ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scholarly writing is required in nursing, and some students are unable to communicate effectively through writing. Faculty members may struggle with the grading of written assignments. A writing team, consisting of a nursing faculty member, the school of nursing library liaison, and members from academic support services, implemented strategies including workshops, handouts, and use of exemplars to improve student writing and to provide support to faculty. Few students sought help from the writing team. METHOD: An online writing center within the existing learning management system was developed to address nursing students' and faculty's scholarly writing needs. The writing center includes guides, tutorials, and exemplars. RESULTS: Anecdotal evidence indicates the use of the writing center during afternoons and evenings and prior to due dates of written assignments. CONCLUSION: Online writing resources were used more frequently than face-to-face support. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(7):443-445.].
Subject(s)
Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/methods , Professional Competence/standards , Students, Nursing , Writing/standards , Curriculum , Faculty, Nursing , Humans , Manuscripts as TopicABSTRACT
VisionCite is a database dedicated to the visual sciences. This paid subscription database provides bibliographic information for optometry and ophthalmology-related resources and is maintained by the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) Library. A sample search is provided, highlighting different features of the newly redesigned database.
Subject(s)
Databases, Factual , Ophthalmology , Optometry , Humans , Illinois , Libraries, Medical , Vision, OcularABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This Association of Vision Science Librarians revision of the "Standards for Vision Science Libraries" aspires to provide benchmarks to address the needs for the services and resources of modern vision science libraries (academic, medical or hospital, pharmaceutical, and so on), which share a core mission, are varied by type, and are located throughout the world. METHODS: Through multiple meeting discussions, member surveys, and a collaborative revision process, the standards have been updated for the first time in over a decade. RESULTS: While the range of types of libraries supporting vision science services, education, and research is wide, all libraries, regardless of type, share core attributes, which the standards address. CONCLUSIONS: The current standards can and should be used to help develop new vision science libraries or to expand the growth of existing libraries, as well as to support vision science librarians in their work to better provide services and resources to their respective users.
Subject(s)
Architecture , Diffusion of Innovation , Libraries, Hospital/standards , Libraries, Medical/standards , Library Collection Development/standards , Advisory Committees , Humans , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers. OBJECTIVES: A service innovation was developed (i) to raise awareness, especially among local health and social service providers, about the Bantu refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and their information needs and (ii) to deliver needed health information, emphasizing child health, to the Bantu mothers in their homes. METHODS: The project consisted of: (i) a community conference targeting local health and social service providers, describing the refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and information needs. (ii) Focus groups conducted with members of the Bantu population elicited additional information needs. (iii) Curriculum was developed based on identified needs, and (iv) the curriculum was delivered to the refugees in their homes. A clinical informationist and MP3 technology enhanced the project. FINDINGS: Conference attendees' evaluation responses indicated improved understanding of Bantu culture. Focus groups' identification of health information needs provided a framework for the health education curriculum. A project website made educational materials available to other healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: The project raised awareness of the Bantus' presence, culture, and information needs. Identification of other unmet needs demonstrated that additional support for refugees is required.
