This article, written by a historian, uses the sequential questioning technique to present a selected historical and statistical overview of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, including: the hijackings; the suicide attacks in New York, Washington, D C, and Pennsylvania; background on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda; rescue and recovery efforts; and a brief discussion of how the horrors of the day continue to affect the American people a year later. Especially sobering are the dollar costs of the attacks and the projected expenses of U.S. efforts to control the spread of international terrorism (estimated at $640 billion, just through fiscal year 2003). Throughout, the article draws on the experiences of the victims, the rescuers, and the survivors.

September 11 2001 --- terrorists --- hijacking --- Osama bin Laden --- al-Qaeda --- World Trade Center --- New York City --- New York fire department --- Pentagon --- Washington D C --- Shanksville Pennsylvania --- Somerset County Pennsylvania --- United Airlines Flight 93 --- American Airlines Flight 11 --- United Airlines Flight 175 --- American Airlines Flight 77

This article describes how the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) responded to the September 11 tragedy, as an organization. Also included are anecdotes from APNA members who participated individually in the aftermath of this tragedy. Because such a traumatic event can result in psychiatric disorders, a brief synopsis of these disorders is included. The economic effects of emotional difficulties for our nation are explored, especially those related to the most serious disorder resulting from such a traumatic event, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Strategies that APNA is focusing on for the future, as a result of this tragedy, are presented.

American Psychiatric Nurses Association --- psychiatric nursing --- September 11 --- trauma --- post traumatic stress disorder

The wave of terror that has befallen the Israeli civilian population over the past two years, striking deep into the heart of towns and cities all over the country, presents a unique challenge for the health care system in general and nursing in particular. This article has a two-fold purpose: (a) to describe discussions that took place with four focus groups consisting of emergency room nurses who had recently cared for victims of terror, and (b) to delineate recommendations for policy enhancement based upon these discussions. Qualitative analysis of the data collected from focus group discussions revealed four stages of personal and professional involvement, each one eliciting a specific response from the nurses: call up to report for duty, waiting for casualties to arrive, caring for the victims, and closure of the event. Nurses identified numerous hardships and great anxiety along with a strong sense of professional fulfillment. Recommendations for policy include: incorporating stress management and debriefing skills in post-basic ER training, designing workshops and drills in trauma care for non-ER nurses who float into the ER in the wake of a multi-casualty act of terror, and developing leadership seminars for head nurses in the ER departments.

multi-casualty terror --- Israeli nurses --- nursing education --- emotional support --- nursing policy --- emergency room nurses --- leadership