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Editorial Do the Right Thing Children count on us to do the right thing. As adults, we are responsible for making many decisions that have an impact on children. Some of these decisions have widespread effects; others affect only one child. Children have been mentioned frequently in the federal budget debate; but have their present and future really been considered? Was it best for children to have a shutdown of the federal government at the end of December? Think about the trips and short excursions that were canceled and the gifts that were returned or not purchased because of the shutdown. Think about the delay or loss of pay for federal workers. Also think about the many non-federal employees that were laid off in response to absence of federal workers and the decrease in spending and tourism. Most of these workers will never recoup their financial losses. Think about the stress to families created by these losses in income. Think about the fear and anger that parents experienced during this time. Remember that children are affected by their parents' stress and by events around them, and think about the children's reactions. The study in this issue by Neff and Dale clearly shows that school-age children worry about these things. Also consider the delay in having a federal budget for this fiscal year. What effects will it have on families and children? What delayed effects on the economy and on employers will appear in the next 6 to 12 months? What will happen in 5 or 7 or 10 years if we do or don't have a balanced federal budget? The only answers to these questions are speculative. In case you think that only the Congress and the President and his advisers played a part in these decisions, remember that it is adults (us) who elect the Representatives and Senators in Congress and the President, and it is adults who must communicate their thoughts and opinions to these elected officials. Children also count on nurses to do the right thing. In a variety of settings from hospital to home to school, children rely on nurses (us) to provide high-quality nursing care and to perform our functions and roles in the best possible way. But, how do we evaluate whether our way is "the best way"? Are our practices and guidance based on solid empirical evidence or on tradition ("that's the way we've always done it"), opinion, and personal experience? Research- based practice has been implemented in many adult facilities, but how many pediatric facilities use research as a basis for their policies and procedures? Perhaps you are thinking that nursing research about children is limited, too esoteric, or too difficult to read. That's where this new journal comes into the picture. The Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses (JSPN) is the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses. Its mission is to promote the health of infants, children, and adolescents and their families through the dissemination of knowledge that has implications for the care of children in a variety of health and illness states. Articles will present innovations in clinical practice, education, or administration, case presentations, public policy information, synthesis of research findings, and original research. The actual topics, of course, are dependent on the manuscripts actually submitted. JSPN was created with the important goal of integrating research and clinical practice. Several JSPN Vol. 1, No. 1, April-June, 1996 5

Editorial : Do the Right Thing

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Editorial

Do the Right Thing

Children count on us to do the right thing.

As adults, we are responsible for making many decisions that have an impact on children. Some of these decisions have widespread effects; others affect only one child. Children have been mentioned frequently in the federal budget debate; but have their present and future really been considered? Was it best for children to have a shutdown of the federal government at the end of December? Think about the trips and short excursions that were canceled and the gifts that were returned or not purchased because of the shutdown. Think about the delay or loss of pay for federal workers. Also think about the many non-federal employees that were laid off in response to absence of federal workers and the decrease in spending and tourism. Most of these workers will never recoup their financial losses. Think about the stress to families created by these losses in income. Think about the fear and anger that parents experienced during this time. Remember that children are affected by their parents' stress and by events around them, and think about the children's reactions. The study in this issue by Neff and Dale clearly shows that school-age children worry about these things.

Also consider the delay in having a federal budget for this fiscal year. What effects will it have on families and children? What delayed effects on the economy and on employers will appear in the next 6 to 12 months? What will happen in 5 or 7 or 10 years if we do or don't have a balanced federal budget? The only answers to these questions are speculative. In case you think that only the Congress and the President and his advisers played a part in these decisions, remember that it is adults (us) who

elect the Representatives and Senators in Congress and the President, and it is adults who must communicate their thoughts and opinions to these elected officials.

Children also count on nurses to do the right thing. In a variety of settings from hospital to home to school, children rely on nurses (us) to provide high-quality nursing care and to perform our functions and roles in the best possible way. But, how do we evaluate whether our way is "the best way"? Are our practices and guidance based on solid empirical evidence or on tradition ("that's the way we've always done it"), opinion, and personal experience? Research- based practice has been implemented in many adult facilities, but how many pediatric facilities use research as a basis for their policies and procedures? Perhaps you are thinking that nursing research about children is limited, too esoteric, or too difficult to read. That's where this new journal comes into the picture.

The Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses (JSPN) is the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses. Its mission is to promote the health of infants, children, and adolescents and their families through the dissemination of knowledge that has implications for the care of children in a variety of health and illness states. Articles will present innovations in clinical practice, education, or administration, case presentations, public policy information, synthesis of research findings, and original research. The actual topics, of course, are dependent on the manuscripts actually submitted.

JSPN was created with the important goal of integrating research and clinical practice. Several

JSPN Vol. 1, No. 1, April-June, 1996 5

Page 2: Editorial : Do the Right Thing

Editorial

features of JSPN will help us to meet this goal. First, clinical practice articles will be research- based. Most will contain a review of the research in nursing and other fields, and recom- mendations for specific practices will be supported by research where available. Second, in the "Ask the Expert" column, research findings will be used to provide the answers to clinical questions posed by our readers. Finally, we intend to publish research articles paired with clinical practice articles describing the clinical origin, implication, or application of the research to highlight the relevance of the research to

practice and the research needs of practice.

Much of our vision for JSPN takes time to implement, so you will see it unfolding over this first year. If you have comments or questions about the journal's format or contents, please feel free to write to me or send me an e-mail message [email protected]).

JoAnne M. Youngblut, PhD, RN

expensive and time consuming sterilization, and eliminate the risk of cross contamination. Ear Curettes

6x39

Bionix Development Corporation 5154 Enterprise, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A. 43612 1-419-727-8421 Fax 1-419-727-8426

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'Actual length 6

JSPN VoL 1, No. 1, April-June, 1996