ADN to BSN Transitioning: An Early Decision Model.

Incentivizing nursing students in associate degree programs (ADN) and facilitating transition into RN-to-BSN studies has been a goal of the nursing profession. One partnership has established an "early decision" model for students who want to declare their intent to seek a BSN while earning the ADN. This article discusses how the model creates a relationship between the college, the university, and the student to support the student's transition to the university and academic success.

When a clinical crisis strikes: Lessons learned from the reflective writings of nursing students.

AIM: The following is a qualitative study of reflective journaling related to an unexpected crisis situation as it unfolded through the eyes of nursing students. BACKGROUND: In September 2014, nursing students in clinical rotations at a Texas hospital were faced with the arrival of the first unplanned patient soon to be diagnosed with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the United States. Reflective journaling was a technique used by nursing students to help process thoughts and feelings during this public health crisis. DESIGN: The students' unedited experiences were captured through the technique of reflective journaling and written comments were analyzed using qualitative design with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified as an array of emotions, nursing as a calling, and personal protection. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates how reflective journaling can help reduce the stress of an unexpected clinical situation involving nursing students and encourages immediate coping strategies for those affected. With recent reports from Africa of patients newly diagnosed with EVD, being aware of how to facilitate the learning of nursing students in all clinical settings becomes essential.

Actualizing veterans education in nursing.

A grant driven partnership among a west Texas university, Texas Workforce Commission's College Credits for Heroes, and the Health Resources and Services Administration provided the funding needed to create a competency based education (CBE) model for recognizing military veteran service training and experience. Through this model, we call Competency Assessment Placement (CAP), prior learning credits can be awarded for upper division nursing courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The process used by faculty to create this direct assessment method for awarding credit, performance data of Cohort I using the CAP, and our initial "lessons learned" are provided. Incorporating an on-going reflection of military veteran student learning needs, a persistent concern for improvement of the nursing program, as well as a frequent review of veteran educational benefit policies will continue as this CAP model provides beneficial outcomes for the students.

Course development for web-based nursing education programs.

Developing and launching online programs requires nurse educators to reframe content and rethink traditional teaching methodologies. Creating a framework for course design and standardization of templates can result in online learning that is student centered while allowing the institution to scale up enrollment with quality education at the core. This article explores the considerations needed for effective, interactive online course delivery in nursing education. Working in conjunction with other university technology stakeholders, nurse educators can select the learning management system with the features that will work best for the program, develop the course structure and organization through adherence to template rules for both syllabi and course modules, and develop appropriate learning activities to assure student exposure to content identified in the course objectives. With these structure pieces in place process becomes the second focus for nurse educators in online programs. Process activities for active engagement are discussed.