Evaluation of a new genetic family history screening questionnaire for identifying Lynch syndrome.

Family history is essential when screening for hereditary cancer syndromes. This article explores if a detailed genetic family history questionnaire is more effective in identifying at-risk individuals for Lynch syndrome than a basic family health questionnaire.

Smoking in Rural and Underserved Pregnant Women.

This article reviews the persistent problem of smoking, especially as it relates to the rural and underserved population. The negative effects of smoking and disparities in health that occur as a result are highlighted. The article reviews the general state of smoking in the United States and discusses health-related issues and concerns of individuals who continue to smoke. The report explores individuals' rationale for smoking, barriers to cessation, and general knowledge related to the outcomes of smoking during pregnancy. The conclusions highlight the need for providers to provide information and interventions to reduce the smoking rates of pregnant women.

Comprehensive foot care education in home-based settings: a tool for clinicians.

Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations does not receive the same priority as problem resolution in the primary care setting. Educating patients with diabetes about foot care in a home-based setting could enable the home healthcare clinician to provide information that could help reduce the risk of ulcerations and amputations. The development of an algorithm to aid clinicians in providing recommended education would enable clinicians to practice using the best-available evidence.

The emerging Doctor of Education (EdD) in instructional leadership for nurse educators.

The nursing faculty shortage is directly related to the ongoing shortage of nurses. As a result of many nursing faculty retiring, the discipline of nursing is losing its most experienced educators. The need is great for programs that will increase access and prepare nurse educators. Doctorate degrees for nurses have evolved in myriad ways. Discussions over the nature of doctoral education for the preparation of nurse educators are at the forefront of debates in nursing education. In response to National League for Nursing (2007; Core competencies of nurse educators, http://www.nln.org/profdev/corecompletter.htm) and Institute of Medicine (2010; The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, http://thefutureofnursing.org/IOM-Report) calls to increase the number of nursing faculty, the colleges of nursing and education at a major university have combined to establish a collaborative doctoral program. This article describes the historical evolution of the nursing doctorate degrees and the development and implementation of the EdD in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators.

The provision of spiritual care by registered nurses on a maternal-infant unit.

PURPOSE: This study explores the spirituality, spiritual well-being (SWB), and spiritual care provision of registered nurses on a maternal-infant unit. METHODS: Data collection instruments included a demographic and spiritual care form, Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS), and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) to address the study's research questions. FINDINGS: Significant positive correlations were found between SPS and SWBS as well as religious well-being (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB; subscales of SWBS). Religious attendance was significantly correlated with SPS, SWBS, and RWB but not EWB. Frequency of spiritual assessment themes was first encounter and when needed, whereas reaching up and reaching out described their provision of spiritual care. CONCLUSION: The sample was highly spiritual, spiritually well, and provided varied spiritual care. IMPLICATIONS: More spiritual care research is needed. Content on providing spiritual care must be enhanced within nursing curricula as well as with nurses in practice.

Evidence-based case management in a high-risk pregnancy: a case study.

This article examines the case management needs of a pregnant woman confined to bed after preterm premature rupture of membranes. Through the period when she is confined to bed, interventions and outcomes are determined on the basis of evidence-based guidelines. By examining this case study, it is anticipated that best practices can be determined for women in similar situations.

Requirements and interventions used by BSN programs to promote and predict NCLEX-RN success: a national study.

The purposes of this study were (1) to identify specific program requirements and educational interventions used to promote National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) success among graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs and (2) to determine the best predictors of NCLEX-RN success used by BSN nursing programs. This descriptive correlational study used the survey method for data collection. Participants were recruited from 513 generic BSN programs. One hundred sixty usable responses were received for a response rate of 31.2 percent. This is the only recent national study of variables associated with NCLEX-RN success that could be found in the literature; therefore, it addresses a gap in the literature. Significant findings related to NCLEX passing rates included (1) the use of standardized entrance exams and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for admission criteria, (2) National League for Nursing (NLN) content at-risk scores for mental health and community health nursing for progression, (3) clinical proficiency and use of exit examinations as graduation requirements, (4) commercial reviews as an intervention, and (5) percent White as a demographic variable. Additionally, the findings support the use of standardized entrance examinations and content area examinations to assess readiness for NCLEX.