Editorial. Looking back, looking forward

This year will see a continuation of the journal's editorial policy of focusing editions around current and contemporary nursing management issues, started in 2003. I must thank the many people who have contributed their time, expertise and energy during the year in acting as guest editors – Professor Peter Bradshaw, Elizabeth Howkins and Cynthia Thornton, Janet McCray and Cally Ward. The expansion of the editorial scope and content would not have happened without their commitment. In addition, we have published several guest editorials and opinion pieces from experts and people in the position of influencing policy and current thinking. This has prompted an increase in submissions to the journal, resulting in wider breadth and depth to the content throughout the year. I am pleased to say that all issues will be expanded to 80 pages this year, a significant increase in our capacity to present a mixture of topic-focused papers, current research and other academic papers considering topical issues from around the world. In 2004 we will continue to involve people ‘in the know’ and the year is starting to look very exciting in terms of the issues being covered. In March, Professor Gary Rolfe at the University of Swansea is leading what I am certain will be a controversial look at the subject of Research Governance and Practice Development. Gary's last editorial for the journal certainly stimulated much debate, and I see no reason to believe his editorship of an issue will be any less challenging! In May, Dr Jan Walker from the University of Southampton has invited a variety of experts in the field of pain management to contribute to an issue. These papers will, of course, be complemented by a selection of papers submitted to the editorial office throughout the year. In July, a team from the Royal College of Nursing, led by Sue Antrobus, will be compiling an issue on Political Leadership, and in November, Liz West from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene alongside Cherill Scott from the RCN, will consider Workforce and Quality of Care. Finally, the September issue is being coordinated by Jacqui Fletcher from the University of Hertfordshire, who will be commissioning papers considering Nurse Practitioners. The editorial board continues to provide me with a huge amount of support and stimulation. Whilst we have said ‘goodbye’ to some old friends who have moved on to pastures new, I am pleased to welcome others who have joined the board. In response to the increased number of submissions to the journal I have increased the panel of reviewers who give their time freely, and supportively. Without all of these people, the production of the journal would not take place – my heartfelt thanks to you all. I must also mention my outgoing editorial assistant, Nicky Gubbins, who worked hard with me during the year that the editorial office was based in Portsmouth. Having moving jobs myself in the past month, the editorial office is now located at Canterbury Christ Church University College, details of which are available on the inside front cover of the journal. Finally, I would like to draw readers’ attention to the newly redeveloped Synergy website at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com. The journal, as well as our sister publications Journal of Advanced Nursing and Journal of Clinical Nursing, can be found online there, together with many search and find facilities. Back issues can be accessed, and the site provides a valuable resource for literature searching and retrieval of papers. An expanded version of our Guidelines for Authors and the copyright assignment forms are on the journal's webpage at: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jnm. During the year we will be reviewing the submission and tracking processes for the journal, and hope to encourage electronic submission and reviewing. Details will all be published on the site. Patient and user involvement is an issue that is growing in significance for all of us providing and delivering care within the NHS. In a guest editorial, Rosemary Robinson, recently at the Department of Health (now considering the standards’ agenda at the Nursing and Midwifery Council) presents her views on the significance of users’ views. Philomena Calpin-Davies adds an opinion piece from the lessons learnt during her doctoral studies. The original papers published in this edition address a variety of issues, many of relevance to the ways in which patients’ and users’ views and experiences can be utilised within service planning, development and delivery. Leadership topics continue to focus highly in the papers submitted to the journal and will continue to be reconsidered in successive issues. However, planning for 2005 needs to start now, and I would welcome suggestions for the focus for the issues throughout the year. I would like to continue to invite leading names in the field to work with me as guest editors – so, if you have a specific interest, please get in touch. Best wishes for 2004.