Impact of a Pandemic as a Forced Disruption in Nursing Education.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a pandemic as a forced disruption in nursing education to recover from and prepare for current and future disruptions. Four qualitative themes from Midwestern nursing professional development providers ( n = 60) noted impacts. Recommendations for nursing professional development leaders to support staff during turbulent times include preparation for online teaching and learning, and improved communication regarding essential education.

Implementation of a Dedicated Education Unit Model for ADN Students in a Rural Primary Care Setting.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated education unit (DEU) clinical education models are an innovative, evidence-based approach to create effective learning environments for students. These models have been implemented primarily in acute care settings. PROBLEM: The gap between nursing education and clinical practice in rural health care settings is a growing concern, compounded by a nursing faculty shortage and decreased availability of clinical sites. APPROACH: A descriptive study design was used to assess the outcomes of a DEU model of clinical practice with associate degree nursing students in a rural primary care clinic, using registered nurses (RNs) who were prepared as clinical nurse teachers. OUTCOMES: Associate degree nursing students experienced the RN role in primary care, worked with nurses who wanted to teach them, and improved their nursing skills. CONCLUSIONS: The DEU model is a positive clinical teaching pedagogy for students and staff nurses.

Associations among fluid intake, cognitive function, and length of stay in psychogeriatric inpatients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine differences, interactions, and associations among cognition, fluid intake, and demographic variables that may affect length of stay (LOS) for psychogeriatric inpatients aged 65 years or older. DESIGN AND METHODS: Descriptive, comparative, correlational secondary analysis of data from a primary study of 202 inpatients. FINDINGS: Older adults with and without cognitive impairment had different fluid intake over time (F = 3.50; p = .03), but had no difference in LOS in relation to cognitive functioning (p = .23); additional factors may predict LOS. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Care providers must monitor the fluid intake of elderly patients with and without cognitive impairment throughout their hospitalization.

Virtual reality simulation: using three-dimensional technology to teach nursing students.

The use of computerized technology is rapidly growing in the classroom and in healthcare. An emerging computer technology strategy for nursing education is the use of virtual reality simulation. This computer-based three-dimensional educational tool simulates real-life patient experiences in a risk-free environment, allows for repeated practice sessions, requires clinical decision making, exposes students to diverse patient conditions, provides immediate feedback, and is portable. The purpose of this article was to review the importance of virtual reality simulation as a computerized teaching strategy. In addition, a project to explore readiness of nursing faculty at one major Midwestern university for the use of virtual reality simulation as a computerized teaching strategy is described where faculty thought virtual reality simulation would increase students' knowledge of an intravenous line insertion procedure. Faculty who practiced intravenous catheter insertion via virtual reality simulation expressed a wide range of learning experiences from using virtual reality simulation that is congruent with the literature regarding the barriers to student learning. Innovative teaching strategies, such as virtual reality simulation, address barriers of increasing patient acuity, high student-to-faculty ratio, patient safety concerns from faculty, and student anxiety and can offer rapid feedback to students.

Measuring changes in negative and positive thinking in patients with depression.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to describe changes in positive and negative thinking in adult inpatients with depression who attended an Advanced Practice Nurse-led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group on 1 inpatient unit in a large medical center. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive design with a retrospective cohort chart review was conducted (n = 427). Positive and negative thinking were measured by the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire at admission and at discharge. FINDINGS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A paired t-test revealed a significant change (p = .001) in both positive and negative thinking in the desired direction between admission and discharge. It is important to measure clinical improvements.

Hydration status of geriatric patients in a psychiatric hospital.

Dehydration negatively impacts geriatric hospitalization outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hydration status of psychogeriatric inpatients and explore possible factors for dehydration. A descriptive, retrospective chart review of patients discharged from a psychogeriatric unit was completed. Clinical and biochemical information was collected at three time points (admission, mid-point, and discharge). Results were consistent with clinical observations that less hydrated patients seem to do worse clinically. It is important to closely monitor hydration status in psychogeriatric inpatients to reduce morbidity. Further studies are needed to develop strategies to prevent dehydration and its complications in this population.

The consultation role of a nurse educator.

Consultation is one component of the nurse educator's role. This role is rapidly expanding as health care changes. Nurse educators are being called on to provide support for the educational process in areas outside their clinical specialty. This article describes the educational consultation process in a large medical center where nurse educators have expanded their roles to ambulatory care areas. Key principles guiding the educational consultation process are delineated as well as possible uses. A five-stage process is described to aid the nurse educator in implementing the educational consultation process. In addition, some of the barriers that may be encountered during a consultation are identified.