Carolyn T. Martin

Risk for low weight in community-dwelling, older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe nutritional risk and low weight in community-dwelling elderly. Method: This cross-sectional exploratory study used in-depth interviews conducted on older adults with a body mass index <24 kg/m2. Depression, mental state, nutrition, and demographic data were measured. Results: These elders (n = 130) were mostly female (55%, n = 71), married, white (84%, n = 109), and had a greater than a high school education. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, 3 variables were statistically significantly associated with being severely underweight: those who self-reported having an illness or condition that changed the kind and/or amount of food eaten, unintentional weight loss of 10 lb in the last 6 months, and needing assistance with traveling outside the home. Conclusion: Awareness of the high nutritional risk should prompt consideration of early, appropriate assessment and therapy to prevent malnutrition and a declining quality of life.

Factors contributing to low weight in community-living older adults.

Purpose To investigate the factors that influence the dietary practices and eating patterns of low‐weight, community‐living older adults (aged 65 and older) and to examine the nutritional advice given to them by healthcare providers (HCPs) (e.g., nurse practitioner, medical doctor). Data sources A qualitative approach was used to study a convenience sample of older women. Semistructured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis and open coding were used to analyze data. Conclusions Eating alone, social isolation, and stressors are the main reasons reported by participants for low weight. Data gathered in this study provide important insights into possible reasons for low weight in community‐living older adults. Implication for practice As HCPs, it is important to bring low weight to the attention of older adults and educate them regarding appropriate weight for their age (body mass index [BMI] range >21 to <27 kg/m2 for age 65 and older), to understand that older adults with a BMI of <24 may be at increased risk for poor nutritional status, and to weigh older adults at each office visit to assess change in BMI. Small changes in eating patterns and food intake can potentially play an important role in stabilizing weight. Strategies that address eating alone, social isolation, and stressors need to be pursued.

A nursing department faculty-mentored research project.

Faculty must meet academic expectations for retention, tenure, and promotion by demonstrating accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, and service. With fewer than 50% of nursing faculty currently holding a doctorate, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing acknowledges that masters-prepared nurses comprise a significant proportion of current and future faculty. With most of the more than 675 baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States in non-research-intensive universities, junior faculty have limited opportunities to work with experienced nurse researchers and many have limited experience planning, designing, or conducting research. To support the scholarly activities of new faculty, the authors developed a model for implementing collaborative faculty-mentored research projects in a small baccalaureate nursing program. This model encourages and supports both senior and junior faculty in conducting and publishing research.

A Welfare-To-Wellness-To-Work Program

This cross-sectional, exploratory study evaluates and describes a welfare-to-wellness-to-work program developed by a nurse located in the western United States. Adults (N = 34) aged 23–57-years-old, who participated in the program from 2001 to 2007, completed a demographic/health survey and were interviewed. From open-ended, semistructured questions, the study identified key themes related to the program. Content analysis of the data revealed significant insights about the programs curriculum, positive changes for the participants, obstacles and challenges they confronted, employment success, and a motivational tool (affirmations). Participants gained overwhelming benefit from the program and enhanced their functioning as individuals, family members, and parents.

Promoting pedagogical experimentation: using a wiki in graduate level education.

Learning to write in a scholarly manner is often a challenge for graduate students. This study describes nursing students’ use of a wiki to encourage writing collaboration among students by allowing them to cocreate, review, and edit each other’s material as it is created. Students are introduced to the online wiki site the first week of the course. A technology representative assists students with a short introduction and class visits. All students participate in making decisions related to the overall character of the site. They create pages on topics related to their clinical placements. Student pages are peer and content expert reviewed for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Students include pictures, YouTube links, attachments, videos, and Web site links into their pages. Evidence-based content includes pharmacology, diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology, history, genetics, and references. Students present their pages, and feedback questionnaires are collected at the end of the semester. The wiki writing assignment introduces students, faculty, and the community to graduate student projects while exposing students to new technology. Areas explored include issues and best practices regarding classroom pedagogy, as well as student support and technical challenges in the use of a wiki. Suggestions for improvement are discussed.