| For Immediate Release | Contact: Jim Szatkowski |
| Feb. 17, 2003 | (330) 672-2727 |
| http://www.kent.edu/media/ |
Kent State University's Online Journal of Issues in Nursing
Partners with CWRU nursing institute to publish research findings
In order to bring the best research on nursing practices to the professional community, the "Online Journal of Issues in Nursing" (OJIN), an electronic journal owned by Kent State University's College of Nursing, has joined with the Hirsh Institute at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) to publish systemic review articles based on research findings. The reviews, prepared by the Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute for Best Nursing Practices Based on Evidence, will provide information on the most current scientific evidence for use as the basis for delivering superior health care. The institute is located at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at CWRU. The first article to be published under the agreement is "Smoking Cessation Interventions for Hospitalized Patients with Cardio-Pulmonary Disorders" by Dr. Georgia Narsavage and Bette K. Idemoto. Narsavage is an associate professor of nursing at CWRU and associate dean for academic programs. Idemoto is a cardiothoracic clinical nurse specialist at University Hospitals in Cleveland with 30 years of experience in cardiovascular nursing. She is a Ph.D. candidate in nursing at CWRU.
Historically, nursing and medical practices have been based in part on expert opinion and tradition, creating variations in practice. Through the integration of research and practice, the Hirsh Institute stimulates the use of best nursing practices based on research evidence as a basis to deliver superior health care, shape nursing research and provide standards for nursing education and practice.
By publishing articles in the widely read OJIN (70,000 user sessions per month), the institute will be able to influence the practice of nurses around the world. Begun in 1996, OJIN is a free, peer-reviewed international electronic publication that is published by Kent State's College of Nursing in partnership with the American Nurses Association (ANA) on the ANA website: www.nursingworld.org/ojin.
"The new association with the Hirsh Institute will provide an additional resource of valuable information for OJIN readers," said Harriet Coeling, Ph.D., RN, an associate professor of nursing at Kent State and OJIN's editor in chief.
"We are happy that this relationship with OJIN will allow us to reach a wide audience of nurses. The reviews will be authored by our faculty who have expertise in: cardio-pulmonary, gerontology, psychiatric mental health, home care, and maternal-child health," said Gail C. McCain, PhD, RN. McCain holds the Sarah Cole Hirsh Professorship in Nursing and is associate dean for community affairs at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.
Kent State faculty members comprise the OJIN editorial staff, and more than 30 national and international nursing leaders review articles before they are accepted. Three times a year introductory articles are published that present various perspectives on an issue of importance to nursing. Follow-up articles on the issue, written by readers in diverse situations, provide a comprehensive discussion of the issue.
In addition to the three health-related topics per year, each journal posting includes a column on legislative issues, on ethical issues that impact nursing care, and an informational resources column. Also included is a department entitled "Keynotes of Note" that provides readers access to important keynote and plenary addresses.
