Medical Neglect in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus was a fatal disease for thousands of years, but the discovery of insulin in 1921 and major substantial improvements in care have made living with diabetes a chronic rather than fatal disease for many people, including children and adolescents. Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle-altering diagnosis for the entire family. In some families, children and adolescents do not get the daily care they depend upon. This article reviews the consequences of medical neglect of children with diabetes and the optimal community response to concerns of medical neglect of diabetes. Criteria for placement in foster or substitute care are suggested.

An Exploration of the Transition to the Full-Time Faculty Role Among Associate Degree Nurse Educators.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of transition into the full-time faculty role among nurse educators who teach in associate degree nursing (ADN) programs. BACKROUND: As the nursing profession responds to both the nursing and faculty shortages, understanding the experience of the transition at the ADN level becomes important. Faculty roles and responsibilities differ among program types. METHOD: A qualitative research design was used to explore the transition experience of 14 participants, identified through purposive sampling, who taught in ADN programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. RESULTS: Themes that emerged include: a) difficulties, b) learning the role, c) embracing the role, d) the need for support, and e) personal experience of confidence and love of teaching. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that role-specific orientation programs with a strong mentoring component are needed to ease the transition into the full-time faculty role at the ADN level of education.

Addressing self-injury in the school setting.

A growing number of students presenting with nonlethal self-injury has recently captured the attention of school nurses. The purpose of intentional self-harm is aimed at reducing emotional distress. This is not a new phenomenon, but what is alarming is the increasing incidence of self-injurious behavior among adolescents. This behavior is raising many questions for school staff. School nurses, along with guidance department staff, are searching for information and direction needed to address this behavior. School nurses, educated about self-injury, can serve as resources for other school staff members. Prevention strategies for all adolescents can be developed as well as strategies targeted at groups of at-risk adolescents. Because mental health care is critical for the treatment of self-injury, referral and early access to counseling is an important role for school nurses. In addition, a plan that includes educating staff members and parents can be developed. Included in this comprehensive plan is developing a protocol to be used to guide the care of adolescents who self-injure.