For 505 nursing graduates, significant relationships were found between C, D, and F grades and scores on the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses. Those who passed the exam had significantly higher grade point averages, fewer grades below B, and higher Mosby AssessTest scores. Nontraditional-age students tended to have higher…

Content analysis of focus group data from 47 nursing faculty and 17 students identified themes related to self-directed learning: (1) it requires understanding of the value of empowering learners to take responsibility for their own learning; (2) students undergo a transformative process from negative feelings to confidence; and (3) faculty…

A survey of 197 deans/chairs (40% response) and 160 nursing faculty (32% response) found that about half of both groups acknowledged cheating was a problem; 98% have formal misconduct policies; and incidents included cheating and plagiarism in classrooms and falsified documentation and faked home visits in clinical settings. (SK)

Data from peer reviews of 258 teaching sessions involving 129 nursing teachers and interviews with 14 teachers identified several themes. Initially perceived as a threat, peer review became a positive experience for both reviewer and reviewed. Preparation of reviewers and a process for changing nominated reviewers were recommended. (SK)

Currently, nursing education in Australia and New Zealand is entirely at the baccalaureate level. The United Kingdom is in transition to university-based diploma or degree programs. The majority of U.S. nurses graduate from two-year associate degree programs, although the American Nursing Association advocates the bachelor's degree as the…

State boards have a unique role in ensuring nurses' competence at initial entry into practice, license renewal, and reentry after voluntary absence or disciplinary action. Individual nurses, employers, and nurse educators also have roles in maintaining continuing competence. (SK)

Nursing students' evaluations of a unit in which they examined images of mental health in literature elicited three themes: (1) textual narratives imitate and expand horizons of the real world; (2) texts serve as a model of the real world; and (3) texts can challenge health care professionals' perspectives on their practice. (Contains 58…

A survey of 151 undergraduate nursing students and 41 registered nurses in Sweden found that those who were under 25, male, or had limited prior experience caring for older people had less favorable attitudes toward the elderly. First-year students were more negative than third-year students. No differences among nurses in different practice…

Nurses must incorporate a political component into their professional role identity to meet the future challenges of the health care system. Political socialization theory can assist faculty in adding a political thread to the curriculum. (SK)

The Nicaraguan American Nursing Collaboration project consisted of two phases. Phase one addressed current health care needs in Nicaragua and emphasized related nursing interventions. Phase two evaluated phase one outcomes and provided further development of nurses and others employed by the Health Ministry. (JOW)

The relational model posits that quality of learning depends on the relationship between learner and learning environment, especially the learner's perception of the environment. An environment that encourages deep learning approaches (critical thinking, reflection, criticism) enables complete understanding of subject matter. (SK)

Outlines a group method for teaching the analysis of textual data. The experiential method involves coding, categorizing, and achieving consensus on the categories. (SK)

In a 2-stage study, 316 nurse educators rated 14 activities for their effect on updating. Reading journals was rated indispensable. Activities were rated for purposes of topping up existing skills, restoring fluency, increasing depth, or adding to knowledge. Most discrimination was observed for restoring fluency. (SK)

Self-perceived leadership styles of nursing department chairpersons (n=106) were correlated with their scholarly productivity. A majority viewed themselves as having a "participating" leadership style with most of the remaining having a "selling" style. A majority felt pressure to engage in scholarly activities. (JOW)

A mobile immunization clinic targets medically underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Program design emphasizes community participation through partnerships with churches, housing units, day-care centers, schools, malls, and shelters. Nursing students acquire community practice experience. (SK)