Preparing for the Next Pandemic: The Clinical Skills Self-Efficacy Scale as an Outcome Measurement for an RN Refresher Program.

An RN refresher program can be a valuable tool to mobilize nurses back into practice, but there are limited data regarding how much it increases students' confidence. Bandura's (1997) theory defines self-efficacy as a construct of one's belief in obtaining control over behavior and environment to achieve a goal. In this study, the validated Clinical Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) was used to measure the difference in a student's reported perception of self-efficacy after completing a refresher program. The CSES survey was distributed to two groups of RN students: 59 accelerated students who finished the course in 3 months and 57 traditional students who had 9 months to complete the course. The accelerated students had recent nursing experience, but were responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed model was used to analyze the CSES scores between the accelerated students and the traditional students. A pretest-posttest design was used for each item of the scale. Both groups of students had a statistically significant difference in their CSES scores from pretest to posttest (p < .05). [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(6):273-278.].

Synergisms in Science: Climate Change and Integrated Pest Management Through the Lens of Communication-2019 Student Debates.

Every year, the Student Debates Subcommittee (SDS) of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) for the annual Entomological Society of America (ESA) meeting organizes the Student Debates. This year, the SAC selected topics based on their synergistic effect or ability to ignite exponential positive change when addressed as a whole. For the 2019 Student Debates, the SAC SDS identified these topic areas for teams to debate and unbiased introduction speakers to address: 1) how to better communicate science to engage the public, particularly in the area of integrated pest management (IPM), 2) the influential impacts of climate change on agriculturally and medically relevant insect pests, and 3) sustainable agriculture techniques that promote the use of IPM to promote food security. Three unbiased introduction speakers gave a foundation for our audience to understand each debate topic, while each of six debate teams provided a strong case to support their stance or perspective on a topic. Debate teams submitted for a competitive spot for the annual ESA Student Debates and trained for the better part of a year to showcase their talents in presenting logical arguments for a particular topic. Both the debate teams and unbiased introduction speakers provided their insight toward a better understanding of the complexities of each topic and established a foundation to delve further into the topics of science advocacy and communication, climate change, and the many facets of integrated pest management.

Nursing education progression: associate degree nursing faculty perspective.

The purpose of this survey was to examine the attitudes, influences, and practices of associate degree nursing (ADN) faculty in relation to advising students about nursing education progression. The results indicated that ADN faculty have a sense of moral and personal role responsibility to encourage students to continue their education. Deficits in faculty knowledge of program details and multiple demands on their time are factors that influence advising practices.

Nurses' utilization of parent questionnaires for developmental screening.

In the United States it is estimated that 16% of children are affected by developmental disabilities (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001). Unfortunately, national statistics indicate that fewer than 30% of children with developmental or behavior problems are identified prior to entering kindergarten (Glascoe & Macias, 2003). Early Intervention studies and research on brain development have demonstrated the short and long-range benefits of early identification of developmental delays and intervention in the preschool years (Glascoe & Macias, 2003). During the past decade several studies have validated the use of parent questionnaires that screen for developmental delays. The nurse in a clinic, private office, or community health center should become familiar with the vast array of developmental screening tools. With this knowledge, the nurse can become the champion of change in selecting and incorporating the best tools for the systematic screening of children for developmental delay, as part of the well-child check-up.