Nurse Faculty Job Satisfaction: Development and Evaluation of the Nurse Educator Satisfaction Index

ABSTRACT NURSE FACULTY JOB SATISFACTION: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE NURSE EDUCATOR SATISFACTION INDEX The nursing faculty shortage in American is predicted to worsen in the near future. This faculty shortage negatively impacts nursing practice by limiting the numbers of students admitted to nursing programs, and hindering efforts to build a nursing workforce sufficient in number to care for an aging patient population. Guided by Hagedorn’s Framework of Faculty Job Satisfaction, this descriptive, correlational study sought to validate a researcher-developed instrument to measure job satisfaction in a sample of Georgia nurse educators. A web-based survey was distributed to full-time nursing faculty in schools of nursing granting degrees at the associates, masters, and doctoral levels. Statistical analysis of the data included Cronbach’s alpha, split-half correlation, and Pearson’s ‘r’ calculations. Findings revealed the new instrument was reliable and valid for use in the sample of nurse educators. As a whole, Georgia nurse educators were very satisfied with their jobs; the most satisfied participants were those who were: at each end of the age range (youngest and oldest), women, Asians and those of two or more races, married, and held a masters degree. Variables with which nurse educators were most highly satisfied were relationships with students and colleagues, while they were least satisfied with salary and recognition. The conceptual framework was partially supported by this study; the Mediators were significantly related to job satisfaction, while the Triggers were not. Findings from this study have implications for nursing education, research, and practice – by providing a reliable and valid instrument to measure job satisfaction, by revealing the importance of student and peer relationships to nursing faculty, and the need for workload reduction and improvements in salary. Study findings may be used to guide decision making by college and nursing administrations in recruitment and retention efforts to build the nursing faculty workforce

Effects of Water Chemistry and Watershed Characteristics on Populations of Trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The purpose of this study was to combine fish, water quality, and watershed data- bases in order to determine what relationships exist between trout biomass and base flow water quality in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Quarterly base flow water quality data collected from 1993 to 2003 at 31 stream sites in the GRSM were used in step-wise multiple linear regression models to analyze brook and rainbow trout biomass (kg/ha). Stream samples were analyzed for pH, acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), conductivity, major cations, and major anions. The potential predictor variables included seasonality, basin characteristics, USGS stream flow data as surrogate hydrologic data, precipitation data, e.g. cumulative inches of rain on preceding days, and water quality data. Each of the predictor variables were found to be statistically significant (p\u3c0.05) influencing factors to trout biomass, particularly elevation, basin area, sulfate concentration, maximum stream flow, conductivity, ANC and percent anakeesta geology. Final correlation analysis, where zeros were assumed for biomass when there were no trout present, revealed that pH, ANC, conductivity, and sulfate are important predictors of trout biomass. Brook trout biomass was not significantly correlated with median pH or log (ANC). However, rainbow trout young-of-year and adult biomass had correlation coefficients of 0.514 and 0.504 respectively with median pH. Furthermore, rainbow trout young-of-year and adult biomass had correlation coefficients of 0.635 and 0.544 respectively with log (ANC). Brook trout young-of-year and adult biomass had correlation coefficients of –0.237 and –0.239 respectively with log (conductivity). Rainbow trout young-of-year and adult biomass had correlation coefficients of 0.613 and 0.368 respectively with log (conductivity). Lastly, both brook and adult rainbow trout biomass had significant negative correlations with sulfate concentrations. Brook trout young-of-year and adult biomass had correlation coefficients of –0.346 and –0.303 respectively with sulfate. Rainbow trout adult biomass had a correlation coefficient of -0.190. Rainbow trout young-of-year biomass was not significantly correlated with sulfate concentrations. Modeling revealed that brook trout biomass is most strongly related to elevation while rainbow trout biomass is related more to basin area. Elevation is positively correlated with brook trout biomass and accounts for 31% and 40% of the variability in brook trout young-of-year and adult biomass respectively. Similarly, basin area is positively correlated with rainbow trout biomass and accounts for 68% and 40% of the variability in rainbow trout young-of-year and adult biomass respectively. It is thought that basin area and elevation are possible surrogates for stream size. Elevation and basin area have a correlation coefficient of –0.4794, meaning that large basin areas occur at lower elevations and higher elevations have smaller basin areas. Results also showed that young-of-year trout were negatively affected by increases in maximum stream flow and cumulative precipitation for the previous 90 days. Also results for adult trout biomass show a negative relationship with biomass of a competing trout species. Both trout species were negatively affected by increases in sulfate concentrations and percent anakeesta geology. The overall models for biomass produced r-squared values of 0.54 and 0.63 for brook trout young-of-year and adult respectively and values of 0.73 and 0.49 for rainbow trout young-of-year and adult respectively. Based on the regression results, trout biomass decreases with increases in sulfate concentrations and percent anakeesta. Both of these variables can be linked to acidic stream conditions. Sites along Shutts Prong, Porters Creek, and Walker Camp Prong are at risk because total trout biomass at these locations is either zero or very small and they have greater than 90% anakeesta geology and/or elevated sulfate concentrations. Brook trout biomass showed a significant positive relationship with elevation. This was expected since results from Baldigo and Lawrence (2001) showed that brook trout seem to be present in streams at high elevations with cold water, steep gradients, small channels, and fast water velocities. Furthermore, brook trout are most often found in small lakes and streams at high elevations which are most susceptible to acidic deposition (Turner et al. 1992). In the GRSM, brook trout are relegated to high elevation streams by historic logging and competition from exotic rainbow trout. Apparently due to competition, brook trout biomass was adversely affected by increases in rainbow trout biomass. Rainbow trout are larger than brook and therefore able to out-compete them for feeding territories. Larson and Moore (1985) found that in GRSM stream segments with similar physical characteristics rainbow trout have biomasses about 1.8 times greater than that of brook trout. Rainbow trout biomass showed a significant positive relationship with basin area, which is consistent with King’s (1943) observation that rainbow trout are relatively larger and more active and therefore choose larger streams, other conditions being the same, than brook trout. Rainbow trout biomass also increases with increasing stream conductivity and ANC. Conductivity is related to the amount of ions (including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) found in a stream’s water which should benefit fish. The negative relationships between young-of-year biomass and hydrologic conditions can be explained by young-of-year trout being washed away by high flows and/or high flows often corresponding to decreases in stream pH and ANC (Latterell et al. 1998; Driscoll et al. 2001). Final correlation results also indicate that both brook and rainbow trout biomass decrease as the cumulative precipitation for the previous 90 and 180 days increases. This is consistent with results from Barnett (2003) that water quality conditions in the GRSM were adversely affected by increased stream flows, acid deposition and precipitation. Furthermore, negative correlations between sulfate concentrations and biomass give possible evidence to the problem of acid deposition. However, sulfate is also strongly correlated with anakeesta geology. Since this analysis does not consider storm event water quality, it is difficult to separate out the affects of acid deposition versus acidic geology in the GRSM

DTB 048 Annette Holmes 7-13-2022

In this recording, Annette Holmes is interviewed by Kern Jackson in Mobile, Alabama. Ms. Holmes grew up Down the Bay, and shares some of her family history in connection to the neighborhood, as well as discussion of food and foodways in the community. Ms. Holmes describes the neighborhood as she remembers it, and talks about roller skating and other community activities. She shares some of her experiences from attending University of South Alabama. She concludes the interview talking about the impacts of urban renewal

Effects of Integrating Technology on the Fitness Levels of Elementary Students

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of using technology in physical education classes on the cardiovascular endurance of fourth grade students. Three classes of fourth grade students were randomly assigned to Heart Rate Monitor (HRM), Pedometer, or Control groups and participated in the same physical education activities for 24 weeks. Comparisons on the ½ mile fitness run of the 3 groups were not significantly different from each other (p = .3580) at the beginning of the study. There were no significant correlations (p > 0.05) between activity levels and mile run times after the 24 weeks. A two-way (Treatment x Gender) ANOVA was used to analyse mile run times after the 24 weeks. The main effect of gender (p < 0.01) was significant while the effect of treatment (p > 0.05) and the Treatment x Gender interaction (p > 0.05) were not

Relationship Marketing: An Important Tool For Success In The Marketplace

This paper looks at relationship marketing as an important tool for success in marketing.  With product quality becoming a common standard in many industries, and no longer a major source of competitive advantage, many firms are scrambling to escape the mire of the ‘commodity mentality’ that has become part of most basic products in the market place today.   Several of these firms are turning to relationship (RM) marketing as a means of differentiating themselves.  This shift to RM is being fueled by fundamental cultural shifts, powerful databases, and a new focus on organizational structure; and is occurring more rapidly in some sectors and industries than others.  Through the relationships they build, marketers turn data into knowledge by using the information, insight, and understanding gained over time and applying this information to mutual benefits with their customers.  Many are realizing some of the advantages of relationship marketing which could be gained by both the marketer and the buyer.  For the marketer, profitability, brand loyalty, product differentiation, and gaining competitive advantage are some major benefits of relationship building.  For the buyer, the major benefits include: personalized attention from marketers, marketer’s efforts to anticipate buyers’ wants, and meaningful dialogues with the marketer. Trust, commitment, empathy, and responsiveness to customers needs are necessary ingredients for successful implementation of RM.  Database technology, print-on-demand technology, and internal marketing are some of the tools available to marketers interested in taking advantage of an effective RM program.  The jury is still out on how firms can successfully implement the RM program.  Some firms have however, made successful attempts in implementing RM

Administrators’ Perceptions of Knowledge of IDEA Regulations Related to Disciplining Students with Disabilities

AbstractThere is a nationwide concern among students, parents, and educators regarding high school administrators’ inequitable disciplinary practices and students with disabilities (SWD) policies in the U.S. The problem addressed in this study was that high school SWDs in a local Midwestern urban school district have higher rates of suspension from school than their nondisabled peers. Guided by Bandura’s social learning theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand local administrators’ perceptions of their knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) related to disciplining SWDs to gain insight into their decisions to suspend. The research questions examined administrators’ perceptions on their training and knowledge of IDEA, their decision-making process to suspend and the additional training administrators identified as needed to support a decrease in suspension rates of SWDs. A purposeful sample of eight high school administrators responsible for dispensing school discipline participated virtually in semistructured interviews. By creating codes, which led to themes, the findings revealed that administrators felt unprepared and had a lack of understanding of the relationship between disability and behavior, which led them to misunderstand laws protecting SWDs during the discipline process. Administrators reported a need for ongoing professional development (PD) about the areas of disability and how students’ behavior may be impacted. A 3-day PD training session was developed to educate administrators about IDEA, disabilities, and laws related to disciplining SWDs, to avoid inappropriate suspension of SWDs, thereby decreasing punitive student discipline and promoting positive social change over time

Incremental Benefit of a Home Visit Following Discharge for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions Receiving Transitional Care

Transitional care management is effective at reducing hospital readmissions among patients with multiple chronic conditions, but evidence is lacking on the relative benefit of the home visit as a component of transitional care. The sample included non-dual Medicaid recipients with multiple chronic conditions enrolled in Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), with a hospital discharge between July 2010 and December 2012. Using claims data and care management records, this study retrospectively examined whether home visits reduced the odds of 30-day readmission compared to less intensive transitional care support, using multivariate logistic regression to control for demographic and clinical characteristics. Additionally, the researchers examined group differences within clinical risk strata on inpatient admissions and total cost of care in the 6 months following hospital discharge. Of 35,174 discharges receiving transitional care from a CCNC care manager, 21% (N = 7468) included a home visit. In multivariate analysis, home visits significantly reduced the odds of readmission within 30 days (odds ratio = 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.48–0.57). At the 6-month follow-up, home visits were associated with fewer inpatient admissions within 4 of 6 clinical risk strata, and lower total costs of care for highest risk patients (average per member per month cost difference $970; P < 0.01). For complex chronic patients, home visits reduced the likelihood of a 30-day readmission by almost half compared to less intensive forms of nurse-led transitional care support. Higher risk patients experienced the greatest benefit in terms of number of inpatient admissions and total cost of care in the 6 months following discharge. (Population Health Management 2016;19:163–170

Creating Spaces for Meaningful Dialogue: The Human Library at Three Universities

The Human Library® is an event designed to create a safe and brave space for individuals to discover and share social identities and perspectives unfamiliar to their lived experience. The DiMenna-Nyselius Library at Fairfield University, Loyola University Libraries at Loyola University Chicago, and William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University each hosts a unique version of the Human Library event. In this poster, the authors give a brief overview of the Human Library and outline how they orchestrate meaningful dialogue on campus: starting with planning and collaborations with campus partners; facilitating individuals to connect at the event to hear each other’s personal stories to break down stereotypes and prejudice; and then wrapping up the experience with an opportunity for reflection (i.e. assessment). It will also illustrate how the event is especially relevant for a Jesuit academic community, emphasizing the value of Cura Personalis for all participants as well as providing a potential framework for beginning conversations on social justice

Moderate agreement between self-reported stroke and hospital-recorded stroke in two cohorts of Australian women: a validation study

Background: Conflicting findings on the validity of self-reported stroke from existing studies creates uncertainty about the appropriateness of using self-reported stroke in epidemiological research. We aimed to compare self-reported stroke against hospital-recorded stroke, and investigate reasons for disagreement. Methods: We included participants from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health born in 1921-26 (n = 1556) and 1946-51 (n = 2119), who were living in New South Wales and who returned all survey questionnaires over a defined period of time. We determined agreement between self-reported and hospitalised stroke by calculating sensitivity, specificity and kappa statistics. We investigated whether characteristics including age, education, area of residence, country of birth, language spoken at home, recent mental health at survey completion and proxy completion of questionnaire were associated with disagreement, using logistic regression analysis to obtain odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Agreement between self-report and hospital-recorded stroke was fair in older women (kappa 0.35, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.46) and moderate in mid-aged women (0.56, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.75). There was a high proportion with unverified self-reported stroke, partly due to: reporting of transient ischaemic attacks; strokes occurring outside the period of interest; and possible reporting of stroke-like conditions. In the older cohort, a large proportion with unverified stroke had hospital records of other cerebrovascular disease. In both cohorts, higher education was associated with agreement, whereas recent poor mental health was associated with disagreement. Conclusion: Among women who returned survey questionnaires within the period of interest, validity of self-reported stroke was fair to moderate, but is probably underestimated. Agreement between self-report and hospital-recorded stroke was associated with individual characteristics. Where clinically verified stroke data are unavailable, self-report may be a reasonable alternative method of stroke ascertainment for some epidemiological studies