Exploring leadership roles, goals, and barriers among Kansas registered nurses: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report advocates for full nurse leader representation across multiple settings to address current challenges in our health care system. The purpose of this study was to examine nursing leadership development needs among Kansas registered nurses (RNs). METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS: Nearly 1,000 Kansas RNs participated. Most reported holding one or more leadership positions. Prevalent leadership goals were health care organization volunteer administrative roles. The most frequently identified barrier to developing leadership roles was time constraints. Many wanted to develop skills to serve on a board, 20% were interested in personal leadership development, and 19% in policy development. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, the Kansas Action Coalition leadership team is developing programs to address the leadership needs of Kansas RNs. By building capacity in advanced leadership roles, RNs will be better prepared serve as full partners and lead efforts to promote the health of Kansans.

Educating African pastors on mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

PURPOSE: To educate pastors of the Assemblies of God in Burkina Faso concerning HIV/AIDS and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). DESIGN: A pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of 102 pastors attending the educational program on HIV/AIDS and MTCT in January, February, and March of 2005. The educational program was implemented in local Bible colleges in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. METHODS: Participants attended an 18-hour program on HIV/AIDS and MTCT. A picture booklet was designed and used to help explain the prevention of MTCT of HIV The pretest-posttest examination and follow-up evaluation were designed for this project. FINDINGS: Results of the pretest showed minimal knowledge of pastors regarding HIV/AIDS. The median composite scores on the knowledge questions increased from 16% on the pretest to 92% on the posttest. Within the 3-month follow-up period, 34 follow-up evaluations were received. Although all the responding pastors had recommended testing for expectant mothers, only 13 had discussed MTCT in their churches or communities. CONCLUSIONS: The educational program was effective in increasing the pastors' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and MTCT. Further research is needed to identify barriers to full utilization of that knowledge.

Correlates of falls and fear of falling among adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify correlates of falling and fear of falling, and to examine how fear of falling affects activities among adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Adults (mean age 54.2 years; SD 9.1) with RA (n = 128) responded to questions related to falls, fear of falling, and activities modified. Other measures included the Profile of Mood States Short Form, the McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, walk time, grip strength, predicted maximum oxygen uptake, and joint count. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of participants fell during the previous year. Subjects who fell had more comorbid conditions than subjects who did not fall. Almost 60% were fearful of falling. Compared with subjects who denied fear of falling, fearful subjects had longer walk times, more comorbid conditions, and more intense pain. Activities affected most by fear of falling involved heavy work and climbing. CONCLUSIONS: The number of comorbid conditions plays an important role in falling and fear of falling in adults with RA. Knowledge of this and other factors, such as pain intensity and functional status, can facilitate appropriate interventions.