Evaluation of a New Faculty Teaching Workload Model.

BACKGROUND: Creating an equitable faculty workload model is an ongoing concern. This research evaluated the effectiveness of and satisfaction with a new faculty teaching workload model 1 year after implementation. METHODS: Data were collected through secondary analysis of faculty assignment spreadsheets, online survey of all full-time nursing faculty members, online survey of college of nursing administrators, and financial analysis. RESULTS: Individual faculty teaching loads were not consistent with the workload model. Tenure-track faculty members were assigned higher workloads than the model. Faculty members strongly preferred to have input into their schedule. Both faculty members and administrators identified strengths and opportunities for the model. CONCLUSIONS: Creating equitable faculty assignments is complex. Administrators and faculty members need to establish a mutual understanding of the process used to calculate equitable workloads and protect time for service and scholarship commensurate with faculty rank.

Integration of Population Health, Social Determinants, and Social Justice in Transcultural Nursing and Culturally Competent Care: White Paper by the Scholars Education Interest Group.

INTRODUCTION: As part of its mission to advance Transcultural Nursing worldwide, the Transcultural Nursing Society Scholars upholds the central role of the discipline and cultural competence in advocacy, empowerment, and transformation of the life conditions of disadvantaged populations. This White Paper affirms the Scholars' core belief in the value of Transcultural Nursing and culturally competent care in addressing social determinants to promote health equity. METHODS: The Scholars Education Interest Group proposes recommendations for changes in education, practice, and research undergirding the discipline and expand cultural competence to directly address social structural and historical forces that perpetuate health vulnerability in diverse populations. RESULTS: Collaborative leadership between the TCNS Scholars, Board of Trustess and members should develop initiatives to foster implementation of the recommendations and promote global dissemination of exemplars in education, research and practice. DISCUSSION: Collaborative implementation of recommendations will generate evidence of health equity outcomes through TCN and culturally competent care.

Nursing Faculty Workload: Balancing Fiscal Responsibility and Faculty Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Nursing faculty and nursing program administrators share the goal of equitable faculty workload. Faculty teaching assignments and other academic workload can affect productivity and faculty satisfaction. PROBLEM: Models for workload calculation need to account for multiple factors including mission, faculty position and rank, faculty expertise, and financial resources. The nursing faculty shortage, organizational structure, and fluctuations in student volumes further complicate achievement of a balanced workload model. APPROACH: A task force identified existing parameters for workload and assessed faculty satisfaction and teaching assignment preferences at a Midwest metropolitan university college of nursing. OUTCOMES: A new workload model was developed and accepted. The work highlighted course load expectations, financial realities, and negotiations between nursing faculty and nursing program administrators. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned suggest considering the academic year overall rather than each semester separately and reaffirm the importance of continual, clear communications between nursing faculty and nursing program administrators.

Nurse Faculty Orientation: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Nursing faculty orientations vary in length, content, and comprehensiveness; this may influence faculty effectiveness and retention. PURPOSE: This review was conducted to identify essential elements for nursing faculty orientation and to develop an orientation checklist and index of mentor-mentee responsibilities. METHODS: An integrative review was conducted using the Ganong approach. The search generated 48 articles that met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated and interpreted. RESULTS: Essential elements for nursing faculty orientation were identified. Both a comprehensive orientation checklist that encompasses academic culture, teaching, scholarship, and service and an index of mentor-mentee responsibilities were created based on the evidence. CONCLUSION: Formal orientation to the academic setting assists nursing faculty through their transition. A comprehensive checklist helps the mentor and mentee to track progress. Addressing the needs of new faculty may result in improved nurse faculty satisfaction, productivity, and retention while producing better student outcomes.

Effects of education on nurse confidence and cardiac surgical glycemic control.

This research was conducted to (1) determine the relationship between nurses' confidence levels using an endocrine order set after educational interventions and experience and (2) measure glycemic control after cardiac surgery with the use of order sets. Findings showed that nurses' confidence increased with ongoing education and experience. Furthermore, tighter glycemic control was achieved on postoperative days 1 and 2, as the protocol was refined, and as the nurses became more comfortable with its use.

Comparing portable computers with bedside computers when administering medications using bedside medication verification.

This research examined bedside medication verification administration in 2 adult critical care units, using portable computers and permanent bedside computers. There were no differences in the number of near-miss errors, the time to administer the medications, or nurse perception of ease of medication administration, care of patients, or reliability of technology. The percentage of medications scanned was significantly higher with the use of permanent bedside computers, and nurses using permanent bedside computers were more likely to agree that the computer was always available.

Process improvement for asthma. An integrated approach.

At least 18 million people in the United States have asthma. Despite the publication of national guidelines, the delivery of care has not substantially changed. This article describes a program at Chicago city sites to improve the delivery of care to adults and children with asthma. Using consistent comprehensive patient education materials, innovative provider education, and a variety of continuous quality improvement interventions including creation of a designated practitioner, this project enhances partnership between patients and health care providers.

An influenza prevention campaign: the employee perspective.

While the benefits of vaccinating health care workers against influenza are known, the number of vaccinated employees remains inadequate. This article describes survey results from 999 Advocate employees. Statistically significant differences were identified in receiving the influenza vaccine based on age, recommendation of the flu vaccine to others, working environment, and race. The major reason identified for receiving the vaccine was to stay healthy. The most common reason cited for not receiving the vaccine was receiving the vaccine before and getting sick anyway. Results of the study were used to refine education and communication strategies, improving the employee vaccination program.