With great excitement, I anticipate the upcoming annual Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) convention. This year, the conference will be held May 1-4, 2014, in Orlando, FL, and if I have the timing of our publication correct, I am planning to see many of you in a week or two in Florida. For those of you who have attended an annual DNA Convention in the past, you are well aware that the few days we are able to spend together physically each year are immensely rewarding and have many tangible benefits. Each year, I look forward to meeting both old and new friends and colleagues as well as participating and engaging in world-class learning opportunities. I hope to have the opportunity to connect with many of you in Florida; please do not hesitate to look me up while at the convention.
The theme of the convention this year is "Transforming and Evolving: Believing in Change." Within this context, there will be focus on six specific categories related to this theme: education, community initiatives, international collaboration and processes, culture and diversity, and health policy and advocacy.
I would like to think the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association (JDNA) falls into the education category. Indeed, during our time in publication, the JDNA has seen its own transformation and evolution. We have progressed from a novel publication into a solid publication in 5-year duration. I know that, in previous editorials, I have talked about the work of the Journal and some of the details about how this work is accomplished. It is important for readers to know that you are our inspiration and impetus for publication. Thinking about the needs of our readers and their patients is the reason we are able to have forward momentum.
To this end, I ask you to help in this effort. The JDNA continues to depend on quality contributions of interest to our readers and our patients. Writing is hard. There, I said it. But, that being said, our responsibility as nurses is to move past this sentiment and contribute to the body of dermatology nursing knowledge. I would call your attention to a recent article by Danielsen (2013) entitled "I'd Like to Write a Medical Article, But ...." In his article, Danielsen outlines six reasons why it is important for healthcare professionals to write and also gives eight good suggestions for how to start the writing process.
And if that is not enough inspiration for you to join the group of dermatology nurses who have already written for the JDNA, you are in luck because the JDNA is going to be hosting a Writers Workshop at the DNA Annual Convention. If you are able to join us, please consider coming and meeting with members of the JDNA Editorial Board and individuals associated with our publication. We would love to talk with you about ideas you may have for an article and can help guide you through the writing and publication process.
To encourage nurse authors, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins has committed to giving JDNA writers three Writing Awards for 2014. As for the past several years, the three writing categories will be The Best Clinical Article, Best Research Article, and the Most Viewed on JDNAonline.com Article. Please consider submitting your best work, so that you are eligible for consideration to receive one of these awards. I would be thrilled to present you with one of these awards at the 2015 Annual DNA Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.
On another note, the publication of this issue also coincides with one of my favorite months as a dermatology nurse. Each May, the dermatology community publicizes a great sun safety message in an effort to inform and educate the public about the hazards associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The month of May includes both Melanoma MondayR and "Don't Fry Day." Developed by the American Academy of Dermatology, Melanoma MondayR is a coordinated national effort designed to raise awareness about skin cancer. Melanoma MondayR is always celebrated on the first Monday in May, in attempt to kick off the summer season with a message of early detection and safety as related to skin cancer. "Don't Fry Day," a campaign developed by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, will be celebrated this year on May 23, 2014, the Friday ("Fryday") before Memorial Day (Figure 1).
As I indicated to many of you last year, I started tweeting for the express purpose of supporting the "Don't Fry Day" campaign and plan to actively tweet again this year in support of this cause. You can often find me offering sunscreen and information on how to protect themselves from UV rays to practical strangers. How will you or your practice help observe these events? How will you educate your patients about the hazards of UV radiation?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Angela L. Borger
Editor-in-Chief
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