Integrating Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare in Pediatric Nursing Education: A Case Study of the Ghana-SickKids Partnership.

There is growing recognition of the critical role nursing leadership plays in healthcare. Integrating strengths-based approaches into nursing education enables positive learning settings and empowers nurses as leaders who foster healing and well-being for patients and their families. This paper describes an effort to integrate Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare (SBNH) and Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SBNH-L) into the development, implementation and evaluation of a postgraduate pediatric nursing program in Ghana. In the evaluation of the program in Ghana, three themes emerged related to strengths-based nursing: transformation of teaching and learning, impact on relationships with colleagues and impact on relationships with patients.

Panorama dos cursos de especialização em enfermagem dermatológica no Brasil / Overview of specialization courses in dermatological nursing in Brazil / Panorama de los cursos de especialización en enfermería dermatológica en Brasil

Objetivo: analisar a correlação entre os objetivos, conteúdos programáticos e as metodologias utilizadas nos cursos de especialização em enfermagem dermatológica existentes no Brasil, comparando com a legislação vigente e literatura pertinente à temática. Método: estudo documental, realizado no período de maio a julho de 2022 em sites de instituições de ensino superior que ofereceram estes cursos. Resultados: foram acessadas 46 instituições privadas, 56,6% localizadas na região Sudeste e 43,5% na modalidade de ensino à distância. O conteúdo programático foi disponibilizado por 41 instituições; 41,5% das disciplinas eram generalistas, inespecíficas da área; 26,8% sobre feridas e 17,1% dermatologia. Atividade prática apareceu em 26,8% dos cursos. Conclusão: os cursos atendem parcialmente à legislação e oferecem uma formação que não contempla a abrangência da especialidade e demandas atuais da população(AU)

Objective: to analyze the correlation between objectives, syllabus and methodologies used in Nursing Specialization courses Dermatological practices existing in Brazil, comparing with current legislation and literature relevant to the theme. Method: documentary study, carried out from May to July 2022, on websites of higher education institutions that offered these courses. Results: 46 private institutions were accessed, 56,6% located in the Southeast region and 43,5% in the distance learning modality. The programmatic content was made available by 41 institutions; 41,5% of the disciplines were generalist, not specific to the area; 26,8% about wounds and 17,1% dermatology. Practical activity appeared in 26,8% of the courses. Conclusion: the courses partially comply with the legislation and offer training that does not cover the scope of the specialty and current demands of the population(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la correlación entre los objetivos, el programa y las metodologías utilizadas en los cursos de Especialización en Enfermería Dermatológica existentes en Brasil, comparando con la legislación vigente y bibliografía relacionada con el tema. Método: estudio documental, realizado de mayo a julio de 2022, en páginas web de instituciones de educación superior que ofrecieron estos cursos. Resultados: se constató un acceso a 46 instituciones privadas, 56,6% ubicadas en la región Sudeste y 43,5% en la modalidad de enseñanza a distancia. 41 instituciones pusieron a disposición el contenido programático; el 41,5% de las disciplinas era generalista, no siendo específicas del área; 26,8% sobre heridas y 17,1% dermatología. La actividad práctica apareció en el 26,8% de los cursos. Conclusión: los cursos cumplen parcialmente con la legislación y ofrecen una formación que no cubre el ámbito de la especialidad y las demandas actuales de la población(AU)

Nurses Taking the Lead: A Look Back to Move Forward.

In recognition of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, the 2020 annual conference of the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN) celebrated A Look Back to Move Forward in recognition of the 50th anniversary of ALSN. The ALSN began as the Council of Graduate Education for Administrative Nursing (CGEAN) in 1970. Today, ALSN maintains the goals of shaping graduate education and research to inform nursing leadership practice.

Inconsistency in Faculty and Student Perceptions of DNP and PhD Leader Scholarly Activity.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify faculty and student perceptions of scholarly activities for doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and PhD leaders. BACKGROUND: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing describes DNP as a practice-focused degree and PhD as a research-focused degree. In 2016, the Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing (now Association for Leadership Science in Nursing) published in the Journal of Nursing Administration sample practice objectives for DNP and research objectives for PhD leaders. METHODS: Using the published objectives, we surveyed faculty and students to quantify congruence with the publication and consistency within groups. The data informed intraprofessional education constructed using action research. RESULTS: There was low congruence between faculty and student responses with the article. PhD faculty had the least, and PhD students, the greatest, consistency in survey responses. CONCLUSIONS: Confusion exists within our faculty and students around differentiating PhD and DNP scholarly activities. Data supported need to clarify scholarly role boundaries through intraprofessional education.

Exploring telehealth in the graduate curriculum.

BACKGROUND: With an increase in patient demand and a decrease in healthcare professionals, telehealth is able to provide needed services to patients, but appropriate training in telehealth is crucial for providers to deliver excellent patient care. METHOD: Nurse researchers developed a quality improvement project targeting telehealth in the graduate nursing curriculum. A two-part evidence-based curriculum was developed for graduate family nurse practitioner (FNP) students. Part one consisted of a lecture that focused on increasing students' knowledge, and part two enhanced skills through simulation. RESULTS: Data were collected through qualitative and quantitative surveys. The qualitative data were analyzed for themes and statistical analysis of the quantitative data was completed (t-scores and descriptive statistics). Results showed that FNP students perceived the telehealth curriculum as educational and recommend it be continued for future FNP cohorts. CONCLUSION: Using evidence-based practice and telehealth experts graduate nursing programs should introduce the telehealth curriculum for FNP students through in class lecture and simulation.

Making explicit the development of PhD-prepared nurses to steward the discipline.

Leadership is a core curricular element of PhD programs in nursing. Our PhD faculty began a dialogue about being a leader, a steward of the discipline. We asked ourselves: (a) What expertise do PhD prepared nurse needs to begin to steward the discipline? (b) How do faculty engage PhD nursing students to assume responsibility for stewarding the discipline? Lastly, (c) How do we work with PhD nursing students to create their vision for how their work contributes to stewarding the discipline, from doctoral coursework throughout their career? We support the need for PhD graduates to have the skills to generate knowledge, conserve that which is important, and transform by disseminating new knowledge to a broad audience. Examples of nurses stewarding the discipline when pioneering research, critiquing traditional approaches to inquiry or trends in nursing practice, and developing policy, are highlighted along with examples of how PhD nursing students begin to steward the discipline.

An Assessment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Competencies Among Bachelors-Prepared Registered Nurses in Graduate-Level Study.

PURPOSE: To assess graduate nursing students' lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-specific health competencies. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, a 13-item multiple response survey, derived from The Joint Commission guidelines and LGBT health competencies proposed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, was administered online to 116 registered nurses enrolled in graduate study. Survey items assessed nurses' knowledge of LGBT health, professionalism, provision of patient care, communication skills, care environment, gaps in learning, and systems-based practice. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize frequencies and proportions of study variables. RESULTS: Respondent nurses' knowledge about health, prevalent conditions, and social factors that influence LGBT health was somewhat limited. Respondents did not rate their knowledge about LGBT health high (µ = 3.11 [1.1], median = 3) and did not feel qualified to educate other colleagues about LGBT health issues (µ = 2.43 [1.26], median = 2). But 58% (n = 65) indicated that they felt comfortable performing prostate exams on transgender female patients (born with male genitalia); 62% (n = 70) felt comfortable doing pap smears for transgender male patients (born with female genitalia). Sixty nurses (52%) stated that they would advocate reforms within existing health care institutions to improve the care of LGBT patients. Cultural competency training was offered in some health care settings and environmental indications of inclusivity were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: LGBT health competence among graduate nursing students was limited. There is a need to reevaluate LGBT health-related content in nursing curricula as well as robust assessment of competence in LGBT health.

DNP or PhD as a Credential for Nurse Faculty: Choices and Consequences.

With the inception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as the designated practice doctorate in nursing and ultimate acceptance of the DNP as a terminal degree in nursing by professional nursing organizations, questions have arisen about the implications for faculty appointment in the teaching-learning in nursing. Following a brief discussion of the background of the DNP and recent trends in academic nursing programs, a challenge is presented to nurse faculty and administrators to consider carefully the illuminated critical issues and concerns in planning for the future of teaching-learning in nursing.

Strategies for progression in a PhD nursing program within a transition model.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for interventions to improve the PhD pipeline for nursing program enrollment. PhD nursing students who have navigated the program successfully are in a strategic position to help by sharing their stories. Several strategies for successful completion of a PhD program and some common expected barriers have been documented in the literature. METHOD: The authors used personal reflections from their first and second years of study in a PhD nursing program to identify strategies to progress through a program. The personal reflections were analyzed by their student cohort and a faculty advisor using the Bridges' Transition Model as a theoretical framework. The cohort members included five females and one male, ages 29-48, attending a PhD nursing program in the Southeastern, US. RESULTS: The following strategies were identified from the personal reflections: seeking and offering support within your cohort; establishing a relationship with mentors; identifying and using a reference manager; mastering time management; soaking up statistics; and focusing on your focus. The strategies listed above occurred within the ending and/or neutral zone phases of the Bridges' Transition Model. CONCLUSION: It is important to note the early phases of transition and need for success strategies in these specific phases of transition. PhD nursing students are in a strategic position to positively influence the PhD pipeline by providing personal reflections that inform future PhD nursing students as well as PhD nursing programs.

Determining nurse practitioner core competencies using a Delphi approach.

BACKGROUND: Competency-based education (CBE) has been recommended for nurse practitioner (NP) education. To implement CBE, existing NP core competencies need to be reduced in number and refined. PURPOSE: This study refined and reduced redundancy in the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) NP core competencies through the consensus of experts in NP practice. This study used the current NP Core Competencies (NONPF, 2017), the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006), and the Common Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Doctoral-Level Competencies (AACN, 2017a) because these documents are the competencies-accredited NP programs commonly used in curriculum development. The primary aim of this study was to refine and reduce redundancy of these competencies; a secondary aim was to ensure that the final competencies were clear and measurable. METHODS: A Delphi approach was used to reach consensus among an expert panel who reviewed the core competencies via an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate median and interquartile ranges; content analysis was conducted with qualitative data. RESULTS: Consensus was reached after 3 rounds and resulted in 49 final core competencies. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides the NP community with a manageable list of relevant, clear, and measurable competencies that faculty members can use to implement CBE in their programs.

Pleasure-suffering duality in stricto sensu graduate programs in nursing: between bridges and walls.

OBJECTIVES: to understand the pleasure-suffering duality experienced by students in stricto sensu Graduate Program in Nursing. METHODS: qualitative, integrated single-case study based on the Psychodynamics of Work. The setting was the stricto sensu Graduate Program in Nursing in Brazil. Two Graduate Programs were chosen. Data collection took place between May 2017 and April 2018, with 23 students, through interviews guided by semi-structured script and Documentary Analysis. Content Analysis was carried out. RESULTS: two analysis units emerged: Situations generating pleasure: bridges built by the Graduate Program and Situations generating suffering: walls of the Graduate Program. They were discussed in two dimensions - organizational and socio-professional relations. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the results can contribute to the planning of actions capable of potentiating the creation of "bridges" that lead to reach of pleasure in the Graduate Program. It impels the confrontation of suffering-generating situations for the student.

Conflicts Within the Discipline of Nursing: Is There a Looming Paradigm War?

This paper presents a view of the current sources of potential conflicts in the academic discipline of nursing. It suggests that these conflicts could lead, in the Kuhnian sense, to a paradigm war. The differing paradigms underlying the education and traditions of the PhD prepared nurse scientist/researcher/scholar and the DNP prepared nurse practitioner are a challenge for the discipline. DNP programs are swelling and faculty are needed to teach in these programs, and their position with regard to the usual rank and tenure structures of academe are not yet clear. Concern arises when the tenured PhD nurse scientist faculty numbers drop as the DNP faculty numbers increase. The body of nursing science is threatened as fewer students enter PhD programs and faculty retire. The DNP faculty paradigm does not provide for the rigor and preparation need to carry forward the disciplinary scientific knowledge mission. Rather than a fruitless war between the two paradigms, ways are suggested to fully embrace the differences as important to nursing, and to increase the number of PhD prepared nurse scientists.

Optimizing impact through the Tiered Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Model.

Colleges of Nursing (CONs) and health care organizations (HCOs) are increasingly embracing academic-practice partnerships (AcaPP). An HCO's workforce development plan prompted an AcaPP agreement with a CON for the purpose of increasing the number of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) advanced practice nurses in the HCO. Over a period of 6 years, 4 consecutive cohorts of approximately 100 HCO baccalaureate prepared nurses were enrolled in the CON DNP program. The AcaPP environment facilitates large-scale DNP projects among successive cohorts of students. The purpose of this article is to describe the innovative Tiered DNP Project Model, defined as the process by which current students build on and expand select DNP projects implemented by students in initial cohorts. The tiered approach to the DNP project is facilitated by an advising model that occurs in the context of mutually agreed-upon goals and compatible with the HCO strategic plan and CON DNP program objectives. In the Tiered DNP Project Model, select studies are chosen for continuation by DNP students in subsequent cohorts based on nursing leadership guidance of alignment with HCO strategic goals. The model has resulted in driving improvements in HCO patient and systems outcomes, promoted practice scholarship, and contributed to the quality of the CON DNP program.