An Intercultural Peer-Mentoring Program for Prelicensure Nursing Students

BACKGROUND

Nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds may require additional support for academic success.

METHOD

A CALD peer-mentoring program was offered in an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. The Logic Model framework was used to plan the program.

RESULTS

Mentors and mentees expressed satisfaction and derived benefits from the mentoring program. They were retained in the ABSN program and all but one had on-time academic progression.

CONCLUSION

The CALD peer-mentoring program was cost effective and successful. A challenge to be addressed is the need to overcome scheduling conflicts for mentors and mentees to meet. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(6):343-345.].

Ambulatory Care Simulation: A Collaboration Between MSN and BSN Students

BACKGROUND

A university school of nursing initiated a pilot project to include Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students in two existing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student scenarios. The result was a valuable collaboration among the student learners.

METHOD

Using a Zoom platform, students were introduced to their patient in a telehealth scenario. Students then encountered the same patient in an urgent care setting. The BSN student assessed the patient, then reported to the MSN student. The MSN student provided feedback and treatment orders. Individual BSN and MSN student pairs debriefed immediately after their scenarios and again at the end with other students and faculty.

RESULTS

Evaluation was conducted using an adaptation of the Modified Simulation Evaluation Tool (SET-M) and free-text questions developed by nursing faculty. Both SET-M responses and written comments indicated students were satisfied with the simulation experience, and students' confidence and skills in communication and collaboration improved.

CONCLUSION

This simulation was beneficial for both MSN and BSN students and will become an ongoing addition to the simulations. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):293-297.].

A Multicenter Study of Student Engagement and Satisfaction in Online Programs

BACKGROUND

Students who are more satisfied and engaged in online courses have better learning experiences and outcomes.

METHOD

Survey data were collected during a 4-month period in 2019. The research team created a survey to collect demographic information and assess student satisfaction. Student engagement was measured using the 19-item Online Student Engagement Scale.

RESULTS

Overall student engagement and satisfaction scores in online programs were moderately high. Generation Z participants and students from PhD programs were the most satisfied and engaged in their programs.

CONCLUSION

Students who are more engaged in online coursework are more satisfied and thus are more likely to remain and successfully complete their respective programs. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):259-264.].

Immersion Experiences About Homelessness and Psychological Processes of Nursing Students: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Across disciplines, research findings demonstrate that positive exposure to members of stigmatized groups is effective in reducing social stigma. This study explored differences in nursing students' psychological processes about people experiencing homelessness related to a community immersion intervention.

METHOD

This descriptive exploratory study examined change from pre- to postintervention. Linguistic inquiry and word count explores affective psychological and social psychological processes of undergraduate and graduate nursing students.

RESULTS

Average word use for overall affective and social psychological processes showed significant difference postimmersion intervention. No significant difference was found between affective and social processes postimmersion intervention in relation to nursing students' gender, previous experience with people experiencing homelessness, or previous nursing experience working in an emergency care setting.

CONCLUSION

Affective and social psychological processes had significant differences after an immersion event. This supports that a well-designed immersion experience can be effective in both graduate and undergraduate programs and across student characteristics. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(4):216-219.].

Strategies and criteria targeting the reform and development for the teaching resource of nursing undergraduate: A multi-center cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Teaching resource of nursing students play an important role in improving clinical performance, while there is a little know and dearth of the access and development criteria or guidance of teaching resources for nursing undergraduates.To develop the admission and development criteria of education resources for nursing undergraduates, and to explore and determine its composition and connotation.A cross-sectional survey has been used.A total of 22 Chinese nursing schools and affiliated teaching bases (hospitals and community health centers).A total of 20 nursing experts were consulted to develop the questionnaire of admission and development criteria of teaching resource for nursing undergraduates in China, and then 285 valid experts from 22 Chinese nursing schools and affiliated teaching bases (hospitals and community health centers) conducted the questionnaire survey to evaluate experts' consensus rate and view on the composition and connotation of the developed criteria.There were 6 domains and 43 items included in the admission and development criteria of teaching resource for nursing undergraduates, which domains included educational budget and allocation of resources, infrastructure, clinical teaching bases, books and information services, educational experts, and educational exchanges. The experts' consensus rate was more than 90.2%.The standard is helpful to guide the future admission and development of teaching resource for nursing undergraduates, and favor the education quality improvement of nursing undergraduates.

Application of 3D printing technology combined with PBL teaching model in teaching clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery: A case-control study

We aimed to explore the application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology with problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model in clinical nursing education of congenital heart surgery, and to further improve the teaching quality of clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery. In this study, a total of 132 trainees of clinical nursing in congenital heart surgery from a grade-A tertiary hospital in 2019 were selected and randomly divided into 3D printing group or traditional group. The 3D printing group was taught with 3D printed heart models combined with PBL teaching technique, while the traditional group used conventional teaching aids combined with PBL technique for teaching. After the teaching process, the 2 groups of nursing students were assessed and surveyed separately to evaluate the results. Compared to the traditional group, the theoretical scores, clinical nursing thinking ability, self-evaluation for comprehensive ability, and teaching satisfaction from the questionnaires filled by the 3D printing group were all higher than the traditional group. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < .05). Our study has shown the 3D printing technology combined with the PBL teaching technique in the clinical nursing teaching of congenital heart surgery achieved good results.

Challenges and needed reforms in midwifery and nursing regulatory systems in India: Implications for education and practice

BACKGROUND

In India, nursing regulation is generally weak, midwifery coexists with nursing, and 88% of nursing and midwifery education is provided by the private health sector. The Indian health system faces major challenges for health care provision due to poor quality, indeterminate regulatory functions and lack of reforms.

METHODS

We undertook a qualitative investigation to understand midwifery and nursing education, and regulatory systems in India, through a review of the regulatory Acts, and an investigation of the perceptions and experiences of senior midwifery and nursing leaders representing administration, advocacy, education, regulation, research and service provision in India with an international perspective.

RESULTS

There is a lack of importance accorded to midwifery roles within the nursing system. The councils and Acts do not adequately reflect midwifery practice, and remain a barrier to good quality care provision. The lack of required amendment of Acts, lack of representation of midwives and nurses in key governance positions in councils and committees have restrained and undermined leadership positions, which have also impaired the growth of the professions. A lack of opportunities for professional practice and unfair assessment practices are critical concerns affecting the quality of nursing and midwifery education in private institutions across India. Midwifery and nursing students are generally more vulnerable to discrimination and have less opportunities compared to medical students exacerbated by the gender-based challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

India is on the verge of a major regulatory reform with the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2020 being drafted, which makes this study a crucial and timely contribution. Our findings present the challenges that need to be addressed with regulatory reforms to enable opportunities for direct-entry into the midwifery profession, improving nursing education and practice by empowering midwives and nurses with decision-making powers for nursing and midwifery workforce governance.

Challenges and needed reforms in midwifery and nursing regulatory systems in India: Implications for education and practice

BACKGROUND

In India, nursing regulation is generally weak, midwifery coexists with nursing, and 88% of nursing and midwifery education is provided by the private health sector. The Indian health system faces major challenges for health care provision due to poor quality, indeterminate regulatory functions and lack of reforms.

METHODS

We undertook a qualitative investigation to understand midwifery and nursing education, and regulatory systems in India, through a review of the regulatory Acts, and an investigation of the perceptions and experiences of senior midwifery and nursing leaders representing administration, advocacy, education, regulation, research and service provision in India with an international perspective.

RESULTS

There is a lack of importance accorded to midwifery roles within the nursing system. The councils and Acts do not adequately reflect midwifery practice, and remain a barrier to good quality care provision. The lack of required amendment of Acts, lack of representation of midwives and nurses in key governance positions in councils and committees have restrained and undermined leadership positions, which have also impaired the growth of the professions. A lack of opportunities for professional practice and unfair assessment practices are critical concerns affecting the quality of nursing and midwifery education in private institutions across India. Midwifery and nursing students are generally more vulnerable to discrimination and have less opportunities compared to medical students exacerbated by the gender-based challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

India is on the verge of a major regulatory reform with the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2020 being drafted, which makes this study a crucial and timely contribution. Our findings present the challenges that need to be addressed with regulatory reforms to enable opportunities for direct-entry into the midwifery profession, improving nursing education and practice by empowering midwives and nurses with decision-making powers for nursing and midwifery workforce governance.

Barriers and facilitators to online medical and nursing education during the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from international students from low- and middle-income countries and their teaching staff

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a huge challenge to the education systems worldwide, forcing many countries to provisionally close educational institutions and deliver courses fully online. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of the online education in China for international medical and nursing students from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as well as the factors that influenced their satisfaction with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Questionnaires were developed and administered to 316 international medical and nursing students and 120 teachers at a university in China. The Chi-square test was used to detect the influence of participants' personal characteristics on their satisfaction with online education. The Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test was employed to identify the negative and positive factors influencing the online education satisfaction. A binary logistic regression model was performed for multiple-factor analysis to determine the association of the different categories of influential factors-crisis-, learner-, instructor-, and course-related categories, with the online education satisfaction.

RESULTS

Overall, 230 students (response rate 72.8%) and 95 teachers (response rate 79.2%) completed the survey. It was found that 36.5% of students and 61.1% of teachers were satisfied with the online education. Teachers' professional title, students' year of study, continent of origin and location of current residence significantly influenced the online education satisfaction. The most influential barrier for students was the severity of the COVID-19 situation and for teachers it was the sense of distance. The most influential facilitating factor for students was a well-accomplished course assignment and for teachers it was the successful administration of the online courses.

CONCLUSIONS

Several key factors have been identified that affected the attitudes of international health science students from LMICs and their teachers towards online education in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve the online education outcome, medical schools are advised to promote the facilitating factors and cope with the barriers, by providing support for students and teaching faculties to deal with the anxiety caused by the pandemic, caring for the state of mind of in-China students away from home, maintaining the engagement of out-China students studying from afar and enhancing collaborations with overseas institutions to create practice opportunities at students' local places.

Teaching Evidence-Based Sepsis Care: A Sepsis Escape Room

BACKGROUND

Using evidence-based sepsis guidelines, nurse educators identified the nursing skills required to recognize and treat sepsis.

METHOD

Nurse educators created an innovative, interactive sepsis escape room to provide sepsis education. The escape room included a manikin, puzzles, distractors, riddles, and props. Participants were given 20 minutes to solve four puzzles/riddles to treat the sepsis patient and escape the room.

RESULTS

All but two (N = 16) groups solved the clues and riddles to prioritize treatment in the allotted time. Evaluations were excellent. Mean score (1 = poor to 5 = outstanding) for overall escape room experience was 4.92. Adherence data improved on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign sepsis performance measure intervention bundles (SEP 1-3 care bundles) 2 months following the escape room. Bundles are a group of interventions that improve care.

CONCLUSION

The escape room engaged nurses in educational gaming, stimulating critical thinking and problem solving contributing to improved clinical outcomes. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(5):217-225.].

Improving Nurse Preceptor Competence With Clinical Teaching on a Dedicated Education Unit

BACKGROUND

Nurse preceptors have varying backgrounds of teaching experience and often cite insufficient preparation as a common reason for difficulties transitioning from the role of clinician to educator. This project evaluated an online education program for nurse preceptors of prelicensure students.

METHOD

Nurse preceptors received online instruction and howto examples in the form of clinical teaching vignettes to improve the teaching component of their role. Pre- and postsurveys were used to help determine program effectiveness.

RESULTS

After the training, nurse preceptors indicated they felt more competent when teaching students, and likewise, students reported increased satisfaction with the quality of teaching.

CONCLUSION

There are numerous roles assumed by nurse preceptors. Although many nurse preceptors are expert clinicians, they may lack expertise in the teaching role. Preceptor preparation programs that provide practical examples through the use of vignettes can contribute to the development of teaching competencies. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(5):226-231.].

Implications of Clinical Shift Length on Nursing Student Learning Outcomes

BACKGROUND

One area of clinical education that requires further understanding is the role clinical shift lengths play in nursing student learning outcomes.

METHOD

This study used a mixed-methods design. Collaborative nursing students were randomly placed into clinical groups. Students either completed two 6-hour clinical shifts per week or one 12-hour shift. Groups completed a survey questionnaire and an NCLEX-based pre- and posttest.

RESULTS

Mean scores for the 12-hour group (1.4 grade points) were higher compared with the 6-hour group (0.8 grade points) (p = .043). The survey also measured students' attitudes, and a correlation was demonstrated in several other categories of questions. Qualitatively, students in the 12-hour group valued their time to a greater degree.

CONCLUSION

Although there are merits to both 6-hour and 12-hour shift lengths, findings demonstrated students preferred 12-hour shifts, had statistically higher scores in NCLEX preparation, and developed more therapeutic relationships with clients, families, and instructors. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):253-258.].

Simulation Based Educational Intervention for Enhancing Irrigation Skills of Nurses Caring for Patients With Cutaneous Continent Urinary Diversions and Orthotopic Neobladders

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a nurse practitioner-led simulation-based education program on nursing knowledge and confidence in the care of patients with a cutaneous continent urinary diversion (Indiana pouch) or orthotopic neobladder.

DESIGN

Single-group, before-after study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The sample comprised 11 RNs practicing at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Subjects were predominantly female, ethnically diverse, and held a bachelor's degree. About half of the subjects had less than 3 years of experience, and more than half reported prior experience caring for patients with a urinary diversion.

METHODS

Participants completed a demographic survey, and a continent urinary diversion confidence survey and pretest measuring knowledge of nursing care of patients with a urinary diversion. Following baseline data collection, an educational session focused on the irrigation of a continent urinary diversion was made available for participants to review. An onsite simulation experience was scheduled several weeks later. Investigators provided education on proper irrigation of a continent urinary diversion and observed participants' skills when irrigating a continent urinary diversion on a high-fidelity simulated patient mannequin. The simulation intervention was followed by video replay and debrief providing feedback on each participant's performance. At the conclusion of the onsite simulation intervention, participants completed a postintervention confidence survey and a knowledge posttest related to the care of a continent urinary diversion. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze baseline and postintervention changes in nursing knowledge and confidence.

RESULTS

Participants achieved significant improvements in knowledge (P = .005) and confidence (P = .009) following the simulation-based educational intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

A nurse practitioner-led simulation-based educational program for RNs caring for patients with continent urinary diversions demonstrates enhanced nursing knowledge and confidence caring for patients with continent urinary diversions. We anticipate this experience will enhance care we provided to patients undergoing cystectomy and continent cutaneous urinary diversion or orthotopic neobladder construction.

Clinical Compass: Guiding the Relationship Between Clinical and Didactic Learning

BACKGROUND

Evidence demonstrates there is a need for innovation and further investigation on how to best prepare nursing students for practice. A consistent framework is necessary to guide students, theory faculty, and clinical instructors.

METHOD

A tool was created to transform the student learning experience. This tool, the Clinical Compass, provides opportunity to better integrate didactic knowledge within the clinical experience. The tool was evaluated by creating a questionnaire for both students and faculty.

RESULTS

Survey data were collected from both student and instructor groups via an anonymous electronic survey. Both student and instructor surveys yielded positive results reflecting improved connection between theoretical and clinical knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Data support continued use and ongoing revisions of the Clinical Compass tool. The tool will be adapted for use in the classroom, specialty areas, and virtual and simulation environments. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):286-288.].

From Sully to Nightingale: Critical Thinking Through Esthetic Learning

BACKGROUND

Nursing faculty continually seek new teaching strategies to promote prelicensure nursing students' critical thinking. Students construct new knowledge through experience. Esthetic learning methodologies involve gaining knowledge and insight through emotive, firsthand experiences. The esthetic experience of watching a movie, coupled with reflective journaling, has been used with health care students to promote learning. However, little is documented in the literature on its use with nursing students or its influence on the formulation of critical thinking skills.

METHOD

This descriptive qualitative study explored the impact of watching the movie, Sully, followed by structured reflective journaling on critical thinking of prelicensure nursing students.

RESULTS

Themes were identified which demonstrated students' insights into the components of critical thinking and expert thinking.

CONCLUSION

Esthetic learning is a promising teaching approach that addresses multiple ways of knowing, thereby enhancing students' learning about critical thinking in a prelicensure education program. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):281-285.].

Mock Oral Board Examination in Nurse Anesthesia Education

BACKGROUND

Despite its widespread use in anesthesia residency training, mock oral board examinations (MOBEs) are not included in the pedagogy of most nurse anesthesia programs (NAPs). A small-scale study was conducted to assess the use of MOBEs in this setting.

METHOD

The investigational cohort consisted of 10 second-year students in a master's program in nurse anesthesia. MOBEs were scored according to a common rubric, and final scores were reconciled by raters. Responses from pretest and posttest questionnaires, as well as scoring data, were analyzed.

RESULTS

MOBEs were administered in a problem-free manner to nurse anesthesia students and was perceived by these students as a valuable addition to their curriculum. There was pass-fail agreement among the raters related to clinical analysis, fund of knowledge, and communication skills, and the scoring was characterized by elements of internal consistency.

CONCLUSION

MOBEs are feasible in an NAP, and well accepted by students. MOBEs have significant evaluative potential in this setting. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(4):229-234.].

The Call for Global Health Research Mentorship for Doctorally Prepared Nurses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Limited research about nursing mentorship in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is holding science back. This article describes the strengths and challenges associated with global health research mentorship for doctorally prepared nurses whose scholarship focuses on LMICs. Using reflexive narrative accounts from current and former nurse mentors and nurse mentees who participated in a NIH-funded global health doctoral research program, emerging themes revealed the perspectives of mentors and mentees, producing a global health mentoring model for nursing research mentorship relevant to LMICs. Identified themes, which applied across roles and primary affiliations, included 1) collaborative mentor-mentee relationships and 2) enthusiasm for global health nursing. Our global health nursing research mentor-mentee interaction systems conceptual model focuses on nursing science mentoring in LMICs incorporating interpersonal, institutional, and cultural factors. We describe successful components of global nurse researcher mentorship and summarize directions for future research in the field. Our model can be used to create more effective mentee-centered mentoring for nurses or health professionals conducting global research. To advance science, we encourage doctorally prepared nurses to support mentee-centered research mentorship experiences that are sensitive to the unique needs of interdisciplinary global health scholarship.

The acceptance and impact of Google Classroom integrating into a clinical pathology course for nursing students: A technology acceptance model approach

Background

Google Classroom (GC) is a free web-based instructional platform rarely used for nursing student education. The acceptance, intention to use, and learning outcomes of GC remain unclear in Taiwan. We sought to identify the technology acceptance level and factors affection the intention to use GC. We also explored how integrating GC into traditional teaching affects learning satisfaction and academic achievement among nursing students in Taiwan.

Methods

In this randomized controlled study, based on a technology acceptance framework, 74 nursing students were randomly assigned in clusters to experimental (n = 39) and control (n = 35) groups during the spring semester of 2018. In Weeks 3–18, each member of the experimental group received one hour of traditional and GC teaching per week. The control group received two hours of traditional teaching per week. Both groups were asked to complete questionnaires to evaluate learning satisfaction and academic achievement during weeks 10 (mid-semester) and 18 (end-of-semester). The experimental group additionally completed technology acceptance questionnaires in both situations.

Findings

In the experimental group, the overall end-of-semester technology acceptance score was high (141.8 out of 155); their perceived ease of use, intention to use, and technology acceptance scores increased significantly compared to mid-semester (p<0.05). At the end-of-semester, perceived playfulness and perceived usefulness explained 63.5% of the variance in intention to use. Regardless of whether the assessment was administered mid-semester or at the end-of-semester, the experimental group had higher learning satisfaction and academic achievement scores than the control group. However, the degree of progress on learning satisfaction and academic achievement demonstrated no significant between-group differences.

Conclusions

The experimental group demonstrated high acceptance of GC. Playfulness and usefulness positively influenced nursing students’ intention to use GC. Blended learning—in combination with GC and traditional methods—resulted in similar learning satisfaction and academic achievement when compared to traditional learning. More research is needed to explore the effectiveness of blended learning through the GC platform with different courses and ethnic groups.

Changing Student Outcomes Without Sacrificing Student Satisfaction

BACKGROUND

Faculty teaching a large class size implemented evidence-based teaching strategies (EBTS) to improve mastery of core concepts in an accelerated undergraduate pediatric nursing course.

METHOD

Pre- and poststudent outcomes were analyzed using data from course assessments and American Technologies Institute (ATI) concept mastery testing to evaluate the effectiveness of course revisions. ATI designates three proficiency levels to determine mastery. A proficiency of level two exceeds the minimum expectations for mastery, whereas a proficiency level of three suggests students exceed NCLEX-RN standards of content.

RESULTS

Data indicated implementation of new EBTS facilitated improvement in student content mastery. Students exceeded the minimum expectations for NCLEX-RN standards of pediatric content. Course revisions resulted in all students achieving benchmark on ATI concept mastery testing with a three-fold increase in students achieving the highest level of proficiency.

CONCLUSION

EBTS can be adapted for a large class size learning environment with improved learning outcomes. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(3):169-171.].

Improvisation Theater Exercises: A Novel Approach to Teach Communication Skills

BACKGROUND

Nurse practitioner students need effective communication skills to provide patient-centered care and work in diverse health care teams. Improvisation exercises, adapted from theater training, have been used to improve communication skills with health professions education and can be used in nurse practitioner education.

METHOD

Fifty-eight family nurse practitioner students participated in a 2-hour workshop where they learned four improvisation exercises to improve listening skills, observational skills, and the ability to respond in the moment. Students learned the application of these skills for health care conversations.

RESULTS

The workshop was well received by the students, and evaluations reflected that students anticipated using the skills in professional practice and personal communications.

CONCLUSION

Improvisation exercises can be used in nursing education to teach communication skills. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(2):116-119.].

Peer Debriefing Versus Instructor-Led Debriefing for Nursing Simulation

BACKGROUND

Debriefing is the reflective process following the simulation experience. We aimed to compare the debriefing assessment and debriefing satisfaction perceived by nursing students who underwent different debriefing methods.

METHOD

An experimental study conducted on three groups (instructor-led debriefing, peer debriefing, and combined debriefing) was performed for 177 nursing students. Differences in the debriefing satisfaction were assessed using the Clinical Experience Simulation scale, the Visual Analogue scale, and the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH).

RESULTS

VAS scores for satisfaction differed significantly between the instructor-led debriefing, peer debriefing, and combined debriefing groups. In the Clinical Experience Simulation scale, the combined debriefing group was significantly higher compared with instructor-led debriefing. The total score for DASH was significantly higher in the combined debriefing group compared with instructor-led debriefing, and in instructor-led debriefing compared with peer debriefing.

CONCLUSION

Combining debriefing after a simulation session improves the debriefing satisfaction and the perceived debriefing assessment among nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(2):90-95.].