Early Prelicensure Nursing Students' Perceptions of Case Studies Through the Lens of the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model.

BACKGROUND: Research indicates new nursing graduates struggle with clinical reasoning, despite some related skill development throughout their education. The question remains, "Could an earlier focus on clinical reasoning in nursing programs enhance nursing students' clinical reasoning?" PURPOSE: This pilot study investigated how first-semester nursing students perceive the use of case studies in clinical reasoning skill development and the perceived benefits of case studies related to the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM). METHODS: Case studies and written reflections were introduced to a convenience sample (n = 45) of first-semester nursing students. Qualitative analysis was conducted on written reflections. RESULTS: Students found case studies enhanced their knowledge and prepared them for clinical practice as a nurse. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest early introduction of case studies is a meaningful teaching strategy to develop clinical reasoning aligned with the NCJMM.

Predictors and a framework for fostering community advocacy as a community health worker core function to eliminate health disparities.

OBJECTIVES: Using a mixed-method, participatory research approach, we investigated factors related to community health worker (CHW) community advocacy that affect social determinants of health. METHODS: We used cross-sectional survey data for 371 CHWs to assess demographics, training, work environment, and leadership qualities on civic, political, and organizational advocacy. We present advocacy stories to further articulate CHW activities. The data reported are from the recently completed National Community Health Workers Advocacy Study. RESULTS: CHWs are involved in advocacy that is community-focused, although advocacy differs by intrinsic leadership, experience, training, and work environment. We propose a framework to conceptualize, support, and evaluate CHW advocacy and the iterative processes they engage in. These processes create opportunities for community voice and action to affect social and structural conditions that are known to have wide-ranging health effects on communities. CONCLUSIONS: The framework presented may have utility for CHWs, their training programs, and their employers as well as funders and policymakers aiming to promote health equity.

Sex offender management: the public policy challenges.

Few issues within the crime policy arena are as volatile as those involving sex offending, yet there is an enormous "knowledge gap" between research, science, and clinical practice, on the one hand, and the policy and criminal justice practitioner communities, on the other. Recent highly publicized cases involving sex offending, which have elevated the issue in the public eye, provide an opportunity for experts in this field to play an aggressive role in informing this debate. In particular, high priority should be given to developing more effective means of communicating to policymakers, practitioners, the media, elected officials, and the public what is known from science and clinical practice about sex offending and about what works in addressing it. A strong commitment to greater cross-disciplinary collaboration is also needed, as is federal leadership, particularly in supporting a cross-department research agenda. Researchers and other experts in this field can play a valuable role in helping ensure rational and effective public policy relating to sex offending that can achieve public safety and help reduce future victimization.