Understanding the student's experience of community health nursing simulations.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students' experiences after completing community health nursing simulation encounters. METHODS: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. Through conventional content analysis, the research team analyzed the experiences of 73 nursing students after participating in community health nursing simulation encounters. The data come from nursing students' responses to three post-simulation qualitative questions. RESULTS: Nursing students identified both positive aspects (simulation as a great learning method, useful in understanding community health nurses' roles, faculty's role in facilitating an effective learning environment) and opportunities for improvement (needing for clear objectives, expectations, and roles). CONCLUSIONS: Community health nursing simulation encounters can be a powerful educational method to help students experience and understand the roles of community health nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE: Augmentation of the pre-brief component will further improve students' simulation experiences.

Barriers and Facilitators of Asthma Management as Experienced by African American Caregivers of Children with Asthma: An Integrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: African American children with asthma demonstrate significant health disparities and poor health outcomes. Understanding the burdens faced by parents and caregivers of children with asthma may be helpful to develop future interventions to address this disparity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this integrative review was to reveal the barriers and facilitators of child asthma management experienced by African American caregivers. METHOD: Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) method of integrative review was used to review 40 articles. The integrative review involved appraising the quality of the literature, conducting a thematic analysis, and evaluating the barriers and facilitators of pediatric asthma management experienced by African American caregivers. RESULTS: Barriers and facilitators were identified as themes. Barriers included caregiver burdens, and lack of home and neighborhood safety. Facilitators were family and community support, education and empowerment, and culturally competent healthcare providers. DISCUSSION: To improve the care of African American children with asthma, nurses should work to engage, communicate, and foster trust with families. Nurses should assess and address the family caregivers' burdens while emphasizing support systems.

Underrepresentation of Racial Diversity in Simulation: An International Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to: 1) examine the presence of racial diversity in simulation centers globally and 2) determine the opinion of the simulation community related to incorporation of a diversity component into international simulation standards. BACKGROUND: Leading organizations in nursing education recommend improved efforts toward diversity and inclusion. Research suggests a lack of diversity in simulation-based education. METHOD: This study employed a mixed-methods design. RESULTS: Quantitative results demonstrated an underrepresentation of racial diversity in manikins, body parts/task trainers, standardized patients, and simulation facilitators. Two thirds of respondents indicated that international simulation standards should recommend a diversity component. Qualitative findings indicated categories of: 1) challenges of purchasing, realism, and availability; 2) importance of diversity in simulation; 3) representation of the regional population; 4) more diversity considerations needed; and 5) presence of diversity. CONCLUSION: There is a continued need for diversity advocacy efforts in nursing education.

Psychological and Socioeconomic Burdens Faced by Family Caregivers of Children With Asthma: An Integrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma affects nearly 1 in every 12 children in the United States. Caring for a child with asthma poses significant challenges for the parent or caregiver. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify the psychological and socioeconomic burdens faced by family caregivers of children with asthma. METHOD: An integrative review was conducted to review and appraise 80 studies. RESULTS: Psychosocial burdens included decreased mental health, quality of life, sleep, family stress, educational deficits, cultural and health disparities, and health care communication challenges. Socioeconomic burdens included poor access to care, as well as work and financial challenges. Studies demonstrated a link between family caregiver health and child health outcomes. Facilitators included education and empowerment, social support, and use of technology. DISCUSSION: As the family caregiver's health directly affects the asthmatic child's health, addressing the burdens of family caregivers should be a key consideration in pediatric asthma care.