This issue of the Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal marks our fifth anniversary. In the past 20 issues, there have been 199 articles totaling 1876 pages written by 253 authors and vetted by 122 reviewers. In addition to the authors and reviewers, 27 board members and a myriad of publishing, editorial, and production professionals have spent countless hours creating what is now a well-established and respected emergency nursing journal. In addition to the ongoing work associated with publishing the Journal, there have been several changes and accomplishments since 2006.
AENJ has given a voice to the specific concerns of advanced practice nurses in emergency care. Articles have encompassed a wide variety of topics including original research, case studies, in-depth reviews of common and uncommon conditions, cutting edge practices, and evidence-based reviews. The authors are also diverse: advanced practice nurses, "stretcher-side" nurses, pharmacists, physicians, chiropractors, and researchers; first-time authors and seasoned authors. There is now a backlog of articles-a hallmark of "having arrived" in the publishing world.
Early in 2007, AENJ transitioned to an online manuscript management system. This web-based program allows authors, reviewers, and editors to complete many tasks online. It streamlines the publishing process and provides a central repository for all of the files associated with a manuscript.
In 2009, AENJ was accepted for indexing in MEDLINE, the bibliographic database of the National Library of Medicine. Applications for MEDLINE indexing can only be made after 3 years of publication. We applied as early as allowed and were honored to be accepted on the first attempt-something accomplished by only approximately 20% of the hundreds of applicants. This is a testament to the efforts of the authors and reviewers who are essential in production of high quality manuscripts.
The latest and still ongoing accomplishment is an enhanced website, http://www.AENJournal.com. In addition to online access to all AENJ articles, the website allows opportunities for more timely dissemination of information and enhanced media files to accompany articles. The website also highlights information in the current issue and past issues and helps readers locate other resources such as guidelines, scientific statements, and upcoming conferences. There are collections of articles about similar topics such as evidence-based practice, writing for publication, and advanced practice issues. The website will continue to evolve to better meet the needs and preferences of nurses in the 21st century. We welcome your comments and ideas toward this end.
The traditional fifth anniversary gift is wood. Wood, like AENJ, is a renewable resource-growing, changing, and adapting to the environment. "Knock on wood" or "touch wood" are phrases that have been used by people around the world for hundreds of years to help assure continued good fortune. Though the origins of this belief are unclear, some believe that wood spirits inhabit trees and knocking on or touching trees brings good luck by letting the spirits know that we are here. So, touch wood-we are here. And, we will still be here, in one format or another, in five more years-knock on wood.
-Jean A. Proehl, RN, MN, CEN, CPEN, FAEN
Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist
Proehl PRN, LLC
Cornish, NH
-K. Sue Hoyt, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CEN, FAEN, FAANP
Emergency Nurse Practitioner
St. Mary Medical Center
Long Beach, CA