Using a team-centered approach to evaluate effectiveness of nurse-physician communications.

Objective: To characterize communication strategies of labor and delivery nurses and their physician colleagues during perinatal decisions.

Design: A quantitative descriptive design was used.

Setting: A perinatal setting in an urban acute care facility.

Teaching and learning in a winter wonderland.

During a record-breaking Texas ice storm, one school of nursing kept accelerated BSN students on schedule despite 5 days of school closure. The students were diverted from hazardous travels to the safety of warm homes with virtual classes and clinicals. The authors discuss their creation of a virtual experience that leveraged smartphones, laptops, eBooks, and Internet resources with existing university technology, allowing students to stay on track.

International clinical experience for midwifery students.

Introduction: The purpose of this survey was to obtain information that would elucidate what types and amounts of international clinical experiences are available to midwifery students in accredited midwifery programs. Furthermore, the survey assessed the need for and interest in an online pre-trip preparation course and the possibility of future collaborative efforts between midwifery programs.

Methods: A formal electronic descriptive survey was sent to eligible directors of midwifery education (DOME) from 38 accredited institutions in the United States.

Nurse scholars program.

The Nurse Scholars Program was developed for two reasons: to attract highly qualified students to nursing, and to increase the retention of graduates as they enter employment in local agencies following graduation. Scholars receive dollar 10,000 for each of their junior and senior years and are asked to work for 1 year at the agency for each dollar 10,000 received. Additional monies are set aside to assist graduate and doctoral students through stipends.

The nursing student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college-age students presents a complex challenge of coping with academic coursework, refining life skills, and addressing self-limitations. Behaviors that characterize ADHD are particularly problematic for nursing students, especially when the student has difficulty with behaviors that exemplify executive functioning. The authors discuss symptoms and treatments associated with the diagnosis of ADHD and evaluation and interventions for college students, based on guidelines from the Americans With Disabilities Act.