Transitions

Article Outline

 

Fall remains one of my favorite times of the year. The hot days of summer are relieved by the cool fall evenings, and there is a sense of great expectation that accompanies the new school year. Many children will be having their first experience with school, while others are veterans of navigating the school system—not to mention navigating the maze of the school supply aisles! Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) recognize this time of transition as they cope with the flood of appointments for school physicals while trying to provide the anticipatory guidance that will lead to school success.

The Journal of Pediatric Health Care is experiencing its own time of transition as we celebrate the retirement of Editor Barbara (Bobbie) Crew Nelms, PhD, RN, CPNP, and Assistant Editor Ruth G. Mullins Berg, PhD, RN, CPNP. Twenty-two years ago the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) recognized the need to enhance the scholarly nature of the Journal. NAPNAP was fortunate that two remarkable women, Bobbie and Ruth, accepted this challenge and embarked on a collaborative journalistic adventure. Over the years both Bobbie and Ruth have had their “ear to ground” identifying key pediatric issues, while at the same time mentoring new authors. Each woman utilized a unique skill set to enhance the professional level of the Journal.

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• Carolyn Jaramillo de Montoya, MSN, CPNP, President and Fellow

Bobbie’s creative flare coupled with her focus on child growth and development was evident in her editorial columns. As a past president of NAPNAP, Ruth utilized her business sense, her attention to detail, and her array of professional contacts to develop and enhance the various Journal departments. In addition, Bobbie and Ruth can take pride in the fact that through their efforts, they fostered the professional writing debut of numerous nurse practitioners (NPs). Their shared commitment to providing current, quality information on timely topics has resulted in making the Journal the authoritative resource on pediatric issues for NPs. A quality journal, a league of grateful authors, and the respect and admiration of your peers—Bobbie and Ruth, this is your legacy. NAPNAP extends its gratitude and best wishes for some well deserved rest!

As we say farewell to Bobbie and Ruth, we also welcome new Editor Martha (Marty) K. Swartz, PhD, RN, CPNP, and Associate Editor Sarah Martin, MS, RN, CPNP. Dr. Swartz is Professor and Associate Dean for Clinical and Community Affairs at Yale University. In addition, Dr. Swartz holds a joint position with Yale New Haven Hospital, where she practices at the Pediatric Primary Care Center. Marty has been affiliated with the Journal for many years, serving as a manuscript reviewer, a member of the Editorial Board, and as departmental editor for the Product Alert column. Marty’s goals for the Journal include expanding the diversity of content in the original articles and developing articles and departmental pieces that will inform interdisciplinary, collaborative practices as well as global pediatric health care.

Sarah Martin currently is employed full time as an advanced practice nurse for the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Sarah is the author of more than 30 articles and book chapters. She has served on the Journal’s Editorial Board and has completed a term on the Editorial Board of AACN Clinical Issues (now known as AACN Advanced Critical Care). Sarah’s goals for the Journal include mentoring new authors and developing a formal bridge between members in academia and practice. NAPNAP welcomes both of these highly qualified individuals as they begin their own collaborative journalistic adventure.

Transitions are a fact of life. As PNPs, we help children and families adjust to the transitions they face in their normal lives as well as the transitions that occur when an illness affects their lives. As health care providers, we adjust to transitions as they occur in our professional lives. PNPs face the challenge of adjusting to the ever-increasing demand to improve productivity, adjust to new markets such as retail-based health clinics, and transition to educational changes such as the Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Transitions may seem daunting both in practice as well as in the profession; however, NAPNAP and the Journal will continue to represent the bridge that makes the transitions manageable for PNPs.

As author Gail Sheehy says, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”