Relaunching Nurses to the Forefront of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Heeding the Call Through an RN Refresher Program.

Nursing remains the largest health care profession in the nation and RNs comprise one of the largest segments of the U.S. workforce with just under 4 million RNs nationwide. Despite the large number of nurses in practice, a variety of factors contribute to the availability of RNs able to meet health care-related demands, leading out-of-practice nurses to seek reentry into the workforce. To develop the skills and knowledge needed to deliver safe and effective care, nurses seeking to return to practice need access to formally structured continuing education opportunities. Nursing refresher courses have historically filled this gap, effectively supporting the reemployment of nurses by preparing them for clinical practice. The COVID-19 pandemic is among the most recent factors encouraging nurse reentry, thus furthering the need for continuing education in support of license renewal. This article provides insight into the development of a university-based refresher program for Texas nurses seeking to reactivate licensure and gain the theoretical and clinical knowledge needed to return to nursing considering the health care demands produced by this unprecedented crisis. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(2)67-71.].

[Autoimmunity accreditation: training, accreditation and maintenance of skills in indirect immunofluorescence]. / Accréditation en auto-immunité : formation, habilitation et maintien des compétences en immunofluorescence indirecte.

The ISO 15189 accreditation of biological analysis needs the validation of the analytical methods allowing the evaluation of their performance including all the factors that could influence the quality of their results. The field of autoimmunity includes many analyses and methods such as the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIF) and the performance of this technique largely depends on the competency of staff members. For each staff member, the required levels of competency have to be precisely defined and evaluated after a period of formation before the final habilitation for the IIF technique. The French group of the international group called EASI (European autoimmunity standardisation initiative) proposes two habilitation forms to be filled with criteria, evidence and maintenance of target skills for the IIF preparation of slides and reading. These forms could be used as a model for the IIF formation and habilitation and have to be adapted to the routine practice of the laboratories.

How a problem-based learning approach could help Japanese primary care physicians: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify training needs among primary care physicians in Japan who had no formal primary care training. METHODS:  We conducted a focus group interview with seven Japanese primary care physicians who had not previously undergone specialist training in primary care and had been recruited to a family medicine training program that used a problem-based learning approach. At the start of the program, the physicians attended the interview. The discussion was recorded, and the transcribed interview was analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization method. RESULTS:  Three main themes emerged. First, there is a lack of standard re-education programs for physicians who move away from their specializations into primary care. Second, there is insufficient training on primary care in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Japan. Third, continuing professional development programs should cover the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care practice. CONCLUSIONS:  This study clarified the needs to be addressed in our training program for primary care physicians involved in retraining in primary care. It is important to consider how to best include the communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for primary care among the topics covered in the program. As the program undergoes further iteration, it will be important to check whether it meets the needs of primary care practitioners. It will be necessary to investigate the needs of re-education programs for more physicians in many areas, and to emphasize the importance of primary care re-education in these abilities in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Exploring an Innovative Course Delivery Method for Accelerated BSN Students.

Background The purpose of the pilot study was to develop and implement an innovative hybrid-delivered professional development course and explore accelerated BSN student satisfaction and perceived learning. Methods The convenience sample consisted of 16 accelerated BSN students at one Midwestern university. The Student Evaluation of Learning and Feedback to Instructors online survey instrument used consisted of 21 five-point Likert-scale items. Results Students reported that the course was organized (M = 3.96) and promoted student learning (M = 4.53) and engagement (M = 3.97). Graded material was adequate (M = 4.31). The course created a supportive adult learning environment (M = 3.84) and instructor rapport (M = 4.47). Knowledge was applied during clinical experiences. Conclusions Hybrid courses can facilitate student learning and satisfaction. Further research is warranted to explore innovative hybrid course delivery methods with accelerated BSN students. It is critical to ensure quality education for this special nursing population.

Using Twitter to Engage Online RN-to-BSN Students in Health Care Policy.

BACKGROUND: Baccalaureate-prepared nurses have a professional responsibility to influence health care policy. This article describes a learning experience that effectively used Twitter to engage online RN-to-baccalaureate nursing (BSN) students in health care policy initiatives. METHOD: The learning experience included following individuals and groups involved in health care policy in specific categories that aligned with the weekly learning objectives in a 7-week online course. Effectiveness of the experience was evaluated through a final reflection. RESULTS: All 49 students enrolled in the online health care policy course participated in the learning experience and followed a total of 645 policy-related individuals and groups. Analysis of qualitative evaluation data revealed two themes: Staying Up to Date, and Opening My Eyes. CONCLUSION: The findings show that integrating microblogging into an online RN-to-BSN course is an effective approach to engage students in health care policy. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(2):107-109.].

Student Perceptions of Peer Evaluation in an Online RN-to-BSN Course.

The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of peer-evaluation experiences in an online RN-to-BSN nursing research course. A total of 140 students completed the online survey. A majority of students reported their peer-evaluation experience was helpful for learning (69%), and 81.8% of students indicated their writing skills improved. Findings of the study support the use of peer evaluation in online nursing courses.

Designing Integrated Courses in an RN-to-BSN Program.

Three faculty members and an instructional designer collaborated to develop and implement first-term courses in a newly revised RN-to-bachelor of science in nursing curriculum. The ADDIE model served as the organizing framework for course development. Student assessment was approached in a novel manner, using integrated assignments that spanned each course. Students were able to demonstrate that objectives for all three courses were met, while synthesizing and applying their newly gained knowledge and skills. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2017;48(8):369-372.

Actualization of a Seamless Nursing Program: Licensed Practical Nurse to Baccalaureate Registered Nurse.

Upward educational mobility of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is important for their professional development. For the nursing profession, this upward mobility increases workforce diversity. To address the paucity of programs accepting the LPN's education, a team of 6 BSN and LPN nurse educators, backed by 2 universities, developed a seamless LPN-BSN program. This article documents the process, including a needs assessment, curriculum development, admission criteria, implementation, lessons learned, and outcomes.

Increasing the Registered Nursing Workforce Through a Second-Degree BSN Program Coaching Model.

The coach model is an innovative approach to clinical education in which registered nurses facilitate clinical instruction. The nursing students are assigned with a specific coach throughout the 12-month accelerated baccalaureate nursing curriculum. The purpose of this article is to share our experience using the coach model for students' clinical education including the benefits, challenges, and outcomes.

Continuing Education for Mentors and a Mentoring Program for RN-to-BSN Students.

Mentoring programs have been used effectively with graduate and undergraduate nursing students and newly licensed nurses. There are few publications about mentoring for the RN enrolled in a bachelor of science in nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. To address low graduation rates in the public RN-to-BSN nursing programs, the Montana Center to Advance Health Through Nursing designed a mentoring program to help these nurses achieve their BSN. This voluntary program was initiated at an RN-to-BSN program in a 4-year college with six RN students who were paired with a mentor. An interactive, continuing education workshop on mentoring also was developed to prepare experienced nurses for their role as a mentor. This workshop was held nine times across Montana, with a total of 156 attendees. Workshop evaluations were consistently positive. Participants identified time and personality issues as barriers to successful mentoring and recommended expansion of the workshop to a distance-learning format so more nurses could attend. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2016;47(6):272-277.

Nursing leadership education: an innovative executive solution.

As nursing leaders retire from the nursing workforce, too few nurses are preparing to replace them. The barriers to obtaining the educational credentials necessary to take this important step in a leadership career can appear insurmountable because of cost and time restraints. The authors present an executive format master of science program whose delivery method and content align with the professional and personal needs of emerging nurse leaders.

Comparison of hybrid and completely online RN-to-BSN curricula: aspects of program structure that lead to success.

The large increase in the number of RN-to-BSN programs has occurred in the context of the expansion of Internet-based resources. This article expands on an earlier reported evaluation of a program based on community-derived needs. Several dimensions were identified that appear to contribute to student success in a blended-hybrid and completely online curricula. Students move through a synchronous cohort curriculum. The graduation rate for both programs was above the national average for all programs (80%), and graduation rate for the blended-hybrid program (92%) exceeded the online program (88%). Social support theory framed the important factors in a way that paralleled the factors reported by students as leading to their success.

A registered nurse refresher course: serving the community.

The Texas Board of Nursing recognizes that nurses may interrupt practice or change practice settings throughout their career and requires experienced nurses who have not practiced in more than 4 years to take a refresher course. In response to community requests for a local option for inactive nurses to reenter practice, the Department of Lifelong Learning in the university's school of nursing launched an RN refresher course in summer 2010. This article describes the scope of the RN refresher course, program costs, and future endeavors. More importantly, the article describes the nurses who are returning to nursing practice, including their age range, educational preparation, and length of time out of practice. Steady growth in enrollment, expanding clinical affiliations in the local area and selected areas throughout the state, and positive employment outcomes have facilitated course sustainment and growth.

A writing intensive introductory course for RN to BSN students.

This article describes learning strategies used with RN to BSN students in their 1st nursing course to successfully learn how to write formal papers using the American Psychological Association (APA) format. This 1st nursing course, a writing intensive, requires 4 short papers with self, peer, and teacher critiques and opportunities to rewrite. Students learn the style of professional nursing discourse, mastery of APA format, and development of additional skills in following directions and in critiquing their own work. An additional benefit is to enhance learning about professional nursing topics. By mastering writing skills in this initial course, students are able to successfully complete writing assignments in future courses and, in some cases, move on to publication.

Implementing a writing course in an online RN-BSN program.

Scholarly writing is an essential skill for nurses to communicate new research and evidence. Written communication directly relates to patient safety and quality of care. However, few online RN-BSN programs integrate writing instruction into their curricula. Nurses traditionally learn how to write from instructor feedback and often not until midway into their baccalaureate education. Innovative strategies are needed to help nurses apply critical thinking skills to writing. The authors discuss a collaborative project between nursing faculty and technical communication faculty to develop and implement a writing course that is 1 of the 1st courses the students take in the online RN-BSN program.

An advanced practice nursing program for foreign medical doctors: a practical approach.

AIM: This article articulates lessons learned about an accelerated family nurse practitioner course offered to foreign medical doctors who also held baccalaureate nursing degrees (BSN). BACKGROUND: In the last decade, many physicians in the Philippines returned to school to obtain BSN degrees and licensure as registered nurses (referred to as nurse-medics) to emigrate to the United States in the hope of a better life. Once in the United States, many remain in nursing even though they prefer the practice of medicine. METHOD: This fast-track master's degree program began in fall 2006 at a university in the southwestern United States in collaboration with St. Jude College in the Philippines. By the end of this program (2010), 76 students had graduated. All who sat for the FNP national certification exam passed on the first attempt. RESULTS: Due to a decrease in qualified applicants, the program eventually closed, but a number of important lessons were learned. CONCLUSION: Nursing programs planning to undertake accelerated programs to transition medical doctors to nurse practitioners should consider they retake courses such as physical assessment, pharmacology and pathophysiology.

Facilitating the career transition of second-career students into professional nursing.

This article describes the approaches used by the Second Careers and Nursing (SCAN) program to socialize second-career students into professional nursing. The pre-licensure phase of the program is guided by Schlossberg's transition theory of moving in, moving through, and moving out. Moving in involves setting expectations, from the admission interview to the two-day intensive orientation. Moving through entails imparting and instilling nursing's cultural content and values through the program's formal and informal curriculum. Moving out strengthens students' feelings of pride and their commitment to becoming professional nurses during a concentrated internship, NCLEX-RN preparation, and coaching for their first RN position. The article also reports on the socialization outcomes and lessons learned during the pre-licensure phase. Outcomes provide evidence that the SCAN program has successfully transitioned non-nursing college graduates into professional nursing by socializing them into the profession's knowledge, skills, and behaviors while they internalize nursing's values and goals.

RN-BSN completion programs: equipping nurses for the future.

The Institute of Medicine has outlined important components needed in nursing education to prepare the nursing workforce of the future. Previously published work on RN to BSN education has focused mainly on mode of delivery. The purpose of this paper is to examine RN to BSN program components for the facilitation of academic progression, innovative mechanisms of student engagement, and the curricular components that prepare graduates to meet future nursing challenges. Academic progression factors discussed include those relevant to recruiting RNs to BSN completion programs and factors important to retaining them through graduation. Recommendations for student engagement include the creation of honors programs, ethics teams, and practicum and service learning experiences. Suggestions for curriculum possibilities specifically address meeting the call of the Institute of Medicine report including content in community/public health, informatics, evidence-based practice, ethics, and health policy.