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Welcome to this Sixth volume of The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. This journal is a compilation of original articles written by senior nursing students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Kansas School of Nursing.
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Publication Ethical Issues of Children as Research Subjects(2013-08-01) Truong, Maria N.Children in past centuries were often recruited and exploited as research subjects for vaccine testing trials and to study the outcomes of infectious disease. The purpose of this paper is to describe current safeguards for child research, explore the continuing problems, and discuss the implications related to nursing practice and the nurse's role in child research.Publication The Benefits of Psychedelic Drug Application for Clinical Treatment of Mental Illness(2013-08-01) Shumate, TimothyThe use of psychedelic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 4-phosphoryloxy- N,N -dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin), in the clinical treatment of mental health disorders has sparked a broad spectrum ethical debate amongst both the medical field and the general public. This is due to the negative connotations of the drugs being illegal and that they are used by subpopulations of our society for recreational use. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the positive implications of the use of the psychedelic drugs towards mental well-being of patients and explore the role of a nurse in its clinical application.Publication Let's Talk About Sex(2013-08-01) Mikulan, Katie L.In the past sex was usually saved until marriage. This meant that talking about sex was taboo and there were not many unplanned pregnancies outside of marriage. Well, times have changed and people are having sex at a younger age, but usually this is without education and the proper protection. However, the taboo that is still placed on talking about sex prohibits those who are becoming sexually active from learning how to protect themselves from mishaps like unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies hit teenagers the hardest because they are still in school and sometimes are barely able to take care of themselves, let alone another dependent human being. These circumstances make teens that are pregnant more likely to not finish their education (Bennet & Assefi, 2005). Some still believe that this is a topic that should not be talked about, or if it is talked about then abstinence is the only thing to be taught. Throughout this paper, topics like sex education in high schools, the knowledge of contraception, and parental involvement in sex education will be discussed on how they affect teen pregnancy rates in the United States.Publication Medical Marijuana: The Legal and Clinical Facts Regarding Medical Use(2013-08-01) Ramsey, AlexandraThe Chinese Shen-nung Pen-tshao Ching is the oldest medical text found in the world today. This text mentions the use of marijuana to treat such ailments as digestive disorders and pain from rheumatism. Marijuana also made its way into many American and European medical journals in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The purpose of this paper is to simply present the facts about this controversial topic so that the reader can become informed and make his or her own conclusion about the medicinal use of marijuana.Publication Legal and Ethical Issues Concerning Pro-Life Choices(2013-08-01) O'Malley, Candice M.For the past decade, the issue of pro-life has been a major topic of concern for the medical profession. Different opinions and attitudes have varied widely with regards to approving or disapproving termination of a pregnancy based on the each individual situation. The leading causes of termination are usually due to maternal and fetal mortality, pregnancy occurring from rape, or the period of gestation when termination is being carried out. The purpose of this paper is to focus on life as a whole, and how healthcare professionals care for a mother who just aborted a child.Publication Intimate Partner Violence Screening: A Nursing Concern?(2013-08-01) Friesen, KelseyOne of the Healthy People 2020 objectives is to “reduce violence by current or former intimate partners” (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2011, p. 16). Several health organizations such as the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing have recommended routine screening for IPV. This is due to the many negative health associations with intimate partner violence (IPV). About one fourth of women and one ninth of men over age 18 in the United States have experienced IPV (Centers for Disease Control, 2008). Approximately 15% of adults in the United States report having been a victim of IPV and three-fifths of adults report knowing someone who has been a victim of IPV (Krane, 2006). Currently there is no standard screening tool or protocol to help identify victims of this abuse and screening is consistently not being done. The purpose of this paper is to outline the lack of screening for IPV in spite of its prevalence and adverse health effects, the barriers that hinder screening, if all of those barriers are well founded, and ways to increase screening. This will ultimately inform healthcare providers about the ethical dilemma at hand and the need to increase IPV screening in future practice.Publication Taking the Guess Out of the Gender Game: Ethical Issues in Pre-Conception Sex Selection(2013-08-01) McShane, Franny“It’s a boy” or “It’s a girl”! These two simple sentences are by far the most exciting news a mother and father hear in their careers as parents. It’s a flip of a coin, 50 – 50, boy or girl. What if, that ratio could be predicted or even ensured to go in your favor? With technology advancing as fast paced as it is in the world, this chance game of gender may be completely negated. As this is an advance in medical-based technology, nurses may be involved in the genetic aspects and help facilitate the decision-making process of a family choosing whether or not to use this technology. Therefore, nurses need to become more educated in this area of research and begin to understand the variety of ramification of this advance. According to the World Health Organization (2011), this technology could be seen as a preconception form of sexism and could result in the ultimate imbalance of gender in the world. Inevitably, a line must be drawn. The purpose of this paper is to explore these pros and cons of the ethical dilemma created by this new technology as well as its importance in the nursing profession. To begin to discuss the implications, one must understand the process itself and the consequences it creates.Publication Expanding Donor Criteria: Is it Safe?(2013-08-01) Barkman, AnneWith technological advances saving lives daily, one obstacle still plagues the medical community - organ shortages. Over 112,000 patients await a new organ in the United States alone and the numbers keep growing (Transplant trends, 2011). Between 2001 and 2010 this disparity between the number of patients on the waiting list and the number of organ donors caused over 7,000 people to lose their lives every year (Death removals, 2011). Although modern medicine can keep patients awaiting a new organ living longer, the only way to save lives is to increase the number of available organs. One way to solve the organ shortage is to use organs that the medical community would have discarded before, or put another way, marginal organs. Donors previously thought unable to provide organs are now being considered to decrease the disparity between the waiting list and the number of organs available. “Marginal or extended criteria donors (ECD) are defined as those with a greater risk of initial poor function or graft failure” (Gastaca, 2009, p. 975). Although extended organ criteria are more commonly accepted now, there are benefits and risks to consider. Patients awaiting organs now have another choice to make, is a marginal organ worth the risk? It is important to both understand the implications of the organ shortage and the benefits and risks of using marginal donor organs.Publication Closer Look at Visitation Hour Policies in Intensive Care Units(2013-08-01) Banh, MichealVisitation policies on intensive care units establish the groundwork for balancing the needs of a critical patient and family members as well as the unit staff. The unit's specific policy on visitation hours sets the tone for interactions between all parties and can have a significant effect on patient outcomes, family satisfaction, and stress for nursing staff. A growing body of evidence points toward better outcomes for patients and families on units with more open visitation policies yet there are a number of hospitals, patient care units, and individual nurses that still support restricted visitation hours. While many intensive care units have legal backing to establish visitation policies, it becomes an ethical battle when balancing the needs and satisfaction of nursing staff, patients, and family. It is important to understand the rationale behind arguments on both sides to better address the issue, especially to understand why some units do not follow evidence-based practice guidelines that support open visitation policies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevant research regarding visitation policy on intensive care units to better understand the status quo and to clarify major rationales. This will be accomplished by a review of literature that will discuss the topic and a conclusion that provides nursing implications for practice in light of the research presented.Publication Editorial(2013-08-01) Martin, David; Godfrey, NeldaWelcome to this Sixth volume of The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. This journal is a compilation of original articles written by senior nursing students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Kansas School of Nursing. The articles presented in this volume originated as assignments completed by students as part of their senior level coursework. The original call for papers did not limit their entries to any particular topic. Writing about these issues was not easy. What is unique about these articles is that they provide insight into the thought processes of today's college graduates in nursing. These student authors all show an ability to describe complex societal issues in their own manner. Examples of topical choices this year include controversy surrounding medical uses of marijuana, sex education in schools, the notion of preconception sex selection of a child, informed consent issues with minors, expanding the donor criteria for transplant patients, ICU Visitation policies, use of psychedelic drugs in mental illness treatment and intimate partner violence. These students all display an ability to investigate the current evidence on their chosen topics and emerge with a unique perspective. One that encourages all of us to believe that the future of the nursing profession is positive. This endeavor would not have been possible without the support of several dedicated individuals and organizations. The Dykes Library staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center campus was wonderful. Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta International provided the financial support along with the positive encouragement of the Chapter Executive Board. Lastly we commend the faculty and staff at the University Of Kansas School Of Nursing for their patience and responsiveness as we sorted through all the issues necessary to make this happen. We would have been lost without their willingness to listen and share their own personal experiences.Publication The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. Vol 6, Issue 1. Summer 2013(2013-08-01) Martin, David; Godfrey, Nelda; Banh, Micheal; Barkman, Anne; Friesen, Kelsey; McShane, Franny; Mikulan, Katie L.; O'Malley, Candice M.; Ramsey, Alexandra; Shumate, Timothy; Truong, Maria N.Welcome to this Sixth volume of The Journal of Undergraduate Nursing Writing. This journal is a compilation of original articles written by senior nursing students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Kansas School of Nursing. The articles presented in this volume originated as assignments completed by students as part of their senior level coursework. The original call for papers did not limit their entries to any particular topic. Writing about these issues was not easy. What is unique about these articles is that they provide insight into the thought processes of today's college graduates in nursing. These student authors all show an ability to describe complex societal issues in their own manner. Examples of topical choices this year include controversy surrounding medical uses of marijuana, sex education in schools, the notion of preconception sex selection of a child, informed consent issues with minors, expanding the donor criteria for transplant patients, ICU Visitation policies, use of psychedelic drugs in mental illness treatment and intimate partner violence. These students all display an ability to investigate the current evidence on their chosen topics and emerge with a unique perspective. One that encourages all of us to believe that the future of the nursing profession is positive. This endeavor would not have been possible without the support of several dedicated individuals and organizations. The Dykes Library staff at the University of Kansas Medical Center campus was wonderful. Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta International provided the financial support along with the positive encouragement of the Chapter Executive Board. Lastly we commend the faculty and staff at the University Of Kansas School Of Nursing for their patience and responsiveness as we sorted through all the issues necessary to make this happen. We would have been lost without their willingness to listen and share their own personal experiences.