Research focused doctoral nursing education in the 21st century: Curriculum, evaluation, and postdoctoral considerations.

The AACN position statement on The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence was revised in 2022 by an AACN Task Force charged with creating a new vision for the PhD and similar programs in nursing. This document, which was informed by hundreds of academic nursing stakeholders, yields expectations and recommendations for PhD program curriculum, program evaluation, post-doctoral competencies, and resources. Results of an AACN 2021 survey indicated increased enrollment in PhD programs 2017-2000. Fifteen percent of students were enrolled in BSN-PhD, programs, 70 % of schools reported external review, and overall average time to degree completion was 5 years. Considerations for the education for the research doctorate include development of curriculum that fosters the scholarship of discovery and scientific inquiry and implements systematic evaluation of program outcomes while advancing postdoctoral competencies and resources, including the post-doctoral fellowship. Comprehensive assessment of the PhD program promotes ongoing program analysis and quality. Postdoctoral fellowships advance the science of nursing via the creation of a culture and workforce for nursing research. Successful postdoctoral programs have mentors, resources, and infrastructure to adequately enable the fellow to progress in their line of inquiry and develop as an investigator.

The Relationship Between Family Support, Self-Care, and Health Outcomes in Selected African-American Females with Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease process that disproportionately affects minorities, mainly those of African-American descent (CDC, 2017). Decreasing the long-term complications associated with this disease requires substantial vigilance, lifestyle changes, medication adherence, and motivation on the part of the individual. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study, guided by Orem's (1991) Conceptual Framework Theory of Self-Care, was to explore the relationship between family support, self-care, and health outcomes in African-American females between the ages of 40-80 years with type 2 diabetes. Specifically, the investigator set out to determine: (a) the relationship between family support and health outcomes in selected African-American females with type 2 diabetes; (b) the relationship between self-care and health outcomes in selected African-American females with type 2 diabetes; and (c) which of the two variables assessed in this study (family support and self-care) best predict health outcomes. A convenience sample of African-American females between the ages of 40-80 years were recruited through Qualtrics survey software. The investigator used the Diabetes Care Profile questionnaires to extract indicators for family support and self-care. Data were analyzed using a hierarchical regression model: analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a linear regression model. The investigator hypothesized that health outcomes in African-American females with type 2 diabetes are a function of family support and self-care activities, and when family support and self-care are adjusted, they will positively affect health outcomes. The study findings show that self-care abilities are the better indicator of health outcomes, but that family support does contribute positively to health outcomes.