An Innovative Use of the Logic Model for a Qualitative Analysis Framework.

BACKGROUND: Qualitative analysis can be a daunting and time-consuming task for those who are attempting to code qualitative data for the first time. METHOD: This article presents select secondary data analysis from a previously published study to demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of implementing a logic model approach to provide a framework for qualitative analysis. RESULTS: The use of the logic model provided systematic organization during the analysis process, efficiency for analytical tasks, and enhanced trustworthiness by documenting each analysis step. The model allowed for easier visualization of data that facilitated a richer and more focused analysis. CONCLUSION: With qualitative data that are focused on processes or outcomes, implementing a logic model framework to categorize and organize data can be useful and efficient, particularly for a novice analyst whether analyzing qualitative text for quality improvement, evidence-based practice, program evaluation, or formal research. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(6):297-301.].

Capturing the Impact of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree on West Texas Health Care.

BACKGROUND: This article describes findings from a Phase 1 investigation exploring the influence of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)-prepared nurses in West Texas. METHOD: Following a focus group session with eight practicing DNPs, the focus group shared how their roles effected safer health care. RESULTS: Final takeaways included their commitment to safer health care and prevention, moving care to the community, and a wish for more variety in projects generated in workplaces. Three themes emerged from the data: DNP leadership practice affects health outcomes through improved quality of care, influence, and innovation; DNP strengths include communication, leadership, and ability to change others' thinking; and the influence of DNP-prepared leaders at all external levels occurs through both increasing awareness of the role and influencing in multiple areas. DNP challenges include lack of understanding by others of the role and the lack of recognition and respect for their educational preparation. CONCLUSION: Leading, innovating, and communicating during constantly changing care models are key skills needed during the current health care crisis. These skills are basic to DNP practice. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(4):192-197.].

Building nurse resilience in the workplace.

AIMS: The aims of the study were 1) to replicate the research based on the pilot study; 2) to increase resilience in nurses working on all units at four hospitals and 3) to determine which interventions were preferred and most effective. BACKGROUND: Work stress mediates resilience and resilience moderates work stress. Resilience building activities in the literature are often time consuming, complex and done outside work hours. This study investigated use of portable, accessible and brief interventions by nurses to decrease stress and increase resilience during work hours. METHODS: This study used a cross sectional, longitudinal, repeated measures survey design. The study took place in October 2018 to January 2019. Toolkits included written instructions for completing the study protocol, and six activities. Nurses completed surveys at baseline, at 10 time points over a four- to six-week period, and at study conclusion. RESULTS: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 instrument scores showed resilience increased significantly at four weeks and the effect continued at three months (p < .02). Self-reported stress levels decreased over the study period and nurses self-selected to continue use of the interventions. CONCLUSION: The interventions used during work hours decreased self-reported stress and increased resilience. Nurse leaders may easily adopt these options to promote a less stressed workforce. Resilience can increase the ability of nurses to tolerate high stress in the workplace, which may decrease burnout and turnover. In the pandemic, resilience is even more important as hospitals struggle to retain nurses.

Exploring Strategies to Build Resiliency in Nurses During Work Hours.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study investigated increasing nurse resiliency utilizing a toolkit of stress-reducing interventions on medical-surgical units at 4 hospitals. BACKGROUND: Resiliency-building activities are time consuming and undertaken outside work hours. Although the activities show a positive impact on resilience, researchers investigated whether similar results could be achieved where nurses experience work stress. METHODS: This quasi-experimental pretest and posttest interventional study used a within-subjects design. Provided toolkits included written instructions to carry out the study. Nurses completed surveys at baseline, at 10 time points over a 6-week period, and at study conclusion. RESULTS: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 scores increased significantly at follow-up (P < .02). Self-reported stress levels decreased over the 10 shifts with continued use of the interventions. CONCLUSION: Using stress-reducing interventions during work decreased stress and increased resiliency, thereby offering nurse leaders additional options to promote a healthy workforce at the bedside.

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.

Exploring the Perspectives of Telecommuting Nursing Faculty.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the needs of faculty telecommuters for a school of nursing, as well as other programs considering employing telecommuters in the future. METHOD: This was a qualitative descriptive study using content analysis and quantitative demographics. After institutional review board approval was obtained, the study was conducted using a convenience sample of telecommuting nursing faculty from one university. The participants responded to open-ended survey questions describing their experience of telecommuting and provided demographic data. RESULTS: Social interaction was key, especially from faculty who initially were in full-time on-campus positions. How social contact is maintained determined overall success in this role. Factors helping included online meetings, online social interactions, positive reports of flexibility, and experienced high levels of autonomy. A Nursing Faculty Telecommuter Interactional Model for Success was created based on these themes. CONCLUSION: Technology appeared to be the driving force of productive work days. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(3):152-159.].

Exploring job satisfaction, role issues, and supervisor support of associate degree nursing program directors.

AIM: This article reports findings from a National League for Nursing-funded research study that examined factors in the psychosocial work environment of academic program directors. BACKGROUND: Vacant nursing academic leadership positions continue to rise and remain unfilled for extensive time periods. No recent study has looked at this issue from a national perspective. METHOD: An exploratory, descriptive, correlational design with a convenience sample of academic administrators was obtained from NLNAC-accredited programs. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II was the primary instrument used in the study. RESULTS: Academic administrators (N = 242; response rate: 41.2 percent) validated concerns of increasing position turnover; 59 percent indicated that they were in their current positions for less than five years. Statistically significant correlations were found between job satisfaction, work/family life, role concerns, social support, and recognition. CONCLUSION: Proactive interventions are needed to ensure manageable workloads for those in these essential positions.

From frontline nurse managers to academic program directors: research, strategies, and commonalities.

PROBLEM: Frontline nurse managers, whether in service or academia, are facing very similar stressors related to the ever-expanding job duties that also include providing a positive nurturing work environment for employees. Publications supporting these two administrative positions are referenced in either nursing administration or nursing education journals. Yet much can be shared and learned when both sets of rich research and commentary are merged. METHOD: This article compares the recent research across these two areas of critical nursing management from a role analysis perspective. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for encouraging healthy work environments, enhancing personal growth, leadership development, encouraging succession planning, and innovatively partnering toward the future are included.

Exploring social support and job satisfaction among associate degree program directors in California.

A troubling trend noted in California has been an increase in the number of open positions for program directors of associate degree registered nursing (ADRN) programs. Positions remain open for extended periods of time, and the number of qualified applicants for such positions is insufficient. The loss of and ensuing slow replacement of ADRN program directors can put these programs in jeopardy of student admission suspension, or, worse yet, closure by the state nursing board. In this exploratory study, variables of social support and job satisfaction were studied. Variables were found to be limited opportunities for peer interaction, expressed discontent, and retention concerns. A significant positive relationship between job satisfaction and social support was noted. Recommendations for future research are offered.

Assisting nursing faculty through the crisis and resolution of student suicide.

The statistics on suicide in the United States are noteworthy, with current estimates revealing that one suicide occurs every 17 minutes. Although minimally addressed in the nursing literature in the 1990s, nursing student suicide and its effects remain important topics to revisit. Nursing program administrators and faculty innately know how to assist surviving nursing students through a crisis such as this. However, the same attention and resolve do not appear to be focused on surviving nursing faculty and staff. This article profiles a crisis intervention approach that may be considered for implementation in nursing programs before a crisis (such as a nursing student suicide) occurs so that appropriate and systematic interventions are put into action for all who may be affected.