Attracting students to aged care: the impact of a supportive orientation.

INTRODUCTION: The 'Building connections in aged care' project sought to investigate quality clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students in residential aged care facilities in Tasmania, Australia. BACKGROUND: Aged care reportedly holds little attraction to student nurses as an employment option, exacerbating problems with recruiting staff into the sector. This, coupled with knowing the quality of an undergraduate learning experience can influence career choices, provided the impetus for the study. METHODS: Informed by action research and conducted in three-stages, the project scoped the problem, implemented improvement strategies and assessed sustainability of their effectiveness. Data were collected via structured research meetings and surveys/check lists, and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. RESULTS: A key finding was the importance of providing students with a comprehensive orientation to the aged care environment. DISCUSSION: The critical nature of orientation processes in the establishment of a supportive and welcoming environment for students, and to 'setting up' a positive and enjoyable learning experience in aged care settings has not been shown by research to date. CONCLUSION: Student orientation warrants greater attention. We recommend strategies concerning the structure of student orientation programs, links with university schools of nursing, use of preceptors, and preparing aged care facility staff.

The use of CT in the management of minor head injuries in Queenstown.

AIM This study retrospectively reviewed the management of head injury at Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown, New Zealand. The aim is to describe the management of minor head injury with particular reference to the current Traumatic Brain Injury guidelines of the New Zealand Guidelines Group. METHODS We identified all patients with head injury as a primary diagnosis who were seen in the Emergency Department at Lakes District Hospital during 2013-2015. We recorded clinical criteria indicating need for computed tomography (CT) scanning according to current guidelines for management of minor head injury. RESULTS A total of 883 patients were seen with head injury as their primary diagnosis: 280 patients aged >15 years had a minor head injury that met current criteria for immediate CT scanning. Of these, 66 (23.6%) actually had a CT head scan. CONCLUSION The rate of CT head scanning for minor head injury in Queenstown does not comply with current New Zealand guidelines.