The Flipped Classroom With Case-Based Learning in Graduate Nurse Anesthesia Education.

A pilot study was conducted to compare student academic performance and course satisfaction with the flipped classroom (a type of blended learning) and casebased learning in a graduate nurse anesthesia program. Quiz, test, and student satisfaction survey scores from a neuroanesthesia principles course were compared between 2 first-year nurse anesthesia student cohorts taught in a flipped classroom with case-based learning (n=17) vs traditional lecture-based classroom (n=19). Mean preclass and postclass quiz scores (SD) improved significantly in both the flipped classroom (8.41 [0.870] vs 8.94 [0.243], P=.03, α =.05) and traditional classroom (8.68 [0.58], P=.03, α .05). Between cohorts, no significant differences were found on mean preclass (8.41 vs 8.68, P=.34, α <.05) and postclass quizzes (8.94 vs 9.0, P=.32, α <.05) or examination scores (29.41 [2.00]; 28.31 [2.14]; P=.12, α <.05). Student satisfaction scores were favorable but not significantly different between cohorts. Based on noninferior outcomes in student academic performance and satisfaction, the flipped classroom with case-based learning may be a suitable alternative to the traditional lecture-based classroom in graduate nurse anesthesia education.

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Occupational Stress Levels Among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are exposed to multiple job-related stressors and therefore experience high levels of occupational stress and job burnout. In healthcare systems, job burnout from occupational stress may lead to poor patient care and safety outcomes. Prior research findings suggest nurses who reported higher levels of emotional intelligence (EI) had significantly lower work-related stress and less job burnout than nurses who reported lower levels of EI. To date, the relationship between EI and occupational stress among CRNAs has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between EI levels and workplace stress levels among CRNAs. A descriptive survey design was used to answer the research question. Findings from the study reveal a significant relationship between the levels of EI and levels of stress in the CRNA population surveyed (r = -0.20, P = .01). CRNAs who reported higher levels of EI experienced less workplace stress than CRNAs who reported lower levels of EI. Additional findings suggest that CRNAs who have higher levels of EI are better able to cope with occupational stressors. Developing and implementing strategies to increase EI among CRNAs may be key to decreasing work-related stress and burnout.