Block learning: Evaluation of a new teaching approach for nursing and midwifery education.

AIM: The aim is to present outcome and engagement data from the initial years of the implementation of a new teaching approach in entry to practice nursing and midwifery education. BACKGROUND: The Block Model (TBM) is a teaching approach that involves studying one unit of study at a time over a four-week period, as opposed to the traditional semester model. This paper presents data revealing the impact of TBM on student engagement and overall experience in entry to practice Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery programs. DESIGN: The evaluation retrospectively compared key indicators pre- Block Model implementation with outcomes for nursing and midwifery students using TBM approach using standard data sets and external comparators such as the Student Experience Survey and National Employability Survey. METHODS: The study presents a comparative analysis of key indicators and graduate outcomes for students. We use reportable data and two external comparators, the Student Experience Survey and the National Employability Survey, to gauge student learning and graduate employability. The evaluation was conducted in a tertiary institution in Australia with for nursing and midwifery students who completed their studies using TBM approach at the university. RESULTS: The implementation of TBM in nursing and midwifery programs resulted in improvements in learner engagement, retention rates and pass rates. Improvements were also noted graduate outcomes, with an increase in full-time graduate employment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the Block Model is a promising new teaching approach in nursing and midwifery education, with potential benefits for learner engagement, retention and pass rates.

Developmental toxicity study of dimethylpiperidone.

The potential maternal and developmental toxicity of dimethylpiperidone (DMPD) was assessed in rats. Groups of 25 mated female Crl:CD (SD)IGS BR rats were exposed by inhalation (whole-body exposures) for approximately six hours per day over days 7-21 of gestation (G); day 1G was the day of copulation plug detection. The exposure levels were 0, 52, 260, or 340 (vapor plus aerosol) mg/m3 DMPD. During the in-life portion, body weights, food consumption, and clinical observation data were collected. On day 22G, the dams were euthanized and examined for gross external and internal alterations. The uterine contents were described and the fetuses were weighed and examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Maternal toxicity was seen at both 260 and 340 mg/m3. At 340 mg/m3, evidence of maternal toxicity included mortality, increased clinical observations, and decreased body weight and food consumption. At 260 mg/m3, maternal toxicity was limited to increased clinical observations and decreased food consumption. Developmental toxicity was also produced at 260 and 340 mg/m3. At 340 mg/m3, evidence of developmental toxicity included decreased fetal weight, increased embryofetal lethality with concomitant reductions in litter size, and increased fetal malformations and variations. At 260 mg/m3, effects in fetuses were limited to slightly decreased fetal weight and increased fetal variations; additionally, one litter from this level consisted entirely of resorptions. There were no compound-related effects in either dams or fetuses at 52 mg/m3. It was, therefore, concluded that DMPD was not selectively toxic to the rat conceptus.