Brenda F. Johnson MSN

Gastrointestinal Nursing

Gastrointestinal Columnist

About Brenda F. Johnson

Brenda F. Johnson has 32 years experience as a MSN and specializes in Gastrointestinal Nursing.


After three years on a Med/Surg floor, I transferred to an outpatient setting. I was interested in a normal schedule, but little did I know I would find my niche in GI nursing. I love GI nursing because every day is a learning experience. My passion for writing led me back to school to get my degree in creative writing. Most of my writing prior to allnurses was creative non-fiction and poetry. Writing for the online magazine is great, allowing me to combine my love of nursing and writing. It is a dream come true!

Latest Activity

  1. If you're interested in playing a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents, consider becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Whether you're a nursing student or a healthcare professional intereste...
  2. If you're interested in playing a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents, consider becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Whether you're a nursing student or a healthcare professional intereste...
  3. In the past 15 years, the use of EBUS (Endobronchial ultrasound) and Navigation has enabled doctors to do biopsies and needle aspirations of hard-to-reach tumors and lymph nodes in the lungs. In the last couple of years, robotic bronchoscopy has comb...
  4. Sally’s Story Bending over to pick up the spoon she had dropped, Sally felt dizzy, her head spun, and she almost toppled over. Sitting down on the dining room chair, she braced herself between it and the table. The metal of the table felt warm an...
  5. So many things can happen to our bodies when the bacteria levels are interrupted. Our bodies are protected by what we call good bacteria, but when there is an overgrowth or severe decrease, things get tricky. This is what happens in the patient diagn...
  6. Brenda F. Johnson

    Colostomies: Types & Care

    Ceci, first off, I'm sorry that you had to go through the surgeries. I hope that all is better with your health. I understand what you are saying about nurses treating nurses. I too had a nurse treat me that way post surgery. It's a reflection of the...
  7. Brenda F. Johnson

    Colostomies: Types & Care

    Indications for a Colostomy There are several reasons that a patient would need to have a colon resection and receive a colostomy. The one that comes to mind first is cancer. If the patient has a colonoscopy and cancer is found, then they are re...
  8. Brenda F. Johnson

    Changes in the World of Diverticulitis

    Diverticulosis: Brief Overview Diverticulosis is the outpouching of the inner mucosa in the GI tract. Most are found in the large colon, specifically the sigmoid area. For more detailed information on diverticulosis, see the following article: Ta...
  9. Pathophysiology Diverticulosis is basically outpouches in the colon or weaker areas in the colon wall. In itself, it doesn't cause any problems. These diverticula can be in other parts of the GI tract, and we will touch on those. Diverticulosis d...
  10. Brenda F. Johnson

    Covid Delayed Cancer Screenings: How Will it Affect Us Long Term?

    I love your input, and agree with it. The healthcare system is set up for duplication, fraud, and not enough oversight. Thank you for your comments
  11. It makes sense that patients have put off getting a mammogram, colonoscopy, heart tests, etc. due to the Covid epidemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen many services become limited and together with the fear of contamination, has l...
  12. Brenda F. Johnson

    C Diff; Toxin Negative Or Toxin Positive

    C diff, now called Clostridioides or Clostridioides difficile, is often found in nursing homes or in post-surgical patients after multiple doses of antibiotics1. Antibiotics disrupt the normal gut flora, and in a weakened immune system, it is allowed...
  13. History of 17th Century Bathing As with many beliefs and ideals of centuries ago, people often based their decisions on religious customs and superstitions. People of all social and economic classes living in Europe during the 17th century trans...
  14. Brenda F. Johnson

    Media: Where are the Nurses?

    Most medical shows on television are full of inaccuracies. Surely they could afford to hire someone to provide current and correct information, (such as a nurse). Who hasn't watched a 'Grey's Anatomy' or' House' episode and exclaimed, "What! That is...
  15. Brenda F. Johnson

    Another Nurse Accused of Homicide for a Mistake!

    What about the facilities' responsibility? This is going to start a snowball affect for nurses. Think we have a shortage now?