Preparing Teaching Assistants in Nursing: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Teaching assistants (TAs) serve an important role in schools of nursing, but their educational needs are poorly understood. PURPOSE: To better prepare TAs, our School of Nursing identified and evaluated current TA practices to create tailored educational materials. METHODS: A 16-item survey captured how faculty used TAs. Focus groups with current faculty and former TAs explored the TA role and identified areas to target for future training. Focus groups were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Survey response rate was high (88%). Most faculty meet with TAs before the semester, and typical TA duties included attending lecture (71%) and facilitating examination review sessions (64%). Qualitative themes focused on faculty/TA communication, faculty guidance, knowing the policies, and TA/student boundary negotiation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the importance of preparing TAs. Since this study, the university and school of nursing have each developed educational materials to better prepare TAs and faculty.

Stigma, gender dysphoria, and nonsuicidal self-injury in a community sample of transgender individuals.

We investigated rates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and correlates of past-year NSSI among transgender people to better understand factors contributing to this health disparity. A community-based sample of 332 transgender people participated in quantitative in-person interviews. The mean age of participants was 34.56 years (SD = 13.78, range = 16-87). The sample was evenly divided between transfeminine spectrum (50.3%) and transmasculine spectrum identities (49.7%) and was diverse in race/ethnicity. We evaluated associations between sociodemographic characteristics, stigma, hypothesized resilience factors, and identity variables with past-year NSSI. 53.3% of participants reported ever having self-injured in their lifetime. Past-year NSSI was reported by 22.3% of the sample and did not significantly differ based on gender identity. In logistic regression models, past-year NSSI was associated with younger age and felt stigma (perceived or anticipated rejection), but not enacted stigma (actual experiences of discrimination), and with gender dysphoria. Efforts to address the high rates of NSSI among transgender people should aim to reduce felt stigma and gender dysphoria, and promote transgender congruence. Future research using a developmental approach to assess variations in NSSI across the life course and in relation to transgender identity development may illuminate additional processes that affect NSSI in this population.

Establishing a program of global initiatives for nursing education.

In the global nursing community, schools of nursing are increasingly developing initiatives and networks across national boundaries. This article describes the process undertaken at a school of nursing to determine its global health priorities and develop a program of global initiatives for nursing education. A series of meetings were held to determine faculty global activities and gauge interest in designing a 5-year strategic plan for the program. A volunteer Strategic Planning Work-group was convened to formalize a mission, vision, and strategic plan for the program, which were presented to, refined by, and vetted by an advisory board and the faculty at large. We recommend this process to schools committed to developing or expanding a program dedicated to global initiatives and a global perspective in educational planning. Involving stakeholders, building on current strengths, and aligning with mission and vision are essential elements for developing a meaningful program of global initiatives for nursing education.

Does assessing sleep inadequacy across its continuum inform associations with child and family health?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of children experiencing a continuum of inadequate sleep and its associations with child, family, and environmental variables. METHOD: A secondary analysis of weighted responses of 68,418 parents or caregivers of children aged 6 to 17 years participating in the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health was conducted. Inadequate sleep was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: Approximately one third of parents reported their child's sleep inadequacy as mild (18.6%), moderate (6.8%), or severe (5.8%). Age (P < .001), fair/poor health status (P < .001), frequent depressive symptoms (P < .001), and high parental stress (P < .001) demonstrated a progressive relationship from adequate to severe inadequate sleep. Controlling for child, family, and environment variables, parents of children with inadequate sleep were more likely to report frequent child depressive symptoms, high parental stress, and violent family conflict style. DISCUSSION: Sleep inadequacy affects 15 million American children, 6 million at a moderate or severe level. Identification of inadequate sleep should prompt further assessment of its associated factors-depressive symptoms, parental stress, and family conflict-for targeted clinical intervention.

Sleepless in America: inadequate sleep and relationships to health and well-being of our nation's children.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to identify characteristics associated with inadequate sleep for a national random sample of elementary school-aged children (6-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years). METHODS: Data from 68418 participants in the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed by using weighted bivariate and multivariate regression models. The dependent variable was report of not getting enough sleep for a child of his or her age >or=1 night of the past week. Independent variables included demographic characteristics, child health, school and other activities, and family life. RESULTS: Parents of elementary school-aged children with inadequate sleep were more likely to report that their child was having problems at school or had a father with fair or poor health. Parents of adolescents with inadequate sleep were more likely to report that their child had an atopic condition, frequent or severe headaches, a parent with less-than-excellent emotional health, or experienced frequent parental anger. Inadequate sleep in both age groups was associated with parental report that their child usually or always displayed depressive symptomatology, family disagreements involved heated arguing, or parental concern that the child was not always safe at home, at school, or in their neighborhood. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 15 million American children are affected by inadequate sleep. Primary care providers should routinely identify and address inadequate sleep and its associated health, school, and family factors.