Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient

Cathy C. Cartwright, MSN, RN-BC, PCNS, FAAN is a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and Director of Advanced Professional Practice at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to this position, she worked at the Children’s Hospital, University Hospitals and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri in a variety of positions, including Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neurosurgery, Manager of Pediatric Services, Pediatric Outreach Coordinator, and Manager of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She has received many awards, including the 2015 Magnet Nurse of the Year for Exemplary Professional Practice, an Excellence in Advanced Practice Award from the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, March of Dimes Future of Nursing Award (Pediatric) and a Circle of Excellence Award (Management). She was President of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses in 2009-10, having previously served on its Board of Directors. She has an extensive publication record and has given numerous national and international presentations.

Donna C. Wallace is currently a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Neurosurgery Division of Banner Children Specialists, at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. Prior to that, she was a Nurse Practitioner for 16 years at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Wallace has been a manager, and has also held several teaching positions. She has received several awards including the Mary Decker Mentorship Award, and the Excellence in Advanced Practice Award, from the American Association of Neuroscience Nursing (AANN). Additionally, she has served on the AANN Board of Directors.  Her passion for writing has resulted in numerous articles and lectures.