Engaging undergraduate nursing students in perioperative research.

Actively engaging in perioperative research lays a framework for stimulating interest in future research possibilities and provides students and graduate nurses with challenges to keep them interested as their careers progress. In this article, former honors students and a faculty researcher share their perceptions of participating in perioperative research. The primary investigator must emphasize learning throughout the process, be available to the students, provide structured guidance, and clarify the goals and expectations of the research experience.

A voluntary summer program to expose nursing students to the perioperative specialty.

Perioperative courses often are not available in undergraduate nursing programs, even though students are interested in the specialty. A voluntary summer program can provide opportunities that other clinical experiences cannot and can be a rewarding experience for faculty members and students. One such program has been established at a college in the southeastern United States.

Successful nursing student practicum in an ambulatory surgery center.

ALTHOUGH MOST ACADEMIC programs use hospital-based sites for perioperative clinical experiences, the exponential growth in the number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and the increased variety of procedures performed in these settings make ASCs excellent venues for student learning experiences. NURSING STUDENTS in one program in Florida have the opportunity to take a perioperative practicum designed to allow them to learn about all aspects of patient care and administrative functions in ASCs. THE ASC PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE is popular with students and staff members alike, and ASC administrators are seeking ways to increase the number of students in the program in an effort to attract new graduates to ASCs.

A knowledge comparison of nursing students in perioperative versus other rotations.

As more patients undergo surgical interventions in ambulatory facilities and patients in acute care settings have shorter lengths of stay, nursing students may have limited interaction with the surgical patient population. This study used a repeated measure, experimental design to compare knowledge of surgical patient care among undergraduate nursing students who experienced a perioperative clinical rotation (ie, experimental groups) with knowledge among students who experienced rotations in other clinical settings (ie, control groups). Results demonstrated a significant change in mean knowledge scores over time and a significant difference in mean scores between the experimental and control groups.

Perioperative clinical learning experiences.

Academic accreditation is valued by professional perioperative nurses, and it can be supported with nursing student interactions in the perioperative environment. Coherent, logically ordered educational objectives and participation in perioperative interventions facilitate student learning and can be used to meet academic accreditation standards. This article shows how nursing student learning in the perioperative setting can meet course objectives, satisfy academic accreditation criteria, and ultimately, improve patient care.

Reaching out to future generations--introduction at the high school level.

THE NEXT GENERATION of potential health care workers needs to be educated about the joys of perioperative nursing. BY EDUCATING HIGH SCHOOL students, AORN members can ensure that they spread the message operative nursing at a grassroots level. AORN'S PERIOPERATIVE NURSING: Introduction at the High School Level Task Force has created resources members can use to educate high school students, faculty members, and career counselors about what perioperative nurses do.

Effective learning about the concept of pain from a perioperative clinical rotation.

One of the major concepts that permeates all of nursing practice is the assessment and treatment of pain. Although the concept is simple in statement, its practice has proven to be difficult for seasoned nurses for a variety of reasons. New graduate nurses may have particular difficulty because of their lack of experience with pain.

Biological and environmental influences in mental health care.

Principles of Preventive Psychiatry offer a logical and economical approach to mental health care delivery. This article describes two perspectives on mental health care, biological and environmental. If mental illness and related distress are perceived as biologically based, the problems are thought to be under the skin.

Preparing for the 21st century: diversity in nursing education, research, and practice.

This article presents issues surrounding nursing research, education, and practice as they relate to the changing demographics in American society. The authors suggest that cultural diversity should be a key element in all components of nursing. They present challenges to nurse researchers, educators, and practitioners regarding the essential need to be sensitive about cultural diversity.

Feminism: a perspective for the 21st century.

This article details some of the key elements related to feminism in American society. It suggests that the meaning and significance of a feminist perspective need to be reexamined for their importance and utility in this dynamic and rapidly changing society. A discussion of the meaning of feminism provides a framework for the article.

Strategic planning in academic nursing.

Dramatic transformations are occurring in higher education. As colleges of nursing compete with other university colleges for limited resources, new strategies are needed to be successful. One university's unique strategic planning process is presented.

Nursing education and research in New Zealand.

Changes in nursing education and health care reform in New Zealand have significantly affected nurses engaged in research. Movement in both undergraduate and graduate educational qualifications has stimulated interest in research about health-care problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and substance abuse. Our small descriptive survey indicated that most research is qualitative and focuses on clinical care.

Nursing interventions classification: a content analysis of nursing activities in public schools.

Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) is an effort to describe nursing activities by using a standardized nomenclature of nursing treatments (McCloskey & Bulechek, 1992). Limited research focused on community nursing activities has been included in the Iowa Intervention Project to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate how nursing activities performed by RN baccalaureate students in the public school setting conformed to the activities and interventions classifications proposed by the Iowa Intervention Project.

Increasing minorities in higher education in nursing: faculty consultation as a strategy.

This article describes some of the issues surrounding cultural diversity in higher education in nursing. The representation of minority faculty in higher education in general, and in nursing education in particular, is inadequate to support the needs of students, faculties, and the institutions. Examples of common concerns and dilemmas faced by minority faculty demonstrate the urgent need for change to enhance the academic environment for minorities.

A comparison of nursing implications for elder care in Sweden and the United States.

The number of elderly are increasing at a rapid rate in both Sweden and the United States. Despite differences in governance, size, and health care systems, the two countries share similar problems and, perhaps, similar responses to care of aging persons. International educational exchange of successful interventions can promote better delivery of nursing care in both countries.

Public schools as a clinical setting for RN students.

The challenge to select meaningful clinical sites for RN students is a problem for educators. The significance of the public schools as an initial clinical site, the contribution of RNs to school health programs, student responses, and adaptations to the school setting are presented. Outcomes of the experience will interest nurse educators attempting to provide a professional education for RN to BSN students and provide a service to the community.

Enhancing educational accessibility in rural areas through collaboration.

Limited access to baccalaureate nursing education for RNs in rural areas has restricted their career development. This paper describes an effective mobile educational program created through collaborative efforts of nursing administrators, nurse educators, and RN students.

Crisis and ethical dilemmas: who will care for the rural nurse?

The critical care nurse who works in the small rural community faces the unique experience of indistinct personal and professional roles. Established relationships in the rural community place the critical care nurse at risk of becoming a victim when ethical and crisis events arise.