ABSTRACT
The Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) recently held its 40th annual conference and celebrated four decades of nursing research in the Midwest. MNRS continues to be one of the largest nursing research societies in the United States. Over the years, a vast majority of programmatic initiatives included education and tangible support for novice and experienced nurse researchers. In this article, the background for development of MNRS is reviewed with examination of driving forces that led to its creation. Three past presidents, Dr. Joyce Fitzpatrick, the first President of MNRS (1980-1981); Dr. Nancy Bergstrom, the eighth President (1993-1995); and Dr. Sally Lusk, the 14th President (2005-2007), discuss challenges, opportunities, and the exceptional progress made toward fostering excellence in nursing research for the Midwest and contributing to nursing science on a national and global scale. Lessons from the past as well as opportunities for the future are addressed.
Subject(s)
Anniversaries and Special Events , Education, Nursing, Graduate/organization & administration , Nursing Research/organization & administration , Societies, Nursing/history , History of Nursing , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the Cold War that followed World War II, the nursing profession was challenged to prepare for mass disasters. Army Nurse Corps officer Harriet H. Werley made significant contributions to the field of nursing in mass disaster preparation, education, and research during the 1950s. OBJECTIVES: To analyze nurses' involvement in research and mass disaster preparations during the Cold War era and to describe the role of Harriet H. Werley and the Army Nurse Corps. METHODS: The research was conducted using a historical research method. Primary sources included the H. H. Werley Papers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Secondary sources were related to the Army Nurses Corps, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Cold War, and nuclear testing. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the Army Medical Services Department of Atomic Casualties Studies, Werley participated in disaster response classes, nuclear attack simulations, and biomedical research. These efforts fueled Werley's vision for nursing research and interdisciplinary collaboration, resulting in the Army's first department of nursing research. Her actions influenced the nursing community to consider its professional responsibility as a key provider in disaster management and partner in interdisciplinary research. Today, 50 years later, the nursing profession again faces demands and challenges regarding disaster management preparation.
Subject(s)
Disaster Planning/history , Nursing Research/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Military Nursing/history , Nuclear Warfare/history , Nurse's Role/history , Patient Care Team/history , United StatesABSTRACT
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa poses a massive diffusion and persuasion challenge for health professionals. Individuals working with adolescents to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS must gain an understanding of adolescent's preference in obtaining information about HIV/AIDS and sexual behaviors. This study describes the primary and preferred sources of information regarding HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behavior in relation to several socio-demographic variables (n=941) in Swaziland, Southern Africa. Although print/broadcast media was the primary source for HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behavior information for the students, most participants preferred information from the healthcare workers. This study suggests a greater role for healthcare providers in providing HIV/AIDS and sexual risk information.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV Infections , Psychology, Adolescent , Risk-Taking , Sexual Behavior , Adolescent , Child , Eswatini , Female , Health Personnel , Humans , Male , Mass MediaABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS is a serious public health problem in Swaziland, a small land-locked Southern African country. The epidemic affects all subpopulations, but women are increasingly at risk for contracting the disease. Focus groups were conducted in a rural area to obtain qualitative information on the rural dimensions of HIV/AIDS, vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, and sociocultural factors influencing the spread of AIDS. Five themes were identified from analyses of the focus groups that are relevant in developing an AIDS prevention program for this population in Swaziland. Implications for future research and health care practice focus on gender-sensitive cultural research (e.g., women and men's roles and responsibilities in rural Swaziland society) and how social, economic, and cultural factors impact the spread of AIDS. Recommendations include reorienting and allocating resources for health, education, and social services to address the relative neglect of rural areas and strengthening policies and programs to achieve the equal participation of all women in all aspects of society's decisions. Specifically, policies related to economic and food security should result in programs to improve local access by women to all resources.
