Brenda F. Johnson MSN

Gastrointestinal Nursing

Gastrointestinal Columnist

Blog

General Nursing

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Job Description, Salary, And How to …

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Read more about the job description, responsibilities, salary expectations, and steps to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP).

0 replies 710 views
Pulmonary

Robotic Bronchoscopies: What They Are and How They Will Change the…

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

There have been considerable improvements over the past couple of years in the area of obtaining a diagnosis for patients with lung cancer. The ability to get...

1 reply 3,417 views
Uterine Cancer Then and Now
General Specialties

Uterine Cancer in the Early 1900s: An Era Gone By

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Uterine cancer was a concern in the late 1800s and early 1900s, just like it is today. Statistics have changed as well as treatment and prevention. Take a walk...

0 replies 2,470 views
SIBO: Often Overlooked
Gastroenterology

Talking About Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: SIBO

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

SIBO has similar characteristics as some other GI issues and may get overlooked as a possibility, which may explain why it isn’t a common diagnosis.

0 replies 17,407 views
What has been your experience with colostomies?
Gastroenterology

Colostomies: Types & Care

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Most nurses know that a colostomy is an opening of the abdomen in which the colon produces stool from via a stoma, rather than the rectum. If you have worked in...

3 replies 3,725 views
Gastroenterology

Changes in the World of Diverticulitis

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Diverticular disease is a common disease process in the United States. Medications alone cost $100 million about ten years ago, so imagine what the number is...

0 replies 29,374 views
What is Diverticulosis?
Gastroenterology

Taking the Mystery Out of "Tics" (Diverticulosis)

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

In the GI world, diverticulosis is a word commonly spoken. In fact, we call them “tics” for short. They are mostly seen in the sigmoid colon, and up to 60%...

0 replies 5,589 views
Have you put off cancer screenings due to Covid?
COVID

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

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

With the shutdowns of medical facilities during Covid and limited availability for routine cancer screening and heart and lung testing, what will be the...

5 replies 2,576 views
What's New With C Diff?
Gastroenterology

C Diff; Toxin Negative Or Toxin Positive

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Have you noticed recently that lab reports for C Diff include more information? C diff now can be defined as containing toxins. What does this mean for the...

0 replies 3,215 views
17th Century Bathing Practices
General Nursing

Frequent Bathing is Harmful to Health: 17th Century Pilgrims

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

On a recent trip to Boston, I toured the recreated homestead of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I was fascinated by their living conditions. The...

7 replies 8,397 views
Professionalism

Media: Where are the Nurses?

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Nurses have a very complicated job that requires intense critical thinking. We are the first line of defense as the patient advocate. So why are we so often...

15 replies 5,962 views
Gastroenterology

Colon Cancer Survival: Kate's Story

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Many people who are diagnosed with cancer don’t have the opportunity to share their journey. Some may not want to, however during Colon Cancer Awareness ...

1 reply 3,344 views
Colon Cancer Screening: How Important is It?
Gastroenterology

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month - Wear Your Blue Ribbon

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

March is colon cancer awareness month and that means increased education on colon cancer and events to raise awareness. But is it really that crucial?...

7 replies 2,587 views
Spotlight On Black Men In Nursing
Men

Black History Month: Celebrating Black Healthcare Workers with a …

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

There are many people who deserve the spotlight during Black History month. Many times we look into the past for them, but let’s look at the here and now....

0 replies 2,409 views
Black History Month 2022 theme - “Black Health and Wellness”
General Nursing

Black History Month Celebrates Black Health Professionals: Daniel …

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

There are many people who deserve recognition during the month of February for Black History Month. There are two that had such a wide ranging effect, that they...

4 replies 2,129 views
Learning From Misguided Practices Of The Past
General Nursing

Era Gone By: 'Take 16 mils of Brandy Each Morning and Evening' - A…

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

I have some old early 1900 medical and nursing books that provide me with ideas and information. This article will look at the use of alcohol as medicine a...

18 replies 3,827 views
COVID

Microvascular Thrombosis in the Bowel: Is There a Covid Connection…

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Working in the GI lab, I have noticed that some of the critically ill Covid patients end up with some severe gastrointestinal issues. I have seen colon tissue...

12 replies 6,312 views
Are nurses leaving because of COVID?
COVID

How Has Covid Affected Nursing?

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Have you noticed that ICU and ER nurses in your facility are leaving? Is it Covid related, or something else?

8 replies 4,557 views
Does your lab use artificial intelligence?
General Specialties

Artificial Intelligence in the GI Lab

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

Artificial Intelligence has made its way into almost every aspect of our lives. We see it in self-driving cars, search engines, and even gaming. We are now...

1 reply 2,811 views
Have you ever wondered about the reliability of medical research?
General Nursing

Medical Research: How Valid Is It?

by Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

How does the origination of the funds make a difference in how the data is portrayed? We may never know all of the facts, but we can take a critical look at...

6 replies 2,393 views