Curriculum and teaching methodologies that effectively refine DNP students' project proposals.

BACKGROUND: Despite early and continuing development of guidelines and frameworks by scholars and others, including AACN, to streamline the DNP project process, incorporation of DNP project resources into educational practice remains impeded. PURPOSE: To share a curricular innovation and specific teaching methodologies aimed at refining DNP students' project proposals. METHODS: Faculty developed a new DNP project proposal course utilizing low stakes writing assignments with feedback to elevate student learning and performance. RESULTS: Midterm evaluation allowed students to provide feedback and faculty to make course or assignments changes. End-of-course evaluation score showed the new course was above the overall college mean. The new course was associated with an increased number of successful DNP project defenses over previous methods. CONCLUSION: Implementing a structured DNP project proposal course is a successful and sustainable strategy and results in a streamlined approach and a more manageable pathway to complete DNP projects.

Transforming Nursing Education Through Interprofessional Collaborative Innovation: A Project Story.

This project story is about transforming nursing education through interprofessional collaborative innovation to develop and use a complement of technology-based portable simulation devices collectively known as the Healthcare Education Simulation Station. This collection of inexpensive, simulated point-of-care instruments controlled wirelessly by an instructor or simulation operator were developed and field tested by an interdisciplinary team to enhance learning experiences in several configurations, including those using standardized patients and those using static and low-, mid-, and high-fidelity manikins. The core feature of this project story is the collaboration of students and faculty from two unrelated disciplines, nursing and engineering. The story includes a description of the development, field testing, and initial deployment of a simulated pulse oximeter, capnograph, automated sphygmomanometer, cardiac monitor, thermometer, and fetal monitor. Underpinning this project story is Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory and how the characteristics of the innovation, the personnel, and the environment worked together to enable this project and the innovation's subsequent diffusion into nursing education. The aspiration to improve learning experiences for students in multiple disciplines was paramount. The desire to acquire high-quality, dynamic educational tools for nursing educators, coupled with an environment that encourages collaboration, led to an innovation that can transform nursing preparation and ultimately improve patient care, while minimizing cost.

Beyond Academic Evidence: Innovative Uses of Technology Within e-Portfolios in a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.

Portfolios have been used in higher education for the past several years for assessment of student learning and growth and serve as the basis for summative and formative evaluations. While there is some information in the literature on how undergraduate and graduate medical, nursing, and allied health students might use portfolios to showcase acquired knowledge and skills, there is a dearth of information on the use of e-Portfolios with students in doctor of nursing practice programs. There are also limited findings regarding the creative use of technology (that includes infographics and other multimedia tools) to enhance learning outcomes (Stephens & Parr, 2013). This article presents engaging and meaningful ways technology can be used within e-Portfolios. Thus, e-Portfolios become more than a repository for academic evidence; they become unique stories that reflect the breadth and depth of students' learner-centered outcomes.

BSN in 10: what is your opinion?

The purpose of this project was to elicit the opinions of members of AORN of Central Ohio regarding Ohio's BSN-in-10 initiative. Using a focus group, we sought to answer the following question: is there a need to legislate that newly licensed RNs in Ohio obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) within 10 years? Participants valued higher education but were not informed about the need for more BSN-prepared nurses. They also were not aware of the professional and financial effects of obtaining a baccalaureate degree, the available resources to assist them in obtaining one, or collaborative nursing association partnerships that advocate for BSN-in-10 legislation. The results suggest that health care policy advocates need to find alternative means to communicate essential information to RNs.