Succession planning. A strategy for taking charge.

This article on succession planning includes a definition of succession planning, the reasons for and components of succession planning, and why succession planning is important to the leadership of an organization, unit, division or department. Each component of succession planning, that is, vision, networking, and mentorship, is described, with examples that are intended to guide the reader to initiate and evaluate succession planning.

A survey of the ways master's level nursing students learn the research process.

Because of the need for advanced practice nurses to perform more outcome measurement, a survey was conducted in the fall of 1997 to determine how master's level students learned the research process. Three hundred four surveys were mailed to schools with master's programs, and 222 were returned for a return rate of 73%. Sixty-six percent of the programs surveyed required a thesis and/or a research project. However, there was great variation in the research projects. A comprehensive examination was used to measure research ability by 36 programs (16%), either in conjunction with a thesis or research project or alone. One hundred forty-six programs (66%) offered only one option, be it a thesis, research project, comprehensive examination, or the many other alternative activities described by respondents. Seventy-six programs (34%) offered a variety of options from which students could select. The major differences between the thesis and the research project were related to three issues: a) the nature of the supervision; b) whether the activity was an individual or group project; and c) the amount of participation of the students. Because of the variability of expectations and the ways students are taught research, it was recommended nurse educators determine whether master's level nurse graduates were prepared to conduct outcome measurement and whether the means used to teach the research process were effective considering that endeavor.

The effect of structured preoperative teaching on patients' use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and their management of pain.

This study examined the effect of structured preoperative teaching on patients' understanding of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and their management of pain. The experimental group received a written pamphlet and structured preoperative teaching on the use of PCA to manage their pain. The control group received the usual preoperative preparation normally provided by the physician. Both groups were later asked to complete a posttest to determine how well they understood the use of PCA and how well they managed their pain. There was no statistically significant evidence that the experimental group's knowledge of PCA was different from that of the control group. However, there was significant evidence that the experimental group managed their pain better.

Joint venture arrangement for RN to BSN. A model of synergy between academia and service.

The joint venture between or among educational and practice institutions is fast becoming the norm in nursing education and practice. Authors Bargagliotti, Jones, Trygstad, Hayward, Crow, and Bower, describe one such program enabling RNs to pursue the BSN degree.