Back breaking business: the implementation of a spinal education program.

Patients with potential or confirmed spinal injuries are challenging for hospitals delivering care for trauma patients. In order to minimize further injury and complications, to maximize positive patient outcomes and to reduce length of stay, efficient and effective methods of caring for such patients are required. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation and implementation of a "Spinal Education Program" at a Level I trauma center in Canada.

Practice makes perfect: preparing graduate nurses for professional licensure.

In the fall of 2000, the licensing examination for nursing taken by candidates in the Province of Quebec was altered to include an oral practical component. This article describes how a group of nurse clinician educators, despite severe time and human resources constraints, developed a unique and interactive program to assist graduate unlicensed nurses to successfully prepare for this new examination process.