MYSTERY PROTEIN LINKED TO ALS
Scientists have found evidence that FUS (FUsed in Sarcoma, also known as TLS, Translocated in LipoSarcoma) is a key part of a system called the microRNA-mediated gene silencing system, which fine-tunes cellular activity by blocking the translation of certain genes into proteins. "Thousands of microRNAs work in cells as part of this system; our findings suggest that the disruption of FUS could lead to widespread failures of normal gene-expression regulation, which in turn could contribute to the development of these neurodegenerative diseases," notes Jiou Wang, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Researchers first linked inherited FUS mutations to subsets of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) in 2009. Since then, researchers note that even when FUS is not mutated, the protein often exists in abnormal clumps outside the cell nucleus where it normally works. This suggests FUS disruption is a common event in the ALS disease process. (See "A Journey with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" in this issue.)-https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180308120602.htm Accessed 4/4/2018
EFFECTIVE PRECEPTORS
When nursing students graduate and begin practice, effective orientation is essential. Dedicated nurse preceptors are vital to the retention of nurses. Preceptors act as coach and mentor to help new nurses become successful professionals. See "Strategies for Successful Nurse-Student Preceptorships" on page 174 of this issue, regarding barriers to precepting.
"Preceptors socialize, protect, educate, and evaluate nurses transitioning to a new work environment. Preceptors must be properly educated and trained to pass their knowledge on to the next generation of nurses. An effective preceptor needs to be capable of:
* assessing learning needs and setting goals;
* developing and implementing learning plans;
* teaching time management and prioritization in patient care;
* evaluating clinical competence and documenting learning and clinical progress;
* teaching and promoting clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving;
* providing constructive feedback and coaching;
* role-modeling evidence-based professional nursing practice;
* applying effective communication, interpersonal, and conflict management skills to foster collaboration and patient satisfaction;
* facilitating social interaction and acclimatization to the organization's and unit's culture." -http://lippincottsolutions.lww.com/blog.entry.html/2016/01/14/9_qualities_of_eff
COUNTER BULLIES WITH FAST FACTS
Maggie Ciocco, MS, RN, wrote a pocket-sized, quick-access guide, outlining crucial information to understand, identify, and effectively counter nursing incivility, bullying, and violence. Fast Facts on Combating Nurse Bullying, Incivility and Workplace Violence: What Nurses Need to Know in a Nutshell discusses the American Nurses Association (ANA) position statement and includes definitions and statistics about nurse bullying and what nurses at any level can do when faced with a bully.
This bulleted format book includes an overview of the problem; why nurses bully each other; a discussion and quantification of the cost and impact of bullying on individuals, the workplace, and the broader healthcare system. Four instructional case study chapters delineate the different forms bullying can take and how to handle them, and a "bully-proofing" chapter contains a bullying checklist, a guide to "de-toxifying" the workplace, and an explanation of the ANA Code of Ethics related to bullying.
Bullying and incivility are an institutional problem. See "Seeking Spiritual Solutions to Nurse Incivility" at http://www.journalofchristiannursing.com under Online Exclusives. Comment on incivility in your workplace on the JCN Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/journalofchristiannursing/
SIGHT TO SEE
"My God, thank you for the physical sight to see both light and darkness around me. Thank you too for insight that comes with the vision to tell the difference. I know that my perception of reality, my vision, determines my ability to respond to life, and that the greater my vision, the more fully alive and human I can be."
"I need the vision that Jesus gives, that sees no difference between sacred and secular, sexual identify and personhood, ethnic group and worth, economic position and dignity, education and value."
"I need the vision to ask the hard questions and to change my attitude and the structures of my society where I can"-From Vision of a World Hungry by Thomas G. Pettepiece, pp. 263-264, as found in A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck, editors, 1983, The Upper Room, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee.
-PulseBeats compiled by Cathy Walker