Meeting Texas Nursing Workforce Needs Through Recruitment and Retention Initiatives.

Evidence demonstrates health inequities can be ameliorated by a workforce whose diversity reflects the population served. The diversity of the Texas nursing workforce, however, is not reflective of the Texas population. This article reports on a project to recruit and retain minority nurses in Texas. The project goals were to improve enrollment for minority students, specifically Hispanic students, in an online South Texas baccalaureate nursing program (traditional BSN, second-degree BSN, and RN to BSN); facilitate student success; and promote student satisfaction. These goals were successfully achieved at one academic institution.

Men of Mexican Origin Who Abuse Women: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Current literature indicates that intimate partner violence is a complex phenomenon that exists worldwide. PURPOSE: However, little is known about why some men of Mexican origin abuse women. This descriptive study was conducted to understand the experiences of men of Mexican origin who abuse their intimate partners. METHOD: A qualitative research design was used to conduct this study in a south Texas border community adjacent to the United States-Mexico border. RESULTS: This study builds on existing research and furthers the knowledge related to the factors contributing to intimate partner violence, including cultural factors. The results also reinforce the negative impacts of intimate partner violence on children and the family structure. DISCUSSION: Further research is needed to support the development of a culturally appropriate prevention and intervention program for men of Mexican origin who abuse women and their families.

Empowerment in Latina Immigrant Women Recovering From Interpersonal Violence: A Concept Analysis.

Latina immigrant women are vulnerable and may experience higher levels of interpersonal or intimate partner violence (IPV) due to their immigrant status and cultural emphasis on familism. The concept of empowerment within the cultural context of Latina immigrant women experiencing IPV was analyzed using a modified version of Walker and Avant's concept analysis technique. The technique considers usage and definitions in the literature, antecedents, attributes, empirical referents, and the inclusion of a model and contrary case. This analysis encompasses a comparative approach and includes a discussion of how the definition of empowerment compares across the nursing literature. Defining attributes include reciprocal relationships, autonomy, and accountability. Antecedents comprise willingness to learn and motivation to create change. Consequences encompass self-esteem, self-efficacy, and competence for making life decisions. Empowerment has the potential to improve total well-being, having a positive and profound impact on the lives of women experiencing IPV.

From Student to Practicing Oncology Nurse: A Novel Collaboration to Create a Transition to Practice Program in Ambulatory Cancer Care.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare reform and the shift of care to the ambulatory setting has created challenges for preparing nurses to practice in these complex clinical settings. Oncology is an area where dramatic transitions to ambulatory care have occurred, and the ambulatory oncology setting holds great potential for teaching evidence-based care to nursing students. OBJECTIVES: The article summarizes the collaboration between a baccalaureate nursing program and a cancer clinic to establish a dedicated education unit (DEU). METHODS: A pilot project was undertaken to create the DEU and residency program. FINDINGS: The collaboration has provided a clinical setting for baccalaureate nursing students to learn and develop clinical competencies, advance their critical thinking skills, and enhance advanced pathophysiology knowledge. The scope of the program includes a transition-to-practice model which maximizes the use of the DEU as students graduate and are eligible to apply for the oncology residency program. The DEU has created a pipeline for new nurses.

Sustained reduction in neonatal nosocomial infections through quality improvement efforts.

BACKGROUND: Although reports of reduced nosocomial infections (NI) in very low birth weight infants have been published, the durability of these gains and changes in secondary outcomes, and clinical practices have less often been published. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of NI reduction in very low birth weight infants at two hospital campuses. The intervention began in 2005 with our renewed quality improvement efforts to reduce NI. We compared outcomes before (2000-2005) and after (2006-2009) the intervention by using univariate and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: We reduced NI by 50% comparing 2000-2005 to 2006-2009 (23.6% vs 11.6%, P < .001). Adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio for NI was 0.33 (confidence interval, 0.26 - 0.42, P < .001) in the more recent era. NI were lower even in infants with birth weight 501-1000 grams (odds ratio = 0.38, confidence interval, 0.29 - 0.51, P < .001). We also reduced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (30.2% vs 25.5%, P = .001), median days to regain birth weight (9 vs 8, P = .04), percutaneously placed central venous catheter use (54.8% vs 43.9%, P = .002), median antibiotic days (8 vs 6, P = .003), median total central line days (16 vs 15, P = .01), and median ventilator days (7 vs 5, P = .01). We sustained improvements for three years. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement efforts were associated with sustained reductions in NI, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, antibiotic use, central line use, and ventilator days.