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- Title
- EVALUATION OF A SIMULATION-ENHANCED OBSTETRIC CLINICAL EXPERIENCE ON LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND TRANSFER.
- Creator
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Guimond, Mary, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Simulation using computerized patient mannequins may be a useful mechanism to teach safe and effective nursing care, thus improving the quality of education for nurses. As nursing program enrollments grow, clinical placement is becoming more difficult and may not offer consistent learning opportunities that reinforce safe and effective nursing practice. This study applied Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully, and SalasÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ' (1998) model of learning transfer as the theoretical framework to...
Show moreSimulation using computerized patient mannequins may be a useful mechanism to teach safe and effective nursing care, thus improving the quality of education for nurses. As nursing program enrollments grow, clinical placement is becoming more difficult and may not offer consistent learning opportunities that reinforce safe and effective nursing practice. This study applied Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully, and SalasÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ' (1998) model of learning transfer as the theoretical framework to design a simulated obstetric clinical learning experience to augment the current clinical practice model, an approach that may lead to an improved educational experience. The purpose of this study was to compare learning outcomes of two clinical teaching strategies for obstetric clinical content for undergraduate nursing students: standard clinical instruction and a simulation-enhanced clinical experience. A mixed-method approach was used. A randomized cluster design was chosen to compare the learning outcomes for students participating in a simulation-enhanced clinical experience versus students participating in a traditional clinical rotation. From the study population of 124 students, 40 participated in the simulation-enhanced clinical group, with the remainder of students serving as controls. Four instruments (Obstetric Nursing Self-Efficacy instrument, Goal Orientation Scale, Proxy Measure, and examination knowledge items) were used to measure student characteristics or achievement of outcomes. Learning outcomes for self-efficacy, knowledge, skills, and transfer were compared between the groups using ANCOVA, independent sample t-test, and chi-square analyses. A qualitative descriptive analysis of clinical evaluations for all students was also conducted. Demographic characteristics between the groups were not statistically different. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no difference in ONSE posttest scores between the groups after adjusting for goal orientation and ONSE pretest scores. An alternative ANCOVA for sequence (time in semester when the simulation occurred) and group was not significant. However, after adjustment for the covariate of ONSE pretest scores, ONSE posttest scores varied with sequencing (p <.05); students who had the simulated experience during the first half of the semester (M=67.27) scored higher than those in the second half (M=60.89) when pretest scores were used as a covariate. No differences were found between the experimental and control groups for knowledge or skills. The narrative analysis revealed broad variation in comments on the clinical evaluation form among clinical instructors. Attitude, knowledge attainment, skill acquisition, helpfulness, and professional role attributes were common themes related to student clinical performance. The findings from the study contribute to a growing body of literature evaluating the efficacy of simulation to augment clinical nursing practice experience. Data suggest there is little difference in learning outcomes for students participating in a simulation-enhanced clinical group versus the traditional clinical rotation. This finding supports that at least 15% of clinical hours could occur in a simulated clinical environment. A model driven method of simulation design and delivery could support learning in a way that will allow for efficient and effective use of simulation to support safe and effective obstetric nursing care.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003414, ucf:48374
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003414
- Title
- EVALUATING OUTCOMES OF EDUCATION ON WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING.
- Creator
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Schlather, Taryn N, Decker, Jonathan, Loerzel, Victoria, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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With advancements in healthcare, we continue to find new needs that must be addressed. Hospitals generate a substantial amount of medical waste, and proper disposal is important for patient and staff safety, environmental protection, and cost efficiency. A series of studies show there is a need for further education on hospital waste management policies. This thesis aims to evaluate education interventions to improve knowledge and healthcare waste disposal practices. This literature review...
Show moreWith advancements in healthcare, we continue to find new needs that must be addressed. Hospitals generate a substantial amount of medical waste, and proper disposal is important for patient and staff safety, environmental protection, and cost efficiency. A series of studies show there is a need for further education on hospital waste management policies. This thesis aims to evaluate education interventions to improve knowledge and healthcare waste disposal practices. This literature review was conducted using multiple databases, including MedLINE, CINAHL, GreenFILE, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and NCBI, to find qualifying research articles in the English language from 2005-2018. Key terms for the searches were: education, training, waste, disposal, healthcare, medical, reduction, hospital, pound, and kilogram. Results demonstrate that further education on hospital waste management has the potential to reduce waste, improve disposal and segregation, and reduce costs. However, the lack of consistency in the research, literature, and educational interventions all pose as limitations. Hospitals have the potential to benefit from improved waste management practices by enhancing patient care, reducing waste, saving costs on waste disposal, and protecting the environment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000377, ucf:45822
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000377
- Title
- INFLUENCE OF PEER MENTORSHIP ON NURSING EDUCATION AND STUDENT ATTRITION.
- Creator
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Gisi, Brittany, Heglund, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Peer mentoring is the exchange of skills or knowledge from a more experienced individual to a novice in the same field. Due to the constraints placed on nursing education, many students struggle to complete the nursing curriculum. This leads to high attrition rates within colleges of nursing. Without maximizing graduate rates, the current nursing shortage is exacerbated. This integrated literature review examines the impact of more experienced nursing students mentoring their junior peers....
Show morePeer mentoring is the exchange of skills or knowledge from a more experienced individual to a novice in the same field. Due to the constraints placed on nursing education, many students struggle to complete the nursing curriculum. This leads to high attrition rates within colleges of nursing. Without maximizing graduate rates, the current nursing shortage is exacerbated. This integrated literature review examines the impact of more experienced nursing students mentoring their junior peers. With implementation of peer mentoring attrition rates were reduced. Additionally, the research showed that mentees experienced an enhanced feeling of support and were able to learn more efficiently. Mentors benefited from the arrangement with enhanced leadership and teaching abilities. Instructors of nursing programs also benefited from the arrangement by having decreased demand for review sessions, which could be taken over by the mentors, and could focus on enhancing their lessons or other educational obligations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003778, ucf:44752
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003778
- Title
- Factors Associated with Information Literacy Competencies of the Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Student.
- Creator
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Lafferty, Patricia, Chase, Susan, Leuner, Jean, Sole, Mary, Beile, Penney, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Nursing practice at all levels requires a nurse to use evidence-based nursing to improve the quality of patient care. Registered nurses need information literacy skills to practice evidence-based nursing, therefore, all nursing students need to be information literate upon graduation from nursing programs. There is no empirical research evidence on information literacy skills for students entering nursing programs in four-year colleges. Students seeking to attain a baccalaureate degree...
Show moreNursing practice at all levels requires a nurse to use evidence-based nursing to improve the quality of patient care. Registered nurses need information literacy skills to practice evidence-based nursing, therefore, all nursing students need to be information literate upon graduation from nursing programs. There is no empirical research evidence on information literacy skills for students entering nursing programs in four-year colleges. Students seeking to attain a baccalaureate degree through a traditional nursing program, enter with differing demographic and educational factors that may affect their information literacy skills. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine information literacy skills of the entering traditional baccalaureate nursing student and to assess the relationship of demographic and educational factors utilizing a validated assessment tool, the Information Literacy Test (Madison Assessment, 2012). The Information Literacy Test (ILT) was administered to 120 students in a traditional baccalaureate nursing program at a major metropolitan university during the first month of their academic program. The students in this sample were a homogenous aggregate of white, young females. Cronbach's alpha for the Information Literacy Test was minimally acceptable for reliability of the test. One hundred two of the 120 students in this study were identified as proficient in information literacy by achieving a 65% on the ILT with 18 students not being proficient. The ILT raw scores ranged from 31 to 55. The mean score for the ILT in this sample was 43.64. Two of the 120 students were at the Advanced Proficient level. Out of the four Association of Colleges and Research Libraries Competency Standards tested on the ILT, students had the most difficulty with Competency 2 on accessing needed information efficiently and effectively. Demographic and educational factors were examined for prediction of information literacy skills in students entering their junior year in a traditional baccalaureate nursing program using Chi Square and regression analysis. The categorical variables of English as their primary language (p (<) .001), race (p (<) .001), and years since completing science prerequisites (p = .036) demonstrated a statistically significant relationship with the ILT using Chi Square analysis. A pre-analysis test indicated that the Test of Essential Academic Skills, which is an entrance test for nursing program admission, was positively correlated with the ILT (p (<) .001). An ANOVA of the TEAS and the bivariate ILT indicated that the means were significantly different (p (<) .001) between the Proficient and the Not Proficient students. A single regression analysis was significant in predicting a positive relationship with the ILT (p (<) .001) using the one continuous variable, the TEAS score, with the ILT raw score. A logistic regression analysis was performed with two categorical variables, English as the primary language and years since completing science prerequisites, and one continuous variable, the TEAS score with the bivariate ILT raw score. All three variables were significant predictors of information literacy in the model. Student who did not have English as their primary language were 9 times as likely to be not be proficient on information literacy (p = .010). If a student who had science courses completed 3 or more years prior to entry in the nursing program, the student was 12 times as likely to not be proficient in information literacy (p = .008). For every 5 point increase in the TEAS, the ILT score increased by 4 points indicating that students with higher TEAS scores tend to be more proficient in information literacy (p = .004).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005193, ucf:50619
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005193
- Title
- A DESCRIPTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL MASTER'S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERING THE EDUCATION TRACK IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Goetteman, Mary, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACT The goal of this research was to determine how the nursing faculty shortage in Florida was being addressed. The purpose of this descriptive, comparative study was to explore program length, size, and admission criteria of master's of science in nursing (MSN) degree programs. Characteristics of both traditional and non-traditional programs that offered the education specialty were examined. Non-traditional programs included registered nurse to master's of science in nursing ...
Show moreABSTRACT The goal of this research was to determine how the nursing faculty shortage in Florida was being addressed. The purpose of this descriptive, comparative study was to explore program length, size, and admission criteria of master's of science in nursing (MSN) degree programs. Characteristics of both traditional and non-traditional programs that offered the education specialty were examined. Non-traditional programs included registered nurse to master's of science in nursing (RN-MSN) degree programs. Characteristics of students enrolled in the education track of these programs were also compared, based on participant's entry level into nursing practice. The three comparison groups included diploma prepared nurses, associate degree prepared nurses, and baccalaureate prepared nurses. Comparative and descriptive statistics with cross tabulations and frequencies, were used to determine comparisons, based on responses to questionnaire items that focused on reasons for entering the program, financial assistance, program satisfaction, goals, future plans, years of experience, nursing specialty, employment status, and demographics. The literature review found very few current studies on non-traditional and traditional MSN degree programs. Results of this study found only nine programs in the state that offered an MSN with a nursing education specialty with participation elicited from five of those nine programs. Findings revealed that within those programs were a variety of both traditional and non-traditional options that were unique in how they were organized and administered. Descriptive, comparative analysis revealed no significant differences in student characteristics of the three identified groups for those enrolled in master's level coursework in the nursing education specialty in spring of 2006. Overall, participants in the MSN programs indicated that they chose the program because they needed it for advancement, they wanted additional knowledge and skills, and the reputation and location were important. Their education was financed with personal earnings or loans. Upon completion of the program they planned to stay in their current positions and continue for a doctoral degree or specialty certification in nursing. Within 10 years they planned to be working as a faculty member in a nursing program. They were Caucasian women, aged 41-55, who lived with a significant other and children, worked more than 33 hours per week in critical care, pediatrics or education, and had more than 20 years of work experience. Findings indicated that the diversity of the MSN programs made no difference in the types of students that were attracted to the programs. These findings may be used to target recruitment efforts toward those interested in becoming nursing faculty in an effort to help alleviate the nursing faculty shortage in Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001346, ucf:46973
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001346
- Title
- AN EXPLORATORY INQUIRY AND CREATION OF EMERGENCY ROOM DISCHARGE EDUCATION MATERIALS.
- Creator
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Catalano, Ivory, Heglund, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Background Each Emergency Room (ER) across the USA provides every patient with paperwork upon discharge, which commonly includes information about the patient�s diagnosis. This information will briefly describe the condition, provide information on treatment outside the ER, and possibly more, depending on the document and source. These documents are not made by hospital staff, but are generally purchased from outside providers who mass market such documents as resources for hospitals to use...
Show moreBackground Each Emergency Room (ER) across the USA provides every patient with paperwork upon discharge, which commonly includes information about the patient�s diagnosis. This information will briefly describe the condition, provide information on treatment outside the ER, and possibly more, depending on the document and source. These documents are not made by hospital staff, but are generally purchased from outside providers who mass market such documents as resources for hospitals to use to educate patients. One issue with these documents lies in their mass usage, which is not necessarily designed to target the general population�s reading and educational levels. Purpose The purpose of this research was to investigate currently used discharge education materials and evaluate them for their readability and content. From this investigation, recommendations were made and adjustments to the documents were applied in order to increase understanding for the general population. Results The documents ranged in Flesch-Kincaid grade level rankings from 7.8 to 3.6, and with Flesch Reading Ease scores of 54.7 to 85.3. The entirety of the standard documents were ranked at a minimum of 7th grade equivalents, and are, at the hardest rank, ranked at a 54.7 by the Reading Ease score. In comparison, the �easy to read� documents were ranked all below 5th grade level, and at the hardest rank, ranked at a 69.0 with the Flesch Reading Ease calculation. At a minimum, all documents included condition information and home care guidelines. The major obvious difference between the documents considered �easy to read� and the standard documents are that those considered easy to read typically had sections found on the standard document removed, and have the same overall content as the standard version remaining, only in a simpler vocabulary. Conclusions In order to provide the best educational materials to the general public, it would be in the best interest of companies manufacturing these documents to produce only one version, which would be at a level around the 6th grade or below. A document slightly below the 6th grade level would be more ideal, as the simpler the document is, the more patients it will be accessible for overall, accounting for those who are below the national standards. It is not truly necessary to separate the documents into two forms, and it helps to prevent confusion or offense by doing so.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000016, ucf:45585
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000016
- Title
- EDUCATION FOR PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY NURSES ON FERTILITY PRESERVATION OF PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS.
- Creator
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Breit, Elyse, Loerzel, Victoria, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Although the survival rate of childhood cancer is high, nearly two thirds of these survivors experience negative long-term secondary side effects from cancer treatments. Infertility is one such side effect that can have a prominent impact on quality of life as the patient ages. It is important for nurses working with pediatric oncology patients to provide the patient and family with education about risk for infertility and fertility preservation (FP) in order to allow families to make...
Show moreAlthough the survival rate of childhood cancer is high, nearly two thirds of these survivors experience negative long-term secondary side effects from cancer treatments. Infertility is one such side effect that can have a prominent impact on quality of life as the patient ages. It is important for nurses working with pediatric oncology patients to provide the patient and family with education about risk for infertility and fertility preservation (FP) in order to allow families to make decisions about FP before cancer treatment starts. However, pediatric oncology nurses report being uneducated about FP guidelines and are hesitant to broach this subject with families. The purpose of this HIM thesis is to review nurse perceived barriers related to educating patients and their families about the risk for infertility following cancer treatments and FP and to make recommendations for improving communication between nurses and families about FP. A search was performed using CINAHL, PreCINAHL, PsychINFO, PsychARTICLES, and Medline databases and examined peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative research studies. Key terms used in the database searches were ped* OR child*, onco* OR cancer*, fert*, and nurs*. Findings indicated that there were many barriers for pediatric oncology nurses, which inhibited the discussion of FP with patients and families such as lack of knowledge and resources, provider attitudes toward FP, and patient factors. Based on the findings, the researcher identified several interventions to aid pediatric oncology nurses in overcoming these barriers to FP discussion.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004620, ucf:45295
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004620
- Title
- Evaluation of a secure laptop based testing program in an undergraduate nursing program.
- Creator
-
Tao, Jinyuan, Gunter, Glenda, Robinson, Edward, Vitale, Thomas, Hayes, Grant, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This applied dissertation paper introduced a program evaluation of a secure laptop-based testing (SLBT) program, which was implemented from 2009 to 2014 in an undergraduate nursing program at a private institution in the southeastern region of the United States (US). Computerized testing is an old topic in the educational research field, but the instructor-made, laptop-based secure testing that utilizes learning management systems (LMS) for undergraduate nursing programs is a fairly new topic...
Show moreThis applied dissertation paper introduced a program evaluation of a secure laptop-based testing (SLBT) program, which was implemented from 2009 to 2014 in an undergraduate nursing program at a private institution in the southeastern region of the United States (US). Computerized testing is an old topic in the educational research field, but the instructor-made, laptop-based secure testing that utilizes learning management systems (LMS) for undergraduate nursing programs is a fairly new topic in the US. Traditionally, testing has been administered with paper and pencil in the undergraduate nursing programs in the US for security reasons. Recently, with different robust LMSs, together with availability of affordable laptops, SLBT has become a reality on many campuses. The undergraduate nursing program at the Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) began to implement the SLBT program in 2009, which allowed students to use their newly purchased laptops to take secure quizzes and tests in their classrooms. After nearly five years' SLBT program implementation, a formative evaluation was conducted to seek constructive feedback from students, faculty, and technology support personnel to improve the program. Evaluation data show that, overall, students believed the SLBT program help them get hands-on experience of taking exams on the computer and get them prepared for their National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) which is also computerized. Students, however, had a lot of concerns on laptop glitches and campus wireless network glitches they experienced during testing. Faculty and technology support personnel, on the other hand, were very satisfied with the SLBT program. Another goal of this evaluation study was to determine if students' first-time passing rate of NCLEX-RN has been improved significantly after the implementation of the SLBT program. NCLEX-RN first-time passing rate data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and it revealed that there was no significant association between the two types of testing method (paper-and-pencil testing and the secure laptop-based testing) and whether or not students would pass NCLEX-RN the first time X2(1) = 3.53, p (>) .05. Based on the odds ratio, however, the odds of students passed NCLEX-RN the first time were 1.37 times higher if they were taught with the SLBT testing method than if taught with the traditional paper-and-pencil testing method in nursing school.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005424, ucf:50421
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005424
- Title
- ADDRESSING NEED FOR RESEARCH-FOCUSED NURSES BY INCREASING INTEREST AND SOCIALIZATION AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL.
- Creator
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Thomas, Sarah, Norris, Anne, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is...
Show moreThe U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is through a mentored apprenticeship with research-active faculty. In this thesis, the author uses an autoethnography methodology to examine the benefits that a mentored research apprenticeship model brought to her undergraduate experience. Her experience incorporated a variety of roles in an adolescent intervention program with Dr. Anne Norris (PI) at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing. Several themes about the experience were defined in the results. Early research exposure that socializes a student to the nursing research world may provide a means for addressing the nursing faculty shortage. This socialization can generate interest in a research career and promote undergraduate students with the essential tools and insights needed to pursue this career pathway. However, findings from this study suggest a student-mentor relationship early in the undergraduate education experience is essential.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004594, ucf:45232
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004594
- Title
- Use of Video-Enhanced Debriefing in Clinical Nursing Skill Acquisition: Indwelling Urinary Catheterization as an Exemplar.
- Creator
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Hoyt, Erica, Gill, Michele, Clark, M. H., Chase, Susan, Gonzalez, Laura, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Nursing students struggle to acquire and maintain clinical psychomotor skills. Hiring agencies bear the cost of retraining graduate nurses inept with skills learned early in their nursing curriculum. Improperly performed clinical skills pose a risk to patient safety, resulting in pain and suffering for the patient. This empirical study aimed to determine if video-enhanced debriefing (VED) improved initial skill validation scores, skill feedback, satisfaction with learning, and reduced skill...
Show moreNursing students struggle to acquire and maintain clinical psychomotor skills. Hiring agencies bear the cost of retraining graduate nurses inept with skills learned early in their nursing curriculum. Improperly performed clinical skills pose a risk to patient safety, resulting in pain and suffering for the patient. This empirical study aimed to determine if video-enhanced debriefing (VED) improved initial skill validation scores, skill feedback, satisfaction with learning, and reduced skill decay among first-semester, pre-licensure BSN students performing female indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC) in a simulated clinical setting compared to no debriefing. Participants received standard instruction, then video-recorded their IUC skill. Participants randomized into the VED group individually participated in an advocacy/inquiry debriefing with the principal investigator while viewing their performance video. Both groups completed a summative IUC skill validation per standard course instruction and submitted their skill performance ratings. All participants completed a survey including their perceived IUC knowledge, amount of skill practice, learning satisfaction with VED, and an evaluation of their skill performance feedback. All participants re-recorded their IUC skill and received performances ratings with the same instruments again ten weeks after the initial skill validation. The analysis revealed that VED did not improve nursing skills, knowledge, practice, or perceptions of the learning experience compared to the video-only group. Nursing students in the VED condition did rate their skill performance feedback higher than those in the video-only group. Students improved performance in both conditions, showing that learning via video is an effective teaching strategy to enhance student's satisfaction with learning, to engage in repetitive practice with feedback, and to improve learning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007656, ucf:52504
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007656
- Title
- NURSE PRACTITIONER STUDENT KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS SKIN CANCER ASSESSMENTS.
- Creator
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Woodmansee, Ryan, Loerzel, Victoria, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Background: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer each year in the United States. With skin cancer and the demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care both on the rise, an accurate assessment of how well NP students are being prepared to perform skin cancer assessments is needed. Patient outcomes are directly linked to early detection and treatment which is essential for all types of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Nurse Practitioners need to be able to recognize the...
Show moreBackground: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer each year in the United States. With skin cancer and the demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care both on the rise, an accurate assessment of how well NP students are being prepared to perform skin cancer assessments is needed. Patient outcomes are directly linked to early detection and treatment which is essential for all types of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Nurse Practitioners need to be able to recognize the early stages of malignancy versus benign skin lesions and perform accurate skin examinations. The ability to assess practitioners' knowledge while they are still students will give us a better understanding of how well they are being prepared to perform skin cancer assessments in primary practice. This information will inform educators where improvement in skin cancer education is needed. Methodology: Following IRB approval, nurse practitioner students enrolled in a gerontology course fall 2016 were invited to participate in this exploratory, descriptive study. Twenty NP students completed the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Skin Cancer Assessments (KAP-SCA) survey. The survey has 80 questions about lesion identification, knowledge of general skin facts, education in NP Program, and knowledge, attitudes, and confidence levels during skin care assessments. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to analyze demographics. Total scores and subscale scores for the KAP-SCA instrument were examined with descriptive statistics. Spearman's Rho statistics were used for correlations among knowledge, attitude, training and practice. Results: The typical NP student was female, age 31 years and enrolled in the family nurse practitioner program at UCF. The majority of NP students had an average knowledge score for general skin cancer knowledge and photo lesion identification questions. However, the majority (70%) of NP students did not agree that the dermatology training they received in their NP program prepared them for practice. Discussion: Most NP students do not feel confident performing skin cancer assessments and basic dermatology procedures upon graduation. Most NP students had a difficult time differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, and would refer the patient to a specialist due to their lack of knowledge or confidence in diagnosis. Conclusions: Information obtained from the KAP-SCA survey demonstrated that the majority of NP students lacked confidence performing skin cancer assessments and had difficulty recognizing if a lesion was benign or malignant. This information can be helpful in informing educators on where improvement in skin cancer education is needed in NP programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000153, ucf:45925
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000153
- Title
- AN EVALUATION OF TRACHEOSTOMY CARE ANXIETY RELIEF THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT (T-CARES): A PILOT STUDY.
- Creator
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Crosby, William, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Background: Home care of a patient with a tracheostomy after surgery for head and neck cancer requires the caregiver to be proficient with new equipment and required skills. The responsibility of managing an artificial airway, may lead to an increase in caregiver anxiety. Education of caregivers varies; it is often a 1:1 impromptu instruction provided by the patient's nurse and/or respiratory therapist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the T-CARES course on caregiver...
Show moreBackground: Home care of a patient with a tracheostomy after surgery for head and neck cancer requires the caregiver to be proficient with new equipment and required skills. The responsibility of managing an artificial airway, may lead to an increase in caregiver anxiety. Education of caregivers varies; it is often a 1:1 impromptu instruction provided by the patient's nurse and/or respiratory therapist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the T-CARES course on caregiver anxiety and tracheostomy suctioning competency. Method: A quasi-experimental non-randomized control group design was used. The independent variable was method of instruction (T-CARES versus standard). Dependent variables were caregiver anxiety and tracheostomy suction competence. Caregivers (n=12) self selected into groups based on availability to attend T-CARES course. The control group was to receive the unit-based standard of education. The experimental group participated in the T-CARES course. Only one person chose to be in the control group; therefore, data were analyzed for the experimental group only (N=11). The T-CARES course, created by the researcher, was standardized and instructor-led; it incorporated media and simulated practice. Caregiver anxiety for both groups was obtained before (State/Trait Anxiety) and after (State Anxiety) tracheostomy care instruction was provided. Tracheostomy suctioning competence was assessed using a standardized checklist for participants in the T-CARES study group only. Demographic data were summarized with frequencies and descriptive statistics. Given the small sample size, non-parametric statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Data were analyzed from the experimental group only (n=11). The majority of caregivers were women (n=7), white/caucasian (n=10), married (n=8), employed full time (n=7), and were high school graduates or higher (n=10). The mean age of participants was 50.8 years. Seven of the participants reported previous caregiver experience. Mean score of caregiver trait anxiety was 36.8. Mean caregiver state anxiety score was 50.5 before, and 34.3 after the T-CARES intervention. A Related-Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was performed on the pre and post T-CARES intervention state anxiety scores. The T-CARES intervention significantly reduced anxiety (p=.008). Tracheostomy suctioning competency for 9 of the participants was evaluated upon completion of T-CARES. Mean score was10.8 skills performed correctly out of a possible 14. Caregivers' responses regarding their biggest fear/concern about tracheostomy care included "not doing it right," "trach coming out or being blocked," "hurting the patient," and "not being able to help in an emergency." Participants' suggestions for future improvements were creation of a Spanish language course and the addition of supplementary training to include CPR, First Aid, and the management of feeding tubes. Discussion: Research supported the hypothesis that the T-CARES course would be successful in reducing state anxiety. The T-CARES course also had a positive impact on tracheostomy suctioning competency, though without a control group it is difficult to quantify the effect. The continued development and dissemination of T-CARES to all tracheostomy patients and their caregivers may ease their transition home. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Air Force, Department of Defense or the US Government.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004138, ucf:44824
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004138