A study to investigate the constraints that nursing program administrators encounter in promoting faculty change and development received responses from 271 of 422 administrators. Availability of resources affects faculty development as does perception by administration that faculty need to show an interest and assume personal responsibility for…

A survey of nursing program faculty and administrators, program evaluators, and board of review members (n=541) identified desired revisions in accreditation criteria and a process to support nursing education during times of change. Findings have given helpful direction to staff and appointed members involved with the accreditation process. (JOW)

The Action Learning Group is a strategy used in a nursing diploma/degree program to bridge the theory-practice gap. Techniques of reflective learning through group discussion allow students to become aware of the sources of their experience and beliefs and to move toward accountability and responsibility. (SK)

A nursing education program uses group projects to resolve the problem of whether the purpose is to teach students to read research or to conduct it. The project approach focuses on types of research decisions rather than results, giving students insight into the "hidden" research process. (SK)

Critical incident analysis, combining actual experiences with structured reflection, can facilitate learning from clinical practice and develop interpersonal skills and self-awareness. (SK)

Nursing education should play an important role in developing culturally sensitive health care. Nurses and midwives should be trained in assessing health needs of different cultural groups and developing appropriate care. (SK)

The Australian approach to postcompulsory education involves professional and academic bodies in defining competencies for higher-level qualifications, resulting in a competency-based qualifications system. (JOW)

Examines the common problems with clinical conferences and suggests approaches to maximize student learning. Suggests that an effective clinical conference has three characteristics: (1) it is a group event; (2) it contributes to the achievement of course and clinical objectives; and (3) it provides a setting for students to explore personal…

This case study shows how a team of trainers, instructional designers, and medical experts developed training modules that nurse educators could use in their own medical facilities on their own schedules. (Author)

It is critical that nursing recruit individuals who reflect the populations served; curriculum and clinical experience should be culturally relevant. Current demographic data provide information to guide goal setting for educational programs, research, and clinical practice. (SK)

Dialog journals can help develop nursing students' critical reflection skills. Problems in their use include procrastination, superficial entries, waning enthusiasm, and unwillingness or inability to reflect. Teachers should act as partners, not evaluators, in responding to students. (SK)

Describes one focus of an ongoing partnership between a Veterans Health Administration medical center and a university-based school of nursing: to improve patient outcomes through patient-centered continuity of care. (Author)

This study involved 530 nursing staff working in 25 for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes, 2 of which failed to meet residential care standards. Nursing home climate in failed homes was perceived as being significantly lower in human relations and higher in laissez-faire and status orientation dimensions that the climate in the successful homes.…

Long-term care ombudsman programs are charged with resolving complaints and solving problems of elderly persons in long-term care settings. Conducted content analysis of annual ombudsman program reports sent to Administration on Aging from 49 states in 1990. Found substantial variation in documented information at both state and local levels and…

Studies indicate that 20-30 percent of women have lived or are living with an abusive partner--yet only 5 percent are identified as victims of abuse in health care settings. Nursing education should prepare nursing practitioners to take the lead in providing care for battered women. (Author/JOW)