The 1980s
100 Years of Texas Nursing Magazine
From Cover to Cover
Sign of the times: a facelift for creativity's sake.
This decade launched the use of thematic covers to highlight what's inside each issue.
TNA Testifies at Capitol
CAPITOL CAPSULE: TNA Testimony Makes a Difference
Texas Nursing, April 1987
TNA HAS TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT OF MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION since the 70th legislative session began. In addition to Margie Dorman-O’Donnell, RN, testifying in support of the quality assurance bill, the other persons testifying were Betty Skaggs, RN (Austin) on the mammography screening bill, Gregory Bond, RN (Temple) on the AIDS legislation, Ferne Kyba, RN (Austin) on the Alzheimer's legislation and Jan Brewer, RN (Austin) on teenage pregnancy legislation.
TNA’s efforts have resulted in several bills being amended to better address the concerns of professional nursing. An exemption for nurses was added to SB 32 licensing radiation technologists. The language of SB 590 was amended to insure that nurses would have access to HIV test results. In addition, a registered nurse member was added to the legislation establishing the Alzheimer's Council. In addition, TNA has worked with Senator Brooks’ and Representative Frank Malda’s (San Antonio) offices to correct a drafting mistake in the section of the appropriations bill relating to the $1.00 surcharge of peer assistance programs for impaired professionals. As originally drafted, there was ambiguity as to whether the $1.00 surcharge could be expended only for new programs established in the 1988-89 biennium. Since some peer assistance programs, including the one for nurses, were established in the current biennium, the appropriations language needs to cover existing as well as new programs.
Mrs. Griffin's Handkerchief
Mary McCarthy Slater, MSN, RNC
IT’S A FINELY WOVEN LINEN, yellowed now with age. It had been the “something old” carried on my wedding day. It had traveled to the Philippines, Korea and currently resides in my desk at work.
The violets and lilies-of-the-valley are hand-stitched; I know because I saw them being created twenty-plus years ago. Mrs. Griffin, a robust older woman, sitting in the uncomfortable high-backed plastic hospital chair, patiently stitching. Mr. Griffin, a pale, silent figure lying in bed, dying. Me, a freshman at eighteen, thinking “what can I do?,” “how can I help?” Scared. Trying to comfort both the Griffins and myself.
When the inevitable occurred, Mrs. Griffin presented me with the handkerchief, thanking me for all I had done. I felt like a fraud accepting it; but her need to give was greater than my concern.
That handkerchief has come to symbolize a source of refreshment and encouragement for me. I look at it and see other forms of thank-yous and renewal from past and present patients. Patients who come to the unit after a clinic visit just to say “Hi.” The support gained sharing handshakes, smiles and hugs. The surprising thank-you from a particularly challenging patient – “I love you” cards sent to the unit thanking staff, by name, for the care given a patient or loved one.
There are still days when I ask myself “what can I do?” Days when eight hours just aren’t long enough to get everything done…days when I briefly think back on Mrs. Griffin and all of those others who have replenished my spirit with their persons, and thanks. They help me remember why I chose nursing and why I continue to practice.
Mary McCarthy Slater, MSN, RNC (District 18) is on the faculty at Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing, Lubbock.
A Historical Mirror
Clippings from the September 1989 issue of Texas Nursing illustrate how much—and how little—has changed in public health and nursing. While technology has advanced, the core challenges of nursing remain the same.
