Highlighting the Benefits of the Clinical Education Resource Nurse for New Graduate Nurses.

Nurse residency programs provide a valuable transition to practice environment for graduate nurses. The Clinical Education Resource Nurse (CERN) role offers continued clinical assistance to graduate nurses who have completed orientation with a preceptor during the 1st year of practice including education and continued clinical oversight when needed. This column defines the role of CERN and provides a description of the clinical application and support provided.

Enhancing Organizational Review and Promoting Sustainability of DNP Student Projects: Implications for Nurse Leaders.

This project aimed to evaluate the DNP projects at an academic medical center, assess the sustainability of DNP final projects, and explore potential opportunities to enhance the organizational review processes. The organization's graduate student review committee reviewed DNP projects implemented at the organization over the last 8 years. The sustainability of projects was less than anticipated. Recommendations are provided to enhance the DNP project approval process and improve strategies for sustainability.

Pursuing Success in a Hybrid PhD Nursing Program.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about hybrid PhD nursing students' experiences. METHOD: The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the experiences of PhD nursing students in a hybrid program using a convergent mixed methods design. Recent nursing PhD alumni (n = 18), and current PhD students (n = 4) were recruited at a research-intensive university in the southwestern United States. RESULTS: Four metainferences were identified: (1) the facilitator of faculty as both advisors and mentors; (2) the facilitator of peers as support, motivation, and a source of advice that preceded advisors; (3) the barrier of receiving conflicting feedback from advisory and dissertation committees; and (4) the barrier of not understanding the PhD student process. CONCLUSION: Peer support is fundamental for hybrid PhD nursing student success; conflicting feedback and not understanding the process are significant barriers. Strategies are recommended to mitigate barriers to facilitate hybrid PhD nursing students' success. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(5):328-331.].

Integrating Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare in Pediatric Nursing Education: A Case Study of the Ghana-SickKids Partnership.

There is growing recognition of the critical role nursing leadership plays in healthcare. Integrating strengths-based approaches into nursing education enables positive learning settings and empowers nurses as leaders who foster healing and well-being for patients and their families. This paper describes an effort to integrate Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare (SBNH) and Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SBNH-L) into the development, implementation and evaluation of a postgraduate pediatric nursing program in Ghana. In the evaluation of the program in Ghana, three themes emerged related to strengths-based nursing: transformation of teaching and learning, impact on relationships with colleagues and impact on relationships with patients.

An Effective Academic Medical Center-Based Strategy to Enhance Diversity Among Nurse Researchers.

The Connell-Jones Endowed Chair Diversity Nursing Research Scholars Program was created to promote engagement in nursing research and scholarship among nurses of color. Preliminary evaluation suggests that the program was widely beneficial, resulting in enrollment in doctoral education for some. Establishing opportunities that promote exposure and participation in nursing research and scholarship among nurses of color helps cultivate cohorts of diverse nurses armed to address health disparities through the advancement of nursing knowledge.

Everyone Is Listening: Podcasts as an Innovative Educational Approach in Graduate Level Education.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, graduate level nursing education has transitioned from synchronous, classroom-based models to hybrid, asynchronous models. This change has increased the amount of screen-time for graduate learners and generated the problem of screen-fatigue. To reduce screen-based learning time, faculty transitioned a didactic critical care course to a podcast-based educational format. METHOD: This pilot study used a pre-course and post-course survey to evaluate the efficacy of podcasts in delivering course content, meeting course objectives, and understanding learners' perceptions of podcasts in education. RESULTS: Pre-course and post-course survey data demonstrated that podcasts successfully met course objectives and provided content that was equally or more engaging than screen-based lectures. CONCLUSION: Podcasts can be successfully incorporated into a didactic course as a content delivery modality and are an innovative strategy for engaging adult learners in an asynchronous, distance-friendly format while continuing to meet educational objectives. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(5):335-337.].

Ensuring Advanced Practice Nursing Students Meet the 2023 Drug Enforcement Agency Requirements.

BACKGROUND: All advanced practice nursing students in the doctor of nursing practice program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing are required to complete 3 core courses (pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment). As of June 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) required all prescribers of controlled medications to attest to at least 8 hours of substance use training. PURPOSE: To quantify the amount of time advanced practice nursing students learn substance use-related content and engage in teaching/learning activities across the 3 courses as a basis for meeting the DEA requirement. METHODS: Lead course faculty teaching identified content related to substance use disorders, including reading assignments and skill-building activities, and the minimum amount of time that students spend in those teaching/learning experiences. RESULTS: Advanced practice nursing students complete a total of 14 hours of substance use-related content in the 3 core courses. CONCLUSIONS: This article describes substance use-related content and strategies that can be integrated in advanced practice nursing programs for students to meet the new DEA requirement.

Social Determinants of Health in Graduate Nursing Simulation Education: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND: This integrative review examined how simulation is being used to teach graduate nursing students about the social determinants of health (SDH). METHODS: The literature search focused on studies that included a sample of graduate nursing students who participated in an SDH simulation-based education (SBE). The timeframe used was 2013 to 2023 as this is when SBE emerged in graduate nursing education. Databases searched included Academic Search Complete, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and Web of Science. RESULTS: Nine studies included a sample of graduate nursing students and were included in this review. Published studies ranged from 2013 to 2023. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review highlight the need for graduate nursing faculty to design, implement, and evaluate transformative SDH-specific SBE that prepares students to understand their role as social justice advocates for health equity.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program: The scholar experience.

BACKGROUND: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program used multi-pronged approach to support nurses completing accelerated PhD programs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this manuscript was to describe scholars' experiences completing PhDs, their dissertation characteristics, program leadership development sessions, scholar perceptions of program components. METHODS: Of 201 scholars, 157 (78%) completed quantitative exit surveys, providing: satisfaction with doctoral programs and FNS curricula, types of dissertation data used, dissertation formats. Interviews held with five scholars to capture representative themes. FINDINGS: Scholars utilized primary and secondary data for dissertations; 53% primarily used secondary data. The majority (68%) used manuscript dissertation formats. Approximately 64% completely agreed program curricula helped prepare them for professional transitions, to work collaboratively, lead confidently. Proportion of FNS graduates (42%) pursuing postdoctoral positions exceeded national trends. DISCUSSION: Despite stresses posed by accelerated PhD programs, scholars are well-situated to advance nursing science. Findings suggest secondary data analyses work well for accelerated programs. Scholar program experiences were positive.

Graduate Nurse Transition Programs Pivotal Point of Participants' Practice Readiness Questioned During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic requires an accessible, practice-ready nursing workforce to assist with the increase in health service delivery. Graduate nurse transition programs are the entry point for most graduates into professional practice, and this review focused on both empirical studies and gray literature to identify at what point practice readiness occurs and what can assist graduate nurses' transition to become practice ready. METHOD: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework. RESULTS: Consensus purports supportive environments, ideally in formal structured graduate transition to practice programs, to enhance graduate nurses' clinical skills and confidence development. With nursing confidence and competence gained through professional practice experience, it is apparent that for a sustainable nursing workforce, greater access for graduating nurses to transition programs is imperative. CONCLUSION: Recommendations include restructuring transition programs with possible time reductions, limited rotations, comprehensive orientations inclusive of preceptorship, and dedicated educators to increase and enhance supportive graduate nurse transitions. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(8):392-396.].

Perspectives, experiences, and opinions precepting advanced practice registered nurse students.

BACKGROUND: Significant growth in advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) student placements for clinical practicums have forced APRN preceptors, hospitals, and clinics to restrict the volume of APRN students they can accommodate. PURPOSE: Describe the experiences and opinions of APRNs regarding their precepting experiences of APRN students in three main areas; placement antecedents, placement postcedents, and preceptor incentives. METHODS: Quality improvement study conducted via electronic survey that contained quantitative short answer and a qualitative open-ended question of APRNs licensed in the State of REDACTED in June, 2019. FINDINGS: A total of 757 surveys were quantitatively analyzed. Qualitative thematic analysis resulted in identifying one overarching theme, the need for shared responsibility and accountability, and six unique primary themes. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that APRN preceptors recognize their critical role but lack support and preparation to fully execute academic and profession strategic goals and objectives. There is the need for academic and professional ownership of APRN education at every level.

Impact of COVID-19 on New Graduate Nurses' Transition to Practice: Loss or Gain?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nursing education and required modification of instructional methods and clinical experiences. Given the variation in education, rapid transition to virtual platforms, and NCLEX-RN testing stressors, this cohort faced unique losses and gains influencing their transition into clinical practice. PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of COVID-19 and preparedness for professional practice of 340 new graduate nurses (NGNs) at an academic medical center. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods descriptive study focusing on how clinical experience loss or gains in the final semester affected the fears, concerns, and recommendations for NGNs. RESULTS: More than half (67.5%, n = 295) of NGNs reported changes to clinical experiences, ranging from 0 to 240 hours transitioned to virtual (n = 187; median, 51; interquartile range, 24-80). NGNs fear missing important details or doing something wrong in providing patient care. They identified the need for preceptor support, guidance, teaching, and continued practice of skills. CONCLUSION: Recommendations are clear communication with leadership, advocacy from the nurse residency program, and targeted clinical and emotional support for NGNs.

Telehealth Simulation With Graduate Nurse Practitioner Students.

BACKGROUND: Integration of telehealth preparation for nurse practitioner (NP) students varies across programs. PROBLEM: Nurse practitioner students had gaps in the preparation for using telehealth technology to deliver care and manage specific disorders. APPROACH: The purpose of this article is to describe the development and implementation of a telehealth simulation training experience for NP students to prepare them for practice in rural settings. OUTCOMES: Nurse practitioner students from various specialties completed the telehealth simulation training experience. The change in presimulation/postsimulation confidence and readiness scores were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This telehealth simulation training experience provided an opportunity for NP students to engage in activities to enhance their knowledge and preparation in providing care via telehealth in a rural setting.

Coronavirus infections: health care planning based on Orem's Nursing Theory.

OBJECTIVE: to report the experience of professors and students of a graduate course on nursing care in coping with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) based on Self-Care Theory. METHOD: the active methodologies used were a literature search and seminar presentations, with an understanding of Orem's theoretical concepts: health; man; self-care; universal, developmental and health deviation requirements; self-care activities; self-care deficits; the required therapeutic demand; nursing systems. The pandemic was considered a health deviation that requires critical thinking and nursing care planning. Methodological frameworks to classify nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes were used. RESULTS: for each health deviation, nursing systems were identified; self-care deficits, diagnoses; actions, interventions; and the form of assessment, outcomes. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: theoretical-practical reflections of the academic context support nursing care planning.

[Competency-based pedagogical approach: illustration applied to the care relationship]. / Approche pédagogique par compétences : illustration appliquée à la relation de soins.

The reform of health studies and the inclusion in the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate curriculum implies a new way of teaching, with an inverted pedagogical relationship between student and teacher. The competency-based approach contributes to the development of the student's professional and interpersonal skills, in the same way as the support provided by the nurse in the care relationship, particularly in therapeutic education, in order to promote patient autonomy.

Development of an innovative curriculum-to-career transition program for nurse practitioners in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Unlike physicians, there are no current requirements or funding for the post graduation training of advanced practice nurses. Given the complexity of health care, more post graduate training programs are needed to meet growing demand. PURPOSE: A taskforce was convened to research gaps in preparation for real-world practice, as well as effective models of curricular and clinical support to promote positive patient outcomes. METHODS: Supportive structures for advance practice nurses are dependent upon understanding the barriers, facilitators and structural support required to implement such a program. FINDINGS: Starting a curriculum-to-career program the semester prior to graduation is a relatively untested model for advanced practitioners to receive enhanced mentored education and support to increase resiliency, reduce early burnout and burden on the health setting. DISCUSSION: Advanced practice nurse fellowships should be considered as essential as medical residencies are for physicians in clinical practice.