State of Constant Readiness: Lessons Learned From the Military.

The purpose of this article is to compare and discuss the preparation of civilian and military nurses in meeting the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. The military nursing system exemplifies a program of ongoing training and evaluations to prepare nurses to care for patients in austere environments. The lessons learned during the pandemic include adapting, collaborating, and expanding current practices in nursing to train and validate nursing skills continuously. The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the best in nursing and also provided a platform for further advancements toward organizing and delivering extraordinary care under unexpected circumstances.

Capturing the Impact of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree on West Texas Health Care.

BACKGROUND: This article describes findings from a Phase 1 investigation exploring the influence of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-prepared nurses in West Texas. METHOD: Following a focus group session with eight practicing DNPs, the focus group shared how their roles effected safer health care. RESULTS: Final takeaways included their commitment to safer health care and prevention, moving care to the community, and a wish for more variety in projects generated in workplaces. Three themes emerged from the data: DNP leadership practice affects health outcomes through improved quality of care, influence, and innovation; DNP strengths include communication, leadership, and ability to change others' thinking; and the influence of DNP-prepared leaders at all external levels occurs through both increasing awareness of the role and influencing in multiple areas. DNP challenges include lack of understanding by others of the role and the lack of recognition and respect for their educational preparation. CONCLUSION: Leading, innovating, and communicating during constantly changing care models are key skills needed during the current health care crisis. These skills are basic to DNP practice. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(4):192-197.].

Nurses Taking the Lead: A Look Back to Move Forward.

In recognition of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the 2020 annual conference of the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN) celebrated A Look Back to Move Forward in recognition of the 50th anniversary of ALSN. The ALSN began as the Council of Graduate Education for Administrative Nursing (CGEAN) in 1970. Today, ALSN maintains the goals of shaping graduate education and research to inform nursing leadership practice.