No Longer Expert: A Meta-Synthesis Describing the Transition From Clinician to Academic.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment of nurse clinicians into academic nursing has been important in addressing the faculty shortage. A description of their experiences as novice faculty could provide insights into easing their transition and improving faculty retention. METHOD: A systematic review of existing qualitative evidence was conducted to describe how nurses experience the transition from clinical practice to nursing academic. Criteria established by the Joanna Briggs Institute guided the review. RESULTS: The meta-synthesis of the 12 selected qualitative studies yielded 11 themes and four meta-themes, which included: Unprepared, No Longer an Expert, In Search of Mentoring, and Beginning to Thrive. CONCLUSION: The transition from expert clinician to novice faculty is difficult as teaching is different than practicing nursing. The expert clinicians often were unprepared for the demands of their faculty role and missed being experts. To begin to thrive, they needed orientation to the academic culture, intentional mentoring, and professional development in teaching and learning. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(7):366-374.].

Immunizations challenge healthcare personnel and affects immunization rates.

PURPOSE: This study measured 1. medical office immunization rates and 2. health care personnel competency in managing vaccine practices before and after evidence-based immunization education was provided. METHOD: This descriptive study compared 32 family medicine and pediatric offices and 178 medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians in knowledge-based testing pre-education, post-education, and 12-months post-education. Immunization rates were assessed before and 18-months post-education. RESULTS: Immunization rates increased 10.3% - 18months post-education; knowledge increased 7.8% - 12months post-education. Family medicine offices, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants showed significant knowledge deficits before and 12-months post-education. All demographic groups scored less in storage/handling 12-months post-education. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the first studies to identify competency challenges in effective immunization delivery among medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, and family medicine offices. Formal and continuous education in immunization administration and storage/handling is recommended among these select groups.

Effective and sustainable advice line promotes safe vaccine practices.

AIM: The SHOT LINE Telephone Assistance Resource provides consistent and timely education to healthcare providers ensuring safe delivery of immunizations. BACKGROUND: A local health district created and implemented an advice line to assist healthcare personnel with immunization storage or administration questions. Healthcare workers with varying levels of education call with requests for information including vaccine administration, storage and handling, scheduling, contraindications, and timing. METHODS: Ten years of call data to the SHOT LINE were analyzed through categorizing type of calls, personnel calling, facility type, information needed, and education provided. RESULTS: There were 3032 calls received from various job types. The most frequent inquiries were vaccine-specific calls, timing, and vaccine schedules. Medical assistants from family medicine clinics called the most. Five percent of the calls included reports of immunization errors. Healthcare personnel reported errors and self-disclosed making errors; 7% of all calls were errors in the first 2 years, but decreased to 5.4% in the last 8 years. CONCLUSION: The SHOT LINE telephone assistance provides timely education to healthcare personnel whose primary responsibilities are immunization practice management, administration, and handling. The findings reveal a significant need for timely advice in immunization practice management. Error reporting was an unexpected outcome of this advice line. Call categories of vaccine-specific information, vaccine timing, and schedules were similar across all groups of callers. The advice line has grown to include parents, school nurses, childcare providers, and emergency personnel. In summary, the SHOT LINE prevents errors, increases accuracy of vaccine management, and provides 'just in time' education.

Health care providers' knowledge assessment of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

The aim of this study was to assess educational needs of health care personnel in vaccine storage and handling. The Immunization Knowledge Assessment Tool (IKAT) was used to evaluate knowledge related to delivery and storage of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine among health care personnel in Idaho. Using descriptive analysis, only 61% of respondents achieved a passing score of 80%. Knowledge deficits were revealed among health care personnel, physicians, and other providers in immunization administration and handling of the MMR vaccine. Scores were highest among registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants.