Preparing BSN students for a new workplace: Experiences in a COVID-19 designated unit as an RN extender.

Academic nursing programs were impacted by the onset of the pandemic with the challenges of social distancing, detecting, and controlling the spread of the virus. Many traditionally campus-based, face-to-face programs transitioned quickly to include virtual activities for classes, laboratories, and clinical experiences for students. Initially direct patient care clinical activities came to a halt due to concerns for student safety and overwhelming numbers of COVID-19 cases stressing health system resources. However, as COVID-19 cases began to rise and hospitals struggled with staffing shortages, it became necessary to explore how nursing students could contribute to relieving the staffing burden while obtaining critical education as RN Extenders. Students that participated in the RN Extender program were seniors entering the nursing workforce within the next two months. Significant student screening and preparation was provided to support students serving as RN Extenders in COVID-19 units. The prior working relationships and personal contact between academic and practice leaders, a sense of equal participation, clear and realistic expectations of the benefits and responsibilities of each group were crucial. Building ongoing and frequent opportunities for formal and informal communication among all stakeholders was vital and the major contributor to the success of this program.

Coping Strategies of Neurology Nurses Experiencing Abuse From Patients and Families.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess incidence of verbal and physical abuse of neurology nurses, identify their coping strategies, and explore relationships between demographic characteristics, incidence, and coping strategies. BACKGROUND: A 2011 U.S. Department of Justice survey found that average annual rates of nonfatal violent crime against nurses were greater than all occupations and identified nurses as having the highest percentage of workplace violence. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory research design utilizing an online survey of 112 neurology nurses in the United States was used for this study. RESULTS: Results identified the presence of verbal and physical abuse against neurology nurses, avoidance coping strategies utilized, and gender differences on types of violence and effects of abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Administrative attention must address abuse of neurology nurses by patients and families and develop nursing practice that eliminates the use of avoidance as a way of dealing with this abuse.