"How the Media Influences Perceptions of Nursing"

Please check out an interesting article about " How the Media Influences Perceptions of Nursing" by Debora Wood at http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-news.aspx?ID=18544

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Judy Chang

Australian Study Finds the Nurses is Improving

Good news everyone!
Australian nurse researcher David Stanley at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Perth's Curtin University of Technology reviewed more than 36,000 film synopses and 280 movies made between 1900-2007.

His research concluded "movies in recent decades have drawn nurses as more complex, positive characters" in an study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. This is great news!

For the full information, please check it out at: http://blogs.usatoday.com/betterlife/2008/10/lipstick-lipped.html.

We have made tremendous improvement and progress as a profession!
---
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

"A Positive Image Right From the Top"

Greetings Everyone!

Kathy Webster, RN, MSN, CNAA, vice president of Patient Services, Hudson Valley Hospital Center, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y is a inspirational leader tackling the image of nursing. I invite all of you to read the Nurse.com article by Lisette Hilton about her efforts at
http://include.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080616/NJ02/106160067

Thanks!

With warm regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Pharmaceutical Bias Towards Nurse Practioners

Greetings!
Don't you hate it when the media and advertisers do not acknowledge the valuable contributions of advanced practiced nurses? Many ads instruct patients to "consult their doctor" for the lasted drug. In fact, the ad does not to instruct individuals to consult their "health care provider." Such biases undermine their efforts and promotes an inaccurate reporting cycle.

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners has created a really easy petition to sign and collectively voice our opinions. Check out for more information at:

http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2008/apr/09_aanp.html
http://66.219.50.185/petition/

Regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Showtime Series

Hi Everyone! Showtime Series is currently creating a show about a NYC nurse whose personal life is “precarious, unpredictable and demanding in ways that she is surprisingly not always prepared for.” This will be an interesting show to follow. We could create proactive letters to suggests that the writers could consult a real nurse to promote a more accurate and professional image.

Check these websites for more info:
http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2008/sep/fall_tv.html

I have added to the ANA template letter and am posting it for reference. Please join me in writing a letter to the show's creators! Thank you.

Regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Roger Greenblatt
President, Entertainment
Showtime Networks, Inc.
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Dear Mr. Greenblatt:

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, I urge you to depict nursing in a positive light in your upcoming dark comedy starring Edie Falco as a New York City nurse debuted to air in the fall of 2008.

I appreciate the choice in launching a comedy based on a nurse. However, I’m sure you’ll agree that nurses deserve positive, respectful and accurate portrayals in the media and on television. As you know, far too often negative images of nurses occur in many media forums. Nurses’ lives should not be simply dramatized and stereotyped for ratings by promoting a “precarious, unpredictable and demanding [personal life] in ways that she is surprisingly not always prepared for.” An accurate portrayal of nursing is both respectful and paramount.

Each and everyday, nurses take on more responsibilities in the delivery of nursing care. Nurses are intelligent, highly educated, professional men and women who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people heal from serious illness. Many nurses have Master’s and Doctorate degrees and work with physician colleagues as the primary health care provider for adults, the elderly and children. My concern is that negative nurse portrayals seriously damage nurse-recruitment efforts and may well exacerbate a shortage that is fast reaching crisis proportions in our nation. Negative images reinforce sexist and inaccurate stereotypical images of nurses, and these ingrained images do play a role in shaping the values, impressions and ultimately career choices of young people – the very people who are so desperately needed in the profession.

As the Chair of the California Nursing Student Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee, I urge Showtime to look at doing a documentary on health care institutions across the nation that are experiencing a crisis in nurse staffing; safe staffing that poses a real threat to the nation’s health care system and the public’s health; patient safety that effects quality health care and a host of other issues critical in the nursing community.

I suggest Showtime’s writers employ a few methods to help ensure the show accurately portrays nurses and the profession itself. Actual registered nurses are valuable consultants who can provide their professional expertise and clinical experience to ensure the nurses’ responsibilities and professionalism are truthfully depicted to avoid public misconceptions. The Center for Nursing Advocacy at http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/news.html is a great resource to learn about the proper ways to portray nurses in the media.

Please do not hestitate to contact me for any assistance you may need. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

"Wear skirts, caps and aprons...or lose 30 Euros"

Hi Everyone!
The issue of requiring nurses to wear "mini skirts" to receive their entire pay and demeaning is further discussed at http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2008/mar/28_spanish_skirts.html.

Please check it out and sign the Spanish template letter from the Center for Nursing Advocacy. If you know how to write Spanish, I encourage you to write an original letter! That's even better! Thank you.

Sincerely,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee



Here is their English version letter:

Dear Directors Pascual Sanchez-Gijón, Martínez García and Cortezo Guitarte:

I urge you to immediately end your reported policy of punishing female nurses who refuse to wear the skirt, cap, and apron uniform by withholding from their pay 30 Euros per month.

I am concerned that forcing nurses to dress in this way undermines their efforts to convince society that they are modern professionals who save lives and improve outcomes with advanced education and skills. Given that we are in the midst of a critical global nursing shortage, we need fewer barriers to bringing smart, confident men and women into the nursing profession. Few wish to join a profession that appears to consist of women assigned to do regressive or subservient work.

This policy may also affect the health of the patients of Clinica San Rafael. Some may see women who dress in this fashion to be less educated than they really are, and less able to make critical decisions that make the difference between life and death. Nurses who do not appear knowledgeable cannot convince patients to follow their health care guidance. In addition, physicians may equate nurses who dress this way with servants, instead of colleagues, making it difficult for nurses to establish healthy working relationships. Lives depend on both patient education delivered by nurses and collegial relations with physicians.

In addition, reinstating the nurses' cap is unwise because research shows that caps increase the risks of deadly infection. Nurses' caps have largely disappeared because of this risk to patient health.

Please help strengthen the nursing profession, which will improve patient health. I look forward to hearing that you have ended the regressive skirt, cap and apron policy.

Here is their Spanish version:

Estimados señores Pascual Sánchez-Gijón, Martínez García y Cortezo Guiarte:

Por mediación del presente escrito tenemos a bien solicitarle que ponga fin, con la mayor brevedad posible, la política que penaliza a las enfermeras que se niegan a vestir el uniforme de falda, cofia y delantal, descontándoles 30 euros de su nómina mensual.

Considero que obligar a las enfermeras a vestir tal uniforme minusvalora sus esfuerzos para convencer a la sociedad de que son profesionales modernos que salvan vidas y mejoran la situación de salud de las personas a las que cuidan gracias a los conocimientos y avanzada educación que poseen. Asimismo, y teniendo en cuenta que nos encontramos en medio de una crisis sobre el ratio de enfermeras a nivel mundial, necesitamos que instituciones--como la suya--trabajen para eliminar las barreras frente a las que nos encontramos y así contribuyan a aumentar el número de hombres y mujeres que se dediquen en el futuro a la Enfermería. Medidas como la suya hacen que la profesión parezca un trabajo asignado a mujeres encargadas de hacer actividades serviles.

En la misma línea, consideramos que esta política puede afectar, asimismo, a la salud de los pacientes de la Clínica San Rafael. Y es que, algunas personas pueden creer que las mujeres que visten uniforme son profesionales con menor formación, conocimientos y menos preparadas para tomar decisiones en situaciones críticas de vida o muerte. Por este motivo, las enfermeras que no aparentan contar con conocimientos--debido al vestido--pueden no resultar convincentes para los pacientes cuando les proporcionan indicaciones sobre cuidados relativos a su salud. Además, los médicos pueden comparar a las que visten de tal manera con sirvientas en vez de con colegas, haciendo así más difícil para las enfermeras establecer y/o definir sus relaciones laborales. Téngase en cuenta que las vidas humanas dependen de ambas, de la educación proporcionada por las enfermeras a los pacientes/clientes y de sus relaciones con otros profesionales sanitarios como los médicos.

En otro orden de cosas, opinamos que restablecer el uso de las cofias es una medida inadecuada, ya que -tal y como ha demostrado la evidencia científica-las cofias (o gorros) aumentan el riesgo de infecciones mortales. Por este motivo, las cofias y gorros fueron retiradas por poner en riesgo la salud de los pacientes.

Por todo lo anterior, le solicitamos que ayude a fortalecer la profesión enfermera lo cual mejorará la salud de los pacientes. Me gustaría conocer en un futuro cercano que han decidido retirar la involutiva y regresiva política sobre el uniforme consistente en falda, cofia y delantal.

"Wear the miniskirts and just save some lives!"

Hi Everyone!
There's an extremely insulting Fox News clip about the nursing profession and how nurses should just wear miniskirts and save lives.




Check out more information at http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2008/apr/01_redeye.html. I encourage everyone to write a response if you find it offensive, even if it's short. The Center for Nursing Advocacy has provided a template for reference if needed.

I have also written a letter below and would gladly help anyone if needed. I only request that those who write a letter to please send a copy to me to help add to one of the CNSA's projects. Thank you.

Regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing CommitteeSan Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

May 18, 2008


Dear Greg and Redeye friends:

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, I am extremely disappointed that you and the Fox News Channel incorrectly reported that the public should rationally judge nurses by their attire.

Although I commend your April 1 Redeye discussion of nurses, the press has erroneously reported that a clinic in Spain would dock their nurses’ pay if they failed to dress in “miniskirts.” The clinic is requiring only traditional nurses' skirts, not the “sexy miniskirts” you have inaccurately portrayed. Negative images of nurses occur in many media forums. Nurses should not be simply dramatized and stereotyped for ratings by promoting their “sexiness.” An accurate portrayal of nursing is both respectful and paramount.

Each and everyday, nurses take on more responsibilities in the delivery of nursing care. We are not simply responsible for wearing short skirts to “lift the spirits of male patients and increase their chances of getting better.” This is extremely insulting and undermines nurses quite frankly. Rather, nurses are responsible for many things such as: detecting subtle life-threatening complications, running advanced ICU technology, titrating potentially lethal medications, teaching patients how to manage complex care regimens, and keeping powerful surgeons from cutting off the wrong leg.

In fact, many studies have found that better nurse-to-patient ratios and nursing educational levels are important factors that help save patients lives. Nurses are intelligent, highly educated, professional men AND women who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people heal from serious illness. Many nurses have Master’s and Doctorate degrees and work with physician colleagues as the primary health care provider for adults, the elderly and children. Negative images reinforce sexist and inaccurate stereotypical images of nurses. Do you really think nurses not receive extensive training and education to simply look “good” for their patients?

As the Chair of the California Nursing Student Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee, I urge you and the Fox News Channel to report an accurate story of the health care institutions across the nations that are experiencing a crisis in nurse staffing. This poses a real threat to the public’s health and safety. I urge you to report on the nurses’ impact quality health care and their valuable contribution. Actual registered nurses are valuable consultants who can provide their professional expertise and clinical experience to ensure the nurses’ responsibilities and professionalism are truthfully depicted to avoid further public misconceptions. So the next time you feel the need to use a nurse’s image in the media, take into consideration the 3 million educated professional nurses that are keeping this country alive. Thank you for your time.


Sincerely,


Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing CommitteeSan Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

http://www.cnsa.org/committees.html

10 Sexiest Jobs Response

Hi everyone!
I am posting Career Builder.com's response to my letter above. As you read below, their "general feedback" response shows that we still have a lot more work a head of us to portray an accurate and professional image of nursing. Join me in creating a loud voice!

Regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Response to inquiry # 469108 from CareerBuilder.com

"Dear Judy,

Thank you for contacting CareerBuilder.com. My name is Ken, and we always welcome any questions, comments, or concerns about an article published. I will forward your inquiry to the correct department for further review. Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and have a great day!

I thank you again for visiting us and if you have any additional questions or comments, please let us know. We are available on the web at Click here for additional questions and comments! or by phone at 1-866-438-1485, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 12pm until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. All times are EDT. Have a great day!

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback by clicking on the following link! Your feedback is appreciated and always welcome!

TAKE FEEDBACK SURVEY!!!

Sincerely,

Ken Hood
Customer Service Representative
CareerBuilder.com | A Better Job Awaits!
866.438.1485 | Customer Service"

10 Sexiest Jobs

Nurse

"Why they’re sexy: Nurses keep you comfortable, make sure you’re healthy and bring you morphine when you’re hurting. That they devote their lives to caring for others and understand all that medical jargon only makes them sexier.

Where you’ll find them: In hospitals, your doctor's office and other health care facilities.

Pros: They care for patients, watch them get better and put a baby in its parents' arms for the first time.

Cons: The hours are long; patients and their families can be demanding; and there are plenty of sad events they have to witness, too."

How does everyone feel about the description above about how nurses are "sexy"? I know I'm extremely offended by these comments! This quote was from a recent on MSN Careers article that placed nursing as the 6th "sexiest job"! Check out more information at http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1234&SiteId=cbmsnhp41234&sc_extcmp=JS_1234_home1articleid=1234&SiteId=cbmsnhp41234&sc_extcmp=JS_1234_home1&GT1=10785&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=a6eb904eb5d8474dacf9019caa44bc48-255400390-WC-2.

"Media watch" letters are a great method to address the positive and negative media images of nurses and the nursing profession itself. Please use the positive and negative portrayal templates already posted online on the CNSA website ( http://www.cnsa.org/committees.html) to help voice your opinion. I am including my letter below and would gladly help anyone if needed. Thank you.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in response to Anthony Balderrama’s article “10 Sexiest Jobs” article published on msn.careerbuilder.com. As a nursing student and current chair of California Nursing Students’ Association’s Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee, I am very concerned and disappointed to find that nurses are listed as being one of the sexiest jobs.

Your recent depiction of the nursing profession is inaccurate and misleading. To continue the unrealistic “sexy nurse” stereotype and simply deduce nurses’ responsibilities are to “keep you comfortable… and bring you morphine when you’re hurting” undermines the complexity of nursing care and their clinical judgment.

Nurses are intelligent, highly educated, professional men and women who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people heal from serious illness. Many nurses have Master’s and Doctorate degrees and work with physician colleagues as the primary health care provider for adults, the elderly and children. In addition to being able to find nurses “in hospitals” and “other health care facilities,” nurses are respected in many academic and corporate settings for their knowledge and contribution. It is time to cast aside these outdated stereotypes and show the true image of nursing.

We currently have a national, as well as global, nursing shortage. The American Nurses Association predicts a shortage of 1 million nurses by the year 2010. Instead of focusing attention on why nurses are “sexy,” I suggest Anthony Balderrama and other MSN Careers writers conduct proper research before writing and publishing a fallacious and stereotypical article. An accurate portrayal of nursing is both respectful and paramount. In effect, negative images aggravate the growing nursing shortage and are socially irresponsible.

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, I ask you to discontinue your inappropriate depiction of nursing. Instead, you should be a catalyst towards an accurate public perception of nurses. Next time you feel the need to use a nurse’s image in the media, take into consideration the 3 million educated professional nurses that are keeping this country alive. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Judy Chang
Chair, Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee California Nursing Students’ Association San Francisco State University, CNSA

UCLA/ Orthopeadic Hospital Department of Orthopeadic Surgery's Response

Hi there!
Here is a copy of the progress the Image of Nursing Committee has made with the help of Tiffany Schnorr, past Vice President of CNSA and past Chair & Found of the ION Committee itself. Please see below for the actual copy. I have typed UCLA's response again because it's a bit small to read clearly.

Their response reads below as:

September 21, 2007
Dear Ms. Schnorr,

Thank you for bringing to my attention the issue regarding the staff at UCLA Santa Monica Orthopaedic Clinic. I have informed our clinic manager Angie Price and our department manager Judy Duncan about your concerns. We will address this issue promptly.

I you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Ali R. Motamedi, M.D.
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

CC: Gerald Finerman, M.D.
Judy Duncan
Angie Price

Thanks!

Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing CommitteeSan Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

UCLA/ Orthopeadic Hospital Department of Orthopeadic Surgery

Greetings everyone!
Here is a copy of an inspiring letter written by Tiffany Schnorr, the past Vice President of California Nursing Students' Association and past Chair& Founder of the CNSA Image of Nursing Committee. Her words and leadership are truly remarkable. Please let her words inspire you too!

September 10, 2007

UCLA/Orthopaedic Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery 1245 16th Street, Suite 202

Santa Monica, Ca. 90404

To Whom It May Concern:

Several weeks ago, I accompanied a loved one to your office. I experienced a situation that concerns me.

We had just finished meeting with the doctor and we were directed to the front desk in order to make a follow up appointment. The receptionist asked us to wait for a "nurse" who would be able to make an appointment for us. Now being a nursing student myself, I found it odd that a.) There was a registered nurse working in a doctor's office (this setting is not a common workplace for registered nurses) and b.) That if there was a nurse working there she would have to take time to do something as simple as make an appointment (a receptionist or medical assistant could do this). As soon as a "nurse" was available to help us schedule an appointment, I checked her name badge and was disappointed to fmd that she was a medical assistant. This does not surprise me much, since this is about the third time I have experienced such a situation at your office. If there are registered nurses actually employed in your office, I have never seen one.

I also noticed that there are several workstations labeled "Nurse's Station". What makes the station a "nurse's station" if nurses are not regularly working there?

It concerns me that your office staff uses the word "nurse" as freely as they do. A law was passed in 1999, AB 1439, that "prohibits the use of the title nurse by any individual except registered nurses or licensed vocational nurses". It is inappropriate to refer to office staff, medical assistants or anyone wearing scrubs for that matter, as a nurse. Although I appreciate the work that medical assistants do, they do not have the education or skills that nurses have. If office staff continues referring to medical assistants as nurses to patients, said patients will receive an inaccurate idea of what nurses do. Being that we are currently in a worldwide nursing shortage, it is of utmost importance to society that nurses be portrayed accurately, as hard working, educated critical thinkers. Being portrayed otherwise will not help to attract the hundreds of thousands of intelligent people needed to resolve the nursing shortage. If the healthcare industry does not see the importance ofthe title "registered nurse", neither will the public.

I have had much contact with nurses who work at UCLA Medical Center or who were educated at UCLA, and I know that they are highly regarded. I know that UCLA, as an institution, appreciates nurses for what they do and who they truly are. I ask that your office please respect the nursing profession, the way that the rest of UCLA does. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about nursing in general or if you would like to discuss the situation further. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Schnorr

Vice President, California Nursing Students' Association

Chair and Founder, CNSA Image of Nursing Committee

California State University, Long Beach Nursing

Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Media Watch Letter Templates

Hi Everyone!
I know it can sometimes be daunting to write letters to address the image of nursing in media. Not to worry!

"Media watch" letters template addressing the positive and negative images are posted below. Your words are powerful! I encourage you to use them as guides and tailor it as needed.

Positive Media Watch Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, thank you for your recent accurate portrayal of nursing. The nursing profession has struggled for close to two hundred years, with negative and inappropriate perceptions. Nurses are intelligent, educated individuals who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people with critical illnesses.

We currently have a national, as well as global, nursing shortage. The American Nurses Association predicts a shortage of 1 million nurses by the year 2010. Positive images of nursing in the media are not only socially responsible, but are also necessary to combat this shortage.

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association and 3 million educated professional nurses, I thank you for your appropriate depiction of nursing. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Negative Media Watch Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

Your recent depiction of the nursing profession is inaccurate and misleading. Nurses are intelligent, highly educated, professional men and women who are dedicated to saving lives and helping people heal from serious illness. Many nurses have Master’s and Doctorate degrees and work with physician colleagues as the primary health care provider for adults, the elderly and children. It is time to cast aside dated stereotypes and show the true image of nursing.

We currently have a national, as well as global, nursing shortage. The American Nurses Association predicts a shortage of 1 million nurses by the year 2010. An accurate portrayal of nursing is both respectful and necessary. Negative images aggravate the shortage, and are socially irresponsible.

On behalf of the California Nursing Students’ Association, I ask you to discontinue your inappropriate depiction of nursing. Next time you feel the need to use a nurse’s image in the media, take into consideration the 3 million educated professional nurses that are keeping this country alive. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Again, please use this as a resource!

Sincerely,

Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee

San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Contact Information for Popular Media Outlets

Hi everyone,

Please use the sample contact information below for reference. Thank you.

ABC
7 Lincoln Square
New York, Ny 10023
Phone: 212/456-7777

Or
Capital Cities/ABC Inc.
Attention: Programming
77 W. 66th Street
New York, NY 10023

NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Phone: 212-664-4444
Fax: 212-664-4426

National Public Radio
635 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-3753
Phone: 202-513-2000
Fax: 202-513-3329
E-mail: Jeffrey Dvorkin, Ombudsman ombudsman@npr.org

The Los Angeles Times
202 West First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 800-528-4637 or 213-237-5000
Fax: 213-237-4712
Letters to the Editor: letters@latimes.com
Readers' Representative: readers.rep@latimes.com

The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St., New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-556-1234
Fax: 212-556-3690
D.C. Bureau phone: 202-862-0300
Letters to the Editor (for publication): letters@nytimes.com
Write to the news editors: nytnews@nytimes.com

USA Today
7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA 22108
Phone: 800-872-0001 or 703-854-3400
Fax: 703-854-2165



Newsweek
251 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-445-4000
Fax: 212-445-5068
Letters to the Editor: letters@newsweek.com

Time
Time & Life Bldg., Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-522-1212
Fax: 212-522-0323

U.S. News & World Report
1050 Thomas Jefferson St., Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-955-2000
Fax: 202-955-2049
Letters to the Editor letters@usnews.com

Daily Breeze- South Bay
Letters to the Editor
5215 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503-4077
letters@dailybreeze.com

Press Telegram- Long Beach
Letters to the Editor
speakout@presstelegram.com
562-499-1295

Orange County Register- Orange County
Letters to the Editor letters@ocregister.com

Health Team Leader Andre Mouchard health@ocregister.com (714) 796-7926

Local News Team Leader David Whiting local@ocregister.com

Anaheim Bulletin- Anaheim, Buena Park, La Habra, Santa Ana, La Palma, Stanton anaheimbulletin@ocregister.com

Fullerton News Tribune- Fullerton
FullertonNewsTribune@ocregister.com
The Sacramento Bee- Sacramento
2100 Q Street
P.O. Box 15779
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 321-1000

San Diego Union-Tribune
P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191

San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/
Letters to the Editor 901 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Fax: (415) 543-7708

Please note: The editor prefers e-mail at letters@sfchronicle.com
Please paste the text into the e-mail; do not send attachments. Their virus-detecting software will delete e-mail with attachments.

To comment on news stories in specific sections of the paper, for example Business, Datebook, Food or Sports, please contact the Letters sections of those specific sections ex:

• Business: bizletters@sfchronicle.com
  
• Datebook: datebookletters@sfchronicle.com
  
• Food: food@sfchronicle.com
  
• Sports: letterstogreen@sfchronicle.com

Sincerely,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee
San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

Tips for Media Watch Letter Writing

1. Feel free to print out and mail in the template letter, but an original letter is far more powerful. Another option is to insert your own phrases and ideas into the template. Be specific about the situation you are writing about.
2. If you do add to the template, remember to be as professional and polite as possible. The goal is to change the reader’s ideas, not to vent your anger on them.
• Also, use spell check. Misspelled words may lead the reader to undervalue your opinion.
3. Try to use letterhead: personal, nursing department’s or chapter’s. When using letterhead that belongs to your nursing department or chapter, you must ask permission from the appropriate parties.
4. A large volume of letters creates results. Gather some friends and start a letter-writing campaign.
5. Try to be as specific as possible when addressing the letter. For example, instead of “To Whom It May Concern” insert the author’s/editor’s name if writing to a newspaper/magazine, or the producers if writing in regards to a TV show. Insert facts or evidence based data when feasible. Do not forget to properly cite your source in the phrase.
6. As is when addressing to any layperson, avoid using nursing jargon.
7. Always indicate your status as a nursing student when signing the letter.
8. Always include your full name, address and contact information. Contact information will not be published, but the receiver may need to contact you.
9. If your letter gets published (for example, in a Letters to Editor Section of a newspaper), do not be surprised if your letter has been edited. Editors are looking for 200 word pieces, so keep that in mind when forming a letter.
10. Refer to Address and Contact Information page to find commonly used addresses. (Indicate where to find page).
11. Refer to web links page for more information on how to advocate for nursing’s image. (Indicate where to find page).

Regards,
Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing CommitteeSan Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com

CNSA Image of Nursing Committee

Greetings!

An accurate portrayal of nurses as professional and respectable health care providers is long overdue. So, I created this site as a resource for all Californians interested in dispelling public misconceptions of nurses and the nursing profession itself. I would like to remain in close contact with everyone and help coordinate various projects statewide projects that address these issues.
This blog will help track the progress and letters the Image of Nursing Committee has accomplished. I welcome all input as to the direction and progress you see the projects the California Nursing Student Image of Nursing Committee should take on this year. Please, join me in creating a loud and strong voice that nurses can be proud of!

Thank you!

Judy Chang, Chair
California Nursing Students' Association Ad Hoc Image of Nursing Committee

San Francisco State University

judychang.cnsa@gmail.com