Importance of and Satisfaction With Characteristics of Mentoring Among Nursing Faculty.

BACKGROUND: Mentoring programs have the potential to influence the nursing faculty shortage by increasing job satisfaction while providing novice faculty with support during the transition from clinical practice to nursing faculty. This study aimed to determine nursing faculty perceptions of the importance of mentor characteristics and a mentoring relationship, and the level of satisfaction with mentoring within the nursing education profession. METHOD: A cross-sectional design offered an online survey that was completed by 61 nursing faculty teaching in baccalaureate programs or higher in a midwestern state. RESULTS: The results did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship among survey items; however, mentoring characteristics that demonstrated both high importance and high satisfaction were trust and support. CONCLUSION: Deeper insight into the characteristics of mentoring that are of importance and produce satisfaction is essential to the development of formal mentoring programs to make a positive, lasting effect on the nursing education profession. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(10):595-598.].

Marshallese Beliefs, Perceptions, and Practices Related to Child Feeding Among Marshallese in the United States: Implications for Childhood Obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity affects more than 40 million children globally. Efforts to promote proper nutrition in an attempt to reduce childhood obesity should consider maternal beliefs and cultural customs around food. Little is known regarding child feeding, including weaning practices and foods consumed in the first years of life among Marshallese children, a sub-group of Pacific Islanders, residing in the United States. METHODS: This study aims to explore the influences on introduction of complementary foods among Marshallese mothers and caregivers residing in the United States, to serve as the basis for promotion of improved nutrition. Focus groups and demographic surveys were conducted with Marshallese mothers and caregivers (N = 27) to explore child-feeding beliefs, perceptions, and practices. RESULTS: All mothers reported breastfeeding their infants, and 80% reported using some type of milk supplementation. There was a difference in mother and caregiver responses regarding which first foods to introduce and average age of introduction. DISCUSSION: Analysis revealed three themes identified as being influential for child-feeding practices: Marshallese breastfeeding customs, introduction of solid foods, and Marshallese family feeding customs.

Improving Adjunct Nursing Instructors' Knowledge of Student Assessment in Clinical Courses.

Utilization of adjunct nursing instructors to teach clinical courses is common in nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of a faculty development workshop on clinical evaluation for adjunct instructors. The results indicated instructors valued using a student-oriented learning outline, gained knowledge about assessment, and indicated they would engage in activities that could increase their knowledge of assessment.