A total of 688 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were screened for the presence of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis and were tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Of the isolates examined, 32% were noted to harbor plasmid DNA, ranging in size from 2.0 to 162 kilobases. Only tetracycline resistance was noted to correlate with the presence of plasmids. Plasmids capable of transferring tetracycline resistance via conjugation ranged in size from 42 to 100 kilobases. The BglII and BcII restriction endonuclease profiles of 31 plasmids examined showed marked diversity in their banding patterns. Although a high degree of DNA-DNA homology was noted among the Campylobacter spp. plasmids, no homology was noted between these plasmids and tetracycline R factors commonly found in the family Enterobacteriaceae.Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli now have been established as agents of acute diarrheal disease in both animals and humans worldwide (3,5,19). Although there have been many reports describing the epidemiology and clinical aspects of campylobacter infections (for reviews, see references 3 and 4), little has been reported about the extrachromosomal gene pool of the organisms.The first report of plasmids in the genus Campylobacter and their possible association with antibiotic resistance was published by Austen and Trust (1). Of the 29 strains of "related vibrios" they screened for extrachromosomal DNA, 6 harbored plasmids. No attempt was made to determine whether specific antibiotic resistance genes were plasmid encoded.The first plasmid shown to mediate antibiotic resistance in C. jejuni was described by Taylor and associates (21). This 38-megadalton R factor was capable of transferring tetracycline resistance via conjugation to other Campylobacter strains including C. jej'uni and Campylobacter fetus but not to Escherichia coli. A similar replicon was noted by Tenover and associates in isolates of C. jejuni recovered from simians (23).More recent studies by Taylor and co-workers (22) have demonstrated a high degree of homology among six Campylobacter R factors obtained from strains isolated in Canada, Belgium, and the United States, despite differences in their restriction endonuclease profiles. These same R factors shared no DNA homology with tetracycline R plasmids common to the family Enterobacteriaceae.The goals of this study were three: first, to establish the prevalence of plasmids within isolates of C. jejuni and C. coli in King County, Wash.; second, to determine whether these plasmids carried antibiotic resistance genes; and third, to characterize the R factors that were identified.(This study was presented in part at the 23rd Interscience

No abstract

Canadian Licensed Practical Nurses continuing their education in an online Bachelor of Nursing program face unique barriers as they transition towards a new and more complex nursing role. This qualitative descriptive study explored Post Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Nursing (Post LPN to BN) students' perceptions of their experiences during their education. George Kelly's (1955/1991) psychology of personal constructs, which seeks to understand how individuals perceive the world around them, was the theoretical framework for this three year longitudinal project in which 10 Post LPN to BN students were interviewed at the beginning, middle and end of their program. Transcripts from the interviews were analyzed and three key themes are presented to illustrate barriers that Post LPN to BN students faced and the strategies they implemented to overcame them. First, workplace mentors helped Post LPN to BN students apply their learning. Second, personal learning goals sustained their motivation. Third, time management strategies included terminating full time employment.

This paper presents findings from a qualitative descriptive study that explored the professional socialization experiences of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who attended an online university to earn a Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BN), a prerequisite to writing the Canadian Registered Nurse (RN) qualifying exam. The project was framed from a constructivist worldview and Haas and Shaffir's theory of legitimation. Participants were 27 nurses in a Post-LPN to BN program who came from across Canada to complete required practicums. Data was collected from digital recordings of four focus groups held in different cities. Transcripts were analyzed for themes and confirmed with participants through member checking. Two overarching themes were identified and are presented to explain how these unique adult learners sought to legitimize their emerging identity as Registered Nurses (RNs). First, Post-LPN to BN students need little, if any, further legitimation to affirm their identities as “nurse.” Second, practicum interactions with instructors and new clinical experiences are key socializing agents.

Seeing and celebrating both LPNs and registered nurses as "real nurses" may assist in healing the rift that has been present between registered nurses and LPNs for almost 50 years. Nursing may be better served by replacing the label "real nurse" with a label that all nurses can aspire to-that of an exemplary nurse.