DNP Program Faculty and Graduates' Knowledge and Use of QI and Safety Processes.

BACKGROUND: Across doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs, wide variation exists for DNP project expectations and curricular integration of Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies. PURPOSE: This study examined DNP project characteristics and compared knowledge, skills, and attitudes about quality improvement (QI) processes between DNP program faculty and graduates. METHODS: This descriptive study used a national convenience sample of DNP program faculty and graduates from multiple settings (N = 147) who completed an electronic survey of a modified version of the Quality Improvement Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Survey. RESULTS: Most DNP projects were QI/practice improvement (85.5%) and required interprofessional collaboration (65%) and implementation of a practice change (55.8%) with evaluation (65.5%). DNP program faculty (n = 73) and graduates (n = 30) had no significant differences in QI knowledge or skills; faculty reported less confidence in their knowledge (P = .002) and skills (P = .007) than graduates. CONCLUSIONS: Faculty development efforts to improve QI knowledge and skills for DNP program faculty are needed.

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Competencies in Doctor of Nursing Practice Education: Exemplars From Education and Practice.

Graduate level Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies were created to facilitate preparation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate to have an impact on health care system changes, advance nursing practice, and improve the health of populations. Although there is agreement that QSEN competencies are important to DNP education, little is known about implementation of the competencies. This article describes the importance of QSEN competencies in DNP education and provides exemplars of QSEN competencies in DNP education and practice.

Subjective State, Blood Pressure, and Behavioral Control Changes Produced by an "Energy Shot"

Background: Energy drinks and energy shots are popular consumer beverages that are advertised to increase feelings of alertness. Typically, these products include high levels of caffeine, a mild psychostimulant drug. The scientific evidence demonstrating the specific benefits of energy products to users in terms of subjective state and objective performance is surprisingly lacking. Moreover, there are rising health concerns associated with the use of these products. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of a popular energy shot (5-Hour Energy®) on subjective and objective measures that were assessed hourly for 6 hours following consumption. Methods: Participants (n=14) completed a three-session study where they received the energy shot, a placebo control, and no drink. Following dose administration, participants completed subjective Profile of Mood States ratings hourly for 6 hours. Participants also repeatedly completed a behavioral control task (the cued go/no-go task) and provided blood pressure and pulse rate readings at each hour. Results: Consumption of the energy shot did improve subjective state, as measured by increased ratings of vigor and decreased ratings of fatigue. However, the energy shot did not alter objective performance, which worsened over time. Importantly, the energy shot elevated both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Consumption of one energy shot may only result in modest benefits to subjective state. Individuals with preexisting hypertension or other medical conditions should be cautious about using these new consumer products.

Emotionally troubled teens' help-seeking behaviors: an evaluation of surviving the Teens® suicide prevention and depression awareness program.

Many school-based suicide prevention programs do not show a positive impact on help-seeking behaviors among emotionally troubled teens despite their being at high risk for suicide. This study is a secondary analysis of the Surviving the Teens(®) program evaluation to determine its effect on help-seeking behaviors among troubled youth. Results showed significant increases in mean scores of the Behavioral Intent to Communicate with Important Others Regarding Emotional Health Issues subscale (p < .0005) from pretest to 3-month follow-up. There was a significant increase (p = .006) in mean scores of the Behavioral Intent Regarding Help-Seeking Behaviors when Suicidal subscale from pretest to posttest, but not at 3-month follow-up. Also, there was a significant increase (p = .016) in mean scores in the item "I would tell an adult if I was suicidal" from pretest to 3-month follow-up. These findings suggest that the Surviving the Teens program has a positive effect on help-seeking behaviors in troubled youth.