Interviews with 17 fourth-year nursing students identified essential components in the process of learning clinical decision making: gaining confidence, building relationships with staff, connecting with patients, being comfortable with nurse identity, and understanding the clinical picture. Results indicate that, without the big picture, clinical…

A literature review identified nursing student support models in the practice environment, roles/responsibilities of preceptors, staff preparation and support for the role, benefits of preceptorship, and difficulties encountered. A partnership approach of shared ownership, responsibility, and commitment by stakeholders was found crucial to…

In the Penn Macy Initiative, 21 nursing schools participated in summer institutes and follow-up consultations to refine practice. Evaluation data from participants' daily and postinstitute feedback, institutional self-evaluations, and comparison of school accomplishments identified critical indicators of progress in academic practice. A key…

Electrocardiogram technique was taught to 32 nursing students using a self-study module, lecture-demonstration, and hands-on learning laboratories and to 45 students using interactive multimedia CD-ROM with self-study module. Pre/postprogram data show satisfaction and score improvement was high for both, with no significant differences. (Contains…

Summer institutes with follow-up continuing education sought to increase nursing faculty's knowledge and teaching of genetics. Outcome measures following four summer institutes (n=126) revealed significant improvements in genetics knowledge, increased genetics content in curricula, and development of new elective genetics courses. (Contains 22…

Studies the effect of depression on social engagement among newly admitted nursing home residents. Results reveal that residents with depression were significantly more often found to have low social engagement. (Contains 26 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

Describes the development of a statewide strategy to improve resident outcomes in nursing facilities, and presents some evaluative data from this strategy. Results reveal that the partnership has resulted in state agency staff having information from analyses about resident needs. Suggests that other states should consider building partnerships…

Examined incidence and causes of Medicaid spenddown among disabled elderly persons. Found that approximately 10 percent of nursing home discharges experienced asset spenddown, process of converting from private pay to Medicaid, whereas over 50 percent of nursing home patients remained private pay throughout their stays. Becoming Medicaid patient…

Nursing educators are torn between producing graduates who are employable in the health care marketplace and educating nurses who are capable of transforming the health care system. One way to resolve this conflict is to make caring a core value in the hidden curriculum--the way students are taught to think and feel as nurses. (Author)

Discusses the development of doctoral programs in nursing education in the Middle Ages to the present. (JOW)

Examined whether physical restraints are related to decreased social behavior among nursing home residents. Data collected from 112 nursing home residents suggest that low social performance puts resident at risk of being restrained, but more frequently use of restraint hampers resident's performance of social behavior. (Author/NB)

Nurses can miss important cultural traditions and values that relate to sources of ethnic power in families. Continued efforts by nurses to learn about these values helps them assist families with health care decisions. (JOW)

Offers suggestions about encouraging nursing students to expand their critical thinking skills. Reviews the attitudes, knowledge, and cognitive skills needed for developing critical thinking skills. (JOW)

A total of 227 honorary nursing doctorates awarded to 139 nurses by 119 universities in the years 1936-87 are listed, including the individual's name, year, and institution granting the degree. (MSE)

Presents some sociohistorical concepts about suicide as framework for considering contemporary attitudes among elderly. Includes verbatim report of group therapy session in long-term care facility in which residents openly discuss their feelings about suicide of fellow resident a day earlier. Illustrates importance of emotional outlet, such as…