Nursing as a Calling: Using the Pedagogy of Reflection While on Mission.

ABSTRACT: This qualitative research study used the pedagogy of reflection as faculty guided undergraduate nursing students in self-reflection and critique while on a mission trip to South India. Working through a dichotomy of emotions, students began to view nursing as a calling and themselves as global citizens embracing cultural diversity.

Effectiveness of Peripheral Intravenous Skill Continuing Education Using Low-Fidelity Simulation Among Nurses in India.

BACKGROUND: Many nurses have limited opportunities to practice peripheral intravenous (IV) skill access until they begin their nursing career, particularly in limited resource settings. Continuing nursing education is needed for practicing nurses to build nurse capacity and skill accuracy in IV access globally. METHOD: A pretest-posttest design was used to measure effectiveness of peripheral IV continuing education among 180 nurses in India. A skills checklist was used to observe for skill accuracy using low-fidelity simulation. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement in knowledge regarding peripheral IV skill access and care was found (p < .001), and 95% of nurse participants successfully simulated IV access accuracy after the continuing education intervention. CONCLUSION: Findings support the need for continuing nursing education to improve peripheral IV access and care knowledge and skill among nurses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries or other settings where hands-on experience is limited during undergraduate nursing education programs. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(6):255-261.

The Pad Project: A Global Initiative Uniting Women.

The Pad Project is a women's health program used to educate women on their monthly menstrual cycles. Through this ministry, women who do not have access to menstrual hygiene products are given sustainable hygienic kits to promote menstrual health. This unique health education program also integrates stories from the gospel to illustrate Christ's love and caring commitment toward women and women's health.

Travel as a Transformational Spiritual Event.

There is a philosophical connection between elements of travel and elements of spirituality. Nurses can develop spiritual intelligence, hone transcultural skills, and develop cultural humility through travel. Concepts of spiritual intelligence are incorporated to distinguish spirituality from religion. This discussion is to describe the spiritual attributes of travel through exploration of unique cultural sameness and differences, stepping out of one's routine, experiences of solitude, and the application to nursing. Venues such as study abroad, mission trips, cultural exchange opportunities, and service learning projects all can provide meaningful times of transformation, spiritual growth, learning new ways of doing things, and of being in the world. Nurses who integrate these practices into the care they provide daily will be enriched personally and rewarded with improved outcomes.