<p> In the current health care environment, caring for the increasing numbers of seriously ill patients require novice nurses to use advanced, intuitive clinical decision-making skills like those of more experienced nurses. Educators are charged with developing instructional strategies to enhance clinical decision-making skills. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between simulation as an instructional strategy and the use of intuition in clinical decision making among associate degree nursing students. In addition, the influence of age on student performance during simulation and the use of intuition in clinical decision making was examined. An explanatory, correlational design was conducted to examine the relationship between simulation, as measured by the Creighton Simulation Evaluation Instrument (Todd et al., 2008) and the use of intuition in clinical decision making, as measured by Rew&rsquo;s (2000) Acknowledges Use of Intuition in Nursing Scale. Results from the study found a slight but statically significant relationship between simulation and the use of intuition and no relationship between age and the use of intuition. Indications for future research include further analysis of the concept of intuition and its role in clinical decision making.</p>

<p> To ensure optimal patient care an especially high level of accountability is required when entering the workforce. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore, describe, and define perceptions of accountability as described by sophomore and senior nursing students in two baccalaureate nursing programs. The research questions aimed to (a) define what it means to be accountable as a student in general and a nursing student in particular (b) describe the importance of accountability to the profession of nursing (c) describe the circumstances and conditions that demand accountability, and (d) engage in actions that promote self-accountability. After obtaining IRB approval, the researcher explained the study to the sophomore and senior nursing students who agreed to participate in the research. Eighteen participants were interviewed. </p><p> Six questions were asked during interviews conducted to investigate perceptions of accountability. Content analysis was used to discern the essence of the narratives, from which nine themes emerged. The nine themes identified are: Difficulty defining accountability and the interchangeable use of the terms; accountability and responsibility; emerging knowledge; focus on work of nursing; student attention to tasks and outcomes; motivation/self-discipline; student stress and sources of stress; conditions for accountability and responsibility, and faculty actions; and promoting self-accountability and accountability to others. </p><p> Study findings suggested that this group of students understood the importance of accountability but were unable to verbalize a definition, often confusing accountability with responsibility. Students perceived that faculty played a role in their academic success; students also promoted accountability in faculty and in peers who were less successful academically.</p><p>

<p> This research study was designed to examine accelerated, second-degree prelicensure baccalaureate graduates&rsquo; perceptions of the andragogical practices employed by faculty that prepared students best to begin practice as entry level professional nurses. The study further sought to identify the ways in which andragogical practices used by faculty incorporated the students&rsquo; prior learning and life experiences as they accrued knowledge of the art and science of nursing. It was anticipated that through the processes of interviewing and listening to the voices of graduates, that an emic perspective of the perceptions of the graduates would emerge. Analysis and interpretation of the results of this study demonstrated six key themes related to the educational experience. Perhaps most significantly, findings revealed that elements external to teaching strategy such as faculty attributes and program design influenced learning significantly for the study participants. This research adds to the existing body of literature related to the education of accelerated, second-degree prelicensure baccalaureate students. Findings of this study can be used to inform faculty about best practices for teaching this particular cohort of students who seek nursing as an alternate career and assist with innovative curricular designs to meet the needs of this unique group. Keywords: accelerated nursing programs, nursing education, second-degree students, teaching practices </p>

<p> Nurses at a suburban northeastern U.S. community hospital reported that they felt unprepared to effectively respond to a pediatric emergency. Empirical data were not available to identify if this local problem was due to a lack of the nurses&rsquo; self-confidence or if other factors were involved. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were relationships between nurses&rsquo; self-efficacy in pediatric emergencies and their knowledge of pediatric emergency care, as well as their years of clinical experience, nursing education, pediatric life support certification, specialty certification, and caring for pediatric patients. In addition, the research questions guided the investigation to determine if any of the variables could predict nurses&rsquo; self-efficacy in pediatric emergencies. The theoretical framework was based on Bandura&rsquo;s social learning theory, which incorporates the concept of self-efficacy, as well as Zimmerman&rsquo;s self-regulated learning theory. A quantitative correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 37 nurses. Self-efficacy was measured with the General Self-Efficacy Scale and knowledge was quantified using a 32-item researcher-developed instrument. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and correlations. Results showed that none of the variables predicted self-efficacy; however, years of nursing education, pediatric life support certification, and clinical experience were all significantly related to knowledge. Based on the results, a 3-day educational program was developed to address pediatric emergency practice. The results of this study can direct positive social change by informing future nursing education and training efforts in order to improve the medical outcomes of pediatric patients.</p>

<p> Lifelong learning in professional communities is changing to adapt to professions in the anesthesia field with input from the public and various stakeholders. An extensive review on learning styles identified a gap in literature, specifically evidence on sensory learning styles among adult professionals. Changes in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) recertification requirements, most importantly the incorporation of an assessment component, prompted the research to address CRNA enhancement methods in learning. The main purpose of the current study was to contribute to the body of literature if a CRNA&rsquo;s knowledge of sensory learning styles mix influences test score achievement. The posttest-only control-group design was utilized, wherein a Sensory Learning Styles Self-Assessment (SLS-SA) instrument was piloted to establish content validity and internal reliability prior to its application with the treatment group. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Learn&rsquo;s Health and Wellness Module 1 provided the 10-hour posttest, which measured the test score achievement among participants. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted and yielded a nonsignificant effect of the current study&rsquo;s treatment on test score results among CRNAs. Interaction effects of the CRNAs&rsquo; gender and years of practice were also examined, which produced the same results (e.g., not significant). No effect was established in the current research, however, several research limitations were identified and specific outcomes on an individual participant level were acknowledged, which were recommended to substantiate further research. </p>

<p> Identifying the primary barriers that block initial employment of newly licensed nurses is essential to smooth transition to the workforce. Enrollment in nursing education has increased and schools have added programs, but newly licensed nurses struggle to gain initial employment. This qualitative e-Delphi study solicits feedback from nurse employers through a series of three surveys. The surveys were delivered and returned electronically. They were distributed to 33 volunteer nursing participants who are responsible for hiring and evaluating nurse performance in the workplace. The average response rate was 46%. The identified skill gaps in newly prepared nurses are communication, critical thinking, organization, and professionalism. These skill deficits result in delayed initial employability and prolonged orientation times.</p><p>

<p> Nursing programs have embraced distance learning in their curricula, but discussion is ongoing about course assignments and grading criteria to increase examination scores in nursing distance learning courses. Because course examinations are a predictor of success on the postgraduate licensing examination (NCLEX-RN), the purpose of this study was to determine whether differences existed in student examination scores between nursing distance learning courses with and without points aligned to assignments. The theoretical framework was Knowles&rsquo;s theory of andragogy, which highlights adults&rsquo; motivation and self-direction to succeed. The quantitative causal comparative study included a convenience sample of 164 students to compare archival data of 4 examination scores between 2 nursing distance-learning courses. Data analysis included an independent-groups one-tailed <i> t</i> test. No significant differences were found between the 2 courses, suggesting that students do not achieve higher examination scores with course points aligned with course assignments. Nursing administrators and faculty in nursing programs with a distance learning component will benefit from the findings of this study. Findings may be used to draft, revise, and implement assignment criteria and point alignment for nursing distance learning courses. Social change will occur when nursing distance learning faculty use problem-solving and critical thinking assignments, including case studies, discussion boards, group assignments, concept mapping and NCLEX-RN style testing in each nursing distance learning course. Because point alignment to course assignments do not significantly improve examination scores, implementation of problem-solving and critical thinking assignments is necessary to promote student learning and examination success.</p>

<p> Student perceptions of academic dishonesty and clinical integrity were explored in this qualitative study, with Bandura&rsquo;s social learning theory utilized as the primary framework for the study and Kohlberg&rsquo;s theory of moral development as the secondary framework. A basic qualitative methodology was employed to answer the research question: what are student perceptions of moral beliefs and their actions related to ethical decision making in a four-year Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program? The target population was junior or senior year nurses in a four-year BSN program. The sample included 17 students who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were asked 17 open-ended interview questions to gain insight into their perceptions of academic dishonesty and clinical integrity. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed manually to provide further immersion in the data. Data analysis and collection occurred simultaneously and was inductive and comparative. During data analysis, five themes emerged, each with subthemes which were identified through supporting narrative comments from participant interviews. The five identified themes were used to answer the research question and included: student perceptions of academic dishonesty, student perceptions of clinical integrity, student perceptions of moral beliefs, student perceptions of ethical decision making, and student perceptions of what influenced academic dishonesty. This study adds to the current body of knowledge of nursing literature regarding academic dishonesty and clinical integrity. Results could provide assistance to higher education institutions to solve problems involving academic dishonest behaviors on college campuses. This study builds on the current literature and serves as a foundation for future research to solve this decades old problem. </p><p>

<p> Simulation has been used in nursing education for many years in order to show students complex patients, allow practice of new skills without allowing actual harm to come to the patient, as well as being able to build up student confidence in abilities. The primary focus for this qualitative study was associate degree nursing faculty perceptions of their students transferability of knowledge gained through participating in simulation activities in the clinical setting and, may assist in planning future educational activities. The nursing faculty provided insight to what they felt the students needed to know and reflected on what they actually saw students do in actual clinical situations. The research question addressed in this study was the following: What are associate degree nursing faculty perceptions on student transferability of knowledge to an actual clinical setting after having experience in simulation activities? There was also a research sub question addressed, which was, What do associate degree nursing faculty perceive as barriers to becoming successful in clinical performance and knowledge retention? The study used a basic qualitative design. A basic qualitative design was appropriate for this study because it examined simulation use by nursing faculty at multiple chosen schools and their experiences with knowledge transferability. The study sample consisted of associate degree nursing faculty from the East South Central and West South Central regions of the United States. The study participants ranged in age from 30&ndash;66 years of age, and they all have been teaching for at least one year. The guided face-to-face interviews by the participants revealed the following themes, providing a safe environment, clinical experiences/nursing skills, simulation integration in course content, and faculty development and training regarding simulation use. The purpose of the study was to examine transferability of knowledge gained through simulation activities on student clinical performance, and this was actually not addressed in any of the participants&rsquo; answers. The researcher found that all the faculty participants are able to work together in all areas where simulation is utilized, in order to produce competent graduates who will be able to enter the workforce as nurses. Recommendations for further research include using a larger sample size and from other geographical regions in order to have a more diverse sample of nursing faculty.</p><p>

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: leaves 99-111.