A Few Odds and Ends and Thank Yous

As I end my second full year as the editor of the Journal of Emergency Nursing, I would like to take some time to reflect on some of the changes you may have noticed in the Journal. First, there have been some structural changes to the JEN. Going green has brought modifications to the interior and exterior of the Journal. There have also been some personnel changes.

We have worked hard to assure that all of the pages have material on them, thus decreasing empty white space. This more efficient use of space increases the information we can bring to the readers of each edition.

The next and most obvious change to the JEN has been the cover. A new look was tried that featured cover art and an index of what was inside of the JEN. However, “going green” required additional space for the postal label. This caused the need to manipulate the cover art. In some cases, this actually changed the picture. So, as you saw with the October issue, after much discussion and reader input, we have returned to the picture as the focus of the cover.

Speaking of the cover art, many have asked how the pictures are chosen. The structure for choosing the covers are as follows: January/February cover is selected by the current President of the ENA Board of Directors; May/June issue reflects the theme and location of the Annual Meeting; and the November/December cover is selected to recognize the role of the emergency nurse in the military.

This leaves three open covers a year. These are chosen in a number of ways. For example, a “Choosing a Cover” has been donated to the ENA Foundation silent auction to raise funds for scholarships every year. This cover can be bid on by anyone. The other open cover suggestions come from the Editorial Board, association members or even outside suggestions. An example was the 2007 October cover which was a tribute to an ENA member Dr. Frank Cole. The picture by Dr. Cole, a talented photographer and a strong voice for emergency nursing serves as way to honor his memory. So if any of you would like to discuss an idea for a cover, feel free to contact me.

Finally, I would like to say thanks. Thanks to Annie Kelly, Managing Editor, and to the Senior Clinical Editors, the Section Editors, the Reviewers, and those authors who have submitted their work.

I would especially like to express gratitude to Dr. Lisa Bernardo who will be leaving her editing of the Evidenced Based Practice in the Journal. She has done a phenomenal job, as well has been a mentor to several writers. We have fortunately found a capable replacement so that the section can continue.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you who read the JEN, write Letters to the Editor, and let us know when we have done something well or not so well. It is only through your input that we can continue to improve the Journal.

The next year will be challenging to us all, but particularly in our emergency departments and the communities they serve. Please continue to let us know how you are meeting these challenges. Please continue to be active in emergency nursing. Please have a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season!