Development of a COVID-19 alternate care site from ground zero: A nursing perspective

The novel coronavirus disease SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly generated an unprecedented global, national, and state public health crisis with the need to rapidly develop alternate care sites (ACS) to care for COVID-19 patients within an overburdened health care system. A hospital care model ACS to increase the health care capacity, provide care for mild to moderately symptomatic patients, and offer local self-sustainment for a surge of patients was developed in Memphis, Tennessee located in Shelby County. We completed a temporary conversion of a large unused newspaper publication building to a health care facility for COVID-19 patients. Developing an ACS from ground zero was met with many challenges, and throughout the process important lessons were learned. With the goal to complete the building conversion within a 28-day timeframe, collaboration among the numerous governmental, health care, and private agencies was critical and nursing leadership was key to this process. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a COVID-19 ACS in Memphis, TN, which has a large at-risk population with limited access to health care. Specifically, we will discuss the strong leadership role of nursing faculty, key challenges, and lessons learned, as well as provide checklists and models for others in similar circumstances.     

'Knowing what makes them tick': Motivating cognitively impaired older adults to participate in restorative care

Nursing home residents with dementia represent a majority of the most functionally impaired individuals residing in nursing homes. Although many perceive this population as having little restorative potential, maintaining resident functional abilities for as long as possible helps to optimize quality of life and decrease caregiver burden. This study used a qualitative design with a focus group methodology to explore facilitators and barriers to engaging cognitively impaired residents in functional activities and exercise. A purposive sample of seven geriatric nursing assistants who were experts in dementia care participated in the study. Twenty-seven codes were reduced to three themes: (i) knowing what makes them tick and move; (ii) teamwork and utilizing resources; and (iii) barriers to restorative care. The study findings were used to revise the Restorative Care for the Cognitively Impaired Intervention and could direct future implementation of programmes in nursing home settings.     

Cultural Competence in the Master's Curriculum—A Course Exemplar

Multiple teaching–learning strategies such as the online cultural self-assessment, clinical case scenario, critiques of multicultural skill vignettes, and the cultural assessment of the clinical agency helped move nurse practitioner students along the continuum to becoming culturally competent practitioners. Ongoing integration of cultural content in course curricula is necessary to prepare health care providers to meet the challenge of caring for a more diverse society. These students acknowledged this challenge and worked at conquering the cultural divide, making gains and adjustments in the areas of cultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes. There is a gap that exists between those who have been trained recently as it relates to providing culturally sensitive care and those who have not had integrated cultural content in their educational preparation. This will continue to be a challenge for educators, clinical institutions, and governmental agencies. The goal is to ensure that the implementation and integration of cultural competence concepts are not academic exercises but should serve as opportunities to reduce the gap that presently exists.     

Fellowship in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

The purpose of this column is to describe the process of application and selection for fellowship in the Fellows of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). Fellows are invited and selected based on their accomplishments in four priority areas: research, practice, education, and policy. Based on the 10-year history of the FAANP, current members provide guidance for potential applicants on the steps necessary for making a successful application.