editor-in-Chief of The Nurse Practitioner. I will work with the staff to maintain the excellence of the journal and to move it forward as the leading journal for NPs in primary care.
I invite your ideas and suggestions and encourage you to share your expertise. Become one of those NPs I admired in grad school, and still do admire. I am looking forward to this new endeavor and hope to make a small difference in the lives and practice of NPs everywhere.