Missions: Another Perspective

Thank you for "The Perils and Promise of Short-term Healthcare Missions" printed in the July-September 2010 issue. I frequently participate in short-term mission work, and it is good to have the perspective of others in the field. My concern with this article, however, is that it may convey a skewed impression.

When we prepare for medical mission work as professionals we are highly alert to the responsibility to provide high-quality care. We do not engage in "pill-popping" parties, for example, to prepare. We secure donations of new drugs or purchase new drugs to take along. We use interpreters and provide teaching for recipients.

We just returned from Uganda where we partnered with local clinics so that follow-through and teaching were integral components of the work. My suggestion to prospective mission workers is to emphasize the importance of carefully selecting sponsoring organizations when embarking on medical missions. Those that embrace sloppy, nonprofessional practices should be dismissed. The poor and needy deserve the same high-quality care we provide to our paid clients at home.

-Linda Johanson, EdD, RN

Morganton, NC

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Relevant

The July-September 2010 JCN is wonderful, as always. The content is relevant for parish nurses, and for all nurses who are aware of their spiritual lives as Christians.

I particularly enjoyed the article by Constance Peterson, "On Shaky Ground in Haiti" about her experience in Haiti; and the CE articles about eating disorders were great.

-Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Patterson

Executive Director International Parish Nurse Resource Center

St. Louis, MO

African American Church Health Programs: What Works?

Congratulations on such an applicable and needed article by Shirley M. Timmons in the April-June 2010 issue. I agree with all of the author's points: church-based programs do need better evaluation of outcomes and faith community nurses need to be more aware and skilled in using logic models to plan and assess program outcomes. I hope faith community nurses and coordinators/managers of faith community nurse programs sense the need to logically plan and evaluate their activities/programs in churches.

Thanks for publishing such a pertinent article.

-Katora P. Campbell, RN, MSN, MPH, CHES

Columbia, SC

Nursing Promotion

I read the article by Cynthia Thomas in the July-September 2010 issue of JCN describing her book Jill Learns About Nurses Around the Town.

In 1981, I was the executive director of a visiting nurse association and wrote the text for a coloring book "One Way to Good Health: Community Health Nursing Service." An article "One Way to Promote Nursing" was published in the American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing in September/October 1981, 6(5), 307-310.

It is important that nurses continue to use multiple methods to promote nurses and nursing to children. Thank you for this helpful encouragement.

-Marilyn D. Harris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Hatboro, PA

Call for Manuscripts

JCN is seeking feature articles for publication on topics relevant to Christian nursing. Substantive continuing education articles addressing new guidelines, treatments, or evidence-based practice; or topics where improvement in practice may be needed or is required by accrediting agencies, are welcome. To submit an article, follow the author guidelines and online submission process at http://www.editorialmanager.com/ncf-jcn.

Coming soon in JCN

* Reflective Practice: Christian Insights

* Christian Legacy in Academia

* Intimate Partner Violence

* Handling Student Excuses

* Betty: Case Study in Challenging Care

* Spiritual Care: Building Insight

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