Nurse educators are challenged with a new generation of students referred to as the Millennial generation. These millennial students, who have different learning style preferences, are testing the traditional pedagogical methods of nurse educators such as lecture. The social nature of millennial students coincides with the social constructivism theory that students learn in groups. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine if there was an improved retention of knowledge in millennial students who were taught by collaborative learning strategies rather than the traditional lecture method in an associate degree nursing program. Additionally, the study examined if learning by the students' preferred learning style resulted in a higher level of achievement on a comprehensive standardized examination versus learning by a nonpreferred style. The theoretical framework for this study was founded on the social constructivism theory suggesting students build knowledge through social group interactions. The quasi-experimental study was conducted at an associate degree program in the Midwest. The nonprobability purposive sampling was utilized to examine the means of a comprehensive standardized examination and a learning styles preference assessment. The statistical analysis utilizing the analysis of covariance did not produce statistically significant findings in the differences in the comprehensive standardized examination score means between the students taught by the lecture method and students taught by the collaborative method when controlled for the cumulative grade point average. Additionally, the study did not find statistically significant differences in mean comprehensive standardized examination scores when taught by the students' preferred learning style versus being taught by their nonpreferred style. Although not significant, the study did find students who were taught by the collaborative method had higher scores than those who were taught by the lecture method. In addition, learning styles preferences were not significant in determining academic success. The implications of the study are significant to nursing education by highlighting the importance of using collaborative activities and multiple teaching modalities.

Background: There is a growing need for skilled gerontological nursing care. Nursing students often fail to appreciate the importance of implementing gerontological nursing competencies. Purpose: The problem is that nursing education research on students' attitudes about gerontology has been hampered by a lack of valid and reliable instruments. Theoretical framework. This study is based on and tests the propositions of the theory of planned behavior. Methods. Qualitative interviews were conducted to determine the terms used to describe the constructs by the target population. Using these terms, an instrument was developed and subjected to tests for psychometric estimates. A pretest-posttest design was used to test the impact of an educational intervention on students' attitudes. Results. The instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. Students' scores increased significantly for attitude, subjective norm and behavioral intention regarding implementing gerontological competencies from pretest to posttest. Attitude and subjective norm predicted behavioral intention in the regression model. Conclusions: The results support that an educational intervention can positively impact nursing students' intent to implement gerontological competencies.

Background: Ongoing educational development is essential to ensure the effectiveness of professional nurses’ learning experiences. Understanding the ways in which workplace learning occurs is fundamental to enabling nurse educators to deliver that knowledge. Induced hypothermia was introduced as a new treatment modality in 2005 and education surrounding the care of the hypothermia patient is lacking in the literature. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to illuminate how nurses learn new knowledge in the clinical setting. Theoretical Framework: The learning theory chosen for this study is the three dimensions of learning by Illeris (2004). Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant in one individual, face-to-face session to examine the lived experiences of nurses providing care to induced hypothermia patients. A hermeneutic phenomenology method was chosen based on the work of van Manen. Hycner’s methodological approach was utilized to analyze data. Results: In this study, four learning areas emerged which corresponded to Illeris’ (2003b) three dimensions of learning, including cognitive, emotional, and environmental-social dimensions. The main theme described by every nurse interviewed was the necessity to have hands-on experience to feel competent in their care for induced hypothermia patients. The unit had a special identity because of their unique work of providing hypothermia care and one nurse explained, “We are making history.” Conclusions: Nurses preferred hands-on learning or experiential learning and they helped construct their learning environment. Nurse educators and nurse leaders fueled this synergetic learning process.

Nurses are expected to work collaboratively with other health professionals after graduation; however, most have not been taught to work in teams and are ill-prepared to work in collaborative relationships. Interprofessional Education (IPE) may better prepare nursing students for teamwork. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pre-licensure clinical IPE for nursing students. It was hypothesized that nursing students who participate in clinical IPE have more positive attitudes toward health care teams than nursing students who do not participate in clinical IPE as evidenced by higher scores on the Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale (ATHCTS), Quality of Care/Process subscale and by lower scores on the ATHCTS, Physician Centrality subscale. The theoretical framework for this study was Pettigrew’s intergroup contact theory. A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group, after-only design was used for this study. Archived data (ATHCTS) for nursing students who had participated in clinical IPE was used for the intervention group. The ATHCTS was administered to nursing students in control group universities. An independent t test was used to compare group mean scores. There was no significant difference in Quality of Care/Process subscales between groups. Students participating in clinical IPE had lower scores on the Physician Centrality subscale than the control group. Nursing students participating in clinical IPE favored shared leadership while non-IPE participants supported physician authority. Clinical IPE did not improve student attitudes toward quality of care given by teams. However, all participants had relatively high attitudes toward quality of care provided by teams.

Background: Prelicensure nursing programs prepare generalists with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice in complex health care environments. Nurse educators determine which teaching strategies will best prepare the nurse generalist. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a teaching plan that combined the strategies of pretest/posttest, classroom activities, and a problem-based learning activity: a clinical immersion experience. The skill of "teach-back" was taught and evaluated. Theoretical framework: Two theories guided the teaching plan for this research. Adult learning theory (Knowles, 1975, 1980, 2012) addressed how and why adults learn, and social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1977, 1986) described teaching strategies that assisted the adult learner to gain knowledge. Methods: A non-experimental design divided consenting participants were into intervention (n = 21) and control groups (n = 11). The Health Literacy Knowledge and Experience Survey (Cormier, 2006) was used to pretest/posttest for attainment of knowledge related to teach-back. The Communication Assessment Tool (Makoul, Krupat, & Chang, 2007) was used by standardized patients to evaluate the participants' ability to perform a teach-back. Results: The results of this study provided evidence that posttest scores improved for both intervention and control groups (n = 32). Twenty-seven participants performed a teach-back with evaluation. The results did not indicate a significant difference between groups in performing the skill of teach-back. Conclusion: There was little difference in posttest scores for groups and participants' ability to perform a teach-back, indicating that both groups gained knowledge and skill from the teaching strategies.

Nursing leaders have called for more bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-(BSN)-prepared nurses to meet workforce demands. There is limited capacity in BSN programs to meet the projected demand. Currently, associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs produce the majority of registered nurses. To increase the number of BSN graduates, nurse educators recommend innovative educational models for seamless progression from the ADN to the BSN. Concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN programs offer one potential model to produce more BSN graduates. The purpose of this study was to describe the process of developing and implementing concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN programs. The research question was as follows: What is the experience of nurse educators in developing and implementing concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN completion programs? The method of inquiry was a generic qualitative descriptive study. Seventeen participants were recruited from concurrent enrollment programs across the country. Data collection occurred through semi-structured email interviews. The data was manually coded using holistic, descriptive and in vivo coding methods and then analyzed using situational mapping for similar patterns and thematic concepts. There were five conceptual themes that described the process of developing and implementing concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN programs. The five themes emerged as championing the program, establishing partnerships, predicting student success, promoting student success, and adapting to change. The implications to nurse educators are a better understanding of an innovative educational model to produce more BSN graduates. More BSN graduates benefits the nursing profession. Further research is needed to understand the benefits and drawbacks of concurrent enrollment programs and the factors that influence adoption of this educational model.

The identification of reliable predictors of early academic achievement is imperative for the retention and graduation of all nursing students, and particularly underrepresented minority (URM) students. Students with a high sense of academic self-efficacy exhibit greater persistence and interest in their academic performance, a premise that led to this investigation of self-efficacy as a variable affecting early academic success among baccalaureate nursing students. The purpose of this study was to (a) to determine if a significant relationship existed between academic self-efficacy and successful progression for first semester baccalaureate nursing students in general and URM students specifically, (b) determine the predictive ability of academic self-efficacy on progression, and (c) determine if ethnicity moderates the predictive effect of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy theory, which is grounded in social cognitive theory, was the framework for this study. A cross-sectional, descriptive research design was employed utilizing the College Academic Self-Efficacy Survey (CASES). Correlational analysis and logistic regression were conducted to test the hypotheses. Demographic variables were analyzed regarding their relationship to academic self-efficacy. Although statistical analysis did not support any of the proposed hypotheses, a statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between academic self-efficacy and overall GPA, which, for this population, may have implications for retention. Age and transferring from a four-year institution were significant predictors of progression for this population. Although this study was limited by its lack of generalizability and small sample size, further research related to the effects of academic self-efficacy on academic success are warranted

Incivility has infiltrated our institutions of higher learning as well as the world of nursing. All too familiar in nursing is the phrase “eating their young,” which aptly describes how nurses treat other nurses, even though they should be nurturing and caring professionals. The investigator explored nursing and health science students’ perceptions of student and faculty uncivil behaviors within the academic environment, seeking the levels and frequency of the problem. Bandura’s social learning theory presents a sound theoretical framework for this dissertation. The research methodology consisted of a quantitative descriptive approach. The Incivility in Higher Education-Revised (IHE-R) Survey was used to compare nursing and health science student perceptions of the level and frequency of student and faculty incivility. Descriptive statistics and independent t tests were used to compare the different student perceptions. The study results indicated that perceptions of student behavioral levels were between somewhat and moderately uncivil. Student perceptions of faculty behavioral levels were found to be more moderate. Review of the frequency levels reflected students’ frequencies to be never as compared with faculty, which indicated a frequency of sometimes. These results indicated that students perceived incivility to not be problematic within their individual programs, although it found faculty behavior levels were more uncivil even when similar behaviors were demonstrated by students. In general, these results were atypical than other results as incivility is found to be a rising problem. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

Background: The pervasiveness of hypertension (HTN), morbidity, and mortality in Haitians immigrants are frightening. Nonadherence with hypertensive medications, disease management, lifestyle modifications, and cultural and spiritual beliefs, including prayer; faith healing; use of herbal teas; and a diet that is deficient in potassium, rich in sodium, high in fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates result in increased prevalence of HTN and disability in the Haitian community. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to examine the existing system for adherence to hypertensive medications, standardized clinical practice guidelines, identify patients at risk for nonadherence to hypertensive medications, disease management, medical follow-up, and incorporate standardized clinical guidelines into existing medical practice at a primary care office. Theoretical Framework: Theory of transnationalism was used. The transnationalism theoretical framework presents the impact of migration and transnational activities on the health of immigrants. Methods: The mixed model research with exploratory design was used. Results: The implementation of the resource guide was effective as evidenced by improved blood pressure readings and increase adherence to hypertensive medications as well as follow-up appointments. Conclusion: The prevalence of HTN in Haitian immigrants necessitate a different approach to health care delivery. Health care providers need to be aware of Haitian culture to deliver culturally competent care to improve health outcomes in Haitian immigrants.

Literature is beginning to emerge which states that participation in natural environments can be restorative, provide much needed physical activity and assist with health promotion and prevention of illness. Theories such as Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan, 1995) and Biophilia Hypothesis (Wilson, 1993) support the benefits for participation in natural outdoor environments. Health benefits of participation in nature including accessing Vitamin D, improving balance, attention restoration, reduced myopia, stress reduction are widely present in literature. Despite the health benefits of participation in nature, occupational therapists rarely complete interventions in the natural environment. Principles of adult learning and occupational adaptation were used to create a 12-hour continuing education for occupational therapists to develop skills to use in natural outdoor practice. Data was collected from course previews, surveys about continuing education at sea and using principles of adult learning to create the course and utilize a new format ReLAP, in which continuing education focuses on reflection on current practice, learning new information relevant to intervention, applying and planning to use that information in practice.