Examining IV Insulin Practice Guidelines in the Cardiac Surgery Patient: Nurses Evaluating Quality Outcomes.

Recent changes in the Surgical Care Improvement Project guideline require blood glucose values be less than 180 mg/dL 18 to 24 hours after anesthesia end time after cardiac surgery. Our study compares the first group of patients transitioned off IV insulin on postoperative day 1, 24 hours after anesthesia end time, whereas the second group was transitioned off IV insulin on the second day, 48 hours after anesthesia end time. Results show no statistical difference in outcomes between groups.

Important considerations when applying for a postdoctoral fellowship.

PURPOSE: To examine important decision points that graduates should consider before applying for a postdoctoral fellowship. METHODS: A literature review was performed. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: A synthesis of the present data on the postdoctoral fellowship, eligibility criteria, application process, and important considerations was provided. Experiential knowledge from four present postdoctoral fellows was included. The goals, advantages, and disadvantages of the fellowship were discussed. In conclusion, the postdoctoral fellowship was examined to offer important considerations in the decision to pursue this opportunity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The clinical relevance of this article is related to the training and education of nurses to become the next generation of independent, successful scholars and scientists. Postdoctoral training adds valuable contributions and quality to the field of nursing.

An Introduction to Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Excellence in Nurse Education: Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The diversity of the world's population is increasing, along with the health inequities of underrepresented minority populations. To provide high-quality care to all patients, nurses require an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as how to implement best practices. Nurse educators are the ones to lead the way for DEI education for students. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to describe the findings of a literature review that introduces DEI concepts for excellence in nurse education and their related benefits. Best practices for actions to address DEI in nursing education will be described. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, a literature search yielded 61 articles using 15 distinct keywords in 4 global, peer-reviewed literature databases. Melynk and Fineout-Overholt's (2023) Levels of Evidence guided the process of selecting 26 peer-reviewed articles and resources. RESULTS: Common themes for best practices in DEI were identified. These themes included recruiting underrepresented minority nursing faculty, incorporating DEI into an institution's mission statement, addressing DEI topics in curricula, providing leadership, having a DEI strategic plan, developing education, developing data-based interventions, instilling policy change, partnering in outreach, targeting impact on hiring committees, recognizing DEI work, and providing mentorship. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this literature review provides several strategies to address DEI for nurse educators. Committing to DEI efforts and improving diversity in the nurse educator workforce are integral steps in improving the quality and inclusivity of nursing education and ultimately improving the health of our communities.

Noncompliance in heart transplantation: a role for the advanced practice nurse.

Many organ transplant recipients experience organ rejection because they are noncompliant with the requirements of the health care regimen. The advanced practice nurse is in an ideal position to assess predictors of noncompliance as well as to implement interventions to enhance patient compliance. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a young female heart transplant recipient whose death due to organ rejection was related to noncompliance. The role of the advanced practice nurse in reducing noncompliance is identified and relevant nursing interventions are discussed.

A pilot study evaluating daily physical activity before and after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Benefits of daily physical activity are well known, but there are limited data to describe physical activity in heart failure patients who receive cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate changes in physical activity (PA) levels before and 3 months after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) and determine relationships of PA to physical function and comorbidities, as well as describe changes in heart failure symptoms. This was a prospective pre-/post- design that included a convenience sample of 21 subjects using self- report questionnaires and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). In this sample, there was a 2.6 hour increase in high level PA (p = 0.024). 6MW distance improved 27% (p < .0001). Subjects experienced a 25% reduction in dyspnea (p = 0.015). Knowledge gained from this study adds to the understanding of the patient response to CRT. Further study is recommended to generalize findings and explore whether an intervention (cardiac rehabilitation) is indicated.