Effects of pasture renovation on hydrology, nutrient runoff, and forage yield.

Proper pasture management is important in promoting optimal forage growth and reducing runoff and nutrient loss. Pasture renovation is a management tool that improves aeration by mechanically creating holes or pockets within the soil. Pasture renovation was performed before manure application (poultry litter or swine slurry) on different pasture soils and rainfall simulations were conducted to identify the effects of pasture renovation on nutrient runoff and forage growth.

Maintainance of patients' dignity during hospitalization: comparison of staff-patient observations and patient feedback through interviews.

Patients' rights such as the need for dignity and respect are essential in the provision of quality care. This exploratory clinical study explored patient dignity within the acute hospital environment through observation of staff-patient interactions and interviews with patients. Dignity can be influenced through two major mediums-maintenance of the physical environment and the communication style of the nurse.

'Caring for' behaviours that indicate to patients that nurses 'care about' them.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study to explore what constitutes nurse-patient interactions and to ascertain patients' perceptions of these interactions.

Background: Nurses maintain patient integrity through caring practices. When patients feel disempowered or that their integrity is threatened they are more likely to make a complaint.

Mentor evaluation of a year-long mentorship program: a quality improvement initiative.

This paper presents 23 mentors' perceptions of their role in a year-long mentorship program during the period 1999- 2002. The majority of mentors were clinical specialists, had bachelor degrees and over five years clinical experience. The mentorship program was informed by the Deming Cycle of Plan, Do, Check and Act.

Student evaluations of a year-long mentorship program: a quality improvement initiative.

Mentoring is an important teaching-learning process in undergraduate nursing curricula. There are relatively few studies specifically evaluating nursing students' perceptions of mentorship. In the period 1999-2002, 39 students were mentored during a year-long program.