Mooney Bryant-Penland was part of Charity Hospital's activation team following Hurricane Katrina. She is currently an ER nursing supervisor at Louisiana State University Interim Hospital, formerly part of Charity Hospital and presently located at University Hospital. | Two Years Later, Hurricane Ravaged Region Still in Need of Health Care Professionals
The destruction of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita crippled an entire regional health care system, resulting in inadequate access to critical health care for the hundreds of thousands of people who were in urgent need of medical attention.
Still, two years later, a weakened health care infrastructure continues to plague patient care and access to quality health care throughout much of the Gulf Coast region. At the core of a destabilized health care system is a struggling health care workforce, including a scarce supply of nurses.
"The shortage makes it especially difficult on the rest of us," said Mooney Bryant- Penland, RN, ER nursing supervisor formerly at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. "We work non-stop for 12 hour shifts just trying to keep up with the load."
Prior to and shortly after Katrina, Penland worked as a nursing supervisor in the emergency room at Charity Hospital. Her unit, which is now part of Louisiana State University Interim Hospital, has since relocated to University Hospital downtown and includes a newly renovated facility with nearly 180 beds and an expanded ER. However, Penland admits a large portion remains unused due to an insufficient nursing staff to operate it.
"We are in the process of hiring new nurses, most of whom are new graduates so it will take some time to teach and orient them to the unit," she said.
With an overwhelming workload that includes treating patients, maintaining daily operations, and managing and training staff, many health care professionals have suffered from burn out, causing them to leave the profession or relocate and start afresh elsewhere.
While some hospitals in the areas are undergoing a slow resurgence, several others will not reopen. For those that do, like University, finding nurses and physicians to staff the facilities will continue to place a burden on a beleaguered health care workforce, ultimately affecting patients who are in desperate need of quality health care.
For more information, visit http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/nationalspecial/index.html | |
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NLN Foundation and
Johnson & Johnson Partner to Support Nurse Faculty
The NLN Foundation for Nursing Education and The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future have announced partnership for a new, innovative mentoring program set to launch this year.
This national program will match experienced mentors with selected protégés to enhance leadership skills and development.
Multi-faceted means of communication will be used to facilitate the ongoing career development of nurse faculty and to aide in their advancement as leaders within nursing education.
For additional information about the NLN Foundation, or to obtain a copy of an application, please visit www.nlnfoundation.org or contact Nicole DeMent, development associate, at 212.812.0348 or foundation@nln.org. | 
Public Perceptions of Nursing
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When compared with other careers, people generally perceive nursing careers very positively and are as likely as nurses and doctors to recommend the profession to qualified students.
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In contrast to nurses' beliefs, a majority of the general public attributes the nursing shortage to salary and benefits.
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The public sees nurses as a trusted source of health information.
| Sources: Vanderbilt University, Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies |  |
Meet Student Nurse Damaris Akinniyi
Damaris Akinniyi, Student Nurse
Intensive Care Unit
Dallas, TX
Q: What inspired you to join the nursing profession?
A: As a young girl, I suffered from physical and mental abuse from my father. Then, in college, I found myself trapped in yet another abusive relationship with my husband at the time. After leaving the relationship, I realized that education was the key to my independence. I've always had a passion to help others, so I knew I wanted to be more involved in the healing process - as a registered nurse.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a scholarship recipient?
A: I feel so blessed! I was the recipient of a Johnson & Johnson Promise of Nursing scholarship from the Promise of Nursing for Houston & Galveston fundraising gala. The scholarship has opened up so many doors for me. I am forever grateful to Johnson & Johnson for the success they have allowed me in my life. I also was recently awarded the Texas Conference for Women Scholarship. I would not have been able to make it without these organizations.
Q: What do you look forward to in your nursing career?
A: I am looking forward to the ability to take care of patients in my own way. I am also anticipating the responsibly that will be bestowed upon me and the chance to begin graduate school to obtain the skills that will allow me to provide better patient care.
Q: How did Hurricanes Katrina and Rita impact your outlook on nursing?
A: My hospital received many patients from the areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and this really enabled me to see a different side of life. The entire campus community at Texas Christian University, where I attended school, raised funds and volunteered to help the victims. As a nursing student, I had the opportunity to volunteer for The Red Cross. The incident really showcased the compassion and selflessness that nurses have, and I now see myself wanting to do more and more to help others.
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