Identification of national trends in nursing education through the use of an online survey.

Increased access and familiarity with computer technology has enhanced research data collection and analysis processes. Use of the Internet in these processes is rapidly becoming an alternative to traditional paper and pencil methods and can be a useful tool in conducting nursing education research. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of online survey methodologies to identify nursing education trends and disseminate information nationwide. Advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of using e-mail in conducting a Web-based survey are presented. The authors describe relevant aspects of developing and implementing an online survey; relate their experience in using this survey method with regard to its strengths and limitations; and, comment regarding efficacy of electronic collection and analysis of research data. The authors' experience in conducting a previously published national study of the integration of holistic nursing practices and complementary and alternative modalities in curricula of baccalaureate and higher degree schools of nursing is used as an exemplar. The authors conclude that, regardless of the current status of technology and lack of computer support in some schools of nursing, an online national survey is a valuable tool in conducting research in nursing education and increasingly will be the method of choice for gathering survey data.

The integration of holistic nursing practices and complementary and alternative modalities into curricula of schools of nursing.

CONTEXT: Schools of nursing in the United States have responded to the increasing consumer use of complementary and alternative modalities and consumer demand for health professionals knowledgeable in complementary and alternative modalities by incorporating holistic nursing practices and complementary and alternative modalities into their curricula. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which US schools of nursing have incorporated holistic nursing practices and complementary and alternative modalities into their curricula. DESIGN: Electronic web-based survey. SETTING: Surveys were sent to 585 US schools of nursing. PARTICIPANTS: Sample (n = 125) of deans and directors (or their designees) of Baccalaureate and higher degree US nursing programs at schools holding membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics of US schools of nursing, percentages of schools who utilized the American Holistic Nurses' Association (AHNA) definition of holistic nursing practice and the Holistic Core Curriculum Guidelines, and percentage of complementary and alternative modalities incorporated into the curricula. RESULTS: Almost 60% (n = 74) of the responding schools used the definition of holistic nursing practice in their curricula and were familiar with the Holistic Nursing Core Curriculum. The majority (84.8%, n = 106) included complementary and alternative modalities in their curricula. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides preliminary evidence that US. schools of nursing are incorporating holistic nursing practices and complementary and alternative modalities into their curricula reflecting a response to increased consumer use of complementary and alternative modalities and consumer demand for health professionals who are knowledgeable about complementary and alternative modalities.