The seaside scene on this month's cover evokes a sense of summer tranquility. We chose to feature it because it represents much-needed feelings of rest and relaxation for everyone at this time of year-especially for nurses.
As AJN editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy discusses in her editorial, "A Day by the Sea," the job of a nurse is tougher and more demanding now than ever before. Nurses in all settings face a host of challenges, from short staffing to rapidly changing workplace requirements, that can lead to stress and burnout. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), "Stress amongst nurses is one of the most underappreciated yet impactful issues nurses face[horizontal ellipsis]. This stress often affects the health of nurses and sometimes even the outcomes of patients and patient care."
What strategies can help nurses cope with the stresses of a demanding job? The ANA suggests resources as a starting point: it has compiled a list of articles, books, and webinars on combating stress (see http://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/comba). The topics covered include self-care, mindfulness, nutrition, fighting fatigue, managing "information overload" on the job, and more.-Diane Szulecki, editor