Nurses in the media, ban on artificial nails, breast cancer race

By Carol Lindsay, RN
June 11, 2003

The Center for Nursing Advocacy provides media reviews that rate how nurses are portrayed in films, television series, commercials, documentaries and books.

One of the top stories on the site is a review of the Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo commercial in which a female nurse leaves her critically ill patient alone while she uses his shampoo to wash her hair in the bathroom. The site provides the e-mail address for Clairol's public relations department for nurses who wish to comment on the commercial.

Got it nailed

Because artificial nails have been found to harbor microorganisms and increase the chances of tearing gloves, some hospitals have banned artificial nails. To read the rationale behind the hospitals' decision, see the University of Michigan Health System's Fingernail Infection Control Issues.

The University of California, San Francisco has posted FAQs and resources regarding its ban on artificial nails.

Lessons of the heart

Habits of the Heart, an educational site by the Science Museum of Minnesota, presents heart and lung graphics including animated visualizations of respirations and the flow of blood to and from the heart. Real-time videos of coronary bypass surgery, angiocardiography and a heart replacement are useful resources for both teachers and students. Lesson plans provide instruction for hands-on, tactile learning, useful for teaching high school students or nurses aides.

Coping with disabilities

Exceptionalnurse.com aims to include more people with disabilities in the nursing profession by sharing information and resources. Links to disability-related resources are provided for nurses who suffer from chronic illness, chronic pain, immune deficiency-related illnesses and hospital- or career-induced illnesses. The site also offers the opportunity to connect with other nurses who share similar challenges.

Pediatric oncology

The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses is a professional organization for registered nurses who care for children and adolescents with cancer. Its goal is to achieve the highest standards of education in nursing practice through education, research, certification, advocacy and affiliation. The association's Web site provides information and test dates for nurses seeking certification in pediatric oncology nursing, as well as an online newsletter.

For the cause

The Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. Proceeds are used to support breast cancer research, cancer screening and treatment programs. The program is organized and supported by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

To find a race in your area, visit the foundation's Web site. Events can be located by state or date.

All about SARS

To keep abreast of the latest SARS updates and research, visit the May edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The issue focuses almost exclusively on the worldwide outbreak of SARS. Topics include a look at the first major epidemiological findings, SARS among children, predictions and the latest research on the subject.

Keep the pressure down

To keep up with the latest updates and standards of care for patients with pressure sores, visit NurseScribe. This site provides a pressure ulcer update that relays the stages of pressure ulcers, risk factors and new treatments and technologies available.

An additional wound resource is the Wound Healing Society.

Healthy kids

The American School Health Association unites the many different professionals working to keep school-age children healthy. Its Web site is a resource for nurses who teach in school settings and for those who volunteer at their local schools. The site provides information on health problems that affect children, available conferences and resources for health lesson plans.

Parish nursing

The mission of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center is to serve as a reference center for those seeking information about the philosophy and activities of nurses in congregations throughout the country, to provide resources for educational programs and consultants for institutions and to promote understanding of the role of the parish nurse in promoting health in the community.