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Innovative Nursing Education: Bridging Theory and Practice with Simulation-Based Learning
No full textBackground: Nursing programs face significant challenges in securing clinical placements for students (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022). Innovative technologies are transforming nursing education by providing realistic, immersive, and flexible learning experiences, bridging the gap between theory and clinical practice. Embracing the latest trends in simulation is crucial for creating an impactful educational environment and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration (Cheng, 2024).
Objective: This review aims to evaluate recent innovations in simulation-based learning (SBL) in nursing education and their impact on nursing students\u27 knowledge, skills, and confidence. It seeks to identify how innovative technologies are being utilized to overcome clinical placement challenges, bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice, and improve educational outcomes.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Keywords included innovative technologies, nursing education,” “clinical placements, “simulation-based learning,” and bridging theory and practice. The search focused on peer-reviewed articles published in the last five years. Selected studies were analyzed to assess the impact of simulation and technology on nursing education.
Results: The review identified several innovative technologies, including high-fidelity simulation, virtual reality (VR), standardized patients, and artificial intelligence (AI), that are transforming nursing education. These technologies provide realistic and immersive learning experiences, significantly enhancing nursing students\u27 knowledge, skills, and confidence. The integration of SBL has effectively bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice, preparing students for the demands of the healthcare environment despite clinical placement challenges.
Conclusion: The review underscores the critical role of SBL in addressing clinical placement challenges in nursing education. By leveraging innovative technologies, nursing programs can provide realistic and immersive learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice. These advancements enhance students\u27 knowledge, skills, and confidence, ensuring they are well-prepared for the healthcare environment. Staying updated with the latest simulation trends is essential for the continued effectiveness of nursing education
Becoming a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
No full textAim: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of nurses on their journey before and after becoming a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE).
Design: A qualitative descriptive research design was used in this study.
Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted among ten nurses who completed SANE training from a medically underserved community.
Findings: Perceptions of being valued and supported and program rigor influenced trainees’ commitment to complete the SANE program. Misconceptions about the role changed as trainees were immersed in the training. Being isolated and underutilized from the health care delivery system and the broader medico-legal system were faced by SANEs after completing SANE training. Continuous use of telemedicine and funding for a SANE center and capacity, as well as greater emphasis on the legal aspect of the role during training, are recommended by SANEs.
Conclusion: Trainees\u27 experiences during SANE training influence program retention and completion. To fully build the capacity of SANEs in the community, an infrastructure, and a system must be developed to embrace and integrate new SANEs into the broader medico-legal system so they can perform in the role.
Implications: The findings of the study have implications for policies in compelling medico-legal and political systems to help build SANE capacity in the community, especially in medically underserved regions. Likewise, continuous input and involvement of trainees in the training implementation is critical to SANE program retention.
Impact: This study provides some of the lessons learned in the training and education of nurses to become SANEs and factors that can lead to the decline of a SANE capacity after so many resources have been invested in it
Reflection on Experiences with Primary Care Providers to Improve Patient-centered Care
No full textBackground: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality emphasized the assessment of the patients’ experiences along with other factors such as effectiveness and safety of care when demonstrating health care quality. To accurately gauge the patient’s experience, health care institutions must ask patients whether events in a healthcare setting occurred and how frequently they are with providers and the credentials of those providers.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate Medicaid recipients’ experiences with their respective primary care providers using responses from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) database.
Methods: The study was quantitative and descriptive using the secondary data source Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey results. The primary purpose of the CAHPS Database is to “boost our scientific understanding of patient experience with healthcare as part of a larger effort to advance the delivery of safe, patient-centered care. The sample included responses from 62,777 Medicaid recipients in a six-month period. Results: The results highlight that Medicaid patients consistently rated their experiences with their respective primary care providers, MD, DO, PA, and NPs, with similar high scores. Notably, our findings indicated the overall mean rating scores across the survey items used to describe the concept of patient experiences found that NPs ratings (µ = 9.1) compared favorably to MD (µ = 8.8) and PA (µ = 8.9) peers. DOs (µ = 9.4) rated highest among the four categories of providers in the aggregate.
Discussion: NP scores were high and ranked second in most survey items, but their DO counterparts scores were rated higher for the items; provider explained things clearly, provider listened carefully, provider knew important information about your medical history, provider showed respect, and provider spent enough time. These findings signal an opportunity for NPs’ practice to evolve and emphasize the importance of ongoing quality improvement initiatives. Conclusion: The clinical implication of this study underscores the scientific evidence supporting NPs’ clinical effectiveness when compared to other primary care providers. These findings can inform providers of areas of improvement needed
Integrating Telehealth Innovation to Advance Emergency Department Flow and Nursing-Led Care
No full textPurpose: Efficient patient flow is critical for managing capacity and delivering timely, equitable care in emergency departments (EDs). As patient acuity and census increased at Stanford Health Care (SHC), traditional Fast Track spaces were reassigned to higher-acuity patients, leaving lower-acuity patients with prolonged lengths of stay (LOS). Prolonged LOS increases the risk of patients leaving without treatment, impacting care outcomes. To address this, SHC’s Digital Health team and Emergency Services leadership developed an innovative Virtual Fast Track care framework using telehealth technology and multidisciplinary workflows.
Methods: This novel approach applies an inverted telemedicine model in which care is provided within the hospital facility but supported by remote providers and telehealth-enabled tools. Telehealth carts equipped with diagnostic peripherals, combined with nursing-led workflows, ensure seamless access to laboratory services, imaging, specialty consultations, and nursing care. The care framework integrates telehealth software into the electronic medical record, allowing providers to manage patients across multiple ED locations in real time. Emergency nurses serve as the cornerstone of this initiative, leading critical assessments, coordinating diagnostic procedures, and facilitating patient-provider communication using advanced telehealth systems.
Implementation: The Virtual Fast Track framework was operationalized through multidisciplinary collaboration among emergency nurses, providers, IT professionals, and executive leaders. Nursing leadership and digital health experts co-designed workflows to meet patient care needs, with specialized training provided to adapt telehealth tools for the ED. This process emphasized nursing innovation in optimizing workflows and integrating digital technology.
Implications: This initiative represents a transformative innovation in patient flow management, with potential to reduce avoidable ED admissions, optimize care delivery for lower-acuity patients, and enhance ED efficiency. By demonstrating how digital health addresses capacity challenges and improves patient outcomes, this work underscores the pivotal role of nurses in advancing healthcare delivery and integrating telehealth into practice. Insights from the development and implementation of the Virtual Fast Track care framework can inform future telehealth applications across diverse healthcare settings
Sustaining the Future Workforce With What Matters Most to Nurses
No full textIntroduction: Meaningful recognition confirms the value of nurses’,environments that acknowledge this influence a healthy workplace. Applying quadruple aim framework, optimizing healthcare system outcomes places wellbeing in the forefront and supports fostering resilience, hardiness, interprofessional collaboration and engagement, augmenting the work setting.
Objectives: Discussing strategies, interprofessional collaboration, engagement, fortified resilience, empowered staff and have brought value and meaning to nurses. This study compares peer-reviewed literature on the impact of leadership styles, organization culture and support among nurse managers.
Methods: We previously studied and analyzed clinical nurses’ and nurses in leadership positions perceptions of resilience, empowerment and pre-pandemic engagement. Results show positive correlations. Providing clinical leadership with the necessary tools to support a hardy and resilient team is crucial post pandemic. Systematic literature review explored nurse manager’s resilience, particularly in the context of strategies to enhance retention and support well-being. Identifying factors such as workload and stressors, coping mechanisms, organizational culture and leadership support will be explored.
Results: Studies show that while some resilience factors (like emotional intelligence and leadership skills) were already important pre-pandemic, post-pandemic strategies also emphasized the importance of moral resilience, the ability to deal with ethical challenges, and maintaining well-being during crises. Other literature suggests that authentic leadership and meaningful recognition of staff contributions can significantly improve retention rates. Findings underline the importance of not just individual resilience-building strategies but also systemic changes in healthcare organizations to support the well-being and retention of nurse managers, especially post pandemic.
Discussion: Creating a culture that engages and empowers staff, supports initiatives that sustain positive outcomes well-being, work life balance is a key driver in decreasing turnover and quality outcomes. Realizing what matters most to nurse leaders and how their work environment contributes to wellness, quality of work life and engagement, known factors in healthcare and workplace satisfaction. Sharing the value of meaningful recognition and promoting joy at work is credited with supporting a healthy environment and that matters to nurses
An International Comparison of Staff Perceptions of Professional Governance
No full textObjectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate differences among RNs and nurse leaders’ perceptions regarding professional governance (PG), and discern differences in perceptions regarding demographic variables, and determine if there are differences in perceptions of SG between two hospitals.
Background: Data suggest a relationship between PG and improved patient outcomes, nurses’ job satisfaction, and workplace engagement.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive comparative design was used. Perception of SG at two academic medical centers were compared. The United States (US) center has Magnet designation; the German center is pursuing designation. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire and the IPNG 3.0 (50 questions).
Results: Data indicated mostly traditional governance with some staff input. The US facility had higher IPNG scores than Germany except for the resources and goals subscales. No significant differences were seen between IPNG scores and most demographic variables.
Conclusion: Results reveal differences in all IPNG subscales between the site
Engaging Students in Gap Analysis in Global Service-Learning in Low-Resource Settings
No full textPurpose: To describe a case study-based approach for training students in gap analysis and cultural humility to articulate and support community health needs in low-resource settings.Background: Through collaborative academic-community partnership1, an intensive service-learning program on health promotion was implemented in low-resourced indigenous Mayan communities of Guatemala, as part of a quarter-long 2023 hybrid study abroad course. The goals of the program were to 1) support the primary healthcare needs of the communities 2) allow students to build competencies in global health (GH) practice, including a) articulate barriers to health and healthcare in low-resource settings and b) demonstrate the ability to adapt clinical or discipline-specific skills and practice in a resource-constrained setting.2Methods: In preparation for the service-learning experience, four student teams worked with community partners to prepare for field projects and general clinic activities. The teams completed a community health needs assessment3 and case study analysis4 of childhood malnutrition, chronic disease prevention/management, and cervical cancer screening.Outcomes: Despite robust pre-planning, students faced real-time challenges in the field. Gap analysis revealed program components that were lacking in both preparatory and implementation phases. Student field observations and engagements provided insights into local social determinants of health5 and the community’s presenting needs. Culturally sensitive adjustments were made quickly to all clinic activities and projects due to unpredictable circumstances in the field, often fueled by lack of resources and cultural differences. For example, the initial cervical cancer screening goal was to conduct at least 200 PAP/HPV tests. Despite efforts on health literacy, all but three eligible women were hesitant and declined screening. While IUDs, implants and injectable birth control options were available, the incidence of STI-related symptoms was high among the patients, so the team successfully pivoted efforts toward STI and condom education.Conclusion: To deliver sustainable GH programs, intentional gap analysis is critical for continued quality improvement in settings where marginalized patients have low health literacy and ingrained mistrust of outside providers. Involving students as future GH leaders at all stages will enhance their learning and articulation of effective global engagement
Use of Screening Tool for Pediatric Non-Accidental Trauma in a Rural Emergency Room Setting
No full textSignificance of problem: The rise in the number of pediatric patients seen for abuse is alarming.1 More than 7 million reports for maltreatment were made to Child Protective Services in 2021.2 Rates of reported abuse were 8.1 per 1000, with 16% of these identified as non-accidental trauma (NAT) and the greater incidence happening to those 1 year or younger.3,4 One to two deaths per day are attributed to NAT in the US.5 System improvements in emergency rooms (ER) and hospitals, such as implementing screening tools or protocols, are crucial for early detection and prevention of NAT.6,7Clinical project purpose: This project implemented a brief, validated, NAT screening tool to detect abuse or neglect in pediatric patients evaluated within a rural ER setting. The project’s goal was to provide timely care and prevent further harm.Clinical appraisal of literature/Best evidence: Two studies suggested that a brief and easy-to-use screening protocol should be implemented to produce the most results in identifying NAT.7,8 After one hospital implemented a brief screening protocol along with staff education, the compliance rate rose from 56% to almost 96%.9Integration into practice: The Screening Instrument for Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) tool is a validated tool that provides a brief 4-item questionnaire to screen all children for abuse.10 The SCAN tool was implemented in a rural ER in southern Indiana for all children evaluated for care, regardless of admitting diagnosis. Pre- and post-surveys were given to staff to evaluate their knowledge and feelings about using a screening tool for pediatric NAT. The number of screenings and identification of NAT for the 6 months studied was compared to the previous 6 months without the use of the screening tool.Nursing Implications: Nurses play a central role in proactively identifying NAT, being able to quickly and effectively screen patients, and contacting authorities for further evaluation and intervention. Using validated screening tools and protocols will facilitate this process and ensure all pediatric patients seen for care in the ER setting will be evaluated
Creating Practice Experiences in Online RN-BSN Community Health Class
No full textThe White paper from the AACN on practice experiences in post licensure nursing programs states Nursing faces new and different challenges and there is a need to strengthen nursing for provide high quality care. Practice experiences in Community health online RN to BSN programs support and create critical learning. In a post licensure community health course, faculty designed 2 experiential assignments introducing the student to community assessment and health teaching with vulnerable populations.Community assessment provides the basis and rationale for clinical interventions in community health nursing. Assessing and developing a plan of care for an aggregate is an essential part of providing that the practice of Community/Public health nursing ( Anderson & McFarlane, 2019). The 2021AACN Essentials identify population health as a specific competence domain.An online community health course created 2 practice experience for students to address and manage population health for a specific community. The experience addresses course and program outcomes to apply public health nursing competencies. The first assignment is a group project to complete a community assessment of a specific geographical are and provide a plan of care based on the findings of the assessment. Based on the findings of the community assessment the group will (a) determine the vulnerable population (b) using secondary data and windshields survey examine the population-based health needs of the identified vulnerable population, to include available health care services within the geographical area; (c) develop a nursing care plan for two of the priority community needs.The second assignment is a teaching project focused on a vulnerable population. The purpose of the experience is to demonstrate knowledge and skill in planning, implementing, and evaluating a community education presentation. This is an opportunity to apply public health nursing competencies in the delivery of essential public health services and to identify and assist in solving health problems in communities. The student selects a target population for their health teaching. Steps of the project include (a) developing a teaching plan containing measurable outcomes and objectives. (b) identifying obstacles for teaching the specific group, (c) describe teaching strategies to for implementation; and (d) evaluate education program providing an over as well as strengths, challenge and how to improve the health teaching
Perceptions and Behaviors Related to Social Determinants of Health Among Associate Degree Nurses
No full textBackground/Purpose: Evidence suggests that the social determinants of health (SDOH) impact in-utero infant development, youth development, and adult health across an individual’s lifespan. The purpose of this pilot research study is to examine associate degree nurses’ perceptions, and their behaviors related to SDOH.Theoretical Framework: Benner’s (2000) novice to expert framework was used to guide the study.Methods: A cross-sectional study utilized a 20-item online survey titled ‘Perceptions on Social Determinants of Health” as well as demographic items to understand associate degree nurses’ perceptions and behaviors related to SDOH. Institutional Review Board approval was received from the principal investigator’s institution prior to data collection.Results: Data collection was initiated in the Fall 2024. Data collection continues and is ongoing and expected to be complete in summer 2025.Conclusions and Implications: The researchers hope to gain a better understanding about associate degree nurses and their connection between unmet social needs, their patient’s health, and their ability to address SDOH issues. The results will inform efforts to improve nursing education and inform the healthcare system to deliver more holistic care that addresses SDOH