School counselor perceptions and practices of advising male high school students regarding a career in nursing.

BACKGROUND: The literature describes how male high school students with an interest in a career in nursing have struggled to obtain guidance, support, and accurate information. PURPOSE: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand the perceptions and practices of school counselors when advising male high school students about a nursing career. METHOD: Sixty-one school counselors completed an online survey, and nine participated in online interviews between June 2022 and February 2023. RESULTS: Unlike previously published studies, school counselors have an overall positive view of men in nursing and were supportive of male high school students becoming nurses. CONCLUSIONS: School counselors need more accurate and consistent resources.

Implementing a clinical checklist for pregnant patients with opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) has been increasing in pregnant patients over the past two decades. Best practice guidelines that are available for these patients, must now be implemented by health care teams. Clinical checklists have been used for other complex patient cohorts with good success and are a potentially viable tool for ensuring best practices with this patient population as well. LOCAL PROBLEM: Maine has seen a dramatic increase in the number of pregnant patients with OUD. Many of these patients seemed to "fall through the cracks" in the traditional prenatal care model. The obstetrical care team expressed feeling overwhelmed by the complex care needs of these patients and unsure of how to improve their care. METHODS: To improve prenatal care delivery for patients with OUD, we implemented an evidence-based clinical checklist. This local, NP-led quality improvement project was done in partnership with a state-led initiative to improve perinatal care for patients with OUD. INTERVENTIONS: An evidence-based checklist provided by the state initiative was implemented for prenatal patients with diagnosed OUD. RESULTS: Use of a clinical checklist for patients with OUD increased the rate of several best practices during their prenatal care, including emergency naloxone prescription, tracking prescription monitoring reports, and contraceptive planning. Rates of completed prenatal screening for substance misuse, social determinants of health, and intimate partner violence also increased in our practice overall, as a result of this project. CONCLUSIONS: To further improve perinatal care coordination for patients with OUD, we recommend future evaluation of clinical checklists within various practice settings.

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility nurse online orientation program evaluation: a quality improvement initiative.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel online orientation program (Nurses in REI Communication, Knowledge, and Skills [NRCKS]) among new and early-career reproductive endocrinology nurses to make recommendations for program quality improvement. Design: Quality improvement. Subjects: Reproductive endocrinology nurses. Exposure: Online orientation program featuring 8 micromodules. Main Outcome Measures: Knowledge acquisition, confidence, user experience, skills, and abilities. Results: Nurses demonstrated a statistically significant increase in reproductive knowledge after completion of NRCKS. Most nurse users felt confident applying knowledge in the clinical settings after program completion. Nurse users had an overall positive experience with interactive components and quality of visuals. Most nurse users gained skills and abilities that they will implement into professional practice. Nurses suggested improving navigation, adding more visuals in content expert presentations, and teaching soft skills necessary for the role of reproductive endocrinology nurses. Conclusions: Nurses in REI Communication, Knowledge, and Skills was well received by nurse participants and emphasized the receptivity and desire for reproductive health and fertility training among novice reproductive endocrinology nurses. Nurses in REI Communication, Knowledge, and Skills increased nursing knowledge, and nurses felt confident applying newly gained knowledge in the clinical setting on completion. Nurse participants provided invaluable feedback for quality improvement to inform the hard launch. The results emphasize the online orientation's strong potential to close the theory-practice gap.

Inclusive Care for Birthing Transgender Men: A Review of the Literature.

We conducted a review of literature to examine the experiences of transgender men (transmen) seeking pregnancy care. Our review revealed that transmen and cisgender persons desire pregnancy at similar rates; however, transmen experience discrimination from health care systems and providers. Additionally, pregnant transmen may experience unique psychological needs and require support for postpartum contraception and lactation. Based on a synthesis of the available literature, we offer strategies for providing inclusive care for birthing transmen and resources for further professional development related to transgender health issues.

Graduating nursing students' preparedness and comfort level in caring for LGBTQ+ patients.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students must be prepared to care for diverse patient populations, including sexual and gender minorities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a national survey of graduating prelicensure nursing students to assess their perceived preparedness for and comfort level with providing care for LGBTQ+ patients. METHODS: A multisite descriptive correlational design was utilized in conjunction with a modified version of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Medical Education Assessment tool to survey graduating prelicensure nursing students' perceived levels of preparedness and comfort regarding their provision of care to LGBTQ+ individuals. RESULTS: Students indicated that LGBTQ+ health topics had been covered in their programs, but some required further attention. The majority reported feeling prepared and sufficiently comfortable to provide care for LGBTQ+ patients but did not attribute this to their academic nursing education. Select demographic variables were significantly correlated to student levels of preparedness and comfort. CONCLUSION: Nursing education programs must continue to evaluate curricular LGBTQ+ health content to ensure that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and confidence necessary to serve this unique patient population.

Postpartum and Paternal Postnatal Depression: Identification, Risks, and Resources.

This article provides an overview of the prevalence and cause of postpartum depression in women and postnatal depression among their male partners, as well as a review of related symptoms, risk factors, and effects on children. Evidence-based screening tools, management options, and resources for patients and providers are also presented.

Faculty development workshop on gender-associated incivility in nursing education.

BACKGROUND: Men comprise the minority of entry-level baccalaureate nursing students and are at increased risk of experiencing gender-associated incivility. PROBLEM: Uncivil peer-to-peer behavior can negatively affect students' mental and physical well-being, and learning experience. Nursing faculty must be able to identify and address gender-associated incivility among students. AIM: The purpose of this quality improvement program was to train nursing faculty to prevent, identify, and manage gender-associated incivility in the educational environment. METHODS: A day-long interactive workshop utilizing trigger films, small group discussions, and interactive theater was developed to train nursing faculty to implement proactive and reactive techniques to address uncivil behavior which will enhance the learning environment for all students. Utilizing Kirkpatrick's Model of Evaluation, participants were surveyed at the conclusion of the workshop and four months postworkshop to evaluate their learning and its implementation. RESULTS: Participants gained greater understanding of the impact of gender-associated incivility and felt both empowered and better prepared to manage gender-associated conflict. CONCLUSION: Similar approaches may be useful for schools of nursing that wish to empower their nursing faculty to support an equitable nursing education environment free of gender-associated incivility.

Exploring attitudes of acceptance of males in nursing among registered nurses.

AIMS: To explore attitudes of acceptance of male nurses and examine correlations between female nurses' levels of acceptance and certain demographic variables. BACKGROUND: Collaboration and teamwork are essential skills for the nursing profession and for successful health care environments. Attitudes of acceptance between male and female nurses can impact the ability to sustain these skills and influence nursing satisfaction. METHODS: Female (n = 251) and male (n = 60) nurses from three medical centres in or near a large, Midwestern city participated. Data were collected via an anonymous online survey using the Sexist Attitude Inventory. RESULTS: Male nurses' attitudes of acceptance of male nurses were greater than female nurses' attitudes of acceptance. A small, positive correlation was found between the female nurse's level of education and her acceptance of male nurses. Male and female nurses' responses were also significantly different on 35% of the inventory items-providing areas of focus for relationship improvement. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The significant difference between male and female nurses' acceptance of male nurses necessitates further investigation. Addressing male/female perspective differences on professional work issues may improve both groups' work experience, job satisfaction, and acceptance of all nursing colleagues, regardless of gender.