A Scoping Review of Transitions, Stress, and Adaptation Among Emerging Adults.

This scoping review examined research on transitions among emerging adults, 18- to 30-year-olds, to identify designs, populations, frameworks, transition types, and transition outcomes. A librarian conducted the search, yielding 2067 articles. Using predefined criteria, teams screened abstracts and reviewed articles, with 82% to 100% interrater agreement. Data from the final 160 articles were placed in evidence tables and summarized. Most frequently, the studies had exploratory-descriptive designs (69%), nondiagnosed samples (58%), no theoretical frameworks (58%), developmental transitions (34%), and health-related behavior outcomes (34%). This transition research is in an early stage of knowledge development and would benefit from further theory development.

A comparison of student and faculty perceptions of clinical post-conference learning environment.

The purpose of this study was to repeat a study by Letizia and Jennrich that described and compared perceptions of the clinical post-conference learning environment of undergraduate baccalaureate student nurses (BSN) and faculty. The Clinical Post-Conference Learning Environment Survey (CPCLES) was sent electronically to all traditional and accelerated BSN students and faculty; 178 usable responses were returned. Both faculty and students perceived the environmental characteristics captured by the CPCLES were important, but were used less than expected (p<0.025). No differences were found between faculty and students in perceptions of importance and actual use of the post-conference learning environment. Results showed highest scores for the subscale Teacher Support for both faculty and students. Lowest scores were received for Innovation. The results suggest the important role faculty has in supporting students' efforts to understand and find meaning in clinical experiences. Post-conference learning experiences could be enriched by faculty efforts to increase active learning strategies and innovative experiences. Further research is needed to determine effectiveness of new approaches to the post-conference in facilitating clinical reasoning among student nurses, and promote students' ability to provide safe, high-quality care.

Using a writing group to promote faculty scholarship.

Writing productivity is an essential component of scholarship. Barriers to writing include intrapersonal characteristics, faculty role complexity, and time constraints. Writing groups can increase faculty members' writing, contributing to dissemination of nursing knowledge and advancement of professional nursing. The authors discuss the structure and processes of a writing group that can be adapted by faculty interested in using comentoring to increase their scholarship.

Mothers' responses during the child's stem cell transplantation: pilot study.

PURPOSE: Examine the relationships between the mothers' anxiety and depressive symptomatology and resources (problem-solving orientation and style, coping, and social support) during their child's stem cell transplantation (SCT). METHOD: A prospective correlation design was used. A convenience sample of 23 mothers completed State-Anxiety Inventory, Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, and Stress Support Scale at the child's admission and 10 days after the stem cells infusion. FINDINGS: Significant relationships were found between mothers' negative problem-solving orientation and emotional responses, coping and depressive symptomatology, and between social support and emotional responses but in an inverse direction. CONCLUSION: Health care professionals need to increase their understanding of mothers' stress responses during the SCT. These responses may affect the mother/child interactions and the mother's ability to provide childcare. A psychosocial intervention that includes these resources may assist the mothers during their child's SCT.