Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Career Choice , Students, Nursing/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Altruism , Career Mobility , Decision Making , Female , Goals , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motivation , Nurse's Role , Nursing Methodology Research , Pilot Projects , Southeastern United States , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The combined RN-MS track is a streamlined pathway to the masters degree in nursing, particularly appealing to nurses who are highly motivated and have their career goals firmly in place. The author discusses issues in developing and implementing this track and presents initial evaluations.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Graduate/organization & administration , Education, Professional, Retraining/organization & administration , HumansABSTRACT
Summarizing the results of research related to identifying potential predictors of hospital readmissions has been difficult because of conflicting results across studies. Using the techniques of meta-analysis, the results from 44 studies were examined in the present study. Overall, the mean readmission rate was 27%, with significant differences based on patient diagnosis. Although diagnosis, age, initial length of hospital stay, and prior use of hospital resources were related to readmission, the strength of the relationship is trivial. Combining data from 12 intervention studies designed to reduce readmission indicated that the overall treatment effect was not significant. Further research is needed to determine demographic, clinical, and social predictors of readmission if strategies are to be developed to reduce readmission and the resulting health care costs.
Subject(s)
Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data , Age Factors , Diagnosis , Female , Humans , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Meta-Analysis as Topic , Probability , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , United StatesABSTRACT
The appropriate use and supervision of research assistants is essential to the success of a research study and the avoidance of academic misconduct. The focus of this article is to provide guidelines for the new principal investigator regarding hiring, contracting, orienting, monitoring, and evaluating research assistants. Particular attention is given to techniques that will avoid academic misconduct resulting from research assistants being uninformed or unsupervised.
Subject(s)
Nursing Research/organization & administration , Research Personnel/standards , Scientific Misconduct/psychology , Social Responsibility , Biomedical Research , Contract Services/standards , Contracts , Employee Performance Appraisal/methods , Employment , Humans , Inservice Training/methods , Mentors , Nursing Research/standards , Personnel Selection/methods , Research Personnel/education , WorkforceABSTRACT
How can the needs of RN students be met without compromising the quality of the educational experience? The model of flexible clinical scheduling described here has built-in safeguards to preserve quality and promote flexibility. The author discusses the benefits for both students and faculty.
Subject(s)
Career Mobility , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Education, Nursing, Continuing , Curriculum , Educational Measurement , Humans , School Admission CriteriaABSTRACT
Clinical research involving patients in crisis may be difficult to conduct because of the psychophysiological changes in the patient and the hectic environment of the health care setting. Clinical nurse specialists have the opportunity to expand nursing knowledge and contribute to nursing practice through initiation and/or participation in research with people in crisis. This article identifies potential pitfalls in conducting research with patients in crisis and suggests strategies for selecting a research design, data collection methodologies, and obtaining consent or approval.
