Supporting the Foundation of Nurse Anesthesia Education: A Report of the Faculty Stabilization Taskforce.

Without highly qualified educators and educational program administrators, the ability to provide anesthesia and pain management services throughout the healthcare system will be threatened by the inadequate supply of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The average turnover rate between the years 2016-2020, for CRNA program administrators, was 15% with some programs changing leadership as often as every two to four years. In response, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) created the Faculty Stabilization Taskforce (FSTF) to review reasons for the high turnover rate and to develop methods and tools to support program faculty and administrators in their role of educating the future CRNA workforce.

Perceptions of Campus Climate on Program Satisfaction for Accelerated Nursing Students.

Background: Nationwide, schools of nursing have recognized the significance of increasing their diversity but continue to be challenged with recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students. In 2008, the New Careers in Nursing program was implemented to alleviate the shortage and increase nursing diversity.

Method: Secondary analysis of a subsample of participants was used to investigate how campus climate affected program satisfaction of accelerated nursing students of color.

Examining changes to statewide NP practice in Connecticut.

In 2014, Connecticut legislators eliminated the need for advanced practice registered nurses with 2,000 practice hours to obtain collaborative practice agreements with physicians. This study examined resulting practice changes, barriers, and suggestions for improved implementation of independent practice. Thirteen NPs participated in focus groups to share their experiences and recommendations.

After the Gap Analysis: Education and Practice Changes to Prepare Nurses of the Future.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition's work in identifying and addressing gaps between nursing education and practice based on the Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report.

Background: Massachusetts Nurse of the Future (NOF) Competencies highlight the knowledge, skills, and attitudes/behaviors required for professional nurses. Integrating these concepts into the educational system will prepare the nursing workforce to respond to current/future health care needs and population health issues.

Surviving the NCLEX Dip.

Schools of nursing are charged with preparing graduates to meet minimal practice standards upon workforce entry. To that end, students must pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) upon graduation. Increased rigor and higher recent passing standards for the exam can contribute to declining scores, which negatively impact graduates and the nursing program.

Geriatric sexual experiences: The seniors tell all.

Aim: To gain insight into the aging sexual health experiences and concerns of older adults aged 60 years or older.

Background: Despite the prevalence of sexual activity among older adults and the documented health benefits, little is known about how sexual health changes as individuals age.

Methods: Participants for this study were recruited through a local senior center and qualitative interviews were conducted.

If They Were Real: Lessons Learned from Literary Characters With Dementia.

Dementia and its side effects often leave individuals unable to tell their stories or experiences. Consequently, nurses must rely strictly on clinical observations as a basis for understanding dementia--an understanding that is necessary to provide the best possible care. Relying on clinical observations leads to challenges in fully understanding the experience of living with dementia.

Past, present, and future trends of master's education in nursing.

Nurses interested in pursuing careers in advanced practice are now being educated at the doctoral level through new doctorate of nursing practice degree programs. In light of this shift, master's programs for advanced practice nurses are in a tenuous position, and it is questionable whether the remaining master's level educational programs are meeting the needs of consumers, health care institutions, and students. Given the great need for clinical leadership in health care, it is essential to reexamine master's nursing education to ensure that educational institutions are meeting the needs of graduate nursing students, consumers, and health care systems.

Development, implementation and evaluation of a peer review of teaching (PRoT) initiative in nursing education.

For many years, an area of research in higher education has been emerging around the development and implementation of fair and effective peer evaluation programs. Recently, a new body of knowledge has developed regarding the development and implementation of fair and effective peer evaluation programs resulting in formative and summative evaluations. The purpose of this article is to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a peer review of teaching (PRoT) program for nursing faculty, initiated at one small comprehensive university in the northeastern United States.

Transformational learning in graduate nurse education through podcasting.

Aim: To introduce faculty to podcasting, giving them opportunities for course integration in nursing.

Background: Faculty represented adult, gerontological, psychiatric, acute, and family health specialties interested in technology integration.

Method: Faculty were invited to submit an abstract describing interest and experience with educational technology and intended use of podcasting.

Destination to nowhere: a new look at aggressive treatment for heart failure--a case study.

Approximately 5.7 million people in the United States experience heart failure, and about 670 000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Patients who are ineligible for heart transplant may benefit from a left ventricular assist device.

Validity and reliability of the geriatric sexuality inventory.

Effective health care for older adults requires that providers assess and manage sexual health needs with high priority. This assessment begins with an effective sexuality assessment tool. A two-step, research approach was undertaken to develop and test the Geriatric Sexuality Inventory (GSI).

Psychosocial aspects of active surveillance.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the literature on psychosocial responses to active surveillance as well as educational and support strategies to promote adherence.

Recent Findings: There are two prevalent responses among men undergoing active surveillance; anxiety and uncertainty. The education of a patient about low-risk prostate cancer as well as the inquiry by the physician into patient's priorities and goals with respect to their prostate cancer diagnosis provide opportunities to facilitate a collaborative relationship between the physician and the patient.

The role of spiritual nursing interventions on improved outcomes in older adults with dementia.

Dementia is a devastating condition that takes a toll on all involved. This integrative literature review focuses on the role of spirituality/spiritual nursing interventions in the improved health outcomes of older adults with dementia. Dementia treatments are constantly being explored and current findings are promising.

Uncertainty and perception of danger among patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Unlabelled: Study Type - Therapy (attitude prevalence) Level of Evidence 2a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Marked differences in uncertainty among patients have been found relating to race and social environment indicating that as uncertainty increases, social functioning declines. Correlations have been found between uncertainty and patients' coping, psychological adjustment and perceptions of their health and illness. Studies suggest the detrimental effect of uncertainty among patients with prostate cancer in the perception of their quality of life.

Perception of cancer and inconsistency in medical information are associated with decisional conflict: a pilot study of men with prostate cancer who undergo active surveillance.

Unlabelled: Men with prostate cancer who choose active surveillance may experience anxiety and depression. Higher anxiety related to uncertainty surrounding cancer has been shown to increase the likelihood of choosing active treatment in the absence of a clinical indication. Certain characteristics, including physician influence and a neurotic personality, may also increase the risk of psychological distress.

Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence after prostate cancer treatment.

Objectives: To review the current knowledge and treatment of incontinence and erectile dysfunction after treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Data Sources: Journal and research articles.

Conclusion: The unique aspects of each treatment lends to different considerations in treatment techniques that mitigate incontinence and impotence.

Prostate cancer overview.

Objectives: To review prostate anatomy, epidemiology and risk factors, presentation and diagnosis, staging and treatment, emerging therapies, and patient education.

Data Sources: Review of current and classic literature.

Conclusion: Patients must be educated regarding screening recommendations and offered evidence-based guidance regarding the risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment.