Mentoring novice NPs: Recommendations for navigating the transition to autonomous practice.

ABSTRACT: The transition to professional practice is a challenging time for the novice NP. Mentorship is an effective strategy to ease this transition and increase success in the role. This article provides recommendations for best practice in mentoring the transitioning novice NP.

Educating Nursing Staff in a Long-Term Care Facility on Cerumen Impactions and Cerumenolytic Administration.

The current article examines the importance of educating nursing staff in a long-term care facility (LTCF) on cerumen impactions and the proper administration of cerumenolytics. An educational session on cerumen impactions and cerumenolytic administration was provided to nursing staff with pre-, post-, and follow-up tests. Findings included an increase in confidence levels of the nursing learning objectives post-education, as well as an overall improvement in knowledge retention. According to the nurses surveyed, they had never been educated on either topic. It is estimated that up to 65% of residents aged >65 years living in LTCFs are affected by cerumen impactions and the many symptoms associated with them, including hearing loss. Therefore, education on these topics for nursing staff who care for this high-risk population would be beneficial. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(4), 35-43.].

Examining the preparation and ongoing support of adults to take their medications as prescribed in kidney transplantation.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The shortage of kidney donors and benefits of kidney transplantation make graft success imperative. Medication adherence is critical to prevent the risk of graft rejection. This paper examines how adults are prepared and supported by renal transplant co-ordinators and pharmacists to take their medications as prescribed in kidney transplantation. METHODS: Renal transplant co-ordinators and pharmacists of all five hospitals offering adult kidney transplantation in Victoria, Australia, were interviewed between November 2013 and February 2014. All data underwent qualitative descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Nine renal transplant co-ordinators and six pharmacists were interviewed. Although there was no standardized approach to education or other evidence-based strategies to facilitate medication adherence, there were similarities between sites. These similarities included printed information, pre-transplant education sessions, the use of medication lists and medication administration aids, intensive education in hospital and ensuring an adequate supply of medications post-discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplant co-ordinators and pharmacists recognized the importance of early patient education concerning immunosuppressant medication. However, each site had developed their own way of preparing a patient for kidney transplantation and follow-up in the acute hospital setting based on experience and practice. Other non-educational strategies involving behavioural and emotional aspects were less common. Differences in usual care reinforce the necessity for evidence-based health care for best patient outcomes.

Efficacy of a non-vancomycin-based peritoneal dialysis peritonitis protocol.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis has a significant impact upon morbidity and mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Gram-positive organisms account for the majority of infections and vancomycin is a cost effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment for PD peritonitis, but this may lead to the emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant organisms. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the efficacy of a non-vancomycin-based protocol comprising cephazolin and gentamicin, which was introduced in the present PD population as empirical treatment for peritonitis. METHODS: The study involved 82 peritonitis episodes over a 4-year period in 58 patients, excluding those with previous methicillin-resistant staphylococcal peritonitis. RESULTS: With cephazolin and gentamicin there was no apparent difference in response or relapse rates in comparison to reported studies using vancomycin-based first-line therapy protocols. CONCLUSION: We advocate initial treatment of PD peritonitis with non-vancomycin-based therapy given similar efficacy and the potential for reduction of resistant organisms.