Coping With New Systems

A statewide instructional television program via satellite for RN-to-BSN students

Instructional television (ITV) is providing the bridge between nursing educational needs and health care resources, allowing nurses in rural areas to attend a university without leaving their jobs or relocating. This article describes the experiences of developing a baccalaureate degree completion program for nursing via satellite. To create a successful distance education program, it was necessary to re-examine curricular structure, objectives, course descriptions, the basis of course sequences, teaching strategies, library resources, and learner needs. It was vital to modify the student and faculty support services on campus for use with distance learners.

Facilitating growth and development: a paradigm case for modeling and role-modeling

This article describes an example of a paradigm case for the nursing theory of modeling and role-modeling. A synthesis of the mid-range theoretical linkages of basic need satisfaction, object attachment, and growth and developmental processes derived from the theory and paradigm are described. These theoretical linkages guide the assessment, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing care and provide the basis for describing the dynamic nurse-client relationship.

Mobilizing self-care resources: a nursing intervention for hypertension

This study was undertaken to assess the potential for mobilizing self-care resources in 10 persons with hypertension. Modeling and role-modeling theory provided the conceptual base for the experimental group. Ten persons with hypertension were matched with a comparison group. The results provide some evidence that theoretically sound nursing interventions can assist clients to mobilize self-care resources needed to enhance their well-being. Although further research with larger, randomly assigned samples is indicated, these findings suggest that nursing the person rather than the symptom might help people with hypertension contend with stressors, reduce stress, and deal with loss and grief.

The Effects of a Support Group on Student Attrition Due to Academic Failure

This article describes a research project which tested the effect of a support group on student attrition due to academic failure. The investigator hypothesized that if specific supportive behaviors were rendered in a group setting, the group members would (a) achieve an increased perception of self-competence, and (b) experience academic success. The sample for this study was selected from two consecutive classes in an upper division BSN program and was comprised of students who had achieved only minimal passing grades in the first semester nursing course. Following utilization of the support group, a significant difference in academic failure, and therefore attrition, existed between the experimental and control groups, thus supporting part of the original hypothesis. The recommendation is made that when the study is replicated, an attempt be made to determine specific factors responsible for the effects noted in this study.