CE: Our Journey to Pass a Surgical Plume Evacuation Law.

ABSTRACT: Surgical plume is produced when heat-generating instruments are used to cut, cauterize, or vaporize tissue during surgery. Surgical plume can rapidly diffuse, and without the use of plume evacuators to ensure it is captured, filtered, and removed, health care workers and patients are at risk for inhalation exposure to airborne contaminants, including smoke and biological hazards. The use of surgical plume evacuators in health care facilities is inconsistent across the United States. This article describes the experience of two nurses who led a grassroots coalition to pass a surgical plume evacuation law in Illinois. It also outlines strategies they used in the legislative process that nurses can apply to their own efforts to advocate for health policy change at the state level.

How to Write Powerful Letters of Recommendation.

Nurses at all levels may be asked to write a letter of recommendation to support colleagues' and students' career and academic advancement. This article outlines key steps and considerations in the letter-writing process.

What do novice faculty need to transition successfully to the nurse faculty role? An integrative review.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to describe and illustrate what is known about the needs of novice nursing faculty as they transition into the faculty role. The worldwide nursing shortage is partly due to the lack of faculty, and one reason for that lack is the reported difficulty of transitioning into the faculty role. METHODS: An integrative review of the literature was conducted. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that new faculty are either intentionally supported in their new environment, with successful development of their skills and career, or they are unintentionally unsupported, which leaves them languishing and reduces intent to stay. CONCLUSIONS: Despite gaps in the literature and a low level of strength of evidence, the review offers implications for managing and maintaining relationships with novice faculty to facilitate their ultimate success. Institutions should aim to have in place identified elements that ensure novice faculty are intentionally supported rather than unintentionally unsupported.