Laboratory validation of a clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing assay for respiratory virus detection and discovery.

Tools for rapid identification of novel and/or emerging viruses are urgently needed for clinical diagnosis of unexplained infections and pandemic preparedness. Here we developed and clinically validated a largely automated metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) assay for agnostic detection of respiratory viral pathogens from upper respiratory swab and bronchoalveolar lavage samples in <24 h. The mNGS assay achieved mean limits of detection of 543 copies/mL, viral load quantification with 100% linearity, and 93.

Prolonged silent carriage, genomic virulence potential and transmission between staff and patients characterize a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) outbreak of methicillin-resistant (MRSA).

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is an important pathogen in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) that confers significant morbidity and mortality.

Objective: Improving our understanding of MRSA transmission dynamics, especially among high-risk patients, is an infection prevention priority.

Methods: We investigated a cluster of clinical MRSA cases in the NICU using a combination of epidemiologic review and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates from clinical and surveillance cultures obtained from patients and healthcare personnel (HCP).

A closer look at first-time pass rates as the primary measure of program quality.

Background: The NCLEX pass rate is considered the premier indicator of program quality. Nursing programs utilize first-time pass rates (F-TPR) as a basis for making program decisions - especially when confronted with a falling rate.

Purpose: This survey was conducted to identify the array of strategies implemented to improve or maintain F-TPRs.

First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate: measure of program quality or something else?

The first-time NCLEX-RN(®) pass rate is considered by many to be the primary, if not sole, indicator of the quality of prelicensure nursing education programs. Used by state boards of nursing, educational program accreditors, and nursing faculty, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate influences important decisions about overall program quality, admission and progression policies, curricula, and teaching and learning practices. In this article, the authors call for a professional dialogue about the use of first-time pass rate (F-TPR) as an indicator of program quality, offer alternative methods for using the F-TPR as one measure of program quality, and suggest further research.

Measures of cultural competence in nurses: an integrative review.

Background: There is limited literature available identifying and describing the instruments that measure cultural competence in nursing students and nursing professionals.

Design: An integrative review was undertaken to identify the characteristics common to these instruments, examine their psychometric properties, and identify the concepts these instruments are designed to measure.

Method: There were eleven instruments identified that measure cultural competence in nursing.

A comparative analysis of cultural competence in beginning and graduating nursing students.

The ethnic proportions of the population in the United States are rapidly changing, with the nation's minority population at approximately 101 million. This is also true for the West Texas region, where locally in a city with 183,000 residents, 43 different languages are spoken suggesting that cultural education needs to be included in nursing program curricula. Therefore, a study was conducted during a period of curriculum revision to determine if the current nursing curriculum at a public university offers enough education and experience for graduating nurses to care for such a diverse population by comparing their perceptions of cultural competence with beginning sophomore nursing students' perceptions.

Lifelong learning in nursing: a Delphi study.

Background: In order to foster a culture of lifelong learning in nursing, it is important to identify what the concept means in the nursing profession as well as the characteristics of a lifelong learner.

Objectives: The purpose of this Delphi study was to conceptualize lifelong learning from the perspective of nursing, and to identify characteristics and essential elements of lifelong learning.

Design And Method: A Delphi Study technique in three phases was completed using an online survey tool.

The impact of employment on nursing students' academic performance.

As more nursing students are employed, it is essential that schools of nursing examine the relationship between student employment and academic performance. In this study, we found a statistically significant negative relationship between students who work at least 16 hours a week and academic performance, especially in high-attrition courses. Current practices in nursing education must be assessed to ensure that students who must work have every opportunity to succeed.

Self-efficacy and resilience in baccalaureate nursing students.

The attrition of admitted students from nursing programs has been attributed to the perceived stress of nursing school. Students who possess the characteristics of self-efficacy and resilience may be persistent and therefore academically successful as demonstrated by test scores over the course of their education. In this article, the authors report on a study that explored self efficacy and resilience in relation to test scores among 136 baccalaureate nursing students in multiple courses during one, 16 week semester.

An end-of-life care interdisciplinary team clinical simulation model.

To provide quality end-of-life care, nursing students must have clinical experiences participating on interdisciplinary teams. The authors present the structure and processes of a clinical simulation experience that help students embrace the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical practice.

West Texas nursing education portal project: developing a regional centralized application system.

Because of the nursing shortage and a demand for maximum enrollment, a group of five baccalaureate and seven associate degree nursing programs in West Texas first met in 2007 to form the West Texas Nursing Education Consortium (WTNEC). To emphasize the importance of scale and distance, the West Texas region is larger than all of the northeastern states combined. The founding group agreed that the first mission of WTNEC should be to pool resources in order to increase admission and graduation rates for WTNEC schools.