Church CPR Training Saves a Life
Jody Gilchrist's article, "Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD): Implementing a Church Program" (April/June 2012) made my heart happy. As a nurse, I became certified as a CPR instructor. In 2007, I was on my church board and proposed we purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator for our large church and community center. I sensed the discomfort with this topic among other council members, but our pastor thought we should get one. The council voted in favor, and I have since taught Basic Life Support skills to ushers, preschool and Sunday school teachers, and administrative staff.
A few months ago an usher who had been in one of my CPR classes called me. He'd been on a trip with his family when they came upon an accident and went to assist. Emergency rescue told him to do CPR on a man who had been thrown from a motorcycle and was not breathing, with no pulse. The man came back to life!
CPR really does work. I feel gratified in teaching something that makes a difference. This usher said what I was doing was a ministry. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but he was right. This is what teaching CPR is all about-a ministry to save lives.
JCN On Target
I read the April/June 2012 issue (29:2) of JCN from cover to cover-impressive. A strength is that the editor has a doctorate and works as staff nurse. She seems able to relate to everyone. I like all the "snatches" of articles and the information boxes. JCN takes into account that we are an instant society but also has articles of depth for those who want to delve more deeply. I appreciate how there are departments for everyone-from Student TXT to Christian Ethics, or Advanced Practice Nursing to Nursing in the Church.
I went to a Sisters of Charity College. I really liked the black and white photograph with the article "Catholic Orders' Influence on Nursing." "Stress at Work?" was timely as healthcare seems to be about productivity and the bottom line-which can be very stressful. PulseBeats, short updates of information I wouldn't always know, is one of the first things I read.
The small staff of JCN is doing a great job. You have made JCN relevant to nurses today.
Editor's Note: Thank you for your kind words (unsolicited by us!). We work hard to make JCN helpful to students and nurses in all practice areas, and carefully try to listen to the Senior Editor-God. Please pray for us!
Diverticular Disease 2012 Medication Update
In the JCN April/June 2012 continuing education feature, "Help Patients Defy Diverticular Disease" (pp. 82-87), anticholinergics, antispasmodics, and meperidine are offered as pharmacologic interventions for diverticular disease. The American Geriatrics Society indicates these as "potentially inappropriate medications" that should be avoided in older adults, especially for long term use. See: The American Geriatrics Society 2012 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel (2012), American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60(4), 616-631. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.03923.x
URBANA 2012 Student Conference
Since 1946, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has hosted a triennial student missions conference. Plans are underway for Urbana 2012, InterVarsity's 23rd conference, in St. Louis, Missouri, December 27-31, 2012. Read about how Urbana has changed lives, watch videos, learn about or contribute to scholarships, and sign up for Urbana e-News at http://www.urbana.org/
Practicing Needed
JCN is soliciting submissions for our Practicing column, 700 words sharing a meaningful nursing experience. Submit at http://www.editorialmanager.com/ncf-jcn/
Coming soon in JCN
* Caring for LGBT Parishioners
* Protecting Elders Through Church Immunization Programs
* Kindness: Core Value or Uncommon Attribute?
* Using Telecommunication to Improve Spiritual and Health Outcomes in the Church
* Literature Review: Prayer in Healthcare Practice
IMPORTANT NOTICE! We love feedback and receiving your letters! Write to us at [email protected]. In order to publish your letter in JCN, you must complete a Copyright Transfer Form (CTA). Find the form at http://www.editorialmanager.com/ncf-jcn/ Click on "Copyright Transfer PDF." Complete and e-mail the CTA to [email protected] with your letter; email or call 608.846.8560 for assistance.
-Sue Palo, MA, RN
Director, Rehabilitation & Community Services St. Francis Hospital Northport, NY
-Roberta Lyder Paige, MA, RN
Sentara Home Care Services, Chesapeake, VA