Assessment of clinical judgment in nursing orientation: time well invested.

There is a correlation between patient safety and nursing orientation. The authors discuss a mixed-method study that supports the efficacy of using a competency-based process to assess knowledge and judgment skills of registered nurses in a community hospital. This assessment is the backbone of the competency-based orientation.

Bringing nursing science to the classroom: a collaborative project.

This project resulted as a collaborative effort on the part of a public school system and nursing faculty. The fifth grade student population utilized in this study focused on the skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems as part of their school system's existing science and health curriculum. The intent of the study was to evaluate the impact on student learning outcomes as a result of nursing-focused, science-based, hands-on experiential activities provided by nursing faculty in the public school setting.

Necrotizing fasciitis: a model nursing care plan.

Accurate assessment and timely interventions are critical in caring for patients diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. A case example helps nurses assess and intervene the numerous problems commonly experienced by patients with necrotic fasciitis.

Breaking into orthopaedic nursing: preceptorship for novice nurses.

Recalling feelings of reality shock and insecurity helps the staff nurse to truly understand the feelings that a nursing student experiences. Without a student preceptorship the new graduate may be unaware of all of the staff nurse responsibilities and have a problematic role transition to the work environment. The new graduate's adjustment to a staff nurse role is challenging, but if it is overwhelming the new nurse may eventually leave the profession (Coudret et al.

Burden on family members: caring for frail elderly: a meta-analysis of interventions.

Background: Although multiple interventional approaches to reduce perceived burden among caregivers of the frail elderly have been investigated for over a decade, the effectiveness of those interventions and the benefits of group versus individual interventions are largely unclear.

Objectives: This meta-analysis was undertaken to (a) assess the effectiveness of group and individual interventions on decreasing burden of caregivers of the frail elderly, and (b) identify factors with potential influence on the magnitude of the effects.

Method: Computerized literature searches and manual searches of published true and quasi-experimental studies with control groups were performed.

Necrotizing fasciitis: a model nursing care plan.

Accurate assessment and timely interventions are critical in caring for patients diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. A case example helps nurses assess and intervene the numerous problems commonly experienced by patients with necrotic fasciitis.