Increasing numbers of hospitals and medical centers employ clinical nurse researchers. Nursing doctoral programs can prepare graduates for this role with courses in philosophy and ethics; research methods, statistics, and measurement; grantsmanship; and information dissemination. (SK)

The nature of legal research as it relates to other research methods used in nursing is described, its history discussed, and its relevance to nursing science examined. The phenomenological method is the one considered most likely to be enhanced by legal research. Also described are steps in the legal research process and source materials.…

Conducted nationwide study of higher education student retention programs for baccalaureate-degree nursing programs in U.S. Findings from 263 National League for Nursing accredited programs revealed that respondent institutions with retention programs at college level had statistically significant higher retention rate (70.77%) than those colleges…

A nursing education course at the Medical University of South Carolina focuses on the student as a person, a learner, and a professional. Important components of the course are the principles and concepts of adult learning that incorporate concepts of self-directed learning and self-awareness. (Author/JOW)

This primary health care model is based on four assumptions: emphasis on collective, not individual, needs; coordination of preventive/episodic care with secondary/tertiary care; comprehensive, holistic approach; and partnership and equality among professional disciplines and community members. Stakeholders involved are medical, nursing, and…

Program objectives of the National League of Nursing-accredited bachelor's degree were compared with the professional nursing behaviors that reflect the seven values identified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The majority of the schools' program objectives reflected at least one of the behaviors indicative of each of the seven…

The master's of science in nursing curriculum at Seattle University leads to the designation Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. The School of Nursing's goal is to educate leaders in nursing who advocate for those least able to speak for themselves and least able to access resources available to the majority of people. (Author/JOW)

Nursing students learned to send e-mail, use discussion lists, search the Internet, and critique Web sites while completing an assignment. Evaluation by 44 of 56 students showed they increased their computer literacy; most thought the skills were more relevant to their education than to their future practice. (SK)

In Hawaii, one of four national "vision for nursing education" projects focused on identifying themes for a community-based curriculum. Focus groups selected nursing history, culture, identity, knowledge, and practice as well as cross-disciplinary themes. (SK)

A literature review and analysis of nursing textbooks found little agreement on definition and dimensions of psychological care in nursing. Most texts stress the importance of patients' need for information and education, with less agreement about emotional care, counseling, assessment, and support. (SK)

Graduating nursing students (n=143) completed a critical-thinking skills test and disposition inventory and clinical competence evaluation. No significant correlation between critical thinking and clinical competence appeared. Critical thinking is possibly not associated with competence until after acquiring work experience. (SK)

In Present Tense Commentary, informants convey significant events to researchers as if the events were happening now. Used as the third phase of a study of eight nursing students, it illuminated their development and socialization into nursing and proved a valuable methodological tool that empowered informants. (SK)

An action research method using an action-reflection spiral of development and implementation was used to create a system for accrediting prior learning in nursing education. Key stages of the system are information, advice and guidance, preparation of the claim, and assessment. (SK)

The need for creative thinking in 21st-century nursing is addressed by Gwynedd-Mercy College's program, which teaches the creative process, problem solving, and critical decision making. Students are challenged to develop innovative health care solutions in individual projects. (SK)

Explores the nature of practical knowledge, drawing on Aristotle's discussion of practical and scientific knowledge. Relates practice knowledge to theory and affirms the importance of both practical experience and theoretical knowledge. (SK)