North Carolina nursing students (99 baccalaureate, 309 associate degree, and 87 diploma) were surveyed. They were motivated to pursue nursing by past experiences with illness, past health-care work experiences, or family member/friend who was a nurse. Career decisions were also influenced by characteristics of nursing. There were no differences by…

In a service-learning course, nursing students developed, implemented, and evaluated interventions to reduce risk factors and increase resilience of children and adolescents in impoverished communities. They collaborated with community agencies as well as with students from other disciplines. (Contains 24 references.) (SK)

Training for nurses working with children predates training for care of adults. Key issues in children's nursing have not changed in the last century. They include its undervalued status within the profession and the place of specialized education. (Contains 28 references and commentary by Tony Long.) (SK)

Suggests teaching strategies to inculcate intuition as a valued means of knowing in the multicultural nursing education curriculum: self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, a climate of curiosity, process objectives, and a holistic approach to clinical experience. (Contains 36 references.) (JOW)

Usable data from 304 of 1,495 associate degree nursing graduates showed that self-actualization was positively and significantly related to professional attitudes, values, and behaviors. Length and intensity of work experience were only slightly related. The need to reevaluate the induction model of professional socialization was suggested.…

Three findings emerged from 12 Hong Kong student nurses' descriptions of their experiences of portfolio assessment: (1) despite initial anxiety, all favored portfolio use; (2) portfolios had positive academic and affective outcomes; and (3) unexpectedly, spontaneous collaborative learning and increased motivation resulted. (Contains 35…

Interviews with 23 Finnish preceptors who mentored British nursing students indicated that intercultural mentoring is characterized by concern for student adjustment and learning outcomes, mutual learning, and pervasive relationships. Mentors sought to develop students' intercultural competence. School-clinical setting cooperation was inadequate.…

Norwegian nurse educators (n=348) rated teaching and nursing competence more highly than evaluation skills, teacher personality, or relationships with students. Those with over 10 years experience rated relationships higher. Correlations between the importance of these factors and application in practice were few and weak. (Contains 34…

The effect of the following on bridging the theory-practice gap in nursing education was examined: (1) theory taught by preceptors or nurse educators; (2) nurse educator/preceptor collaboration on content; and (3) immediate clinical placements following theory learning. Preceptors were more effective, collaboration was ineffective, and delay was…

Four nurse preceptors described problems with poor student performance in clinical experiences; their feelings of fear, anxiety, and self-doubt; and the importance of faculty behaviors such as listening, supporting, and following up with unsuccessful students. Results can be applied to improvement of preceptor orientation and preparation. (SK)

Recent solutions to the nursing faculty shortage (expanded certification programs, aggressive recruitment, delayed retirement) have had some success. New solutions might include fast-track bachelor-to-doctorate curricula, recruitment of advanced practice nurses, image enhancement, national certification, and linking of the faculty and nurse…

Student absenteeism was considered a potential problem by 18 nursing lecturers and 39 tutors in Ireland. They agreed that clinical and classroom attendance should be monitored and favored a regulatory system that ensured development of competent graduates. However, few agreed with extreme approaches to managing absenteeism. (Contains 29…

An evaluation by exception instrument was developed to rate nursing students' clinical performance by documenting whether behaviors deviated from acceptable standards. The method increased student understanding of areas needing improvement and reduced faculty time to prepare evaluations and conduct student conferences. (SK)

A survey completed by 189 high school counselors assessed their knowledge of professional nursing in terms of educational preparation, career opportunities, and salary and mobility potential. Most felt well informed about nursing careers. Females and whites rated nursing higher as a profession than did males and African Americans. (SK)

Human patient simulators are computerized mannequins that present patient scenarios in which nursing students learn to assess critical health incidents. Their use involves faculty time and commitment, maintenance and upgrading investment, and careful scenario preparation. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)