Digital Health Education and Training for Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: As technology will continue to play a pivotal role in modern-day health care and given the potential impact on the nursing profession, it is vitally important to examine the types and features of digital health education in nursing so that graduates are better equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to provide safe and quality nursing care and to keep abreast of the rapidly evolving technological revolution. OBJECTIVE: In this scoping review, we aimed to examine and report on available evidence about digital health education and training interventions for nursing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). A comprehensive search strategy was developed and applied to identified bibliographic databases including MEDLINE (Ovid; 1946 to present), Embase (Ovid; 1974 to present), CINAHL (EBSCOhost; 1936 to present), ERIC (EBSCOhost; 1966 to present), Education Research Complete (EBSCOhost; inception to present), and Scopus (1976 to present). The initial search was conducted on March 3, 2022, and updated searches were completed on January 11, 2023, and October 31, 2023. For gray literature sources, the websites of select professional organizations were searched to identify relevant digital health educational programs or courses available to support the health workforce development. Two reviewers screened and undertook the data extraction process. The review included studies focused on the digital health education of students at the undergraduate or graduate levels or both in a nursing program. Studies that discussed instructional strategies, delivery processes, pedagogical theory and frameworks, and evaluation strategies for digital health education; applied quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods; and were descriptive or discussion papers, with the exception of review studies, were included. Opinion pieces, editorials, and conference proceedings were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 100 records were included in this review. Of these, 94 records were identified from database searches, and 6 sources were identified from the gray literature. Despite improvements, there are significant gaps and limitations in the scope of digital health education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, consequently posing challenges for nursing students to develop competencies needed in modern-day nursing practice. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to expand the understanding of digital health in the context of nursing education and practice and to better articulate its scope in nursing curricula and enforce its application across professional nursing practice roles at all levels and career trajectories. Further research is also needed to examine the impact of digital health education on improving patient outcomes, the quality of nursing care, and professional nursing role advancement. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.11124/JBIES-22-00266.

To choose or not to choose a nurse practitioner fellowship: An opinion piece on why to choose.

ABSTRACT: New graduate nurse practitioners (NPs) often face a challenging learning curve, especially in specialized fields. The quality of clinical experiences and education varies widely across NP programs, and NP Fellowships offer an extension of formal education and clinical experiences. This editorial offers a personal perspective into the NP Fellowship experience and affirms their value to improve the standard of patient care and equip novice NPs for a sustainable career.

Real-world and game-based learning to enhance decision-making.

BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape necessitates highly qualified nurses equipped with a myriad of soft skills, including decision-making. Traditional teaching models have led to innovative, active methods that prioritise student participation and enhance crucial soft skill development, such as decision- making. Considering the recognised importance of improving clinical decision-making skills and the need for innovative training, a literature gap is present in assessing the effect of real world and game-based learning on decision-making abilities. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of real-world and game-based learning, specifically using case-based learning and escape room, on decision-making competence in postgraduate nursing students in academic and clinical settings. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative intervention study was conducted, combining case-based learning and escape room methods sequentially. SETTINGS: The study was conducted among postgraduate nursing students at the University of Navarra in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six postgraduate nursing students, mostly women, participated in the study. METHODS: The study integrated case-based learning and escape room sequentially. Data were collected through an ad hoc online questionnaire, recorded escape times from the escape room, and academic scores. RESULTS: The study enrolled 66 participants with an average professional experience of 4.2 years. Academic results showed high scores in case resolution (average: 8.34) and knowledge tests (average: 9.21). Out of 11 groups, 81.8 % successfully escaped the escape room within 30 min, with positive questionnaire responses indicating enthusiasm, enjoyment and perceived effectiveness of the activities. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world and game-based learning significantly enhanced decision-making competence in postgraduate nursing students across academic and clinical settings, demonstrating the importance of diverse teaching methods. Further research, including comparative studies and longitudinal analyses, is needed to evaluate the educational benefits of integrating case-based learning and escape room methods in nurse education and to refine assessment tools while monitoring long-term student progress.

Effect of narrative videos and mini-VR games in nursing smoking cessation training on empathy and self-efficacy of smoking cessation counseling: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Empathy and self-efficacy for smoking cessation counseling can be enhanced through smoking cessation training. Narrative videos and virtual reality (VR) games have been applied in medical education, but their application in smoking cessation training is limited and understudied. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of smokers' narrative videos and mini-VR games on nursing students' empathy towards smokers (State Empathy Scale), confidence in practicing empathy, self-efficacy in smoking cessation counseling, and learning satisfaction. DESIGN: An open-labeled randomized controlled trial, registration number: NCT05440877 (ClinicalTrials.gov). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Master of nursing students from the University in Hong Kong who enrolled in a smoking cessation course. METHODS: All students attended a tutorial including case-based discussions and role-play. The intervention group could additionally access the narrative videos and mini-VR games of smokers' cases. Linear mixed models and Cohen's d were used to evaluate the intervention effect on the self-reported learning outcomes after the intervention. RESULTS: 26 students enrolled in this trial, with 13 in each trial arm. All completed the trial. Post-test state empathy scores were significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention group (Cohen's d = 0.814, p = 0.049). No significant group differences were observed in the change of confidence in practicing empathy (ß = -11.154, p = 0.073), self-efficacy (ß = 4.846, p = 0.096), and students' learning satisfaction (Cohen's d = 0.041, p = 0.917). Both groups showed a significant increase in self-efficacy post-test (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Narrative videos showing smoking scenes and reluctance to quit, and our mini-VR games may weaken nursing students' empathy towards smokers. Smoking cessation training involving narrative videos should be modified. Debriefing and guidance to understand smokers' difficulties and express empathy are needed. VR games for smoking cessation training can involve more frame stories and challenging tasks to increase engagement.

Collaborative learning linking nursing practice and education - Interview study with master's students and teachers.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative and innovative educational approaches are essential to building nurses' competencies in responding to healthcare challenges and to enhance high-quality nursing practice. Nurses are increasingly learning in various contexts, and thus, the understanding and organising of collaborative learning needs further exploration. AIM: To describe collaborative learning in nursing practice and education from the point of view of nurses, involved as students and teachers in master's education in nursing. DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative study using semi-structured focus groups involving 33 nurses as master's students and teachers from Estonia and Norway. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis. FINDINGS: The essence of collaborative learning in the context of nursing practice and education was identified as the aggregation of diverse learners' skills and reflections while working towards shared aims. This fostered the development of workplace competencies, professional attitudes, and personal growth. Organising collaborative learning requires careful planning and synchronisation between clinical and educational organisations. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative learning is an inclusive method, aiding nurses at different phases of their career to gain knowledge and enhance their soft skills, and potentially reducing professional hierarchies. Further research is needed to develop methods for evaluating the outcomes of collaborative learning.

Integrating Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare in Pediatric Nursing Education: A Case Study of the Ghana-SickKids Partnership.

There is growing recognition of the critical role nursing leadership plays in healthcare. Integrating strengths-based approaches into nursing education enables positive learning settings and empowers nurses as leaders who foster healing and well-being for patients and their families. This paper describes an effort to integrate Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare (SBNH) and Strengths-Based Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SBNH-L) into the development, implementation and evaluation of a postgraduate pediatric nursing program in Ghana. In the evaluation of the program in Ghana, three themes emerged related to strengths-based nursing: transformation of teaching and learning, impact on relationships with colleagues and impact on relationships with patients.

Qualitative comparative analysis of learning engagement among Chinese part-time master's students in nursing.

BACKGROUND: Graduate nursing education plays an important role in the development of an innovative nation. Such education benefits the health of the community by cultivating competent and highly skilled nurses who can provide safe and quality nursing care. The number of students pursuing nursing degrees in China is insufficient, to meet the social demand for advanced practice nurses. The part-time Master of Nursing Specialist program for students offers flexible learning options for working nurses. However, the relatively low level of learning engagement exhibited by this group has raised concerns among policy-makers and nursing educators. An in-depth study of the factors affecting the learning engagement of part-time Master of Nursing Specialist postgraduates, especially with regard to their combined effect, is expected to provide a basis for improving the level of learning engagement among such students. METHODS: This study used ability-motivation-opportunity-theory and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze the relationships between five conditions (i.e., supportive campus environment, supportive work environment, student-faculty interaction, research motivation and time management ability) and learning engagement by reference to data collected from a sample of 225 part-time Master of Nursing Specialist students who were enrolled in China. RESULTS: The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis results indicated that individual examples of these antecedent conditions were insufficient to influence learning engagement. In contrast, three combinations of the five conditions led to high levels of learning engagement, and substitutability and complementarity were observed among the various elements in the configuration. CONCLUSIONS: Research motivation, student-faculty interaction, a supportive work environment and time management are factors that can influence part-time postgraduates' learning engagement. Supervisors can enhance their research skills and expertise, hospitals can establish supportive environments for students, and students can strengthen their research motivation and time management abilities.

Transforming Nursing Education: Developing Augmented Reality Procedural Training.

The shortage of nursing faculty and the scarcity of clinical placements have compelled researchers to investigate innovative solutions for procedural development to bridge the gap between didactic teaching and clinical experiences. This feasibility study uses augmented reality (AR) with Microsoft HoloLens2 and Dynamics 365 Guides to train graduate nursing students on advanced nursing procedures, focusing on lumbar puncture. A convenience sample of 24 nurse practitioner students participated in the study. The System Usability Scale, Acceptability Scale, and Engagement Scale were used to assess participant's experiences and perceptions. The results are positive for the feasibility and acceptance of AR technology for procedural training. Participants found the HoloLens2 device easy to use and showed confidence in its functionality. The step-by-step instructions provided by Microsoft 365 Guides were understandable, useful, and satisfactory. The students reported high levels of engagement and found the AR experience to be helpful and motivating for learning. Faculty time was significantly reduced using the HoloLens2 for procedural training compared to traditional methods. This study demonstrates the potential for AR as an effective and efficient modality for nursing education. The findings support the integration of AR technology to enhance procedural development, address the challenges of limited clinical sites, and provide students with an immersive and self-paced learning experience. Additional studies will need to explore the impact of AR on clinical competency, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. Overall, the use of AR technology may be useful and effective for nursing pedagogy.

Exploring the status and critical issues in mixed methods research in doctoral nursing education in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Mixed methods research (MMR) can be a pathway for doctoral nursing students to create innovative and noble contributions for the advancement of nursing theory, practice, and education. Several issues and challenges must be identified to successfully train, mentor, and support doctoral nursing students in conducting MMR. AIM: The study aimed to explore the status and critical issues in conducting, mentoring, and training MMR in doctoral nursing programs in the Philippines. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted by performing semi-structured online interviews with 10 purposively selected participants who were faculty and educators with doctoral degrees, involved in teaching and mentoring MMR among doctoral nursing students in the last 10 years. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Four key themes emerged, namely, (1) perceptions on the use of MMR, (2) facilitators to use MMR, (3) barriers to the use of MMR, and (4) recommendations to promote the use of MMR focused on the student, faculty, and educational institution levels. CONCLUSION: Providing educational, institutional, and research support for doctoral nursing students and faculty could flourish the use of MMR in doctoral nursing programs with deeper meaning and reasoning.

Peer patient round table: An innovative approach for evaluating clinical performance for nurse practitioner students.

Clinical performance is a crucial part of evaluation in nurse practitioner education and has traditionally been accomplished through faculty site visits. The evolution of distance learning and on-line programs along with the recent COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated completing site visits, requiring innovative strategies. 'The Peer Patient Round Table (PPRT)' was developed as an innovative evaluation method of student performance. It utilizes the standardized patient simulation concept and shared role-play modality via a telehealth platform. During the PPRT evaluation session, students were involved in a shared role-play of three roles; as a patient, a nurse practitioner student, and a preceptor in individual scenarios. A family nurse practitioner program at Radford University, located in Southwest Virginia, incorporated the PPRT method as the alternative student evaluation method starting May 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years. After the first year of implementation of the PPRT, students and faculty were surveyed about the effectiveness of PPRT as a clinical evaluation method as well as their satisfaction with the modality. This article discusses the details of the PPRT procedures, PPRT experiences from faculty and students along with lessons learned.

Mentoring students in doctoral nursing programs: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Academic mentorship usually involves an ongoing, supportive relationship between experienced academics and research candidates, and is fundamental to establishing and nurturing scholarship and the skills for dealing with the changing demands of the academic environment. Mentoring is a valuable strategy for the development of students enrolled in doctoral nursing programs (Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing - PhD, Doctor of Nursing Practice - DNP, Doctor of Nursing Science - DNS, and Doctoral Education in Nursing - EdD). PURPOSE: To report mentorship experiences among doctoral nursing students and academic mentors, identify positive and negative attributes of mentors and the relationship between mentors and students, and assess the benefits and barriers of mentoring. METHODS: Relevant empirical studies published until September 2021 were identified using PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus electronic databases. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies published in English language which reported on mentorship among doctoral nursing students were included. Data were synthesized into a scoping review with findings presented as a narrative summary. RESULTS: The review included 30 articles, mostly from the USA, which reported on the mentoring relationship, experiences, benefits, and barriers of mentoring for the student and the mentor. Students valued mentor attributes such as being a role model, respectful, supportive, inspiring, approachable, accessible, a content expert and a good communicator. Benefits of mentoring included enhanced experience of research endeavours, scholarly writing and scientific publication, networking support, improved student retention, timely completion of the project, and career readiness, as well as developing one's own mentoring skills for future mentoring of others. Despite the identified benefits, there are a number of barriers related to mentoring including access to mentorship support, limited mentoring skills among faculty, and lack of compatibility between students and mentors. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlighted students' expectations versus their reality of mentoring, which suggested areas for improvement in mentoring doctoral nursing students, in particular the need for mentorship competency, support, and compatibility. Additionally, there is a need for more robust research designs to understand the nature and characteristics of mentorship programs for doctoral nursing students and to assess the expectations and wider experiences of mentors.

A programmatic taxonomy to define, differentiate, and classify nurse practitioner postgraduate training.

ABSTRACT: Postgraduate residencies and fellowships have become a growing foundational element in the early career path for new nurse practitioners (NPs) and for NPs changing areas of specialization. The proposed programmatic taxonomy provides a straightforward method to recognize and classify NP postgraduate training programs with differing missions, structures, and outcome objectives. Models of postgraduate training for NPs are identified, defined, and differentiated. Each model can serve as an essential and specific purpose for the sponsoring organization. The programmatic models for NP postgraduate training programs are residency, fellowship, and "additional programs." Differences between residency and fellowship are described. The taxonomy then compares and contrasts the three models on five overarching programmatic characteristics, namely, mission, goals, environment, evaluation, and duration. The potential impact of adopting the NP postgraduate training taxonomy on the NP profession, the public, funding, accreditation, and the early career development of NPs is explored. Recommendations for next steps are suggested.

A Virtual World: New Graduate Education in the Era of COVID-19.

In this article, the authors share strategies of adult learning principles for successful transition to virtual learning for new graduate clinical nurses. Knowles' theory was used to redesign a simulation-based education approach to fulfill the diverse learning needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The delivery of efficient, effective, and meaningful education was achieved by leveraging technology. This evidence-based strategy was delivered via a cost-effective virtual platform that offered improved accessibility and convenience of education without compromising the quality of the educational outcomes, participant engagement, or learner satisfaction. This virtual platform incorporating a variety of active learning strategies exhibited effective practices, engaging the new graduate clinical nurses and enhancing their acquiring, retaining, and applying knowledge in providing high-quality and safe patient care. It demonstrated the promise that virtual education holds for future programs to enhance professional development and build the nursing workforce. Nurse educators can be instrumental in advancing this virtual agenda. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(7):307-311.].

Postgraduate Programs in Orthopaedic Surgery for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.

Postgraduate orthopaedic programs for physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) number 14 as of 2020. To better understand the characteristics of these programs a census was undertaken. The result is that most programs are 1 year in duration and in 2019 produced 40 graduates. The role of the orthopaedic PA and NP fellow is to gain an understanding of a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders, develop procedural skills, first assist in the operating room, and facilitate management of patients and discharge throughput. PA and NP fellows work alongside categorical orthopaedic physician residents. The number of graduates from PA orthopaedic training programs is estimated at 200, spanning 20 years. The other 11,145 + PAs (99%) are trained on-the-job. For hospital systems, the employment of orthopaedic postgraduate PA and NP fellows provides value through cost management and billable services.

Quantifying and Remediating the New Graduate Nurse Resident Academic-Practice Gap Using Online Patient Simulation.

BACKGROUND: There is an ever-widening academic-practice gap. Less than one third of new graduates demonstrate entry-level competencies required for practice. Hospitals expend many resources to create nurse residency programs to remediate this gap. Online interactive case simulation is effective to increase competencies and decrease the length of orientation and rate of turnover. The aims of this pilot research study were to quantify the academic-practice gap and to strengthen areas of development for competent and safe clinical practice through use of an online patient simulation program. METHOD: A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study using an online patient simulation program was implemented in a convenience sample of nurse residents over 16 months. RESULTS: Twenty-nine residents completed more than 3,400 patient simulations. Improvement in pretest and posttest metrics included 100% of nurse residents committing a sentinel error event decreased to 20.7%, 766 medication errors decreased to 160, and failed-to-rescue an average of 81% of the time decreased to 23%. CONCLUSION: Interactive online patient simulation programs provide a powerful learning methodology in which learners improve patient safety and reduce failures to rescue. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(5):240-247.].

Percepción de la Calidad del Proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje según las dimensiones planificación, ejecución y evaluación en estudiantes de maestría de enfermería / Nursing Master's Students' Perception about the Quality of the Teaching-Learning Process in the Dimensions Planning, Execution and Evaluation

Introducción: La búsqueda de la calidad educativa es un desafío permanente en las instituciones universitarias, está asociada a diversos factores, entre los que predomina el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje; que es una política establecida por la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos que se orienta al buen vivir y a responder a las necesidades del país. Objetivo: Describir la percepción de la calidad del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje según las dimensiones: planificación, ejecución y evaluación en estudiantes de maestría de enfermería. Métodos: Investigación descriptiva, transversal, en la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Facultad de Medicina, Maestría en Enfermería, período 2014 -2016. Se trabajó con toda la población, 65 estudiantes de maestría de enfermería. Se usó como técnica la entrevista y como instrumento una escala tipo Likert modificada, previamente validada por ocho jueces expertos y la prueba binomial (0,035), confiable mediante prueba piloto y el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (0,96). Resultados: Sobre la calidad del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, 73 por ciento tenía una percepción medianamente favorable. En cuanto a las dimensiones se obtuvo similar percepción en la planificación 62 por ciento; 75 por ciento en ejecución y respecto a la evaluación 68 por ciento. Conclusiones: En los estudiantes de maestría de enfermería predominó la percepción medianamente favorable sobre la calidad del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje, lo que implica establecer estrategias de retroalimentación para mejorar estos aspectos(AU)

Introduction: The search for educational quality is a permanent challenge in university institutions. It is associated with various factors, among which the teaching-learning process is highlighted. This is a policy established by Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos oriented towards good living and responding to the needs of the country. Objective: To describe a nursing master's students' perception about quality of the teaching-learning process according to the dimensions planning, execution and evaluation. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional research carried out in the Nursing Master's course taught at the School of Medicine of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, in the period 2014-2016. We worked with the entire population of 65 nursing master's students. The interview was used as a technique. As an instrument, a modified Likert-type scale, previously validated by eight expert judges, was used, together with the binomial test (0.035), reliable by means of a pilot test, as well as Pearson's correlation coefficient (0.96). Results: Regarding quality of the teaching-learning process, 73 percent had a moderately favorable perception. Regarding the dimensions, a similar perception was obtained: 62 percent in planning, 75 percent in execution, and 68 percent in evaluation. Conclusions: Nursing master's students had a prevailing moderately favorable perception of the quality of the teaching-learning process, which implies establishing feedback strategies to improve these aspects(AU)

Aportes de la formación doctoral en la enfermería cubana / Contributions of Doctoral Training in Cuban Nursing

Introducción: La formación doctoral constituye una necesidad para la consolidación de la práctica de enfermería. Objetivo: Exponer los resultados alcanzados en Cuba por los profesionales de la enfermería durante la formación doctoral. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el periodo 2005- 2018. Se analizaron los 57 egresados de las diferentes áreas de conocimiento: uno de Ciencias de la Comunicación, seis de Ciencias de la Salud, cinco de Ciencias de la Educación Médica, 23 de Ciencias Pedagógicas y 22 de Ciencias de la Enfermería. La fuente de información fueron las tesis doctorales. Resultados: Se obtuvieron resultados que constituyeron aportes a las diferentes áreas de conocimiento, entre ellos: metodologías para definición de funciones de enfermería, la identificación de competencias en el área de la neonatología y el desarrollo de capacidades para la realización de investigaciones en políticas y sistemas de salud. También se aportaron modelos teóricos de práctica para la atención a pacientes con afecciones oftalmológicas, la provisión de cuidados humanizados a la mujer durante el trabajo de parto y parto, la atención los pacientes con afecciones traumatológicas y ortopédicas y la consolidación de la relación enfermera-paciente-cuidador, en el servicio hospitalizado de geriatría. Conclusión: Los resultados aportados favorecen el ejercicio interdisciplinar durante la práctica y también suponen nuevos retos, que aún requieren incrementar el número de doctores en ciencias y para ello, consolidar el vínculo del pregrado y el posgrado(AU)

Introduction: Doctoral training is a necessity for the consolidation of nursing practice. Objective: To present the results achieved in Cuba by nursing professionals during doctoral training. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the period 2005-2018. The 57 graduates from the different areas of knowledge were analyzed: one of Communication Sciences, six of Health Sciences, five of Medical Education Sciences, 23 of Pedagogical Sciences and 22 of Nursing Sciences. The source of information was the doctoral theses. Results: Results were obtained that constituted contributions to the different areas of knowledge; for example, methodologies for defining nursing functions, the identification of competences in the area of neonatology, and the development of capacities to carry out research on policies and systems of health. Theoretical models of practice were also provided for the care of patients with ophthalmological conditions, the provision of humanized care to women during labor and delivery, the care of patients with trauma and orthopedic conditions, and the consolidation of the nurse-patient-caregiver relationship in the hospitalized geriatric service. Conclusion: The results provided improve interdisciplinary praxis during professional performance and also represents new challenges, which still require increasing the number of doctor of sciences and, in view of this, consolidating the link between the undergraduate and postgraduate levels(AU)

Exploring the role complexity and workforce needs of doctoral-prepared nurses.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Nursing Services (ONS) is committed to encouraging and sustaining a positive culture that values doctoral-prepared nurses. Responding to needs cited in open-ended responses from the first ever survey of VHA's doctoral-prepared nurse workforce will require: providing and encouraging formal advanced degree achievement recognition; further opportunities for professional development and potential promotion; and support for nurse research activities at the local and national level. ONS recognizes the need for further research and evaluation related to VHA doctoral-prepared nurses to better understand both the outcomes they drive and what drives them.

Using a Manuscript Template to Foster Dissemination of Doctoral Students' Literature Reviews.

BACKGROUND: The author was asked to teach a new PhD course, Developing Literature Reviews. The course objective is to have students prepare a structured (e.g., integrative, systematic) literature review manuscript that is suitable for publication submission. METHOD: Course pedagogy and materials were created, including a novel literature review manuscript template. The template served as a guide for communicating essential section components of a rigorous and reproducible literature review manuscript and allowed for an iterative process and efficient faculty-student evaluation system to simulate the peer-review process. To measure student outcomes, standardized course evaluations were reviewed, and the number of students who were successful in disseminating manuscripts was recorded. RESULTS: Students' standardized course evaluations were high. Eighteen students published integrative or systematic literature reviews as first author. Eleven students have presented peer-reviewed abstracts at scientific conferences. CONCLUSION: The template successfully facilitates PhD student dissemination. The Doctor of Nursing Practice student pedagogy may also benefit from the template. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(2):111-115.].