Problem-based learning in the NICU

Toward salience: an application of integrative, case-based, nursing education for neonatal advanced practice

The purpose of this article was to present a new, integrative, case-based educational approach for neonatal advanced practice nursing students in a hybirdized long-distance program at the University of Washington. The theoretical background is based on a holistic, systems-based, and case-based approach to learning. A guideline for instructors will be included, emphasizing recommendations of Benner et al for teaching a sense of salience, integration, critical reasoning, and role formation. Such a holistic approach to neonatal advanced practice nursing education may maximize the unification of knowledge with practice and improve learning, at a time when resources are few.

Problem solving strategies integrated into nursing process to promote clinical problem solving abilities of RN-BSN students

A set of problem solving strategies integrated into nursing process in nursing core courses (PSNP) was developed for students enrolled in a post-RN baccalaureate nursing program (RN-BSN) in a university in Taiwan. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the effectiveness of PSNP on students' clinical problem solving abilities. The one-group post-test design with repeated measures was used. In total 114 nursing students with 47 full-time students and 67 part-time students participated in this study. The nursing core courses were undertaken separately in three semesters. After each semester's learning, students would start their clinical practice, and were asked to submit three written nursing process recordings during each clinic. Assignments from the three practices were named post-test I, II, and III sequentially, and provided the data for this study. The overall score of problem solving indicated that score on the post-test III was significantly better than that on post-test I and II, meaning both full-time and part-time students' clinical problem solving abilities improved at the last semester. In conclusion, problem-solving strategies integrated into nursing process designed for future RN-BSN students are recommendable.

Building bridges: from high school to healthcare professional

A summer health careers program in existence for 10 years has created interest in high school juniors and seniors to pursue healthcare professions. This program, now open to all students, began as a recruitment initiative to encourage underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students to pursue health careers in a rural North Carolina county, a previous Health Professions Shortage Area (HPSA). Seventy percent (70%) of the 160 students who have participated in the program are pursuing or practicing a health profession, and of these, 50% chose nursing. Collaboration between an Area Health Education Center, a local community hospital, and county school system makes this program successful. The authors describe the history of this program and the importance of collaboration. A framework for the development of a summer program is summarized. Staff development educators can use this framework to develop outreach programs to recruit students into nursing.