The Health Systems Nurse specialist program is an innovative master's curriculum in community health nursing, nursing administration, and nursing informatics. Students learn to work collaboratively to determine health priorities, develop and implement interventions, and monitor and improve patient outcomes. (Contains 11 references.) (JOW)

Samples from 17 reflective journals of nursing students were evaluated by 6 faculty. Results indicate a lack of consistency in grading reflective writing, lack of consensus regarding evaluation, and differences among faculty regarding their view of such exercises. (Contains 26 references.) (JOW)

Attitudes toward managed care of 431 medical residents and 153 advanced practice nursing students were compared. Medical students were more likely to agree that managed care emphasizes cost over quality and threatens autonomy. Nursing students were more likely to agree that it encourages preventive care. Medical students were less enthusiastic…

Registered nurses in an online nursing leadership course (n=33) reported a high level of confidence in attainment of objectives and leadership competencies; 57% felt the online course required more work. Faculty created a helpful learning environment with clear expectations and innovative assignments. (Contains 21 references.) (SK)

Interviews with 10 Irish nurses supervising student nurses in clinical placements revealed different interpretations of students' status in clinical settings. They viewed their role as facilitative. Although the experience was rewarding, they felt ill prepared for it. They approved the move to higher education for nurses, although most had not…

Nurse educators in English universities (543 responses from 1,612) expressed their predictions and preferences for nursing education in 2008. There were concerns about parity with other disciplines, resources, faculty workload, and cohesiveness of the profession. Many preferred options were not considered likely to happen. (Contains 15…

Evaluates a brief educational program designed to increase staff awareness of intergenerational speech modifications, such as elderspeak and strategies to enhance communication. After the training, Certified Nursing Assistants reduced their use of elderspeak including terms of endearment, inappropriate collective pronouns, and shortened sentence…

Notes that recent studies challenge assumption that Medicaid requires impoverishment; although two-thirds of elderly poor are not covered by Medicaid, many nursing home Medicaid recipients retain sizeable assets. Asserts that magnitude of asset spenddown is much smaller than previously believed. Discusses these findings and explores their…

Evaluated role expectancies in essential nursing services of nursing home professional and relatives of residents. Although findings revealed significant agreement between groups, areas existed where families deemed themselves responsible for task but staff expectations were incongruent. Provides analysis of this process and discusses steps to…

Looks at the challenge of bringing integration into nursing service programs that combine nursing and business content. Examines the capstone courses and internships and gives a criterion of comparative advantage to judge where various content should be acquired. (Author)

Responses from 335 of 595 deans of nursing schools found monetary remunerations and benefits related to job satisfaction and motivation. Long tenure in prestigious universities was also significant. Motivation and job satisfaction were significantly interrelated. (SK)

Field tested Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Resident Assessment and Care Screening in two states. Findings and clinical input resulted in retention of 40 percent of original items, modification of 40 percent, elimination of 20 percent. MDS provides structure and language for understanding long-term care, design care plans, evaluate quality, describe…

Of 189 nursing homes, 83 percent reported that Medicare's hospital Prospective Payment System (PPS) affected patient needs, 53 percent said it affected patients and services provided, and 25 percent said it affected referrals to hospitals. PPS effects depended on facility factors of size, Medicare certification, tax status, and on local market…

Notes that United States currently has about 15 research institutes or departments affiliated with nursing homes, and several others are under consideration. Summarizes results of short survey of these institutes. Advantages for both nursing home and research of having research institute in nursing home are discussed along with problems that…

Looks at the education needs of nurse executives and nurse managers and compares them to the typical education provided in nursing administration programs. Concludes that educators need to be directly involved in hospital settings in order to update nursing administration education. (JOW)