Change and volunteering to participate in change are not new topics. However, with a new president of the United States, a new journal for the Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) (Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association), and the upcoming Annual DNA Conference with a keynote address by Greg Mortenson that emphasizes change and volunteering, it seems to be a perfect time for each of us to individually reflect on these topics. In addition, we are fast approaching spring and a seasonal increase in the use of tanning beds and sunbathing and the National Skin Care Awareness Month.
I hope that each of you will embrace the challenge emphasized by President Obama, Greg Mortenson, and the DNA to volunteer in one or more activities to instigate change. Read the Leadership column and the Regulation column as well as the article on volunteerism. Reflect on your personality or your office or organization to determine how you may most effectively help clients or individuals in your community. Read the article(s) on skin cancers and plan a way to volunteer during Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
Volunteering to implement change does not have to involve a tremendous amount of time or money. Commit yourself to either continue in a current volunteer project or get involved in a new one. Allow spring fever to help you think outside the box and brainstorm new ideas. The following are examples:
1. Take a new idea you learned at the Annual DNA Conference and share it with the members in your office or on your team.
2. Question a clinical practice issue and look in the literature to assess if there is any evidence that you should change your current practice.
3. Take your current knowledge and skills related to early detection and prevention of skin cancers and present this crucial information in May during the National Skin Awareness Month to an audience in your community (e.g., church and middle or high school students).
4. Volunteer to help on a committee for the DNA.
5. Organize a group of colleagues to volunteer as a team in a community activity (e.g., fund-raising in your community and serving a meal at a soup kitchen).
6. If you are certified in your specialty, then volunteer to help your colleagues to prepare for a certification examination.
7. Volunteer to learn new knowledge or skills for your office or organization.
Most of us either mentally or on paper create several New Year's resolutions. Maybe some of these are unreasonable. Take the time now to commit at least to decide in May what you individually or your team will do to volunteer to have a successful outcome.
Each of us has some special skills that can benefit others and allow us to affect positive change. If you do not think that you have special talents to share, then ask your friends, family, or colleagues. If you want to volunteer but do not know what type of project or how to get involved, call the DNA organization and offer to help. The DNA staff can help match you to a committee or project. If one of your ideas includes learning more about writing and publishing, then e-mail me at [email protected]. The Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association editorial board members and I are willing to mentor any individual interested in submitting a column or article.
Imagine the affect you can have on others by volunteering several hours during May for Skin Cancer Awareness Month or another project. Then, multiply the hours you have donated by the number of members in the DNA. I believe that we as members of the DNA and the larger "dermatology community" can respond positively to President Obama's and Mr. Mortenson's challenge to participate in change by volunteering.
Cynthia R. King
Editor
CALL FOR PAPERS AND REVIEWERS FOR NEW OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF DNA
The Dermatology Nurses' Association has launched its new official journal called the Journal of Dermatology Nurses' Association (JDNA). DNA members (Medical Assistants, LPNs, RNs, NPs, PAs and other office staff) are encouraged to provide content by writing columns or manuscripts.
If you do not feel you are ready for writing we also need many more reviewers at different levels to review columns, case studies, and manuscripts on administration/leadership, evidence based practice, research, clinical, and educational pieces.
The Editor, Dr. Cyndy King, and all of the Editorial Members are willing you to mentor you to learn how to write columns, manuscripts, or turn a presentation into a paper or to review content. Please contact Dr. Cyndy King at 980-225-7172 or [email protected] or visit the JDNA Editorial Manager site at http://jdna.edmgr.com/ for more information or to submit a manuscript.
DNA is interested in receiving columns, case studies and manuscripts on the following suggested topics but we welcome all topics related to dermatologic care and will consider all submissions:
* Dermatologic issues in pediatrics
* Dermatologic issues in elderly or other special populations
* Cutaneous manifestations of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes)
* Evidence based projects (even if it is only lessons learned by doing it)
* Dermatologic issues related to head and neck
* Dermatologic issues related to oral mucus
* Completed Nursing research
* New therapies
* New Drugs
* New Products
* Dermatologic emergencies
* Patient safety issues
* Quality of Life for individuals with chronic dermatologic disorders
* Patient education sheets
* Patient perspectives
* Patient Advocacy
* Literature and media reviews
* Concept Papers
* Informatics