Effect of Virtual Simulation on Nurse Residents' Prioritization and Delegation Skills: A Pilot Study.

Data indicate a widening academic-practice gap. Utilizing a single-group pre-post interventional design, the purpose of this project was to determine if repeated participation in Sentinel U Patient Management and Delegation virtual simulations influenced new graduate nurses' prioritization and delegation. Increased confidence in ability to complete patient care assignments on time and transferability of learning outcomes to practice were identified. There may be value in nurses receiving virtual simulations within their residency program to close the academic-practice gap.

Can You Escape? Creating an Escape Room to Facilitate Active Learning.

Nursing professional development practitioners have the responsibility to find creative and innovative ways to teach and provide learners with the education needed to practice safely in the hospital setting. This article describes an interactive game-based learning experience as a way to engage and empower both nurse residents and experienced nurses.

Nurse residency graduates' commitment to their first positions.

Between 27% and 53% of new graduates change jobs during the first year of work. One program to address this issue is a national nurse residency program, in which the University of Kansas Hospital has enrolled new graduates since 2003. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among job satisfaction, reasons for staying, and satisfaction with the nurse residency program to job commitment and retention of nurses who completed the program.

Pediatric chronic illness (cancer, cystic fibrosis) effects on well siblings: parents' voices.

This study is a secondary analysis of data gathered during baseline data collection prior to a cognitive-psychosocial-respite intervention provided in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Content analysis was used to identify themes in parents' responses to an open-ended item about their perceptions of the effects on siblings of having a brother or sister who has either cancer or cystic fibrosis (CF). Of 91 themes tallied in the cancer group (n = 29), 74.5% reflected negative manifestations of increased risk in siblings, 1.1% no risk; and 24.2%, positive outcomes. Of 53 themes tallied in the CF group (n = 15), the same three categories had 67.9 %, 0%, and 32.1%, respectively. Contemporary life in these families portrayed in parents' descriptions not only validate the rationale for the RCT done, but also suggest the need in ambulatory pediatrics for intervention research on these vulnerable populations.

Use of NCLEX preparation strategies in a hospital orientation program for graduate nurses.

This article describes outcomes from the first year of a hospital orientation program for graduate nurses that was expanded to systematize and enrich preparation of graduate nurses for success on the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The study protocol provided the Assessment Technologies Institute predictor examination to assess risk for licensure examination failure, review materials, and a meeting with an education specialist to identify and prioritize study needs. Those at highest risk for failure were also provided an in-depth written study plan and ongoing follow-up and support until the licensure examination was taken. The study sample consisted of 90 graduate nurses who were hired from May through August of 2005 at the University of Kansas Hospital. The pass rate for participants was 86.7% on the first attempt in year 1 of the program. At-risk graduates who reported that the predictor results impacted their study habits and followed the study recommendations were more likely to pass the licensure examination. Graduate nurses reported a high level of satisfaction with the support provided. Specific challenges faced by hospital nurse administrators in recruitment and retention and return on investment over a 3-year improvement plan are described.

A community-based intervention for siblings and parents of children with chronic illness or disability: the ISEE study.

OBJECTIVE: Siblings of children with chronic illness or disability have been reported to have a 1.6 to 2.0 risk for behavioral and mental health problems. Our objective was to examine the effects of an intervention for siblings (age 7-15 years) of children with chronic illness or disability. METHOD: A randomized, three-group repeated-measures design was used: full intervention (n=79), partial intervention (n=71), and a waiting list control group (n=102). Outcomes were sibling knowledge about illness, behavior problems, social support, self-esteem, attitude, and mood measured over four postintervention periods. Covariates were family cohesion, maternal mood, socioeconomic status, and well sibling age. The full intervention included structured teaching and psychosocial sessions at a 5-day residential summer camp. The partial intervention included camp only. Treatment effects were estimated by using generalized estimating equation panel analyses. RESULTS: The full treatment group showed significant improvements on all six outcomes over most periods, the partial treatment group on three outcomes, and the control group on two outcomes. Improvements in outcomes ranged from 5% to 25% increases over baseline measures. CONCLUSIONS: A dose-response relationship to intervention was found. Treatment gains were sustained over a period of 12 months.

Interrelationships among variables affecting well siblings and mothers in families of children with a chronic illness or disability.

A structural equation model (SEM) examined interrelationships among psychosocial variables known to affect the health and development of well siblings and parents when a child with a chronic illness or disability is a member of the family. Using dyads of 252 well children and parents, socioeconomic status (SES) and family cohesion were associated with the parent-reported behavior of the well sibling. SES also influenced the mood of the mother that in turn influenced family cohesion. The well sibling's knowledge about the illness of the brother or sister, attitude toward the illness, mood, self-esteem, and feelings of social support were interrelated and related to the behavior of the well sibling. The SEM suggests that interventions may be directed at several points in these interactions including boosting knowledge levels of the well sibling, improving family cohesion, and assuring adequate "income" support to the family through income transfers or in-kind services.