The nurse''s role in patient education: incongruent perceptions among nurses and patients

The purpose of this study was to describe the amount of congruence in the perceptions of 38 matched nurse-patient dyads concerning the nurse's role in patient education. The perceptions of nurses and patients from two hospital settings were measured with two complementary sets of questions, developed for this study; t-tests were used to compare the mean responses of nurses and patients within and between the two settings to each set of complementary questions. The results indicated that incongruencies existed between nurses' and patients' perceptions of the nurse's role in patient education. Patients identified a general teaching function for nurses. When asked who they preferred to have teach them the specific information related to their condition, patients most frequently chose a physician. Nurses most frequently chose a nurse as the current and most desired patient teacher. Nurses incorrectly assumed that the desires of their patients for patient education were similar to their own. The results suggest that nurses need to develop a clear definition of their role in patient education, to validate patients' desires for teaching, and to examine organizational factors influencing their performance of the patient teaching role.     

A three-step method of self-reflection using reflective journal writing

Fiscal and financial constraints present a challenge for nurse educators to broaden the diversity and scope of teaching/learning methodologies. One method designed to promote autonomy and self-direction of nursing students is self-reflection combined with reflective journal writing. This paper describes a three-step process of self-reflection encompassing critical appraisal, peer group discussion and self-awareness. This process of self-reflection was initiated with one group of clinical nursing students. Using student and teacher feedback, implications for employing this teaching/learning strategy in clinical practice are suggested.     

Striving for balance: A thing of the past?

If you do a search for the word balance on a popular bookseller's Web site, you will find more than 3200 titles incorporating it, everything from balancing power to balancing your diet. Clearly we have great deal of interest in achieving it. But I will venture a guess that most of us who strive for balance in our personal lives or organizations are unable to achieve it, let alone sustain it, because we have outgrown the word entirely.The Latin definition of balance means “a pair of scales.” When we strive to equal out this or that, we limit our options for surviving and thriving in a chaotic world. Our lives are colored with uncertainty and complexity.