Developing and implementing a community intergenerational program.

Although intergenerational programs are becoming increasingly popular, there has been little documentation linking independent yet isolated seniors with children. This article discusses the development and implementation of a community intergenerational program. Elementary school students interacted with seniors at a nearby senior citizen apartment complex during eight 2-hr after-school meetings. Various recruitment strategies were needed to reach this vulnerable senior population, and activities had to be carefully monitored to promote intergenerational exchange. Evaluation of the program showed both the value of such interaction to the students and seniors and the importance of the nurse's role in ensuring that the program's benefits were realized.

Important nurse caring behaviors: perceptions of oncology patients and nurses.

The concept of care or caring is considered to be a salient feature of nursing practice yet there has been little systematic investigation of caring as related to nursing. This study used a correlational, comparative design to explore rankings of nurse caring behaviors by oncology patients and nurses including the investigation of differences between subscale scores of these caring behaviors. Forty two patients and 46 nurses participated in the study. The results demonstrate differences and similarities between these two groups in their ranking of nurse caring behaviors. Five new subscales were identified and labelled according to kinds of caring demonstrated by the nurse. Patients ranked as most important the clinical aspects of care followed by the empathetic manner of caring. Nurses chose as most important the empathetic manner of caring followed by the continuity of caring. This study provides increased understanding of the perceptions of oncology patients and nurses about nurse caring behaviors.

Homeless persons communicate their meaning of health.

A qualitative study that utilized a convenience sample of 29 individuals was conducted to uncover the meaning of health as it is experienced by homeless persons. Analysis revealed that homeless persons have two distinct conceptions of health: the characteristics that describe health, and a comprehensive view of the totality of health expressed in different combinations of health dimensions. A total of 10 characteristics that described the essence of health were identified: satisfying basic human needs, having no illness-related complaints, doing the work of health, fulfilling a functional role, having a positive self-image and outlook, being fit, having a support network, eschewing the use of addictive drugs, having good hygiene, and structuring the day. Four distinct perceptions of health were revealed: physical dimensions of health exclusively, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health considered separately, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health coexistent, and health as a multidimensional process of well-being. Respondents also indicated that acute life events associated with feelings of loss preceded their state of homelessness. Generally, the respondents in this study considered themselves to be healthy.

Secondary analysis: a method for learning research activities.

Secondary analysis may be an efficient, effective method of providing graduate students in nursing with experience in specified stages of the research process. The availability of archived data sets is increasing as are the numbers of researchers who recognize the value of sharing data with others. Thus, the development of nursing as a research-based practice can be enhanced by tapping into this source of data and asking relevant research questions that address issues in nursing.