A group respite pilot project for children with special needs.

Providing ongoing care for a family member or loved one with special needs is challenging. It is estimated that about 21% of the adult population in the United States are providing unpaid care for loved ones at home. Of that group, 5.7% are caring for children with special needs. Special needs can range from developmental delay to the provision of complex medical treatments. Family caregivers take on numerous roles to coordinate activities of daily living, therapies, in-home services, school, and appointments. This is often a great source of stress on family caregivers. Providing the proper support for care to remain at home reduces the disruption to children and families' lives (Carter et al., 2012). A pilot project was developed for children with physical, cognitive, and/or developmental impairment. This project was coordinated by nursing and physical therapy faculty and their students. Parents as well as nursing and physical therapy students benefited mutually. Our preliminary responses from families indicated stress relief from caregiving and benefiting from the ability to talk to other parents in similar circumstances.

Passing the Certified Nurse Educator Exam: Innovative Strategies.

ABSTRACT: Certification in nursing education demonstrates expertise in teaching. The National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator credential is a hallmark of excellence. Six academic nurse educators obtained a 100 percent first-time pass rate as the result of a novel cohort model built upon accountability. This article's purpose is to share innovative approaches that can lead to successfully passing the exam.

Where Does Your State Stand on Shackling of Pregnant Incarcerated Women?

Pregnant incarcerated women have been identified as a particularly high-risk group and among the most vulnerable women in the United States. The use of shackling or restraints poses health risks to pregnant women and their fetuses. Currently, only 22 states have legislation prohibiting or limiting the shackling of pregnant women. Here we provide an overview of the potential negative health outcomes that can result from shackling pregnant women, especially during labor and birth, and suggest strategies for nurses who wish to promote optimal health care for incarcerated women and to advocate for anti-shackling legislation in their states.