Learning Skills Profiles of master's students in nursing administration: assessing the impact of problem-based learning.

Attempts to compare graduate student performances before and after introducing new curricula are rare; yet faculties need outcome measures to justify program costs and demonstrate effectiveness. Boyatzis and Kolb's Learning Skills Profile is used to assess the outcomes of a problem-based learning MSN program. Increases were demonstrated among all 12 learning skills; statistically significant increases were found in eight of the personal learning skills and six of the job skill demands. Comparisons are made between scores of students in the MSN program and scores of master's students in business administration.

Evaluating the impact of problem-based learning on learning styles of master's students in nursing administration.

Problem-based learning (PBL) was adopted in 1999 as the major teaching strategy in the four core courses of the master of science in nursing (MSN) program in Nursing Administration. Three standardized tests were used to assess the impact of PBL on student learning and performance. This article reports a study designed to assess the impact of a PBL curriculum on master's students' Learning Style Inventory (LSI-IIa). Experiential learning theory is used in this descriptive comparative design to compare LSI scores of 29 MSN students before and after two consecutive semesters of using PBL in Nursing Administration core courses. The post-PBL findings suggest that, in the learning cycle, students' preference increased for the conceptualizing-experiencing pole. Prior to PBL, 38% of the students selected the accommodator learning style and 34% selected the converger learning style. In post-PBL, 11 students changed their learning style, fewer students were in the accommodator group, and the converger group was unchanged. Differences in LSI scores are compared with those of post-RN students and medical students experiencing PBL curriculum changes. Assessing student outcomes in Nursing Administration MSN curriculum is possible with standardized tests designed by management and psychology educators. Experiential learning theory is a useful perspective from which to study PBL.

Self, peer, and tutor assessments of MSN competencies using the PBL-evaluator.

Professional competencies are derived from formal, informal, and hidden curricula. Problem-based learning (PBL) is one pedagogy that addresses all three curricula types and facilitates the development of key professional competencies such as critical thinking, communication skills, interpersonal relations, and self-assessment. This article reports on a formative evaluation study completed by three cohorts of master's degree students and two nurse faculty-tutors who used the Web-based PBL-Evaluator after each of 10 PBL cases delivered over two semesters. Major findings included notable differences among self, peer, and tutor in rating the five domains; an increase in ratings by PBL case and evaluator type as the two semesters progressed; and substantial differences among evaluators in providing positive and negative feedback.

Mentoring undergraduate nursing students: assessing the state of the science.

Academic mentoring is frequently offered as one strategy to facilitate student success, but the research evidence may be wanting. The authors present an integrative review of the data-based scholarship published between 1992 and 2002. Analysis involved synthesizing the research evidence and presenting findings within a conceptual framework. Research priorities are offered.

Kenyan nurses' involvement in managing hospitalized diabetic patients.

Diabetes is a global public health concern because the incidence, prevalence and financial burden are rapidly increasing. Clinical nursing research in developing countries is rare. This study examines nurses' involvement in the management of diabetic patients in a western Kenya Hospital. A descriptive exploratory design is used, data were collected in structured interviews with 15 registered nurses using an investigator-designed instrument. Content analysis produced eight categories of nurses' involvement in managing hospitalized diabetic patients. Facilitators and barriers to managing diabetic care are presented from the perspective of the nurse, hospital, patient, family and community. Workforce redesign is needed to cope with nursing shortages.