Focusing on issues affecting the development of nursing leadership in the Midwest, the papers in these proceedings attempt to move forward the implementation of an effective program for enhancing skills needed by nurse administrators. The proceedings contain: (1) "Regional Plan for Development of Nursing Leadership Potential 1982-92," by Rozella…

A description is provided of "Fundamentals of Nursing," a two-year college course designed to introduce nursing students to the basic principles of patient care. First, information is presented on the place of the course in the nursing curriculum, in-class time allotments, and course prerequisites. A section on course content includes a statement…

Prepared to stimulate and advance nursing research in postsecondary education, the papers included in these proceedings offer a variety of perspectives on the outlook for nursing research in the 1980s. The following papers are presented: (1) "Creating Research Environments for the 1980s," by Geraldene Felton; (2) "Creating an Environment for…

A variety of ethical issues confronting the nursing profession are examined in these proceedings. The following papers are presented: (1) "Ethics: Care & Conflict," by Leah Curtin; (2) "The Interface of Politics and Ethics in Nursing," by Mila Aroskar; (3) "Pluralistic Ethical Decision-Making," by Rita Payton; (4)…

A description is provided of "Pediatric Oncology for Nurses," the first in a series of three courses offered to fourth-year nursing students in pediatric oncology. The first section provides a course overview, discusses time assignments, and describes the target student population. Next, a glossary of terms, and lists of course goals, long-range…

A study was conducted to determine whether participation in a test-taking strategy seminar significantly decreased test anxiety in first-year nursing students. The study also sought to compare nursing test scores of first-year nursing students who participated in the seminar with those who did not. The sample consisted of 30 first-year nursing…

A description is presented of "Nutrition for Nurses," a prerequisite course for students anticipating entrance into the junior level of a state university registered nursing program. Introductory material highlights the course focus (i.e., the basics of good nutrition; nutrition through the life cycle; nursing process in nutritional care; and…

A description is provided of "Patient Education for Nurses," a required course for second-year nursing students which focuses on the assessment of the learning needs of adults, and the planning and and implemention of formal patient education. First, general information on the significance of the course and its place in the School of Nursing…

Blood pressure and pulse are measured in supine and upright positions, and certain differences between the values are said to indicate fluid volume disturbance. Most discussions of this "orthostatic test" do not explain how it should be done, and they differ from what has been observed in a practice setting. (MLW)

This paper discusses factors emerging from the health care reform movement that will shape health care service delivery in general and nursing practice and education in particular. First, cost concerns will increase moves toward managed competition which will, in turn, create changes in service use patterns. These patterns seem overall to tend…

A description is provided of a two-year college course designed to prepare graduates from accredited nursing programs to take the California State Board Examinations. A course rationale, information on the curricular placement of the course and the targeted student population, and a glossary of terms are presented first. A description of the…

A description is provided of "Introduction to Psychiatric Nursing," a 7-week course offered to juniors and seniors in a bachelor of science nursing program. The first sections present information on curricular placement, time assignments, and the targeted student population, and define psychiatric/mental health nursing. Next, the course…

Focusing on innovative and cost-effective alternatives to traditional, custodial, and institutional health care systems, the papers in these proceedings identify the contributions of nursing and the benefits for patients of the new national emphasis on cost-effective health care. The proceedings contain: (1) "Trends in Health Promotion:…

Nursing textbooks which address the subject of medical documentation tend to equate good documentation of a patient's behavior and state with strong interpersonal skills on the part of the nurse. Rarely do they point out the importance of developing a deep concentrated attention to the sensory world around oneself in order to be a good medical…

Underscoring the importance of active planning for constructive change in the nursing profession, the papers in these proceedings highlight the need for nursing to remain pro-active in the management of nursing education and patient care environments. The proceedings contain: (1) "Pro-Active Planning for Nursing at the Federal Level," by Jo…