RNs' Perceptions of Engagement and Communication in the Workplace.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines nurses' perceptions of communication and engagement in the workplace. BACKGROUND: Work engagement and communication are both important concepts in the healthcare environment. METHODS: Inferential analyses were conducted using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and Farley's Communication Assessment Questionnaire, along with descriptive and bivariate analyses. RESULTS: Job vigor was negatively associated with the level of informed communication and indirect communication, whereas greater job dedication was found to be associated with more informed communication. Additionally, a statistically significant correlation between years of experience and vigor and absorption was noted, although age did not demonstrate the same relationship. Ultimately, nurse characteristics played an important role in the perception of communication in the work environment and in job enthusiasm. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse administrators must create a culture that values communication and communicate skillfully using various methods to meet the needs of different employees.

Participants' Perceptions of Worksite Health-Promotion Educational Activities.

Adults spend a significant amount of time at work making the worksite a convenient venue for participation in health-promotion activities. This research project examined participants' perceptions of gaining knowledge and changing health behavior practices as a result of knowledge gained through participation in health-promotion activities provided at the worksite. The worksite health-promotion activities were offered as a result of an innovative collaboration effort between nursing faculty in an academic setting and a community partner in the private sector. The findings demonstrate that participation in health-promotion activities at the worksite can result in increased knowledge and changes in health behavior practices as a result of knowledge gained.

E-books: nurse faculty use and concerns.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify nurse educators' stage of concern regarding e-books and examine relationships between stage of concern and demographic variables. BACKGROUND: The use of e-books is growing, and nursing faculty must be prepared to use this evolving technology. METHOD: A descriptive design was used with a convenience sample of 50 nurse educators attending a professional conference. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Stages of Concern (SoC) questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of participants' first high stage was Stage 0 (awareness); 22 percent had a first high stage of Stage 1 (informational). Using ordinal regression, no statistical significance was noted with the highest Stage of Concern and age (p = .431) or experience as a nurse educator (p = .893). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate low usage, faculty concerns, and the need for ongoing education regarding e-books.

A partnership to enhance community health education for RN to BSN students.

This article shares a unique model of collaboration between a school of nursing and a community business to offer an on-site occupational health clinical experience for RN to BSN students. This activity could be easily replicated by others to provide a learning opportunity for nursing students. Hospitals remain the primary site of employment for nurses. However, with health care reform nurses are exploring many new opportunities including many settings in the community (Black, 2014). Incorporating community health into nursing curriculum is a necessity; however, providing meaningful clinical experiences can be a challenge for faculty. To meet students' learning needs, faculty must be open to developing innovative clinical opportunities (Ellenbecker, 2002). This article describes a unique partnership between faculty in a RN to BSN completion program and employees of a local UPS. The partnership provided an opportunity for students to have a real on-site experience in health education for community members in a nontraditional clinical site. Faculty and employees of the UPS center's health and safety committee worked together to plan a health fair for employees that took place at the workplace setting. One of the goals in the 2014-2018 strategic plan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to "Advance the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of the American People" (HHS, n.d. p. 3). Strategies to promote prevention and wellness across the lifespan include educating individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles (HHS, n.d). This activity is just one example of how this can be accomplished.

Change and administrative barriers: nurse educators' perceptions concerning the use of simulators.

AIM: The purpose of this descriptive correlational research study was twofold: to examine the adoption of simulators in the nursing classroom and the relationship between adoption and nurse educators' perceptions of established change strategies as followed by program administrators. BACKGROUND: The use of simulators in education is important and requires many nurse educators to change their current teaching strategies. METHOD: Data were collected from a purposive population using a demographic questionnaire, the nursing practice questionnaire (NPQ), and the change process survey. RESULTS: The overall diffusion score, as measured by the NPQ, was 2.6. A statistically significant correlation was noted between level of use and the perception of established change strategies being followed (r = .340, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that nurse educators adopt simulators sometimes when appropriate. Administrators of nursing programs can enhance this change by using established change strategies.

Nurses' Perceptions of Competence in Providing Spiritual Care.

PURPOSE: The study examined nurses' perception of competence in providing spiritual care. DESIGN OF STUDY: A descriptive correlational research design with a convenience sample was used. METHOD: Participates completed a demographic questionnaire and the Spiritual Care Competence Scale, which has six domains: assessment and implementation of spiritual care, professionalization and improving the quality of spiritual care, personal support and patient counseling, referral to professionals, attitude toward the patient's spirituality, and communication. FINDINGS: The domain of communication had the most favorable perception among participants and the domain of professionalization and improving the quality of spiritual care had the least favorable perception. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for nurses to have the opportunity to gain knowledge regarding this significant component of holistic care.