Reflections

Article Outline

• Copyright

• 
  • View Large Image
  • Download to PowerPoint

• Priscilla Ebersole, RN, PhD, FAAN

My mind has been mired in mud, pondering the vagaries of nature and the human condition, the miseries and the miracles. Yes, dear readers, I cannot depart the editorship of Geriatric Nursing without giving you one last dose of the alliteration that I so enjoy. The machinations of the mature mind so overflowing with memories and not fully constrained within the dikes of duty is amazing and to be appreciated. I am learning to appreciate that I can float through much of a day wandering in the fields of memory and quite unaware of daily events that really don’t need my attention.

In January of 1993, Coral Hotchkiss invited me to accompany her on a 5-month tour around the world, visiting mission stations and making documentaries to raise money from United States congregations for missions. I had previously worked with Tom and Coral Hotchkiss in Idaho to produce the film Geriatric Nurse Practitioners: The New Professionals. Tom died in 1992. In this new venture, I was to do the still photos and dialogue, she the film, and an affable young man would accompany us to handle the luggage and equipment. I was overwhelmed with indecision, torn between duty and desire.

In the fall of 1991 I had accepted the position as editor of Geriatric Nursing, was teaching at San Francisco State University, writing textbooks, and occasionally giving speeches and consulting. The Geriatric Nursing journal, newly acquired from AJN Publishers, was then under Mosby Yearbook publishers. Journal publishers for Mosby were Carol Trumbold and Cheryl Smart. My issue editor at Mosby—Kirk Swearingen—encouraged me to go with the travel, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I coerced good friend and fellow geriatric nurse, Helen Monea, to step into my shoes while I would be gone. Our movie-making team departed early in February 1993.

We were in Rwanda 2 months before the holocaust broke out in full force. Already there were thousands—some said half a million—of displaced people camped on hillsides in polyester shelters with “Hands of America” emblazoned on them. Trucks with food and water could be seen along the road at strategic points, some abandoned and full of bullet holes. At the mission station all were working to provide assistance as well as keep up with their regular duties. Churches throughout the countryside were distributing potatoes and cabbages.

Why this long episode in my personal history? Because I became acutely aware of the extreme deprivations of much of the world and the courage and compassion that arise from these conditions. These thoughts returned in full force as I thought of the people of New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina and the latest hurricane tragedies. Nurses historically have come to the aid of those in distress as they have done in this disaster. Many geriatric nurses stepped beyond their specialty roles and were among the vanguard in New Orleans to offer succor, expertise, and practical assistance to vulnerable individuals and groups.

The past almost-15 years have afforded me the opportunity to be in touch and work with geriatric nurses from around the world. We have shared their ideas, research, observations, and investigations. We thank all of the contributors, our readers, and the publishing teams for the opportunity to participate in this grand adventure that has made our world both larger and smaller.

In 1996, Leslie Flatt came on board GN as managing editor and has been with us since then through numerous changes of publishers and production teams. This, the last issue of Geriatric Nursing that Leslie Flatt and I will compile together, has been a culmination of effort, but certainly not the highest point the journal has reached. Each issue has held some special fascination for us. Each author and columnist has made unique contributions. Each member of the Board and the Review Board has ensured the quality and integrity of the issues.

Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, will assume the editorship of Geriatric Nursing beginning with the January 2006 issue. Dr. Resnick comes with an extensive background in teaching, research and publishing. We feel confident that GN will continue to develop in professional stature and that Barbara’s own unique imprint will become visible. Welcome, Barbara!