- Email: [email protected]
Practising with Practice Notes
ARTICLE IN PRESS European Journal of Oncology Nursing (2006) 10, 8–9
www.elsevier.com/locate/ejon
EDITORIAL
Practising with Practice Notes Would you like to get into print? Would you like to share with others new ideas and innovative practice? The scope of cancer nursing is expanding and extending. Acknowledging the central role nursing has in improving patient care and developing clinical practice, we would like to see practice notes helping to provide a source of inspiration and debate for others around the wide-ranging and often complex issues, which contribute to and underpin cancer nursing practice. There is so much information out there, so many people ‘doing research’ and yet for the topic you are really interested in, there doesn’t seem to be quite the perfect bit of convincing evidence available. What to do? You are not really happy with the way a procedure is done at work. You are questioning the system that leaves your patients and their families with uncertainty and regret about the decision made. You have ideas about what might work. What to do? Sometimes research is not feasible or indeed necessary. Sometimes we just need to try out our ideas or implement research findings in practice to see what happens. Sometimes we need to express our feelings and ideas about the work we do or share the funny side of oncology nursing. Practice Notes offers a forum for discussing oncology nursing practice, the issues that affect practice and practice innovations. It also provides a place for reporting the application of research findings, the improvements made through audit or the dissemination of new ideas. It is really important that we, as oncology nurses, disseminate our practice experience and knowledge and learn from others—and Practice Notes provides a more informal way to do that. Evidence comes from all sorts of sources including practice innovations and experience. Isn’t it time that you shared some of the good things that you and your team do for cancer patients and their families?
Some ideas for you to consider writing about may include:
1462-3889/$ - see front matter & 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2005.12.001
A nurse led initiative in cancer care. Recent innovations in cancer therapeutics. The influence of policy—socio-political aspects of care. A case study of a complex patient or family situation that required innovative or creative means to help. An audit of practice for benchmarking care. An audit of practice that led to a change in practice or evaluated a change in practice. Practice development innovations such as introducing a journal club. Ideas for how to debrief from the stressors and strains of oncology nursing practice. Reflection on your practice that would provide insight for novice or experienced oncology nurses. Ideas for building the function and communication of the multidisciplinary team. Discuss the complexities or simplicities of integrating spiritual needs of patients and families into day-to-day practice. Pose a clinical problem and ask for others to respond with ideas for solutions. Discuss clinical issues such as new technology or the influence of new policy. Stories from practice that help to highlight the complexities, rewards, and inspiration that comes from caring for people facing cancer and cancer treatment. Describe an issue related to the cultural diversity of your patients or team and strategies you have developed. Discuss an ethical dilemma that has occurred in your practice and how it was resolved. Tell your colleagues how you care for yourself and your colleagues so that you can keep caring for patients and families.
ARTICLE IN PRESS EDITORIAL
Share some of your creative writing about practice—poetry or prose.
We would like to see practice notes providing a source of debate and inspiration for all oncology nurses. An example of a Practice Note can be seen in the current issue of the journal, about constipation in children with cancer. As the title of this editorial might suggest, Practice Notes is also an opportunity to practise writing. When you write for Practice Notes your ideas, case studies, practice innovations will be reviewed by experienced oncology nurses and authors. We can provide constructive feedback that will help you get started with or develop your professional writing skills. The format for Practice Notes is flexible to suit the style of what you want to say. If you use references, then please conform to the style
9 required for EJON. If you are not sure if your ideas would be suitable for Practice Notes please contact either Davina or Kay by email. The importance of disseminating good, innovated practice cannot be overstated. Your work could help other nurses and inspire research. We look forward to hearing from you and your colleagues.
Davina Porock School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, UK E-mail address: [email protected] Kay Eaton The Meyerstein Institute of Oncology, The Middlesex Hospital, London, UK E-mail address: [email protected]
www.elsevier.com/locate/ejon
EDITORIAL
Practising with Practice Notes Would you like to get into print? Would you like to share with others new ideas and innovative practice? The scope of cancer nursing is expanding and extending. Acknowledging the central role nursing has in improving patient care and developing clinical practice, we would like to see practice notes helping to provide a source of inspiration and debate for others around the wide-ranging and often complex issues, which contribute to and underpin cancer nursing practice. There is so much information out there, so many people ‘doing research’ and yet for the topic you are really interested in, there doesn’t seem to be quite the perfect bit of convincing evidence available. What to do? You are not really happy with the way a procedure is done at work. You are questioning the system that leaves your patients and their families with uncertainty and regret about the decision made. You have ideas about what might work. What to do? Sometimes research is not feasible or indeed necessary. Sometimes we just need to try out our ideas or implement research findings in practice to see what happens. Sometimes we need to express our feelings and ideas about the work we do or share the funny side of oncology nursing. Practice Notes offers a forum for discussing oncology nursing practice, the issues that affect practice and practice innovations. It also provides a place for reporting the application of research findings, the improvements made through audit or the dissemination of new ideas. It is really important that we, as oncology nurses, disseminate our practice experience and knowledge and learn from others—and Practice Notes provides a more informal way to do that. Evidence comes from all sorts of sources including practice innovations and experience. Isn’t it time that you shared some of the good things that you and your team do for cancer patients and their families?
Some ideas for you to consider writing about may include:
1462-3889/$ - see front matter & 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2005.12.001
A nurse led initiative in cancer care. Recent innovations in cancer therapeutics. The influence of policy—socio-political aspects of care. A case study of a complex patient or family situation that required innovative or creative means to help. An audit of practice for benchmarking care. An audit of practice that led to a change in practice or evaluated a change in practice. Practice development innovations such as introducing a journal club. Ideas for how to debrief from the stressors and strains of oncology nursing practice. Reflection on your practice that would provide insight for novice or experienced oncology nurses. Ideas for building the function and communication of the multidisciplinary team. Discuss the complexities or simplicities of integrating spiritual needs of patients and families into day-to-day practice. Pose a clinical problem and ask for others to respond with ideas for solutions. Discuss clinical issues such as new technology or the influence of new policy. Stories from practice that help to highlight the complexities, rewards, and inspiration that comes from caring for people facing cancer and cancer treatment. Describe an issue related to the cultural diversity of your patients or team and strategies you have developed. Discuss an ethical dilemma that has occurred in your practice and how it was resolved. Tell your colleagues how you care for yourself and your colleagues so that you can keep caring for patients and families.
ARTICLE IN PRESS EDITORIAL
Share some of your creative writing about practice—poetry or prose.
We would like to see practice notes providing a source of debate and inspiration for all oncology nurses. An example of a Practice Note can be seen in the current issue of the journal, about constipation in children with cancer. As the title of this editorial might suggest, Practice Notes is also an opportunity to practise writing. When you write for Practice Notes your ideas, case studies, practice innovations will be reviewed by experienced oncology nurses and authors. We can provide constructive feedback that will help you get started with or develop your professional writing skills. The format for Practice Notes is flexible to suit the style of what you want to say. If you use references, then please conform to the style
9 required for EJON. If you are not sure if your ideas would be suitable for Practice Notes please contact either Davina or Kay by email. The importance of disseminating good, innovated practice cannot be overstated. Your work could help other nurses and inspire research. We look forward to hearing from you and your colleagues.
Davina Porock School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, UK E-mail address: [email protected] Kay Eaton The Meyerstein Institute of Oncology, The Middlesex Hospital, London, UK E-mail address: [email protected]