As this year comes to a close, it is time to say thank you to the journal's editorial board and column editors, reviewers, and authors for their continued generosity of time and talent. The contributions of these individuals are critical to the journal's success. In particular, a note of thanks to reviewers who quietly contributed many hours and countless expertise. I frequently remind authors that whether or not a manuscript is accepted for publication, reviewer feedback is a valuable commodity.
This year, I was pleased to welcome 3 new associate editors-Drs Nancy Albert, Peggy Gerard, and Kelly Goudreau. Dr Nancy Albert is director of Nursing Research and Innovation at the Nursing Institute and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) at the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Center for Heart Failure at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. She is the recipient of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) 2007 Nurse Researcher Award. Dr Peggy Gerard is dean at the Purdue Calumet School of Nursing. Dr Gerard served in multiple leadership roles within NACNS, including as treasurer and chairperson of the education committee. Dr Kelly Goudreau is director of education/designated learning officer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. She is a past president of NACNS and has served in multiples leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. The collective wisdom and expertise of these associate editors will keep the journal moving forward and serving the diverse needs of our readers. A special note of thanks goes to Dr Barbara Hazard. Dr Hazard retired this year from both the editorial board and her position as dean of the School of Nursing at Boston College. Dr Hazard served on the journal's editorial board since its founding in 1986. For her 22 years of service to the journal, Dr Hazard received NACNS's 2008 Sue Davidson Service Award. Congratulations Dr Hazard and best wishes on your retirement!
Our journal's high standard for scholarship was recognized 2 years ago when the journal was admitted into Science Citation Index, a prestigious scholarly index of scientific journals. The criteria for admission to the index are quite rigorous. As is customary, journals in this index receive impact factor ratings. An impact factor is a measure of the influence that the journal has in the scientific community and is based on citations of a journal's articles by other scientific journals listed in Science Citation Index. Overall nursing journal participation in the index is increasing, thanks to the efforts of the nurse editors group. This year, 42 nursing journals received impact factor rating, and Clinical Nurse Specialist, for having met the requirement of being in the index for 2 years, received its first rating of 0.894, which is ranked 20 out of 42 nursing journals. An impact factor rating is not the sole measure of a journal's success, and judging a journal by an impact factor rating is the subject of much debate worldwide. Nonetheless, the journal's impact factor is an outstanding accomplishment and reflects the diligent work of the editorial board, reviewers, and authors. The journal continues to be indexed in the International Nursing Index, Nursing Citations, Nursing Abstracts and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature.
What is next for the journal? Advanced practice nursing is gaining increased visibility worldwide. In some countries, CNSs are established, whereas in other countries, the role is just emerging. As the sole publication dedicated to the role and practice of CNSs, the journal is seeking international manuscripts about the CNS role and practice regardless of location and practice specialty.
In the United States, several important position papers were released recently including the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education completed through the work of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. This and other APRN collaborative initiatives, along with NACNS initiatives, will influence CNS education and regulation in the United States. The journal is most interested in manuscripts describing the influence and impact of these initiatives on CNS curricula and advanced specialty practice.
The journal is an avenue for sharing ideas. Keep those manuscripts coming, and, as always, the journal invites you to submit letters to the editor. Let us make next year another good year.