The transformation of Baccalaureate Nursing curriculum: a multicultural approach to optimize clinical competence

This action research study sought to address the need for multicultural awareness in nursing education. The purpose of this action research study was to improve baccalaureate nursing students\u27 cultural competence and multicultural awareness through infusing multicultural awareness education in the JSN curriculum. Education sessions were implemented to increase multicultural awareness to improve nursing practice. This mixed method action research project was conducted during the 2009-2010 academic year. Data collection techniques included surveying nursing faculty, administrators and baccalaureate students in the Jefferson School of Nursing as well as conducting student focus groups. Descriptive statistics and thematic coding were used to analyze data collected during this study. This study had several major findings. Findings include that: students believe multicultural awareness education is valuable to them, the Jefferson School of Nursing (JSN) should do more to provide multicultural awareness education in the curriculum, students believe the best way to learn about culture is to listen to a member of the culture being taught, JSN students largely do not know where to find cultural resources in the practice setting, and bias exists toward breast-feeding mothers in the hospital practice setting. Identified barriers to implementing multicultural awareness were: lack of comfort, ignorance and prejudice, lack of time in the program, lack of willingness on the part of the learner or teacher, fear, and lack of diversity in nurse educators

Pathways of care: longitudinal study on children and young people in out-of-home care in New South Wales

This article outlines a prospective longitudinal study on the wellbeing of children placed in out-of-home care in New South Wales and the factors that influence their wellbeing. Overview The Pathways of Care longitudinal study (POCLS) is a new prospective longitudinal study designed to address the methodological limitations of previous research. The overall aim of this longitudinal study of children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) is to collect detailed information about the wellbeing of children placed in OOHC in NSW and the factors that influence their wellbeing. It will provide a strong evidence base to inform policy and practice, and in turn improve decision making about how best to support children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect. This five-year study, which commenced in March 2011, differs from previous Australian research in OOHC because the population cohort is all children and young people entering OOHC for the first time and includes children of all ages as well as all geographic locations in NSW. It also collects information from multiple sources, including carers, children and young people, caseworkers, teachers and administrative data through record linkage. The study has a broad scope and collects detailed information about the characteristics and circumstances of children and young people on entry to OOHC, the experiences of children and young people in OOHC, and their developmental pathways in order to identify the factors that influence their outcomes. The developmental domains of interest are the children\u27s physical health, social-emotional wellbeing and cognitive/learning ability. POCLS will follow children and young people regardless of their pathways through OOHC (e.g., placement changes, restoration, adoption or ageing out) to examine the factors that predispose children and young people to poorer outcomes and what factors are protective

Local radio and "localism" in Ireland, a case study of Galway Bay FM

This is a study of the development and implications of a local commercial radio service in the west of Ireland (Galway Bay FM). It examines the relationship between local radio and local identity and the success of the new local radio services in meeting the diverse interests of the local audience. Other forms of communication are becoming increasingly global and are constantly expanding into the international market. Communication and information are crucial elements in the new world order but there is a tendency to concentrate on international media structures to the detriment of regional and local media. The role of local radio as a counteracting force capable of being used to promote localism is the focus of this project. The research is informed by the view that local radio stations, like Galway Bay FM , are in an ideal position to promote, redefine and protect local cultures and local identity in face of the challenge from global networks. ’Localism’ and ’local identity’ are more desirable and more necessary right now because globalism, and the global media, have failed to recognise their importance. One’s ’locality’ provides the greatest possibility of shared experience and identification with others, as opposed to the ’other’ which is what globalism presents to us. The case study of Galway Bay FM incorporates an indepth analysis of programming in two categories - news and current affairs and music - and content is assessed in terms of its relationship to Galway

Traffic Aware Planner for Cockpit-Based Trajectory Optimization

The Traffic Aware Planner (TAP) software application is a cockpit-based advisory tool designed to be hosted on an Electronic Flight Bag and to enable and test the NASA concept of Traffic Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR). The TASAR concept provides pilots with optimized route changes (including altitude) that reduce fuel burn and/or flight time, avoid interactions with known traffic, weather and restricted airspace, and may be used by the pilots to request a route and/or altitude change from Air Traffic Control. Developed using an iterative process, TAP's latest improvements include human-machine interface design upgrades and added functionality based on the results of human-in-the-loop simulation experiments and flight trials. Architectural improvements have been implemented to prepare the system for operational-use trials with partner commercial airlines. Future iterations will enhance coordination with airline dispatch and add functionality to improve the acceptability of TAP-generated route-change requests to pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers

Method and Apparatus for Providing In-Flight Pilot Interface for Trajectory Optimization

Systems and methods of an in-cockpit flight trajectory modification system for an aircraft are provided. A receiver is capable of receiving flight-related hazard information. A traffic aware planner (TAP) module is operably connected to the receiver to receive the flight-related hazard information. A user interface device is operably connected to the TAP module on board the aircraft to provide trajectory information associated with the aircraft and to receive user input corresponding to a request for a revised trajectory. A TAP application is capable of calculating one or more revised trajectories for the aircraft based at least on active trajectory information of the aircraft and the flight-related hazard information. The user interface device may be configured to display information related to the one or more revised trajectories, including a graphic display of the active trajectory and at least one revised trajectory in a visualization panel of the user interface device

Recently graduated midwives in Uganda: self-perceived achievement, wellbeing and work prospects

Objective: to investigate how recent graduates from a combined work/study midwifery degree programme in Uganda viewed its effects on their wellbeing and work prospects. Design: Using an adapted version of the Qualitative Impact Protocol (QuIP), a phenomenological approach was applied to thematic analysis to examine semi-structured interviews and WhatsApp group discussion. Setting: Introduction of enhanced midwifery training (from Diploma to Degree level) combining study with professional practice within a low income country health system facing extreme capacity constraints. Participants: 14 members of the first cohort of graduates from the degree programme. Findings: The graduates were overwhelmingly positive about improved professional knowledge, clinical skills, confidence, career commitment and prospects. They also had to contend with resentment from colleagues, increased workload and debt. Counselling training, peer support, and experience of managing stress during the training helped them to cope with these challenges. Conclusions: Qualitative feedback from those receiving advanced midwifery training highlights the importance of addressing social as well as technical skills, including leadership capacity and resilience in handling working relationship

A Learning Community for New Chairs

Key elements of an effective professional learning community will be discussed, including readings, peer mentoring, meeting structure, composition, and timing of topics. Presenters will discuss the challenges of their first years as chairs, particularly finding their individual leadership styles and a balance between professional and personal lives