Moving Nursing Program Portfolio Assessment From Midterm to End of Program: Lessons Learned.

Portfolio assessment promotes a culture of evidence, evaluates program outcomes, and provides an opportunity to assess the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are not easily assessed by examinations and other traditional assessment methods in nursing curricula. The portfolio program of 1 Midwestern school of nursing recently moved portfolio assessment to the end of program. The process of this change including logistics, rubric development, and lessons learned is highlighted.

Creating a simulated Mental Health Ward: lessons learned.

The future of psychiatric-mental health nursing depends on the preparation of nurses who will meet the mental health care needs of society. The current article discusses the development of the "Mental Health Ward," a simulated mental health experience that was offered for the first time to undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at a Midwestern university in the United States. The Mental Health Ward is an innovative simulated hospital environment that includes the use of standardized patients and role play scenarios, resulting in a full mission simulation whereby students learn various psychiatric diagnoses and practice various pertinent skills, including nursing assessments, admission and discharge processes, medication administration, and therapeutic communication. Lessons learned by faculty and students in formulating the Mental Health Ward are presented.

Using Findings From the Human Rights Authority Reports to Inform Psychiatric Nursing Practice.

BACKGROUND: In Illinois, the Human Rights Authority (HRA) exists to conduct investigations of complaints of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. PURPOSE OF STUDY: The purpose of this study is to describe the findings from the HRA investigations and to determine significant implications for psychiatric nursing practice. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and the sample was composed of reports from the Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission HRA (N = 129) for 2008. RESULTS: Allegations of restriction/notification of rights were significantly more likely to be substantiated than other allegation types. State hospitals were less likely to have allegations against them, whereas medical hospitals were less likely to have inadequate treatment allegations and more likely to have restriction/notification of rights allegations. CONCLUSIONS: The HRA findings will inform psychiatric nursing practice by expanding the nurses' knowledge of patient rights issues.

Championing person-first language: a call to psychiatric mental health nurses.

At the heart of recovery-oriented psychiatric mental health care are the dignity and respect of each person and the ways in which helping professionals convey a person's uniqueness, strengths, abilities, and needs. "Person-first language" is a form of linguistic expression relying on words that reflect awareness, a sense of dignity, and positive attitudes about people with disabilities. As such, person-first language places emphasis on the person first rather than the disability (e.g., "person with schizophrenia" rather than "a schizophrenic"). This article champions the use of person-first language as a foundation for recovery-oriented practice and enhanced collaborative treatment environments that foster respect, human dignity, and hope.

Unitary pattern: a review of theoretical literature.

It is the purpose of this article to illuminate the phenomenon of unitary pattern through a review of theoretical literature. Unitary pattern is a phenomenon of significance to the discipline of nursing because it is manifested in and informs all person-environment health experiences. Unitary pattern was illuminated by: addressing the barriers to understanding the phenomenon, presenting a definition of unitary pattern, and exploring Eastern and Western theoretical literature which address unitary pattern in a way that is congruent with the definition presented. This illumination of unitary pattern will expand nursing knowledge and contribute to the discipline of nursing.

Creating a culture of evidence in nursing education using student portfolios.

There has been a growing interest in the use of portfolios to assess nursing student progress in areas such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication. The data obtained from student portfolios can be used to improve undergraduate nursing curricula; however in order for change to occur, closing the assessment feedback loop is essential. The portfolio program of one Midwestern school of nursing has successfully used portfolio evidence to effect undergraduate curricular change. This portfolio program, under the direction of the school's Portfolio Subcommittee, involves active participation by students, faculty and administration. Examples of curricular improvements based on portfolio findings included increasing rigor in course assignments, improving student self reflection, promoting students' ability to write in the discipline, and maintaining writing assignments in larger classes.

Health as expanding consciousness: implications for health policy as praxis.

The authors of this column explore the implications of Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness for health policy. One aim is to expand the theory's practice methodology and praxis methods to the development of health policy, an under-represented area in the health as expanding consciousness literature. The second aim is to suggest a framework for policy development, the health as expanding consciousness policy protocol, and explore the possible impact that theory-guided policy may have on community and nursing efforts to transform health and public policy.

Nursing theory-based independent nursing practice: a personal experience of closing the theory-practice gap.

The article presents a narrative and exemplar from an independent nursing practice underpinned by the theory of health as expanding consciousness. The journey illustrates the importance of developing personal and professional awareness of theories that are congruent with one's worldview. This enhances meaning in nursing practice and contributes to closing the theory-practice gap. The benefits of independent nursing practice to closing the gap are also discussed.

Life patterns of women transitioning through menopause: a Newman research study.

The purpose of this study was recognition of a unitary pattern emergent within the lives of women transitioning through menopause. This research as praxis method study included 10 women transitioning through menopause. The findings showed that participants recognized unitary pattern within their unique life patterns. Unitary pattern also emerged through three themes which were coming to terms with losses and unexpected gains, increasing awareness of time passing, and concentrating on health and vitality. The findings were connected to the theory of health as expanding consciousness, thereby contributing to nursing knowledge, expanding the theory, and enhancing understanding of unitary pattern.