As Diana Mason says, "AJN will remain 'the journal,'" and I am certain Sophia Palmer would be very proud of its accomplishments ("The ANA and AJN: A 107-Year Relationship Ends," Editorial, September). As an older nurse I have few professional contacts, and AJN gives me that. I've been uncomfortable for many years with the politics and unpro fessionalism of the American Nurses Association (ANA). I ended my affiliation with that organization, but without AJN I would feel out of touch with my profession. My confidence in the quality of AJN is unwavering. Although I feel the dissolution of the ANA-AJN union is unfortunate, I applaud the journal's courage in continuing the work.
Beryl Skog, MA, RN, HNC
Cresskill, NJ
Diana Mason's September editorial was brilliant and encouraged my colleagues to correspond with the Texas Nurses Association. How do RNs survive without AJN? I've used articles for our research committee and sent copies to friends and colleagues for use in their lives and work. AJN makes a difference-in professional practice and in patient outcomes.
Elizabeth Winslow, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dallas
As a retired nurse, I thought I could cut down on expenses with the ANA's new free publication. But after reading Diana Mason's editorial, I decided to mail in my renewal. I am very proud to be a graduate of one of the schools involved in the founding of the ANA. From my first day in nursing school, I saw that the ANA and AJN instilled a sense of professionalism in the students. I believe Lucy Germain, who became executive director of the AJN Company in 1959, is now turning over in her grave. I too am concerned about the future of the ANA. I have been a member for many years, but it has not represented my views for a long time.
Ann McKennis, RN, CNOR(E), CORLN
The Woodlands, TX
I read the September editorial and the statements by AJN publisher Matthew Cahill and the International Academy of Nursing Editors (June 2006) with a heavy heart. I consider it inappropriate for Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (LWW) to use AJN as a forum to belittle the ANA's efforts to remain solvent and to display its displeasure with the ANA board of directors' decision. I'm proud that the ANA developed AJN as its official journal. It was a sad day in the mid-1990s when it had to consider selling the journal. But many of us who work for state associations insisted that the ANA focus its attention on current national and international issues. As elected officials, the ANA board of directors had to decide the best way to spend its members' dollars.
Among the membership there has been disagreement on whether ending the free subscription to AJN was the best decision for members. In fact, at the ANA House of Delegates meeting in June, some members requested that the board further its negotiations with LWW and AJN. But that was not to be. The agreed-upon 10-year period after LWW bought the journal from the ANA has ended. This was a business decision and a difficult one for all members. But it's now time to move on. ANA members will be able to purchase the journal if they so choose.
Joan Garner, MN, RN
Maple Valley, WA
As the founding members of the National Nursing Network Organization, Teri Mills, Terri Polick, and I would like to commend Diana Mason for her editorial. We believe no organization has the right to dominate nursing and decide what is best for all nurses. We are proud to continue our support of AJN's efforts to educate nurses.
Alisa Schneider, MS, RN, CNE
Portland, OR
I remember, as if it were yesterday, the AJN stacks in my nursing school in Queens in New York City. Those journals made many of us very good nurses. I will continue my subscription.
Joan Authenrieth, RN
Saugerties, NY
The ANA's decision to disassociate from AJN is astonishing. I have signed on as a subscriber because AJN is the foremost publication for the clinical nurse.
Br. Ignatius Perkins, DNSc, MEd, RN, FAAN
New York City