Voume 29 Number 3

The World Health Organization declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. International Nurses Day was celebrated around the world on 12 May. The celebrations this year also mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, one of the founders of modern nursing.

And what a year it has been! The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dedicated, diligent work of nurses and revealed the true value of essential workers. 2020 has emphasised the unique contributions transplant nurses make to the lives of the people they work with, especially their patients.

The theme of this TJA issue is International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. It shouldn’t take a pandemic to make us acknowledge the pivotal role nurses play in keeping our communities healthy. It is essential to recognise nurses for their everyday hard work and ongoing sacrifice. Our December issue aims to acknowledge this important work and sacrifice.

Dana Georgevsky and colleagues from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney provide a fascinating history of uterus transplant and outline their ongoing uterus transplant research study. The study aims to assess uterus transplant outcomes as a treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) and ultimately provide women suffering from AUFI and their partners with additional treatment options.

A moving article by Bianca Topp from DonateLife Queensland examines the crucial role of the donation specialist nurse in the family donation conversation. These highly skilled nurses play a pivotal role during one of the most vulnerable times a family can face, making the decision to donate their loved one’s organs and tissue.

Jarrod Tunks from St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, presents a case study on viral myocarditis with associated dilated cardiomyopathy. Jarrod recently explored the case study as part of his Master of Advanced Nursing studies and has adapted his work for the journal.

I would like to welcome Libby John to the role of TNA National President. Libby has been a leader in the transplant community for many years and brings a wealth of experience to the position. I look forward to working with Libby and learning as much as I can from her.

The TJA Editorial Board and I would like to thank those who applied to join the Editorial Board. Currently, there are still vacancies, and I welcome any interested members to contact me at tjaeditor@transplantnurses.org.au

As 2021 approaches, I look forward to the upcoming Transplant Nurses’ Association National Conference in Adelaide from 20–22 October. I remain optimistic that the conference will be able to be held in person. I encourage all members to start considering abstract submissions for the conference. Further conference details, including abstract submission dates, will be announced on the TNA website. TNA scholarships will be offered again in 2021. Check out the TNA website for this exciting opportunity which provides financial assistance to members to attend face-to-face or virtual conferences.

A reminder that we welcome contributions to the journal from all members! For further information, including guidelines for authors, see the TNA website: https://transplantnurses.org.au/tja-journal/. We will always be happy to provide you with any assistance during the submission and publication process. If you have any queries or would like to discuss possible manuscript submission, please contact me at tjaeditor@transplantnurses.org.au

As the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife comes to an end, I want to acknowledge and thank all nurses and midwives for the valuable contribution they make every day to support the health and wellbeing of our transplant communities. I wish you and your families a wonderful, safe, and relaxing holiday season and look forward to 2021!

TNA Scholarship application deadlines for 2021

2021 Scholarship Round 1: application deadline Friday 19 February

2021 Scholarship Round 2: application deadline Friday 23 July

Please refer to the TNA website www.transplantnurses.org.au

for scholarship application criteria and submission forms. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Please note, applications can be made for funding towards registration for virtual education meetings and conferences as well as face-to-face conferences.

Author(s)

Elyn Montgomery
TJA Editor
Email tjaeditor@transplantnurses.org.au