An Innovative Community Health Nursing Virtual Reality Experience: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) simulation in nursing education, especially about non-acute care including community health, is an emerging learning strategy; more research is needed about its effectiveness. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative community health nursing VR simulation on prelicensure students' knowledge about social determinants of health and cultural competence, with a goal of enhancing students' preparation for practice. Methods: In a convergent mixed methods study, 100 prelicensure nursing students in a community health nursing course at a Midwestern U.S., urban, public university completed a pretest, a VR simulation, a posttest, and an evaluation. Pre- and posttests containing content questions adapted from leading community health nursing text faculty resources were used to assess learning, and the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) was used to assess perceived effectiveness of the intervention. Results: The majority of participants' posttest scores were higher than their pretest scores. Most participants strongly agreed that the VR simulation was effective, and reported on new knowledge/skills learned, material found most helpful, and benefit to their nursing practice. Conclusions: The community health nursing VR simulation was effective at increasing participants' knowledge and their confidence in their knowledge and abilities.

Effects of a Computer-Based Community Health Nursing Virtual Reality Simulation on Postlicensure Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality simulation in postlicensure nursing education, including community health, is an emerging instructional approach, and more research is needed on its effectiveness. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative, computer-based community health nursing virtual reality simulation among postlicensure nursing students. METHOD: This mixed methods study consisted of 67 postlicensure community health nursing students who completed a pretest, computer-based virtual reality simulation, and a posttest and evaluation. RESULTS: The majority of participant scores increased from pretest to posttest, and most participants agreed that the computer-based virtual reality simulation was effective; new knowledge and skills learned, the material that was found to be most helpful, and benefits to nursing practice were identified. CONCLUSION: This community health nursing computer-based virtual reality simulation was effective at increasing participants' knowledge and confidence with learning. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(3):109-116.].

Frailty and Nutrition Risk Predict Falls and Emergency Department Visits in Home-Delivered Meal Clients.

Home-delivered meal programs improve health outcomes for older adults who are homebound, yet some clients need additional services and support to maintain independence. This study sought to identify program clients at the highest risk for adverse outcomes. Nutrition risk and Frailty Index scores were used to predict client-reported falls, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations over a six-month period for 258 Meals on Wheels clients in one Midwestern community. A multivariate binomial logistic regression model adjusting for both Frailty Index and nutrition risk scores with age, gender, poverty, and race accounted for 13.2% of the variation in falls and 22% of the variation in emergency department visits. Neither study variable was predictive of hospitalizations. Nutrition risk and Frailty Index scores, together, produced a more robust picture of client risk than with either score alone; these tools could be used by service providers to prioritize additional support services.

Migration and Cognitive Health Disparities: The Arab American and Refugee Case.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether the year of arrival to the United States (U.S.) and birthplace relate to postmigration cognitive difficulties among foreign- and U.S.-born Arab Americans in later life. METHODS: We analyzed 19 years (2000-2019) of data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Samples (weighted N = 393,501; ages ≥ 50 years). Cognitive difficulty was based on self-reported data, and weighted means, percentages, adjusted prevalence estimates, and adjusted odds ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Controlling only for demographics, foreign-born Arabs reported higher odds of cognitive difficulty compared to U.S.-born Arabs across all arrival cohorts (p < .001). After accounting for economic and integration factors, those who arrived between 1991 and 2000 had higher odds (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.00, 1.19, p < .01), while those who arrived after 2001 had lower odds (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.97, p < .001) of cognitive difficulty. Lacking English proficiency (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.82, 1.98, p < .001) was related to higher odds, whereas not being a U.S. citizen was significantly associated with lower odds (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.94, p < .001) of cognitive difficulty. Yet, results varied by birthplace. Migrants born in Iraq consistently reported the highest odds of cognitive difficulty across all arrival cohorts. DISCUSSION: Migration history and birthplace may be important factors explaining cognitive disparities among the diverse group of Arab migrants and Arab Americans. Future research examining mechanisms underlying these associations and the impact of migration on cognitive health is needed to address cognitive disparities in migrants.

Researching the Effectiveness of an Online Human Trafficking Awareness Program Among Community Health Nursing Students.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an online human trafficking awareness program for healthcare providers. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study. METHODS: Sample (N=141) consisted of community health nursing students, who completed a pretest, watched one three-minute video a day for 20 days, and completed a posttest. FINDINGS: Participants indicated their knowledge of human trafficking increased, attitudes toward victims improved, and competence and confidence engaging with victims increased. Satisfaction with program, and information utilization plans for practice were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Human trafficking awareness program was effective in increasing participants' knowledge, competence and confidence, and improving attitudes. CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Educational intervention is a strategy to improve students' knowledge of human trafficking.

Effects of a Virtual Educational Intervention to Teach Interprofessional Collaboration to Community Health Nursing Students.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual interprofessional collaboration in public health educational intervention. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study. METHODS: Sample (N =171) consisted of community health nursing students, who completed an assessment after watching six videos, illustrating how various disciplines collaborate in a public health department. FINDINGS: Participants felt their interprofessional awareness, understanding, and collaboration intention increased; clarified discipline misconceptions, and application/utilization plans for this knowledge in practice were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Interprofessional collaboration in public health educational intervention was effective in increasing participants' interprofessional awareness, understanding, and intent to collaborate. CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Educational intervention is a strategy to improve students' knowledge of interprofessional collaboration in public health.

Using Virtual Simulation to Teach Community Health Nursing Students About Public Health Nursing.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community/public health nursing virtual simulation. Design: Mixed-methods study. Methods: Sample (N = 121) consisted of community health nursing students, who completed a pretest, virtual simulation, posttest, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale.Findings: Majority of participants' scores increased from pretest to posttest, and most participants agreed or strongly agreed with statements regarding satisfaction and self-confidence in learning; material learned and found most helpful, as well as knowledge application/utilization plans for practice were revealed. Conclusions: Community/public health nursing virtual simulation was effective at increasing participants' knowledge, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning.Clinical Evidence: Virtual simulation is a strategy to improve students' knowledge of community/public health nursing.

An Online Sexual Health Educational Intervention Involving Young Adult Female Students: A Mixed Methods Study.

Adolescent and young adult females are at increased risk for STDs/STIs and their complications. It is imperative that the sexual health education provided to this vulnerable population is effective. This mixed methods study assessed the impact of an online educational intervention on knowledge of sexual health and STDs/STIs, and impact on behavioral intent among sexually active, young adult females 18-22 years of age. Results showed that the online educational intervention was effective. Scores increased from pretest to posttest and responses included what participants learned and found most helpful, and changes they plan to make as a result of the educational intervention.