Ready, Set, Start: Mentoring Graduating Nursing Students During a Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Nurses are graduating from educational programs and entering health care systems at a time of great turmoil because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To support the transition to practice, nursing faculty implemented a postgraduation mentorship program (START). This exploratory study sought to describe the faculty mentor and new graduate mentee experience. Related variables (NCLEX pass rates, perceived stress, and professional quality of life) are provided to contextualize the results. The research is significant given the burden the pandemic places on the health care system, which may limit the resources available to new graduate nurses.

Together in Christ: Supporting Nursing Alumni During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: The StagsCare program at a Christian university offered support to recent nursing graduates and other alumni during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty of the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies created the StagsCare program, providing opportunity for alumni spanning over 20 class years to join in community for prayer, reflection, and shared experience. Both new and seasoned nurses, most of whom did not know one another, offered support to one another and strengthened their spiritual foundations as they served on the frontlines of the pandemic across the United States.

Supporting the Foundation of Nurse Anesthesia Education: A Report of the Faculty Stabilization Taskforce.

Without highly qualified educators and educational program administrators, the ability to provide anesthesia and pain management services throughout the healthcare system will be threatened by the inadequate supply of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The average turnover rate between the years 2016-2020, for CRNA program administrators, was 15% with some programs changing leadership as often as every two to four years. In response, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) created the Faculty Stabilization Taskforce (FSTF) to review reasons for the high turnover rate and to develop methods and tools to support program faculty and administrators in their role of educating the future CRNA workforce. The FSTF provided two recommendations: 1) to create a robust faculty development program for all faculty at all levels of CRNA education, and 2) to create a repository of information needed to administrate, and educate students, in a high-quality CRNA program. This article summarizes the report made to the AANA Board of Directors (BOD) which was unanimously accepted and is already being implemented by AANA and COA staff. The full text of the report can be found on the AANA's website at www.aana.com/FSTF.

Educating Nursing Students Through the Pandemic: The Essentials of Collaboration.

INTRODUCTION: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting regulatory educational requirements and graduating students competent for nursing practice was essential. Competent graduates were needed to support a strong nursing workforce in Connecticut during this chaotic time in health care. This paper describes the powerful impact of statewide collaboration toward meeting this goal. METHODS: The Connecticut League for Nursing Council of Deans and Directors (Council) organized six work groups to address the practice issues brought about by COVID-19 to continue educating nursing students and ensure a robust nursing workforce for the state. Volunteers from the Council offered to lead the groups and members joined based on interest. The six work groups were: (1) enhance communication with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (BOEN), (2) examine academic progression policies across programs to ensure academic rigor, (3) examine integration of nursing students into professional practice and the provision of support for new graduates, (4) Strategize on transition to practice issues, (5) ensure APRN students meet the required 500 precepted direct client care hours, and (6) examine summer clinical experience options for RN and LPN students. CONCLUSION: The Council's top priority was to graduate competent nursing students ready for practice. This necessitated the establishment of a framework for ongoing deep, timely discussions among Council members and with the BOEN regarding the new education imperative for creative patient care learning experiences. Through collaborative efforts, the Council was able to enhance robust and timely sharing of strategies, policies, and other guidelines. The Council has partnered with the Connecticut Nurses Association, Connecticut Hospital Association, and the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce to provide a strong united nursing voice for executive decision-making and within the political arena in support of the role of nursing students and faculty, and their continuous involvement within direct caregiving environments.

Librarians collaborate successfully with nursing faculty and a writing centre to support nursing students doing professional doctorates.

This study explores how a three-way collaboration between a University library, writing centre and faculty created avenues of training and support for students within a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in an American University. The role of each partner involved in the collaboration is discussed alongside the profile of the DNP students. Lesson planning and classroom techniques for DNP information literacy classes are described and feedback from the partners and the students are discussed. The study confirms that collaboration is effective in improving research and writing skills. D.I.

Perceptions of Campus Climate on Program Satisfaction for Accelerated Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: Nationwide, schools of nursing have recognized the significance of increasing their diversity but continue to be challenged with recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students. In 2008, the New Careers in Nursing program was implemented to alleviate the shortage and increase nursing diversity. METHOD: Secondary analysis of a subsample of participants was used to investigate how campus climate affected program satisfaction of accelerated nursing students of color. Specific objectives included exploring social supports such as interpersonal interactions and experiences with faculty and peers. RESULTS: Those who self-identified with an under-represented group were more likely to feel uncomfortable with those whose race/ethnicity was different from their own, more likely to report hearing racists or stereotypical remarks in school, and less likely to have a supportive group of friends on campus. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed significant relationships between campus climate variables that included peer and faculty interactions. These results are relevant to all nursing programs seeking to create a more welcoming environment within their campus community. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(7):409-416.].

Examining changes to statewide NP practice in Connecticut.

In 2014, Connecticut legislators eliminated the need for advanced practice registered nurses with 2,000 practice hours to obtain collaborative practice agreements with physicians. This study examined resulting practice changes, barriers, and suggestions for improved implementation of independent practice. Thirteen NPs participated in focus groups to share their experiences and recommendations.

After the Gap Analysis: Education and Practice Changes to Prepare Nurses of the Future.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition's work in identifying and addressing gaps between nursing education and practice based on the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report. BACKGROUND: Massachusetts Nurse of the Future (NOF) Competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors required for professional nurses. Integrating these concepts into the educational system will prepare the nursing workforce to respond to current/future health care needs and population health issues. METHOD: Education and practice partners in four regions conducted a gap analysis of the education to practice transition for new graduate nurses using NOF as a framework for assessment. RESULTS: Gaps in competencies were similar across regions. However, each organization uniquely addressed curricular gaps to best prepare nurses of the future. CONCLUSION: Curriculum improvements will provide students the advantage of being prepared for the rapid changes happening in health care.

Surviving the NCLEX Dip.

Schools of nursing are charged with preparing graduates to meet minimal practice standards upon workforce entry. To that end, students must pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) upon graduation. Increased rigor and higher recent passing standards for the exam can contribute to declining scores, which negatively impact graduates and the nursing program. The purpose of this article is to describe a successful 10-step action plan implemented to remediate a brief dip in NCLEX-RN pass rates at one university. The plan contributed to a 10 percent increase in NCLEX scores within one year.

Geriatric sexual experiences: The seniors tell all.

AIM: To gain insight into the aging sexual health experiences and concerns of older adults aged 60 years or older. BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of sexual activity among older adults and the documented health benefits, little is known about how sexual health changes as individuals age. METHODS: Participants for this study were recruited through a local senior center and qualitative interviews were conducted. RESULTS: Eight older adults (six female, two male) between the ages of 62 and 95 participated in this study. Some participants commented that expression of sexuality changed due to partner's health. Some identified less sexual frequency and spontaneity, while others stated that they were now more open with their sexual relationship. Participants stated that they wished their or their partner's physicians would discuss their sexual needs. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual changes reported by participants in this study were consistent with the research relating sexual health to overall health. The finding that half the sample did not discuss sexual problems with anyone highlights the opportunity for nursing research to further explore this phenomenon.

If They Were Real: Lessons Learned from Literary Characters With Dementia.

Dementia and its side effects often leave individuals unable to tell their stories or experiences. Consequently, nurses must rely strictly on clinical observations as a basis for understanding dementia--an understanding that is necessary to provide the best possible care. Relying on clinical observations leads to challenges in fully understanding the experience of living with dementia. Fictional literature gives authors license to write about individuals with dementia rather than the clinical aspects of the disease, which provides insight into the patient and family experience and illustrates their needs. The current article explores dementia through an analysis of eight literary works and insights that may help expand the quality of geriatric nursing care.

Past, present, and future trends of master's education in nursing.

Nurses interested in pursuing careers in advanced practice are now being educated at the doctoral level through new doctorate of nursing practice degree programs. In light of this shift, master's programs for advanced practice nurses are in a tenuous position, and it is questionable whether the remaining master's level educational programs are meeting the needs of consumers, health care institutions, and students. Given the great need for clinical leadership in health care, it is essential to reexamine master's nursing education to ensure that educational institutions are meeting the needs of graduate nursing students, consumers, and health care systems. Research supports that the master's-prepared nurse of the future must be proficient in the development and management of accountable care systems using state-of-the-art technology. In addition, interprofessional models show improvement in health care delivery and health outcomes. The current demands in health care that impact nursing education will be discussed, including the movement toward interprofessional education and the broadened expertise, required of master's-prepared nurses working in an era of health care reform. While academic medical centers are actively advancing toward an interprofessional model, the majority of nurses in this country are educated in private and community settings. This article will examine the move toward interprofessional education at a private university, utilizing clinical partnerships to revise the master's program. The goal of this revision is to empower students with the expertise required in today's health care environment to improve the delivery of care.

Improving surgical outcomes in pancreatic surgery with preoperative nutrition.

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the relationship between preoperative physical status and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing Whipple resection, and (2) to determine if the use of specialized immunonutrition with IMPACT Advanced Recovery supplementation improved postoperative outcomes (pancreatic leak rate, length of stay, and postoperative complications) in patients undergoing Whipple resection. The trial was a case-controlled prospective pilot study that took place in an outpatient gastrointestinal surgical oncology office in an urban community hospital in the northeast United States. The study population consisted of nine patients undergoing Whipple surgery. Patients were given IMPACT Advanced Recovery supplementation 4 days prior to Whipple surgery. Prospective data were collected on all patients and then compared to national averages in terms of outcomes. Study approval was obtained from the Fairfield University Institutional Review Board (IRB), though IRB approval was not required by the study facility due to the fact that this was a pilot study. Consent was also not required for retrospective chart review. Patients with lower scores according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System have a shorter operating time in the setting of preoperative nutrition. Patients in this study who received preoperative nutrition with IMPACT Advanced Recovery supplementation had outcomes comparable to the national average. This pilot study suggests that there is a need for a multi-institutional randomized study powered to further evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative nutrition in pancreatic surgery. The literature supports the fact that preoperative nutritional supplementation should be offered to patients undergoing Whipple surgery. Optimization of nutritional status can translate to decreased length of stay and cost savings.

Psychosocial trajectories of men monitoring prostate-specific antigen levels following surgery for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the psychosocial trajectories of men treated surgically for prostate cancer after monitoring their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels until 24 months post-treatment. DESIGN: Descriptive longitudinal study. SETTING: Urology clinic at Duke University Health System. SAMPLE: 12 men diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. METHODS: Men were interviewed in their homes at baseline and at 24 months and via telephone at 6, 12, and 18 months. Scores from the Profile of Mood States, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Self-Control Schedule, and Cantril's Ladder were entered into a database for analysis. Graphs of individual participants' scores were plotted. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: PSA values, mood state, cognitive reframing, impact of event, quality of life, illness uncertainty, and growth through uncertainty were measured. FINDINGS: Three trajectories were identified (i.e., stable, unstable, and mixed) and graphed using a typological or health pattern approach. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring PSA levels is critical for men treated for prostate cancer. This study provides preliminary data on the psychological trajectories of men during the first 24 months postprostatectomy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Rising PSA levels that are associated with the recurrence of disease can cause psychosocial distress among men with prostate cancer.

Development, implementation and evaluation of a peer review of teaching (PRoT) initiative in nursing education.

For many years, an area of research in higher education has been emerging around the development and implementation of fair and effective peer evaluation programs. Recently, a new body of knowledge has developed regarding the development and implementation of fair and effective peer evaluation programs resulting in formative and summative evaluations. The purpose of this article is to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a peer review of teaching (PRoT) program for nursing faculty, initiated at one small comprehensive university in the northeastern United States. Pairs of nursing faculty evaluated each other's teaching, syllabi, and course materials after collaborating in a pre-evaluation conference to discuss goals of the classroom visit. Qualitative data gathered in post project focus groups revealed that faculty found their modified PRoT process to be a mutually beneficial experience that was more useful, flexible and collegial, and less stressful than their previous evaluation process.