Retention Outcomes When a Structured Mentoring Program Is Provided as Part of New Graduate Orientation.

In an effort to reduce attrition among new graduate nurses, mentorship relationship opportunities were infused into the nurse residency orientation program. Specifically trained volunteer mentors were paired with new graduate nurses upon successful completion of their orientation. Activities were focused on transitioning to a professional nurse rather than the clinical skills needed to provide care. This program enhanced retention among new graduate nurses and increased professional activities among mentees.

Effect of COVID-19 Isolation on Nursing Student and Older Adult Interview Assignment.

The US population is aging. Young people may have ageist views that may deter them from careers working with older adults. Intergenerational teaching strategies in college courses offer opportunities for young and older people to interact. In a nursing course, 7 semi-structured interviews, discussion board content, and a synthesis project provide the framework for a sharing relationship to develop. The COVID-19 required alterations in the interview format, and understanding these changes from the elders' viewpoints were added to the interviews. This data identified 4 themes with positive and negative reactions.

Providing an Online Nursing Journal Club and Ensuring the Rigor of the Experience.

Participation in nursing journal clubs has been correlated with increased familiarity among nurses with research processes and outcomes, as well as improved ability to critique research studies and apply evidence from the literature to practice. For nurses who are direct care providers, time and accessibility are barriers to participation in journal clubs. Providing a journal club using an online, asynchronous format increased participation. This article describes the inception of a nursing journal club and the steps taken to alter the format to increase participation.

Use of Personal Communication Devices in Clinical Settings: Perception of Staff Nurses.

OBJECTIVE: This survey study describes how nurses use personal communication devices while providing direct patient care and identifies generational differences. BACKGROUND: Personal communication devices enhance and distract from patient care. Generational differences exist and these should be included in workplace policies. METHODS: A study-specific survey was developed. Data were collected from 335 qualified participants and descriptively analyzed in total, then by generational specific study groups. RESULTS: The perception of these participants is that personal communication devices do not pose a serious work distraction nor have a negative effect on patient care. Yet generational differences exist related to the presence of these devices in providing patient care. CONCLUSIONS: Access to personal communication devices, while at work, is an expectation. The reasons for accessing these devices, and the perception that these devices have a negative impact on work performance, should be included when developing workplace policies.

Home Healthcare Visits Following Hospital Discharge: Does the Timing of Visits Affect 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates for Heart Failure Patients?

The purpose of this study was to determine if the timing of home care visits post hospitalization for heart failure influenced hospital readmission rates. Using a randomized control study design, hospital readmission data were collected from 67 recently discharged patients with heart failure. The control group (n = 32) received the usual care, whereas the intervention group (n = 35) received an altered scheduling of home care visits. Seven study participants were readmitted during the study time frame (control group n = 3; intervention group n = 4). Emergency room visits occurred three times (control group n = 1; intervention group n = 2). The timing of the home healthcare visit did not affect hospital readmission. Adherence to weight monitoring, fluid restriction, and medication administration improved with the home care visits. Greater attention to these activities should be the focus of home healthcare visits as they may decrease hospital readmissions.

Israeli staff nurse knowledge and perception of the nurse practitioner role.

This study assessed Israeli nurses' knowledge of the emerging role of master's-prepared NPs. Based on an integrated review of the literature, a study-specific survey was developed, including dichotomous knowledge items, Likert scored perception items, and self-disclosed demographic data. Analyses of the 146 responses revealed that exposure to NPs was limited. Knowledge specific to the role or clinical competency was lacking, yet the assessment capabilities and overall perception of NPs were positive. Data demonstrate a willingness to include NPs in the care model and an awareness that doing so would positively contribute to the overall health of patients.

Lateral Violence in Nursing: Implications and Strategies for Nurse Educators.

Lateral violence among nurses persists as a prevalent problem, contributing to psychological distress, staff turnover, and attrition. Newly graduated nurses are at particular risk for being targets of lateral violence and experiencing its negative sequelae. Preparing student nurses to respond to lateral violence prior to entering the nursing may alter this scenario. A review of the literature was conducted to determine the potential for nursing faculty to change the cycle of lateral violence. Based on this review, we recommend 3 main strategies, specifically for nursing faculty, aimed at reducing incidences of lateral violence and preparing students to manage this phenomenon. First, curricular content can address integrating lateral violence content into simulation experiences and facilitating this knowledge into clinical experiences. Second, codes of conduct should guide behaviors for both students and faculty. Finally, as role models, faculty should be aware of their own behaviors, role model respectful communication, facilitate a courteous academic environment, and develop nurses capable of identifying and appropriately responding to lateral violence.

Being African-American, Obese, Female, and Residing in an Urban Area: The Lived Experience.

The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of being African-American, obese, female, and residing in an urban area. Critical Social Theory of Black Feminist Thought guided the study framework and study questions. Within this framework, African-American women are multidimensional human beings with attitudes, habits, and personalities influenced by their religious beliefs, family, school, friends, and racial history. Interview data were obtained from 10 women and analyzed using qualitative techniques. These individuals were aware of health consequences related to obesity and described barriers that inhibit healthy choices. Participant level of education provided the ability to avoid negative physical and social consequences associated with obesity.

Effect of an Education Presentation On the Knowledge and Awareness of Urinary Tract Infection among Non-Licensed and Licensed Health Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities.

This article presents the findings of a pre-test, post-test quality improvement project that describes the change in knowledge from prior to and following an evidence-based education presentation. The presentation addressed the clinical symptoms, diagnostic processes, interventions, and responsibilities of licensed and unlicensed health care workers employed in long-term care facilities related to prevention and detection of non-catheter-related urinary tract infections. Results indicate that the education presentation improved knowledge in specific.

Development of an instrument to assess nurse practitioner attitudes and beliefs about obesity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Obesity has been identified as the number one health problem in the United States. Estimates are that almost 70% of adults are overweight or obese. The care received by these individuals may be influenced by their weight status. The purpose of this study was to describe the self-reported attitudes and beliefs of nurse practitioners (NPs) toward this population. METHODS: Data were obtained from 358 NPs who were attending a national conference. Each participant completed the investigator-developed survey, which assessed attitudes and beliefs, and provided limited demographic information so that the study population could be described. CONCLUSIONS: Scores indicate that these NPs perceived overweight and obese persons to be (1) not as good as others, (2) not as successful as others, (3) not suitable for marriage, (4) untidy, and (5) not as healthy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: While bias exists with respect to overweight and obese persons, awareness and knowledge of one's personal bias is the first step in preventing this perception to influence care. Educational forums should include a personal assessment and interventions aimed at minimizing the effect one's attitude and belief has on the delivery of respectful care.

Tele-Continence Care: A Novel Approach for Providers .

Urinary incontinence (UI), typically a sensitive and personal concern, has been amendable to healthcare interventions via telehealth applications. Telehealth has been identified as a method capable of providing care to rural locations based on its ability to eliminate the need for patient and/or healthcare provider travel. The purpose of this project was to determine if telehealth improved follow-up visit rates among rural dwelling patients with UI. Additional data were collected to assess the effect of treatment recommendations, patient perception of this experience, and healthcare team opinion of telehealth implementation. Results reflect an improvement in follow-up rates, effectiveness of the treatment plan, patient satisfaction, and healthcare team support.

Essential nurse practitioner business knowledge: An interprofessional perspective.

PURPOSE: To describe business practice knowledge from the perspectives of nurse practitioners (NPs) who are practicing clinicians, academic instructors, and clinic managers. DATA SOURCE: Using the eight domains of business practice attitudes identified by the Medical Group Management Associations Body of Knowledge (MGMA), which are supported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), a study-specific survey was developed. Data, which describe the knowledge and attitudes with respect to business practices, were obtained from 370 participants. CONCLUSION: Regardless of their job classification, these participants described (1) quality management, (2) risk management, and (3) patient care systems as critical business practice knowledge. Consensus was also achieved when ranking the content for business practice knowledge: (1) patient care systems, (2) business operation, and (3) financial management. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These data identify gaps in business practice knowledge and content that should be included in educational programs. Business practice knowledge is essential for a successful clinical practice and should be a professional practice skill for the NP.

Collaborative learning in nursing simulation: near-peer teaching using standardized patients.

Simulation in nursing education uses specific patient scenarios to provide students with hands-on learning experiences. A near-peer teaching experience, using upper-level nursing students as standardized patients, was created as an educational intervention. The premises of social cognitive theory, which include cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors, were incorporated into this teaching activity. The upper-level students played the role of a patient, while they also practiced leadership, teaching, and mentoring of first-semester nursing students. In the scenario, the first-semester students provided care to the patient, while focusing on safety, identifying the problem, and practicing clinical decision making. Faculty were present to provide guidance and promote communication in debriefing. Near-peer teaching provided a learning opportunity for all students, facilitated teamwork, and encouraged knowledge and skills attainment.