The Dermatology Nurses' Association

The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) is the first, oldest, and largest national organization specializing in dermatology nursing education. They have multiple opportunities for aspiring and practicing dermatology nurse practitioners and nurses to help grow the organization, access education, lead our speciality, and improve patient care. Most importantly, they have the Nurse Practitioner Society for Dermatology NPs; and they provide the list of competencies, Scopes and Standards of practice, and the requirements for certification. These resources are invaluable, as getting into dermatology is nearly impossible without experience, networking, and determination.

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FOCUS: DNA Newsletter

One such resource is their quarterly newsletter for members called FOCUS. This year they called for feature article submissions to be included in FOCUS that highlight published works by DNA members or newsworthy dermatology and nursing based articles that cover a specific topic, event, or interests. They can be re-prints from other publications, provided approval is granted from the respective publication for reprint in FOCUS.

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Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia or CCCA is an autosomal dominant form of hair loss that primarily impacts Black women who often receive a late diagnosis due to lack of awareness, training, and exposure. According to the research, by the time Black women present in their 30s and 40s irreversible scarring and permanent hair loss has already occurred. This presentation suggests that perhaps the disease may actually start in adolescence.

Nurse practitioners and nurses in every speciality are perfectly positioned to screen and educate Black teenage girls and women to reduce the progressive physical damage and psychological distress associated with CCCA. Great emphasis needs to be placed on the genetic component, so family members can be appropriately diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

I am extremely honored to share this research, as the original study is not an Open Access publication. Due to Dr. Taylor's generosity, dermatology NPs and nurses can help improve awareness, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.

If you are a DNA member, see your email for the latest notification or log into https://www.dnanurse.org/. If you're not a member, consider joining today and registering for the 2024 conference in San Diego, CA from March 6-9. You can also visit https://www.dnanurse.org/focus/ when the third quarter edition of FOCUS is made available to the public.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me or email dna@dnanurse.org.

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Reference

George, E., Matthews, C., Roche, F., & Taylor. (2023). Beyond the hot comb: Updates in epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia from 2022 to 2021. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 24, 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-022-00740-w

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Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC

Kimberly Madison is a nurse practitioner with a passion for writing, entrepreneurship, education, and mentorship. I created this blog to share my journey as source of motivation and as a blueprint as you embark on your journey. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to increasing access to dermatology education and clinical training for aspiring and practicing nurse practitioners. I invite you to view the mission and vision statement on the homepage to see how we can best partner to make our dreams align.

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