Support for Doctoral Nursing Students in PhD Programs in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The number of PhD nursing programs in the U.S. has increased, but the number of nursing students entering and completing these programs remains stagnant. It is crucial to consider innovative approaches to recruit, nurture, and graduate more diverse nursing students. PURPOSE: This article presents the perceptions of PhD nursing students regarding their programs, experiences, and strategies to support their academic success. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive design. Data were obtained from an online 65-question student survey completed between December 2020 and April 2021. RESULTS: A total of 568 students from 53 nursing schools completed the survey. Five themes emerged regarding the barriers students experienced during their programs: Faculty issues, time management and balance, insufficient preparation for dissertation research, financial barriers, and COVID-19 impact. Student recommendations for improving PhD nursing programs were also captured in five themes: Program improvement, coursework improvement, research opportunities, faculty, and dissertation. The low numbers of male, non-binary, Hispanic/Latino, minority, and international survey respondents indicate a need for innovative recruitment and retention strategies to increase diversity of PhD students. CONCLUSION: PhD program leaders should complete a gap analysis based on the recommendations in the new AACN position statement and perceptions of PhD students reported from this survey. By doing so, PhD programs will be better positioned to implement a roadmap for improvement to better prepare the next generation of nurse scientists, leaders, and scholars.

The global summit on nurse faculty migration.

As global demand for health care workers burgeons, information is scant regarding the migration of faculty who will train new nurses. With dual roles as clinicians and educators, and corresponding dual sets of professional and legal obligations, nurse faculty may confront unique circumstances in migration that can impact nations' ability to secure an adequate, stable nursing workforce. In a seminal effort to address these concerns, the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and the International Council of Nurses invited a diverse group of international experts to a summit designed to elucidate forces that drive nurse faculty migration. The primary areas of consideration were the impact on nurse faculty migration of rapid health care workforce scale-up, international trade agreements, and workforce aging. Long-term summit goals included initiating action affecting national, regional, and global supplies of nurse educators and helping to avert catastrophic failure of health care delivery systems caused by an inadequate ability to educate next-generation nurses.

The future of nurse practitioner practice: a world of opportunity.

Health care is transforming at a rapid pace. Nurses should be leading change and advancing health in this increasingly complex health system. The multiple systemic health care changes occurring secondary to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act make this an optimal time for full use of nurse practitioners (NPs). This article describes the evolution and future of the NP role, explores the practice in relation to regulation and policy; primary care; acute care; international, global, and cultural issues; and public image, and addresses how NPs must prepare for changing health care environments and consumer demands.

Challenges in making a business case for effective pain management in nursing homes.

The lack of a systematic and comprehensive pain management program is a common quality problem in nursing homes. The purpose of this article is to address the business case for effective pain management in this setting, including the conceptual domains and processes that should be considered in improving quality and reducing costs. Unfortunately, the literature contains very little to inform those working to implement effective and efficient pain management programs in nursing homes. This article suggests several strategies for establishing an internal business case to support the implementation of a comprehensive pain management program in a nursing home setting.

Two methods for predicting limited life expectancy in nursing homes.

PURPOSE: To compare two methods of identifying nursing home residents with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment data from 111 U.S. nursing homes was used in two approaches to compare the prognostic value of each approach. MDS assessment data were collected during 2003 and 2004, and secondary analyses were completed during 2004 and 2005. METHODS: A bivariate analysis was used to identify variables associated with death within 6 months and a summative index was produced. Second, logistic regression was performed to develop a formula for calculating a Probability of Death score. FINDINGS: Both methods were reasonably sensitive in identifying dying residents. In the total sample of 21,852 residents, 17.5% died within 6 months. When the bivariate analysis and summative index were used, 51.1% of residents who had a score of 4 or higher died within 6 months, and residents who scored 10 or higher had an 80% mortality rate. With use of the logistic regression and Probability of Death scores, 52% of residents who had scores of 0.4 or higher died within 6 months, and residents who scored 0.9 or higher had an 80% mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: MDS assessment data, collected in all U.S. nursing homes, can be useful to increase the specificity of identifying terminal residents. These statistical methods have high and similar prognostic values, but the summative index is easier to understand. It also is more user-friendly and could be incorporated into the nursing home assessment process with minimal additional training, and with no additional hardware or changes in software programming.

Clinical nurse specialist outcomes: vision, voice, and value.

In keeping with the conference theme, this presentation will challenge nurses to envision clinical nurse specialist (CNS) influence. Opportunities for future CNS roles will be considered. CNSs will be encouraged to articulate their roles and their influence using a powerful collective voice. Practical strategies for capturing CNS outcomes and impact will be presented.