Enhancing leadership and relationships by implementing a peer mentoring program.

BACKGROUND: Peer-mentoring is often described as effective means to promote professional and leadership skills, yet evidence on practical models of such programs for occupational therapy students are sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a peer-mentoring program designed for graduate occupational therapy students. METHODS: Forty-seven second-year student volunteers were randomly assigned to individually mentor first-year students in a year-long program. Students met biweekly virtually or in person to provide mentorship on everyday student issues, according to mentees' needs. Faculty-led group activities prior and during the peer-mentoring program took place to facilitate the mentorship relationships. Program effectiveness was measured using the Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire (Avolio & Bass, MLQ: Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, 2004) and an open-ended feedback survey. RESULTS: Results of multi-variate MANOVA for repeated measures indicating significant enhancement in several leadership skills (F(12,46) = 4.0, P = 0.001, η2  = 0.579). Qualitative data from feedback surveys indicated that an opportunity to help; forming relationships; and structure as enabler were perceived as important participation outcomes. Students expressed high satisfaction and perceived value from their peer-mentoring experience. CONCLUSION: As we seek ways to promote our profession and the leadership of its members, it is recommended to consider student peer-mentoring to empower them to practice and advance essential career skills from the initial stages of professional development. Evidence found in this study demonstrates that peer-mentoring programs can promote leadership development and establishment of networks in an occupational therapy emerging professional community, at a low cost. The peer-mentoring blueprint and lessons learned are presented with hopes to inspire others to implement peer-mentoring programs in their settings.

Multiagency Online Preceptor Education: Design, Implementation, and Outcomes.

This article describes the design, implementation, feedback, problems, and solutions of a fully online Preceptor Development Program designed to help nurses acquire knowledge, attitudes, and skills key to the preceptor role. This program uses a variety of active learning experiences that support preceptor development.

Voices of innovation: building a model for curriculum transformation.

Innovation in nursing education curriculum is critically needed to meet the demands of nursing leadership and practice while facing the complexities of today's health care environment. International nursing organizations, the Institute of Medicine, and; our health care practice partners have called for curriculum reform to ensure the quality and safety of patient care. While innovation is occurring in schools of nursing, little is being researched or disseminated. The purposes of this qualitative study were to (a) describe what innovative curricula were being implemented, (b) identify challenges faced by the faculty, and (c) explore how the curricula were evaluated. Interviews were conducted with 15 exemplar schools from a variety of nursing programs throughout the United States. Exemplar innovative curricula were identified, and a model for approaching innovation was developed based on the findings related to conceptualizing, designing, delivering, evaluating, and supporting the curriculum. The results suggest implications for nursing education, research, and practice.

Master's programs preparing nurse educators: what is the current state of affairs?

Master's programs to prepare nurse educators have dramatically increased and are being transformed with the advent of the doctorate in nursing practice. In the absence of standards, questions arise regarding program design and curriculum models. To assess this issue, the authors discuss their review of Web sites for 198 nurse educator programs and describe curricular patterns and trends. The findings are then related to the AACN Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing and NLN Nurse Educator Certification Criteria.

Transforming student perspectives through reflective writing.

One of the primary goals of registered nurse-to-bachelor of science in nursing education is to help registered nurses see things in a new way or to transform their perspective. A package of 4 commonly used reflective writing activities used before, during, and after class is described as it is used for perspective transformation. This learning package goal is to push registered nurse-to-bachelor of science in nursing students in their first course to consider new ways of thinking about their practice and their education.

Maternal-fetal attachment in african-american and Hispanic-american women.

This pilot study used Cranley's Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS) to explore the feasibility of comparing maternal-fetal attachment behaviors of African-American and Hispanic-American gravidas. Data analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups' MFAS total scale score means; however, the Hispanic-American gravidas displayed significantly higher scores in two of the subscales. While study limitations were apparent, the results lend support to health care professionals' responsibilities to be cognizant of potential similarities and differences in the cultural care needs of pregnant women.