Publications by authors named "Betsy M McDowell"

In this essay, we discuss the definition and interpretation of stressors from the perspective of the Neuman Systems Model. A distinctive aspect is the emphasis on the client system's perception of each stressor as beneficial (positive), noxious (negative), or both beneficial and noxious. The client system's perceptions of the stressors determine the wellness goals that are needed and guide the selection of necessary prevention-as-intervention strategies for achieving those goals.

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In this essay, we trace the evolution of the definition of the Neuman systems model concept of created environment from its inception in 1989. The created environment is one of three categories of environment in the Neuman systems model; the other two are the internal environment and the external environment. The most recent definition of created environment is offered in this essay as the following: The created environment is a synthesis of the internal and external environments that encompasses the client system's ever-changing awareness of the physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual variables, and the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal stressors as beneficial or noxious.

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Any experience that a child perceives as threatening or detrimental and has long-term consequences for the child's holistic health and welfare qualifies as trauma. Whether an experience is traumatic depends on the 3 E's of trauma: the event, the experience of the event, and the effects. Traumatic events can affect an infant's or child's development and have lifelong repercussions.

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The question of what makes an "excellent" pediatric nurse has been asked frequently by both pediatric and non-pediatric nurses for many years. Longevity in the practice setting, increased formal education in the care of children and families, positive satisfaction surveys post encounter, quantity of professional presentations and publications, and specialty certification are often listed when discussing pediatric nursing excellence. However, pediatric nursing excellence (PNE) is not well defined.

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Topic/clinical Relevance: Traumatic stress occurs in children when their coping mechanisms are overwhelmed by exposure to traumatic events or situations. Estimates indicate that as many as 80% of ill and injured children experience traumatic stress after such exposure. Critically ill or injured children are especially at risk for the development of traumatic stress, including acute stress reaction and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Being a nursing student athlete carries both rewards and challenges. There is a dearth of nursing literature addressing the subset of nursing student athletes. This article offers the characteristics of successful nursing student athletes; the challenges they encounter; the advantages of having student athletes in the nursing student body; and the student-centered, program-centered, and institution-centered strategies that need to be in place for their success.

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In order to inform the care of children at this pivotal time in the history of healthcare, the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN) sought to identify priorities for nursing research and key challenges facing pediatric nursing. A three round Delphi study was conducted electronically with SPN members. The top 10 priorities and challenges were identified and will serve as a valuable guide for pediatric nursing practice, education, policy and administration over the coming decade.

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A key indicator of the quality of a nursing education program is the performance of its graduates as first-time takers of the NCLEX-RN. As a result, nursing schools are open to strategies that strengthen the performance of their graduates on the examination. The Knowledge base, Anxiety control, Test-Taking Skills (KATTS) framework focuses on the three components of achieving a maximum score on an examination.

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In recent decades, great strides have been made globally in decreasing child mortality. However, given that many countries still do not have basic healthcare, additional emphasis is being placed on health promotion activities among industrialized nations. As cultural differences of individual countries impact these health promotion practices, the cultural characteristics influencing children and families in two countries, South Korea and the United States, were compared.

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