Derryl E. Block

Maintaining professional integrity in the midst of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Abstract Nurses are encountering many opportunities and incentives to engage in interdisciplinary initiatives. The aim of these initiatives, which are sponsored by private foundations, academic institutions, and managed care entities, is to increase the quality and efficiency of health care. Maintaining professional integrity in the midst of interdisciplinary collaboration is complex and warrants close examination. Contextual issues, which include differing values, professionalism, boundary questions, communication, and power, affect the success of interdisciplinary activities.

Political Participation of Registered Nurses

Level of political participation and factors contributing to participation were measured among Midwest RNs (n = 468) via an online survey (Cronbach’s α = .95). Respondents reported engaging in primarily “low cost” activities (e.g., voting, discussing politics, and contacting elected officials), with fewer reporting speaking at public gatherings, participating in demonstrations, and membership in nursing organizations. Psychological engagement was most predictive (p < .001) of political participation with the dimensions of political interest, political efficacy, and political information/knowledge highly significant (p < .001). Resources (time/money/civic skills) significantly contributed to political participation (p < .001). Less than half (40%) felt they could impact local decisions, and fewer (32%) felt they could impact state or national government decisions. Most respondents (80%) indicated their nursing courses lacked political content and did not prepare them for political participation. Findings showed that nurse educators and leaders of professional nursing organizations need to model and cultivate greater psychological engagement among students and nurses.

Teaching/Learning Strategies for the Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Entry-Level Community/Public Health Nursing

The purpose of this article is to describe teaching/learning strategies for each of the 15 Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Entry-Level Community/Public Health Nursing (ACHNE, 2009). Carpers ways of knowing serve as foundations for creating classroom and clinical experiences that focus on clinical action with community as client. Each community/public health essential is defined with relevance to community/public health nursing practice. Five teaching/learning strategies have been delineated for each essential with suggestions of teaching resources and/or target population application. Teaching/learning strategies that focus on community as client, population health, and the essential knowledge and competencies of C/PH nursing will help ensure preparation of baccalaureate prepared nurses with knowledge and skills to improve the health of populations.

Using Distance Technology to Learn Across Borders: A Virtual Travel Course in Nursing

A 6-week online course was developed and delivered to nursing students and instructors at universities in two countries. The course exposed students and faculty to nursing and health concerns in both countries. All course communications were conducted in both English and Spanish, with support from online translation software as needed. Course content covered professional nursing, global health issues, and nursing interventions used with clinical problems. Although students were initially intimidated by the course language requirements, students valued the opportunity to learn about cultural and health issues. Faculty experienced a learning curve as well and enjoyed this international experience.

Fulfilling Regional Needs for Specialty Nurses through Limited-cohort Graduate Education

The University of Minnesota has developed a limited-cohort distance education graduate program to overcome geographic barriers and address the shortage of masters-prepared specialty nurses in rural areas of the upper Midwest. Such a program offers graduate nursing education in various specialty areas to distance sites for a predetermined, relatively short period.

The Bridge to Health Project: a collaborative model for assessing the health of a community.

The Bridge to Health Project, a collaborative effort of 70 health related organizations, was designed to collect population-based health status data about approximately a half million residents in a primarily rural region in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Funding and staff support were provided by a regional medical center. The importance of sound survey methodology, role clarification, adequate staff support, and a well organized process to foster collaboration have applicability to other regions considering a collaborative process of health status assessment.

Linking high-risk, low-income, pregnant women to public health services.

Utilization of public health services by high-risk pregnant women is contingent on womens awareness of those services. This article reports on an evaluation of public health promotional methods and compares high-risk pregnant women users of public health services to eligible nonusers. For women who used public health services, the two most frequently reported sources of information were a public health nurse or a friend. Users of services in contrast with nonusers tended to have had fewer pregnancies, lower income, and use WIC. They were also less likely to attend church and to have more contact with their childs school. These findings can assist agencies in planning outreach activities.