Nursing Educators\u27 and Nursing Leaders\u27 Views on Practice Readiness in Novice Nurses

A perceived discrepancy exists in understanding between nursing educators\u27 and hospital nurse leaders\u27 views on job performance expectations and the reality of current job performance that may contribute to the difficulty experienced by novice nurses during their transition period. Lack of clarity in expectations may lead novice nurses to change jobs or leave the nursing profession within the first year of practice. The purpose of this descriptive study, guided by Benner\u27s novice to expert theory, was to determine whether a difference exists between hospital nurse leaders\u27 beliefs and nursing educators\u27 beliefs about the frequency and competency levels, including leadership for novice nurses transitioning into practice, critical care nursing performance, teaching and collaboration, ability to plan and evaluate, interpersonal relations and communications, and professional development. Survey data were collected from 52 nursing educators and 52 hospital nurse leaders using the Schwirian\u27s 6-dimension scale of nursing performance and analyzed using MANOVA and independent t tests. No differences were identified between hospital nurse leaders\u27 and nurse educators\u27 beliefs on the frequency and competency level in all areas examined for novice nurses transitioning into practice. Hospital nurse leaders\u27 and nurse educators\u27 expectations for novice nurses aligned. Further research should focus on ways to strengthen novice nurses\u27 knowledge, critical thinking, and skills so they are better prepared to enter the transition period. Outcomes from this study may be used to improve education and transition to practice for novice nurses, which can result in positive social change

Using e-learning to support international students' dissertation preparation

Purpose: A research paper on the design and implementation of an e-learning resource responding to the globalisation of education. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges presented in learning and teaching on how to support international postgraduate (PG) students undertaking the specific task of a dissertation. Design/methodology/approach: Using findings from 250 PG students, 40 supervisors and two module tutors the research identified the content and language issues faced by students and recognised the need to design an enabler supporting the latter as independent learners and the academic staff delivering support. Findings: The e-learning tool provides an independent learning tool which addresses student concerns relating to the process and content of structuring a dissertation and the function of language. Initial responses have been positive from both staff and students in respect to providing a source of student support and feedback. Originality/value: The research shows how the Dissertation Game Model (DGM), evolved into an e-learning resource supporting student understanding of the content, structure, planning and writing of a dissertation. The e-learning tool focuses on helping international students understand what the generic contents of each chapter of a dissertation should contain and supports them in engaging in research as a transferable skill

Studies on Lampsilis Mussels of the Upper Mississippi River

The glochidial stage of the endangered freshwater mussel, Lampsilis higginsi, and several related species was studied to provide information on their early life histories. The glochidia of L. higginsi and the three species, L. radiata siliquoidea, L. ventricosa, and Ligumia recta, were compared using morphometrics and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The glochidia of L. higginsi were morphometrically similar to those of the related species; however, they could be distinguished using SEM by the position of the hinge ligament and the dorsal ridge width. Fifteen species of fishes were tested for their suitability as hosts for the glochidia of L. higginsi. The following were found to produce at least one juvenile mussel: northern pike (Esox lucius), brook stickleback (Culea inconstans), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), green sunfish (L. cyanellus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieui), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and walleye (Sitzostedion vitreum vitreum). A test of host quality using three members of the Family Centrarchidae ranked smallmouth bass highest with a transformation of 7.68%, followed by green sunfish (2.43%) and bluegill (0.00038%). Two propagation methods for juvenile Lampsilis mussels were tested. In vitro culture averaged 1.28 juveniles/plate, with a transformation of 1.05%. Transformation averaged 15-24 juveniles/fish on infected host fish. The pathogenesis associated with L. radiata siliquoidea on a suitable (walleye) and an unsuitable host (common carp) was compared using light and transmission electron microscopy. Encapsulation of glochidia on walleye gills was completed by 4-6 hr at 21°C. At 24-48 hr, the capsule was thin and compact. Fibrous tissue appeared in the capsule at 48 hr and increased in quantity to the end of the infection. Excystment occurred by thinning of the capsule aided by movement of the juvenile. Most of the glochidia attached to the common carp gills did not encapsulate. Partial capsular growth was evident in some, but the portions of the capsule distal to the bite consisted of necrotic cells and debris. A few complete capsules were found at 12-48 hr; however, all glochidia were sloughed by 60 hr. There was no evidence of leucocytosis; however, the number of heterophil type cells was greater in the capsular tissue of the common carp than in walleye

Archaeological Testing and Monitoring of a Service Drive at Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Antonio, Texas

Archaeological testing for the installation of a new service drive and monitoring the removal of the existing service drive at Mission San Juan Capistrano was conducted in November, 1997 and October, 1999 respectively, by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for the National Park Service (NPS). The results of the testing and monitoring indicated that no intact Colonial midden deposits were observed, and few Colonial artifacts were recovered within the proposed service drive right-ofway. Three post-Colonial trash deposits were documented within the project area; however, due to the disturbed nature of these deposits which contain stratigraphically mixed nineteenth and twentieth century materials the research potential of such deposits is considered minimal and it is recommended that no further archaeological investigations are required prior to the construction of the service drive. Also included as an Appendix to this report is a brief analysis of an isolated burial discovered during a monitoring project at Mission San Juan in 1999. These remains have since been reinterred by NPS

Interior Lighting Effects Inspired by Nature

Developed in the study is the thesis that the lighting effects about us in nature can be adapted by the designer for use in interior environments. Because of an overemphasis in lighting practice on engineering techniques required in the design of luminous environments, there has been a neglect of much of the aesthetic requirements of such environments. While interior designers, as artists, may be sensitive to the aesthetic qualities of lighting, many of them have felt insecure in designing in a medium which can be very technical from an engineering standpoint; hence, many have defaulted in shaping or designing a very important segment of man's environment. In light of this situation, the objective of the study is to provide the designer with tools, both aesthetic and technical, with which to communicate with the engineer in achieving a luminous environment that not only is a functional environment for optimal seeing, but is an art experience as well. Lighting as an art experience has its own set of design principles: these are defined in this study as silhouette, focus, uniformity, variety, and glitter. They are common to lighting effects as found in nature and as found in the artificial environments of building interiors. The study has as its thesis that natural lighting effects are reproducible artificially by the designer if he understands the visual design principles of lighting and the elementary mechanics of lighting equipment and installation techniques

Impact of Early Mobilization on 90-Day Outcomes in Thrombectomy Patients

Introduction: Early mobilization of ischemic stroke patients receiving IV alteplase (tPA) did not worsen 90-day outcome at two urban stroke centers in a prior study, but there are no studies evaluating outcomes of early mobilization after thrombectomy. The mobility protocol used in the previous study was also utilized to mobilize stroke patients receiving thrombectomy treatment at these two centers, once minimum number of hours for groin precautions was complete and the groin puncture site was stable. The objective of this study was to determine for post-thrombectomy patients mobilized within 24 hours, whether earlier mobilization worsened outcomes. Methods: Medical records of ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombectomy at two urban stroke centers between May 2013 and December 2017 were reviewed for early mobilization (within 24 hours of groin puncture). Patients who did not expire in hospital and had complete data were included in the analysis. Ordinal regression was used to determine if, with each hour delay in time first up, patients’ functional outcomes worsened at 90 days using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), adjusting for pre-symptom onset mRS, admission NIHSS, age, sex, and post-treatment thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) grade. The mRS at 90 days was categorized as no symptoms or no significant disability (0 - 1), mild or moderate disability (2 - 3), and severe disability or death (4 - 6). Results: Of 147 patients mobilized within 24 hours, 91 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, 51% (n=46) were female, 74% (n=67) had no disability prior to their stroke, mean age was 68.0 (±14.1), mean admission NIHSS was 15.9 (±6.7), and 85% (n=78) had a post treatment TICI score of 2b or greater. Median time first mobilized was 14.1 hours [interquartile range: 9.4, 19.1]. Ordinal regression showed no evidence that earlier mobilization had an effect on patient outcomes at 90 days, patients were neither worse or better by time first mobilized within the first 24 hours (p=.706). Conclusions: Ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombectomy were mobilized within 24 hours of groin puncture by the early mobility protocol. Patients experienced no impact on outcomes at 90 days by time first mobilized. This result may have been limited by small sample size.https://digitalcommons.psjhealth.org/other_pubs/1070/thumbnail.jp

Approaches towards the development of novel asymmetric methodology

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