Discontinuation, leaving reasons and course evaluation comments of students on the common foundation programme.

There is considerable financial incentive, at all levels, to reduce student nurse wastage and maintain recruitment to a workforce of professional nurses. This strategy is being pursued in a period following major educational change, when the attrition levels and leaving reasons of students need to be reassessed. Previous reports have identified a high voluntary loss of students on the common foundation programme (CFP) of the pre-registration nursing course. In order to achieve a better understanding of the basic problems faced by student nurses who consider leaving the CFP, questionnaires were distributed to three groups of students: current CFP students; students who had completed the CFP; and students who had discontinued training. The questionnaire responses show that course-based problems, identified as prime leaving reasons by the current and completed student groups, differ from the actual leaving reasons of discontinued students obtained by exit questionnaire. The attitudes of participating and discontinued students to theory, clinical and pastoral components of the CFP are not dissimilar. Some trends in attrition rate relate significantly to student category. Our results have implications for the management of student nurse attrition.     

We're all in this together: Midwifery student peer mentoring

Many higher education institutions have adopted mentoring programs for students as a means of providing support, improve learning and enhance the student experience. The aim of this project was to improve midwifery students experience by offering a peer mentoring program to commencing students to assist with the transition to university life and the rigours of the midwifery program. This paper reports the evaluation of this specific mentoring program and the ongoing development and implementation of a sustainable program within an Australian University. A survey design was adopted to gather feedback from both mentees to evaluate if the peer mentoring program enhanced the first year midwifery student experience and ascertain how the program could be further developed. Fifty-five students engaged with the peer mentors and completed the questionnaire regarding the mentoring program. Specifically valuable was the positive impact that mentoring had on midwifery student confidence, managing the demands of the program and being motivated to keep going when the program requirements were challenging. The success of this program rested largely with mentoring students sharing their own experiences and providing reassurance that other students could also succeed     

Introducing clinical laboratory science: CLS students help shape the future.

OBJECTIVES: The profession of clinical laboratory science (CLS) is in dire need of increased exposure to young people. By introducing the clinical laboratory sciences to students at a critical point in their science education and by making it relevant to their lives, more choices are made available to them when considering future career options. With this in mind, the CLS faculty at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) redesigned a recruitment program and developed it into one making use of CLS student knowledge, enthusiasm, and professionalism. CLS students were given the assignment of designing an entire curriculum for a ten day presentation of clinical laboratory science topics to middle and secondary school students. Following the presentations, participants in the program were asked to provide feedback regarding CLS student performance and overall opinion of their interest in clinical laboratory science. The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to determine if educational methodologies could be appropriately applied by CLS students to present CLS disciplines to middle and high school students; and 2) to determine if the student presentation was successful in initiating interest in the CLS profession based on outcome measures. DESIGN: As a component of the CLS laboratory management course, CLS students were instructed in education methodologies including objective writing, teaching-unit preparation, and evaluation tool design. In the following semester, these students were divided into groups and assigned a specific CLS discipline that would then be presented to middle and secondary school students in a two week, 30 hour educational program. This program was offered by the TTUHSC CLS program in cooperation with the Institute for the Development and Enrichment of Advanced Learners (IDEAL) at Texas Tech University. The curriculum prepared by the CLS students (with faculty supervision) provided the framework for the present study. SETTING: Didactic instruction of the CLS students regarding objective writing, curriculum design, and preparation of evaluations was included as a component of a CLS laboratory management course. The educational program presented by IDEAL in conjunction with the TTUHSC CLS program within the School of Allied Health Sciences occurred in the CLS student laboratories located in Lubbock, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: TTUHSC senior CLS students in a 2 + 2 baccalaureate level CLS program acted as instructors in the educational program which was presented to middle and secondary school students from around the region. CLS program faculty served as supervisors of this program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questionnaires with Likert-scaled responses were used to evaluate outcomes. These questionnaires regarded 1) faculty assessment of CLS student performance relative to instruction in education methods; 2) participant feedback on the effectiveness and competence of the CLS student instructors and overall appeal of the presented subject material; and 3) peer evaluations of attitude, contribution, and effort of the group members. RESULTS: CLS faculty strongly agreed that the CLS students demonstrated a high level of competence when writing objectives, planning age-appropriate curriculum and activities, and demonstrating a positive image of the profession. Regarding satisfaction of the IDEAL student participant, questionnaire responses demonstrated a high rate (84% or greater for middle school participants and 85% for high school students). The program design has been so successful that it has been implemented for several other programs offered by TTU and IDEAL. CONCLUSION: The education methods used in presenting the IDEAL program mirror those found in clinical and academic settings and is an effective technique to introduce CLS students to the varied aspects of educational methodology. The presentation by the CLS students also demonstrated that introduction of clinical laboratory science disciplines early in the education of middle and secondary school students leads to an interest in the CLS profession and to the desire to learn more about it.     

RN students' satisfaction with clinical teaching in a distance education program.

This study examined student satisfaction with clinical teaching and student-perceived difficulties in three introductory nursing courses offered by distance education. The sample consisted of 41 registered nurse respondents enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by mailed questionnaire. The results indicate that the degree of satisfaction with the clinical teacher role was high and that unfamiliarity with the clinical settings and roles were perceived as difficulties. As well, the qualitative data suggest that RN learners need gradual exposure to self-directed learning to acquire these skills.     

The effect of a peer-mentoring strategy on student nurse stress reduction in clinical practice

LI H‐C., WANG L. S., LIN Y‐H. & LEE I. (2011) The effect of a peer‐mentoring strategy on student nurse stress reduction in clinical practice. International Nursing Review 58 , 203–210 Background: That nursing students suffer high levels of stress during clinical practice is a common topic in nursing education, but there are some effective strategies for dealing with it. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects that a peer mentoring program has on student nurses' stress levels during clinical practice. Methods: A quasi‐experimental design was conducted. Forty‐nine junior level nursing students (n = 17 in the experimental group; n = 32 in the control group) were enrolled in the same medical‐surgical nursing class. Mentors were recruited from students who had received medical‐surgical experience before entering university. A 6‐point perceived Stress Scale for the nursing students' questionnaire was used to evaluate the stress level. Results: Stress from ‘lack of professional knowledge and skills’ was the highest score before clinical practice in the experimental (3.78) and control (3.57) group, and also was the highest score after clinical practice in the control group (3.44). Stress from ‘assignments and workload’ was the highest score after clinical practice in experimental group (3.25). Wilcoxon matched paired signed ranks test revealed that there are no significant differences in stress scores between the two groups. Conclusions/Implications for practice: Study findings reveal that there are various advantages and disadvantages to implementing peer mentoring programs. The clinical teacher needs to provide suitable support and encouragement to the mentor and mentee students during this program. These results might provide information that can be used in improving clinical internship experience for the students.     

Approaches to learning of student nurses

This paper presents findings from a study of student nurses' learning styles in an Institution of Higher Education in South Wales, United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the research was to evaluate students' approaches to learning as measured by a study process questionnaire (SPQ). The questionnaire is viewed as a reliable and valid measure of students' learning, and has been used extensively with students in higher education in Australia. The SPQ is a 42-item questionnaire measuring surface, deep and achieving approaches to learning. It was distributed to 300 student nurses attending the common foundation program of a preregistration-nursing course. Data were entered into SPSS Windows Release 10. The results indicated that many of the students were taking a surface approach or surface-achieving approach to their studies. There was little difference in results between undergraduates and diploma students or between students majoring in different nursing specialties. The deep and achieving approaches to learning scores correlated positively and significantly with overall mean assessment scores of students, the deep approach with Sociology scores and negatively and significantly with Psychology scores. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to curriculum design and the demands of higher education.     

实习护生挫折教育情境现状及影响因素的调查

目的 了解本专科护理实习生在实习期间的挫折情境表现,探讨有利于提高护理实习生挫折教育情境的教学方法.方法 采用自行编制的护理实习生挫折教育情境问卷,对广东省某三级甲等医院的108名护理实习生进行调查.结果 护理实习生挫折教育情境总分为(2.86±0.86)分;不同性别、不同学历、是否独生子女、有无班干部经历的护理实习生挫折教育情境得分的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实习适应中的轮班制度项目和择业选择中的职业态度项目无统计学意义(P>0.05),其他项目均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);多元线性回归分析显示影响护理实习生挫折教育情境得分的因素有性别、学历、是否独生子女.结论 护理实习生挫折教育有待改善,其中,本科护理实习生挫折教育在一定程度上优于专科生,主要表现在工作能力、人际关系、情绪管理维度,在轮班制度和择业态度项目的认识仍有待提高;性别、学历、是否独生子女对护理实习生挫折教育均有不同程度的影响;应结合护理实习生个体特色,在临床教学中根据实际情况进行挫折教育.     

Identifying high school students' health behaviors: development of a survey.

A health survey developed to profile high school students for the purpose of assisting in program planning emphasized everyday health behaviors instead of focusing on high-risk behaviors (e.g., drinking, drugs, safety, or sexuality). The questionnaire was a voluntary 20-item survey that could be completed during a 15-minute homeroom period. A total of 1,401 students completed the questionnaire. Findings were shared with students, teachers, staff, and parents. Teachers and staff members were given a prepared response sheet that addressed each of the concerns identified. They were encouraged to have discussions about these behaviors with students during the homeroom period, as time and interest allowed. Response to the survey has been very positive, and a number of changes have been incorporated into the school health program as a result of the findings. One of these changes is a teen clinic that opened in April 1999. The findings also proved very useful in facilitating awareness of student behaviors and assisted in identifying ways the school nurse could assist students in improving their health and well-being.     

A Mock Telephone Triage Experience for Nurse Practitioner Students

The ability to manage patient telephone calls competently and confidently is an important skill for nurse practitioners (NPs). A curriculum intervention was implemented in a pediatric NP program to promote this skill. Thirty-nine NP students participated in a mock telephone triage experience to determine whether triage, involving student/faculty mock parent telephone calls, would increase the student’s confidence and competence. A Likert scale pre/post questionnaire surveying perceived confidence, competence, and readiness to practice revealed an increase in students’ confidence in decision making, assessing the patient, and making a diagnosis over the phone.     

Nursing students' preferences in the use of computer assisted learning

One hundred and ten student nurses in the second year of a 3-year diploma program were surveyed following their use of computer assisted learning (CAL) programs. The questionnaire was designed to elicit responses concerning the preferred number of users per terminal, the level of supervision (supervised/unsupervised) and their general affective response to this type of learning. The results showed that the majority (56.4%) of students preferred to work in a group (a group constituted no more than three students per terminal). Whereas 31.8% preferred to work through the program alone, just over 50% would rather be supervised while running the program, and 26.4% expressed a preference for no supervision. There was no relationship found between program content and running the program alone or with others. However, in 10% of the sample there was a positive relationship found between the need for supervision and program content. The reasons given for these preferences and the advantages and disadvantages of CAL, as perceived by the students, are also discussed.     

影响高职护理实习生实施健康教育效果的因素调查及对策

[目的]调查影响高职护理实习生实施健康教育效果的因素并探讨对策。[方法]采用“高职实习护生健康教育认知情况调查表”和“病人对护生实施健康教育满意情况调查表”对150名高职护理实习生和100例病人进行问卷调查并辅以访谈。[结果]实习护生对健康教育的内涵、程度、方法等了解不足,缺乏相应的能力和技巧,健康教育缺乏个性化。影响因素主要为缺乏足够的健康教育时间、健康教育相关知识不足、专业理论知识不足、缺乏护患沟通技巧等。[结论]实习护生健康教育效果不能令人满意,应在教学和临床实践中全面开展健康教育理论及相关知识的培训和学习。     

Student nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of children's pain management: evaluation of an education program in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a pediatric pain education program (PPEP) for student nurses. The sample consisted of 181 licensed student nurses who were enrolled in a nursing school in Taiwan. Student nurses attended a 4-hour PPEP that involved case scenario discussion, video, and lecture. Data were collected by an extensive questionnaire that assessed student nurses' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and self-efficacy in pediatric pain assessment and pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management. The results demonstrated that student nurses gained significant knowledge of pediatric pain, expressed more appropriate attitudes, and reported greater self-efficacy in children's pain management after attending PPEP. Their knowledge of analgesic pharmacotherapy did not significantly improve. These results suggest that PPEP should be integrated into pediatric nursing curricula to enhance knowledge and skills regarding children's pain management during the early stage of a nursing career.     

Concerns among first year midwifery students: towards addressing attrition rates

Since 2000, there has been a shift to undergraduate midwifery education in Australia. Midwifery students are generally highly motivated, however attrition rates remain high among first-year students. This study was undertaken in one Australian University against a background of high course demand and high student attrition. Thirty-two first-year midwifery students completed a demographic questionnaire and wrote a reflection in response to the question: What if anything, would make your experience as a first year student better? Data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Findings indicated a need for: greater opportunities to prepare; for more time to study; for greater student supports; and outlined difficulties such as financial and childcare. In conclusion, undergraduate midwifery courses and local conditions vary among institutions. Student feedback is a useful way of identifying local concerns that may impact on student completion rates. This is a necessary first step to the provision of meaningful student support.     

Lab mentors in a two-plus-two nursing program: A retrospective evaluation

Peer mentorships improve learning outcomes, student satisfaction, and confidence levels in undergraduate nursing students. In addition, volunteering as a mentor supports leadership development and proficiency in nursing skills. This article retrospectively evaluates an educational intervention using peer mentors in a 2-plus-2 undergraduate nursing program. Students enrolled in this program take prerequisite classes at a community college, then enter the baccalaureate program at the junior level and begin their nursing courses, completing all course work on the community college campus. Senior nursing students mentored the incoming junior students during their first semester as they practiced essential nursing skills in the clinical learning lab. Junior nursing students participating in this mentorship program expressed increased confidence and decreased anxiety levels while practicing clinical skills with mentors. Senior lab mentors valued the opportunity to support junior students in skills practice, and believed participation in the mentorship program improved their own nursing skills. There are several potential benefits of extending peer mentorships to the clinical lab setting for this unique student population as they transition to a baccalaureate nursing program.     

Factors contributing to the brain drain in speech-language pathology: A New Zealand example

The aim of this research was to determine what attracts students to speech-language pathology (SLP), and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on two types of “brain drain” in SLP: emigration and career shift. Fifty undergraduate students and 13 recent graduates completed a questionnaire that tapped three main areas, level of student debt, intentions to emigrate, and career intentions. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents were female, with a median age of 25 years. Most SLP students and graduates had high levels of debt on graduation. Debt contributed to levels of worry and the ability to participate in education. However, debt alone did not influence career choice or long-term career planning. Over half of the respondents intended to leave New Zealand within 2 years of graduation, citing salary, travel, and training opportunities as factors. Incentives to remain in the profession included increased salary, more training opportunities, and student debt repayment. SLP students' career decisions were mainly influenced by interest in the profession. The conclusion was that three main factors need to be explored in an effort to increase the likelihood that SLPs remain in New Zealand: salary levels, increased training opportunities, and contributions to reduce student debt.     

Factors contributing to the brain drain in speech-language pathology: a New Zealand example

The aim of this research was to determine what attracts students to speech-language pathology (SLP), and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on two types of "brain drain" in SLP: emigration and career shift. Fifty undergraduate students and 13 recent graduates completed a questionnaire that tapped three main areas, level of student debt, intentions to emigrate, and career intentions. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents were female, with a median age of 25 years. Most SLP students and graduates had high levels of debt on graduation. Debt contributed to levels of worry and the ability to participate in education. However, debt alone did not influence career choice or long-term career planning. Over half of the respondents intended to leave New Zealand within 2 years of graduation, citing salary, travel, and training opportunities as factors. Incentives to remain in the profession included increased salary, more training opportunities, and student debt repayment. SLP students' career decisions were mainly influenced by interest in the profession. The conclusion was that three main factors need to be explored in an effort to increase the likelihood that SLPs remain in New Zealand: salary levels, increased training opportunities, and contributions to reduce student debt.     

The impact of Web-delivered education on preceptor role self-efficacy and knowledge in public health nurses

ABSTRACT Objective: Preceptors are an essential component in preparing student nurses to become practicing public health nurses. Preparation for the preceptor role is important for achieving a quality learning experience for students. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between completion of a Web‐delivered preceptor education program and both knowledge of the preceptor role and self‐efficacy to perform in the preceptor role. Design and Sample: This study used a pretest‐posttest, quasi‐experimental design. The participants were experienced public health nurses (n=31) working in one state in the United States. Measures: Pretest and posttest Web‐delivered survey using the preceptor self‐efficacy questionnaire and an instrument assessing knowledge gain. Intervention: A Web‐delivered preceptor education program tailored for public health nurses. Results: The program was associated with improved self‐efficacy scores at both the immediate and the 3‐month posttest, and with increased knowledge of the preceptor role evident at the immediate posttest only. Self‐efficacy scores were independent of knowledge scores. Preceptor age was not correlated with self‐efficacy or knowledge scores. Nurses with higher levels of education demonstrated higher self‐efficacy scores in all 3 measurements. Conclusions: Web‐delivered continuing education targeted to public health nurse preceptors is an effective method to increase confidence and knowledge for the preceptor role.     

Estimating the Probability of Passing the National Paramedic Certification Examination

Objectives:  It is hypothesized that student and program characteristics will influence the probability of passing the national paramedic certification exam. The objective of this study was to utilize student and program characteristics to build a statistical model to determine the probability of success on the cognitive portion of the national paramedic certification exam.
Methods:  The study population for this analysis consisted of graduates attempting the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic written examination from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002. To be included in this analysis, graduates must have been first-time testers and have completed a survey attached to the exam. Independent variables analyzed reflected program and student characteristics derived from the survey questions and the NREMT application. A multivariable logistic regression model was fit to the outcome (pass/fail) of the examination.
Results:  Complete demographic and survey data were available for 5,208 (86.8%) individuals. The final multivariable logistic regression model included nine independent variables. There were two programmatic characteristics (national accreditation and instructor qualification), six student characteristics (high school class rank, years of education, required for employment, age, race, and gender), and one graduate characteristic (elapsed time since course completion) that had a significant effect on the probability of passing the examination.
Conclusions:  National program accreditation, lead instructor qualifications, student educational background, and student demographics are all significantly associated with the probability of success on the national paramedic certification examination. This model can be used by program directors, paramedic program instructors, and prospective paramedic students to maximize the probability of attaining national paramedic certification.