Exploring the Lived Experiences of Staff Nurses Transitioning to the Nurse Manager Role.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to discover the experience of nurse managers (NMs) who had transitioned from a staff nurse position BACKGROUND: Nurses who become NMs may receive little or no training or support during the transition process. This study sought to gain the perspective of NMs who transitioned into the role. METHODS: A phenomenology method was used to interview 10 NMs regarding their experience of transitioning into the NM role. Meleis Role Transition theory provided the theoretical framework. RESULTS: Five themes were identified that related to the research questions: expectations, essential knowledge and skills, graduate education prepared, sought support and mentoring from colleagues, and role mastery not possible. Participants experienced role insufficiency due to lack of support and resources. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to understand nurses' experience after completing an NM developmental program, contributing to role mastery.

Using Systems Thinking to Implement the QSEN Informatics Competency.

There is an urgent need to improve the use and usability of the electronic health record (EHR) in health care to prevent undue patient harm. Professional development educators can use systems thinking and the QSEN competency, Informatics, to educate nurses about such things as nurse-sensitive indicators in preventing medical errors. This article presents teaching tips in using systems thinking to champion communication technologies that support error prevention (betterment). [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(9):392-397.].

Systems Thinking for Transitions of Care: Reliability Testing for a Standardized Rubric.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized rubric for systems thinking across transitions of care for clinical nurse specialists. DESIGN: The design was a mixed-methods study using the Systems Awareness Model as a framework for bridging theory to practice. METHODS: Content validity was determined using a content validity index. Reliability was established using statistical analysis with Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient. Usability of the rubric was established using content analysis from focus group discussions about their experiences in using the rubric. RESULTS: Content validity was established with a content validity ratio of 1.0. Statistical analysis showed a high interrater reliability (α = 0.99), and sections of the rubric showed a strong degree of reliability with α's ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Content analysis revealed several overall themes for usability of the rubric: clarity, objectivity, and detail. The area for improvement included adding more detail in the scholarly writing section. CONCLUSION: The research team recommends using the rubric to reflect application of systems thinking across transitions of care.

Intersection of Quality and Excellence: Characteristics of Redesignated National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence.

The purpose of this research was to identify characteristics of redesignated National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education that represent the intersection between quality and excellence. A qualitative content analysis of six final applications submitted for redesignation disclosed essential resources that supported students, faculty, and staff and identified six characteristics: connections through relationships, communities of learning and service, support for students and faculty, connections through technology, use of innovation, and a systems focus. The systematic focus on excellence in teaching and learning identified in this research represents best practices from exemplary schools worthy of emulation by other nursing education programs.