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Admissions Directors’ Understanding Of The Enrollment Crisis At New England Catholic Colleges
Get PDFThe purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to learn and describe college admissions directors’ understanding of declining high school graduate numbers through 2030 and the implications for new student recruitment. The eight study participants represented eight New England Catholic colleges or universities with a full-time undergraduate enrollment under 3,600 and an acceptance rate of 60% or higher. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews, providing answers to open-ended questions that addressed the study’s two research questions: What is admission directors’ level of understanding about the impending 2020–2030 enrollment crisis at small, less-selective, private Catholic colleges and universities in New England? and What is the role of admissions directors at small, less-selective, private Catholic colleges and universities in New England in the institutional response to the enrollment crisis?
Data analysis revealed three themes: level of understanding of impending enrollment crisis, enrollment crisis effect on institutional sustainability, and role of admissions directors and sphere of influence. Findings showed that all participants expressed similar, if not identical, concerns regarding the impending enrollment crisis with an uneven depth of knowledge. The study also showed that none of the 8 admissions directors felt their institution was at immediate risk of closing, despite the impending enrollment crisis. Also, their sphere of influence on their campuses in the institutional response to the enrollment crisis is limited, but heavily depended upon
Broken With Nature
Get PDFThis is a short reflection on two separate periods of intense mental and physical self-healing. Nature removed me from the imprisonment of my own mind around 8 years ago, only to fall back into its grips after a recent hip surgery. Hiking/physical activity was the only form of therapy that I was vulnerable enough to let heal me. It would break me down mentally and physically while rebuilding me at the same time. Some information was derived from personal journal entries but all are very relevant to each and every hike I take today
Clinical Preparedness Amongst Recent Dental Hygiene Graduates: A Phenomenological Study
Get PDFThe focus of this phenomenological study is to evaluate the lived experiences of recent dental hygiene graduates’ as they relate to their curriculum preparation as clinicians. Individual interviews of ten newly graduated hygienists were conducted, consisting of seventeen open-ended questions related to their experience with feeling prepared to enter the workforce specific to their clinical skills, professionalism skills, and critical thinking skills. This study documented the experiences these participants had as they transitioned from master student, to novice clinician specific to their newly acquired skills. A positive perception of preparedness was found directly to their instrumentation, professionalism, and critical thinking skills. All participants acknowledged the benefits of having many applied learning experiences in clinic, and in their laboratory courses as being contributive to their confidence in their clinical skills. Variation was evident to specific dental tasks such as; radiographs, where 90% (Participants 1,2,4-10) felt prepared to enter the work force with their skills, and the remaining with a need to further develop.
It was reported that an increase in experiences led to an increase in confidence in participants’ instrumentation, and critical thinking skills. Whereby being exposed to a variety of patients allowed participants to apply what they learned in the program, to their new role as a novice clinician. Participants experienced confidence in their ability to be successful on their written and clinical board examinations. Personal weaknesses were revealed during their new positions, specifically in production-based practices, where their inability to perform specific dental hygiene related tasks left them feeling ill-equipped in their new role.
Bandura’s self-efficacy model, the framework for this study was selected because all of the four sources of self-efficacy; Performance Accomplishment, Vicarious Experience, Verbal Persuasion, and Emotional Arousal, not only contribute to student confidence in their new skills, they are also very present in the dental hygiene curriculum
The Value Of Food: A Small Rural School Cafeteria Budget Case Study
Get PDFThis mixed-methods case study was used to examine a small school district in a rural setting that operates a child nutrition program without encroaching on the general fund, while still serving organic, made-from-scratch meals. Current research confirms that school districts are challenged to balance the requirements of the National School Lunch Program while maintaining quality. School lunch programs, particularly small rural ones, are operating at a deficit. This researcher addressed an important gap by providing a comprehensive account of a fiscally sound cafeteria budget in a rural area for a small school, serving 150 lunches per day. In this study, the researcher examined the characteristics that support a financially viable lunch program in a small rural school district. The primary research question for this study asked, “How can small, rural schools operate a nutrition program that is financially self-sustaining?” The supporting research questions were used to explore what factors or practices the nutrition director, administrator, and business manager of a small, rural school nutrition program perceived positively contribute to or impede the operation of a self-funding nutrition program. There were three participants in this single-site, case study: a district administrator, nutrition director, and business manager. In addition, data was collected from a survey, interviews, observation, and the following artifacts: wellness policy, lunch menus, production records, and the cafeteria budget. The data collected affirmed that the primary drivers of the success of this program are commitment to quality food, dedicated staff, a conscientious attitude towards waste and spending, and a well-designed and equipped onsite kitchen. The most prominent challenges to this self-sustaining program include lack of time, few vendors who deliver the desired ingredients, and difficulty finding and retaining qualified staff. Small, rural, lunch programs will have the best chance at success if they support dedicated staff, invest in an on-site kitchen, procure quality ingredients, prepare meals from scratch, and provide students with hands-on learning about the food system. Further research should include multicase studies of small rural cafeteria programs to identify benchmarks of operating expenses. These studies should include sites with viable budgets and sites that encroach on the general fund
The Creation Of An Algorithm To Assist Survivorship Clinics Identify The Rehabilitation Needs Of Cancer Survivors: An Administrative Case Report
Get PDFBackground and Purpose: Approximately 40% of cancer survivors have unmet rehabilitation needs. Cancer survivors not receiving rehabilitation care may be due to survivorship clinics struggling to identify which of their survivors are appropriate for rehabilitation. The purpose of this case report was to review the literature and create an algorithm that could assist survivorship clinics with rehabilitation referrals. Case Description: A survivorship clinic in Maine was attempting to address the lack of a rehabilitation screening process. A survey done by the clinic showed that approximately 40% of their survivors used rehabilitation services. To address this lack of a screening process, a literature review was conducted in the summer of 2020 to identify common cancer impairments that may necessitate rehabilitation services. From there, an algorithm would be created that contained screening measures to identify those impairments. The initial algorithm consisted of the Pain Visual Analogue Scale, Fatigue Numerical Scale, and Short-Form 36 health questionnaire. Outcomes: The final algorithm consisted of two parts. First the oncologic clinician asks themselves whether the survivor can exercise without medical supervision. The second is based off the grading of the Short-Form 36. The answers to these two parts determine eligibility for referral to rehabilitation services. An expert in oncology rehabilitation vetted the algorithm in the fall of 2020. Expert feedback resulted in the final algorithm creation. Discussion: The stakeholders were unavailable to discuss an evaluation of the proposed algorithm or implementation into the survivorship clinic due to the 2020 pandemic. With the help of expert feedback, the final algorithm contributes to the growing body of literature regarding screening for oncology rehabilitation. Future research should be aimed at the implementation of existing algorithms into clinics
Wellness Programming For Adults With Disabilities: A Qualitative Inquiry Of Stakeholders’ Perspectives
Get PDFThere is a well-established need for a wellness program for adults with disabilities in the regional community. In alignment with best practice guidelines, and as a first step in the development of a program in the regional community, qualitative methodology was utilized to explore the views of key community stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding of their perceptions of wellness programming needs for adults with disabilities in the regional community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews which specifically explored barriers and facilitators to wellness programming for this population in the regional community to inform future steps of program development. Three main themes emerged for barriers: accessibility, community factors, and political factors while two main themes emerged for facilitators: accessibility and community factors during the data analysis. These themes were further viewed through the lens of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) to determine the specific implications of the findings on subsequent stages of program development. Upon completion of this step, it was recognized that all five layers of influence were represented in the study’s findings. Therefore, moving forward, it will be prudent to incorporate these results and consider the multiple layers of influence of the SEM as future planning commences in order to build a program with lasting results (Drum et al., 2009, LaMorte, 2019; DHHS, 2020)
UNE UFA AAC Library Subcommittee Resource Highlight: Library Information Channels
Get PDFMay 2020 library resources highlight compiled for the University Faculty Assembly Academic Affairs Committee\u27s Library Sub-committee at the University of New England. Focus on: UNE Library Services paths to information, including News and Events highlights and social media channels
Basic Airway Management For Non-Anesthesia Operating Room Personnel: Education Implementation
Get PDFA review of basic airway management for non-anesthesia personnel is presented. Included is a literature review of 20 articles surrounding the most current literature on preoperative airway assessment, cricoid pressure, video laryngoscopy, adjuncts for airway management, and airway management education for non-anesthesia health-care personnel. Following the review, an in-service style education presentation was developed and implemented at two sites in Maine. A pre- and post-test evaluation of the participants demonstrated an overall increase in test scores of 22%
Wellness As A Component Of The Curriculum And Co-Curriculum At The University Of New England College Of Pharmacy
Get PDFThe educational literature is replete with data suggesting the positive impact of wellness behaviors on student success in the 21st century. Pharmacy graduates with a background in wellness and integrative/complimentary medicine will become increasingly important as we expand our understanding of the role social determinants, such as emotional and cognitive influences, have on health. The University of New England College of Pharmacy has adopted both a curricular and co-curricular approach to wellness. We have established a specialty track in Wellness and Integrative Medicine [SS1] that will prepare students, through both didactic and experiential coursework, to employ evidence-based treatments that enhance a patient’s whole well-being. In addition, the college has established a Wellness Task Force [SS2] with the goal of enhancing the mental and physical health of all members of the college community, which includes stress management and preventing burnout. We believe that an essential component of transforming contemporary pharmacy practice is to ensure graduates are prepared to provide optimal patient care through an understanding and validation of alternative medical treatments that emphasize patient well-being. Moreover, in order for students and faculty to successfully navigate the challenges associated with learning and teaching in today’s environment, an appreciation for the value of embracing behaviors that enhance personal and professional well-being is essential.https://dune.une.edu/pharmprac_facpost/1008/thumbnail.jp
A Comparative Analysis Of Tardiness Policies Of Elementary Schools
Get PDFPrevious research has shown that student tardiness has been a challenge for educators as far back as the institution of modern schooling. While there has been considerable research about student absenteeism, student tardiness remains an under researched area, particularly at the elementary school level. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare tardiness policies across several large, urban school districts, investigate their alignment with current research about tardiness and school attendance, and explore the possible relationship between school tardiness policies and student academic achievement. The research questions for this study were: What are the major similarities and differences in large school districts regarding school tardiness policy? How do large, urban school district policies align with research on tardiness and school attendance? Is there a relationship between school tardiness policies and student achievement? This study was done as a qualitative, Internet-based desk study involving no participants. Data were collected from selected school district websites and focus elementary school websites, including district and school board policies regarding student tardiness. Data were also collected from a variety of online databases to glean demographical and academic information. Findings from this study showed that the policies from each district varied from specific to vague, the quality of the district level policy was parallel at the school site, and that the district with the most vague measures regarding tardiness also had the highest academic achievement over the other two schools. One of the three selected districts and elementary schools stood out as having the most specific measures regarding tardiness. The elementary school that had the highest academic achievement subsequently demonstrated the strongest evidence of parent communication and family involvement. Recommendations from this study include a continued study of elementary school tardiness policies and their possible relationship to student achievement, in addition to documenting the role of increased parent communication and involvement. It is recommended that policies be enacted from the top down and existing research about mitigating student tardiness be used to inform the specificity of school tardiness policies