DTheses (Athabasca University)
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Beware of Uncharitable Speech: Perceptions of Newly Graduated Nurses regarding their Experiences of Academic Incivility between and among Nursing Students in Undergraduate Nursing Education
Get PDFThe perceptions of newly graduated nurses regarding their experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in undergraduate nursing education were explored in this qualitative descriptive study. Six newly graduated registered nurses shared their experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in their undergraduate nursing programs. Online public domain data with specific content pertaining to experiences of academic incivility were also gathered. Four main categories resulted from the data analysis including Not Here to Make Friends, Nobody Stood Up, Making it to the End, and The Role of Nursing Faculty. Highlights of this study include an increased understanding of the nature, context, and factors contributing to the experiences of academic incivility between and among nursing students in undergraduate nursing education. A unique perspective on the lasting effects of academic incivility on the participants’ current nursing practice is revealed. Key implications for nursing education are also described.2014-0
Structured student interactions in online distance learning: Exploring the study buddy activity
Get PDFThis mixed methods study explored the characteristics of a cooperative learning activity, the “Study Buddy”, implemented in a graduate-level online course in instructional design. The study explored whether students (n=25) who participated in the Study Buddy activity took deeper approaches to their learning than those who did not participate (n=6), what value students received from
participating in the activity, and whether the structure of the activity was appropriate to support deeper approaches to learning.
Quantitative and qualitative results were merged to form conclusions that suggest that participants could be encouraged to take deeper approaches by faculty
providing sample questions for students to use to evaluate their partners’ work. Results suggest that the study buddy activity can be used to encourage social connections and to provide participants with opportunities to consider alternate opinions. Findings related to the ideal structure of the activity were inconclusive.2014-0
Beyond adoption: Exploring the utilization and integration of RAI-HC
Get PDFMeeting the health needs of the community client has been theoretically improved by home care’s adoption of an electronic client assessment and information system known as Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC).Valid and reliable client outcome data and algorithms are generated from a completed RAI-HC, and available to home care and its assessor coordinators to support clinical and program decisions. However, adopting RAI-HC is one thing, understanding and utilizing it successfully is another. In order to realize the benefits of RAI-HC, user comprehension and application of this system in totality is central. The researcher in this interpretive description gathered data through semi structured interviews, and considered normalisation process theory in order to foster an understanding of the factors that promote or inhibit the successful implementation, utilization, and embedding of RAI-HC within home care practice. The findings suggest encumbered utilization, opportunities to empower utilization, and the factors that influence both.2014/09/1
Mobile Technology in Dental Hygiene Education and Practice
Get PDFThe adoption of mobile technology in the education of health care practitioners has become more widespread. As more dental hygienists work in independent settings, the use of mobile technology at the point of care is essential to provide optimal oral health care. Very little work has been done to study the adoption of mobile technology in dental hygiene practice and education. The purpose of this study is to identify the current use of mobile technology in dental hygiene education, and dental hygiene clinicians', educators' and students' perceptions about this use. Results reveal that mobile technology use in dental hygiene education is still in its infancy. Educators and students value their use and feel that mobile technology can enhance dental hygiene practice. Collaboration with governing bodies to create best practice guidelines for the clinical use and increased dialogue amongst educators must be encouraged to discover and promote champions for change.2014-0
Tacit knowing made visible: The use and value of an online archive
Get PDFThis dissertation outlines a design-based research study that takes place within two subsequent iterations of an online Masters’ course. This study examines the use and value of a learning archive, as perceived by students through their interactions with learning artefacts used during their course. Their course is held within an innovative and experimental social-networked learning environment. This study is based on key elements of organizational knowledge creation theory, in particular the process of knowledge creation and the concept of ba being the underlying context within which this knowledge is developed.
This study documents the perceived impact that visible and persistent knowledge artefacts have on the process of learning. This study also shows that as artefacts are accessed and integrated into the overall learning process student engagement and efficacy are perceived to change in a positive way, and these changes impact both the learning environment and the learning process.
This study produces two key outcomes. The first outcome is that the use of a socially networked online learning environment as a virtual classroom can offer a richness and an openness through its capacity to create, annotate, rate, and comment upon persistent artefacts. This use, coupled with permeable and flexible boundaries in the learning environment, offers richness to the learning experience. Learners within a social-networked space, as is used for this study, have complete control over their privacy settings and can make their contributions as open or as closed as desired. This type of environment encourages learning beyond the confines of the classroom and provides support for learner engagement and efficacy.
The second key finding is that students in this study support the inclusion of a dynamic course archive containing artefacts from learners in prior iterations of the course. Given the structural limitations of many online learning environments, this study demonstrates that such an archive is likely best placed with a social-networked learning space and with appropriate search, tagging, and navigation tools. The study demonstrates that students will and have benefited from the archive’s use in support of their learning and will contribute to it in support of the learning of others.2014-0
Evaluation of a Practice Guideline for the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants
Get PDFBackground: A new practice guideline for the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants was implemented into practice as a quality improvement initiative.
Objective: To study the effects of implementing the new guideline on the use of mechanical ventilation, surfactant and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Study Design: An observational one-year before and after study was conducted in preterm infants born between 260 -326 weeks gestation.
Results: Two hundred and seventy-two preterm infants were included in the study. Following the implementation of the guideline the number of infants treated with ongoing mechanical ventilation was reduced from 63 infants (49%) to 37 (26%) infants (P<0.001). There was no difference in the number of infants treated with surfactant or the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Conclusion: The implementation of the practice guideline helped to minimize the use of ongoing mechanical ventilation in preterm infants at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome.2014-0
Exploring Matroreform in Bicultural Mothers
Get PDFMatroreform refers to the intentional development of a new approach of mothering that differs from one’s motherline. This process can encompass broader experiences shared by many mothers, such as identifying oneself as bicultural. For this reason, it is important for those interested in mothering research to have an adequate understanding of biculturalism and its influence on maternal identity and practices. The understanding gleaned from this narrative inquiry suggests that early conceptualizations of culture tie into mothering practices, with culture having an impact on the integration of biculturalism in the process of matroreform. Additionally, the process of matroreform is largely influenced by experiencing a lack of desired love and emotion from one’s own mother during childhood, although reconciliation with one’s mother later in life is possible. Recommendations for research on biculturalism in relation to matroreform focus on expanding existing scholarship, and conducting research pertinent to counsellors and psychologists working with mothers.2014-0
A Double Whammy! New Baccalaureate Nurse Graduates' Transition Into Rural Acute Care
Get PDFSome new baccalaureate nurse (BN) graduates will transition into rural acute care nursing. While Canadian (CA) and international studies about new degree and diploma nurses’ transition have been conducted, findings were based on data from urban or mixed rural–urban samples. Consequently, little is known about new degree nurses’ transition into rural environments. Exploring this phenomenon is timely in light of high CA registered nurse (RN) retirement rates and low new RN retention rates in rural communities. An interpretive description study involving face-to-face interviews with 12 new Alberta BN graduates was conducted. Constant comparative data analytic techniques revealed an overarching theme of A DOUBLE WHAMMY! and two nondiscrete interconnected subthemes: I’M A GENERALIST! and I’M IT! The experience was An Emotional Roller Coaster Up! Down! influencing The Decision: Stay? Go? These findings can inform future research and rural educational, policy, and practice strategies aimed at recruiting and retaining new nurses.2014-0
Perspectives of medical radiation technologists regarding involvement in planning and implementation of work-related organizational changes
Get PDFHow organizational changes in the workplace are perceived by front-line Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) may have a direct or indirect effect on a number of underlying factors such as intrinsic motivation, trust, attitudes, stress levels, staff morale and job satisfaction. In turn, job performance, patient care, staff retention and attainment of strategic goals can be influenced. The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding about if, and where, influential change in the MRT professional environment is occurring, how MRTs perceive that change and how their perceptions affected the practice environment. A purposeful sample was obtained for this qualitative descriptive study and data collection included personal interviews and a focus group. Analysis was achieved through characterizing and coding data to draw out themes and develop conceptualizations and interpretations after data saturation occurred. Rigour in the research design was maintained by following established standards in qualitative research practices.December 201