Describes the development and evaluation of an eight-hour educational program designed to prepare staff nurses to perform in a new role, the unit-based acute confusion Resource Nurse (ACRN). Tests showed that knowledge and confidence significantly increased for participants as a result of their participation in the educational program. (Author/GCP)

Evidence-based nursing practice is impeded by low numbers of baccalaureate nurses, lack of critical perspectives toward research, the volume of information, and conflicting worldviews. Teaching strategies to address the challenge include fostering the ability to question and initiating teacher/student dialog. (SK)

A majority (55 of 94) of nursing students perceived the value of having one nurse educator supervise them in college and in clinical placements. This group rated their practice placement supervision much lower than did students who did not see the benefits of a single teacher as supervisor. (SK)

Peer-mentored collaborative-research groups promote collegial partnerships, maximize members' expertise, and enhance skill development. Such a work group needs a common philosophy and group goals; it should evolve as a group entity and monitor group processes. (SK)

Examines how the author's work in nursing has helped reveal, through poetry, her own "key images" (images that unconsciously bring life, energy, and universality to a poet's work). Suggests ways writers might encourage intense personal imagery to enter their own poems or the poems of their students. (SR)

Comparison of 55 nursing students who completed an information literacy program integrated into the curriculum with 72 who did not showed that participating students improved library and information skills from pre- to posttest. No significant differences between participants and nonparticipants were found. (SK)

An action research project sought to create a learning culture in a hospital. Adult learning principles and facilitation of learning at and from work were emphasized. Although the hospital's top-down management eventually ended the project, active staff participation in learning was begun. (SK)

Constructivism is congruent with adult learning theory and has potential for self-directed learning and development of metacognitive skills. Nursing education within a constructivist framework can help nurses develop into experienced practitioners by tapping their knowledge base from life experience. (SK)

The availability of new educational technologies is expanding rapidly, decreasing costs but increasing obsolescence. Technologies increase flexible response to student needs. Growth in nursing distance education programs is increasing competition. Technology may help alleviate teacher shortages. Distance education issues include educational…

Gives examples of problem-based learning, relates its theoretical framework to andragogy, and compares it to traditional learning methods. Suggests the need for research to demonstrate its usefulness in nursing education. (SK)

The Cloutterbuck Minimum Data Matrix is designed to generate a base of consumer information for critical analysis and synthesis to produce health care outcomes. The interdisciplinary teaching tool helps students recognize the diversity of health care consumers. (SK)

Replication of a 1994 study of 219 undergraduate nursing faculty used a sample of 130 graduate faculty. Results showed that 79% received a two- to three-day orientation. Longer programs yielded more information and covered topics more comprehensively. (SK)

Provides information about correlates of disruptive behaviors among nursing home residents with dementia. Observation of a wide range of behaviors (N=45) across 11 months were analyzed. Findings suggest that cognitive status, but not health variables, predicts disruptive behavior among nursing home residents with dementia. (Author/MKA)

Assesses the stability of nursing home residents' preferences for medical treatments. Nondemented, nondepressed residents (N=37) were surveyed serially over a six-month period. Subjects preferred more treatment for their current health concerns than for all hypothetical conditions. All preference changes were toward less intervention. Most…

A nurse practitioner business preceptorship provides students with knowledge of basic business, accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and reimbursement. A lack of qualified faculty can be offset with adjunct business faculty. Selection of placement sites should provide challenging management experiences. (SK)