In the editorial of this issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Joan Vitello-Cicciu, describes her 12-year experience with this journal. She vividly portrays JCN's growth as a journey from seed to blossom to fruit and chronicles her experience along that journey. Unfortunately, Joan will be stepping clown as editor with this issue, but, fortunately, her journey with JCN will not end here as she will be active on the Editorial Board.
What struck me while reading her editorial was what Joan did not mention about the journey. Overlooked is the time and effort she spent finding expert guest editors, soliciting articles, coordinating peer review, editing manuscripts, reviewing galley proofs, and communicating with people across the country. Left out is any reference to the sheer volume of work that Joan, fellow co-editor Barbara Riegel, the editorial board, and all the issue editors have pored into JCN through the years, the result of which is this very successful and well respected journal-this wonderful fruit.
In speaking with Joan, it is obvious why she did not mention the time, effort, and work. Working with cardiovascular nurses is what Joan loves to do. Those of you who know her or have heard her speak understand this. It is impossible to spend any time with Joan and not be impressed by how much of herself she has invested in cardiovascular nursing. When she speaks about her experiences as a clinical nurse specialist, a researcher, or president of AACN, what comes through is how much she enjoys this discipline. Her love is reflected in JCN, and everyone at Aspen knows how fortunate we have been to work with Joan.
This issue, in many respects, captures Joan's influence in cardiovascular nursing. Although most of the nurses profiled here did not work with Joan directly, they share her love for the discipline and have expressed it, as Joan did, as leaders. The stories told here are about leading by example, by doing, by learning. Beyond leadership, these stories get to the essence of cardiovascular nursing by blending art and science, research and practice, caring and technology, ethics and medicine. Joan said of this issue, "Each voice is unique, hut the themes are similar." These themes are, the seeds of cardiovascular nursing-the seeds that all these nurses have helped blossom and bear fruit.
As with all transitions, good-bye is also hello. Although we will sorely miss Joan, Debra Moser is poised to step in alongside Barbara as a new co-editor. Debra is well known in cardiovascular nursing and has been actively working behind the scenes of JCN as editor-in-waiting for the past year.
We wish Joan all the best as she pursues further education and other career goals and welcome Debra with open arms. Aspen is looking forward to another 12 years of planting, blossoming, and harvesting with JCN.
-Bob Howard