Elise M. Alverson

The influence of a baccalaureate program on traditional, RN-BSN, and accelerated students' critical thinking abilities.

Although there are multiple ways of achieving baccalaureate-level nursing education, all graduates must demonstrate critical thinking abilities to practice competently. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in critical thinking abilities of students pursuing various pathways in the same baccalaureate nursing curriculum. Traditional, registered nurse-bachelor of science (RN-BSN), and accelerated students completed the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) at the beginning and end of their nursing course sequence. Findings revealed a significant difference between the pre- and post-WGCTA scores of traditional students (t = −2.84, P = .007) and RN-BSN students (t = −2.28, P = .029), but not of accelerated students. Similarities between the curricular pathways that could account for the results were analyzed. Further research is needed to determine the best combination of liberal arts and nursing courses for the development of critical thinking abilities.

Relationships between lifestyle, health behaviors, and health status outcomes for underserved adults

Purpose: To examine the relationships between lifestyle, health behaviors, and health status for underserved adults. Data sources: A convenience sample of 84 adults responded to a questionnaire on lifestyle, health behaviors, health indices, and health status. Health status was measured by the 12‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12). Conclusions: The majority of the sample was white, female, ranged in age from 19 to 64 years, and had an annual income range of

The Preoperative Interview

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Concerns expressed by underserved individuals regarding family and community healthcare needs.

25,000. Lifestyle factors reported included smoking (44%), consuming alcohol (59%), using street drugs previously (43%), exercising regularly (45%), and having adequate sleep (M= 7.16 h). Sixty‐five percent engaged in at least one screening behavior during the past 12 months and used at least one prescription medication. Data for health indices demonstrated subjects had at least one current symptom (89%), at least one current medical condition (72%), and a body mass index classified as overweight (48%). No significant relationships were found between lifestyle and health status. Findings indicated health indices rather than lifestyle were related to health status. Implications for practice: Findings provided selective support for the links between lifestyle, health behaviors, and health status. Nurses can use the results as a basis for future assessments and interventions with underserved adults.

Influence of Lifestyle, Health Behavior, and Health Indices on the Health Status of Underserved Adults

Abstract Further studies need to be done to determine the impact preoperative visits have on the perioperative nurses empathy level. The results of this study could be confirmed, or refuted, if a study with more subjects was conducted over a longer period of time. Also, subjects in both the control and experimental groups should be chosen randomly and should be from the same institution. To measure the long-term effect of preoperative visits on empathy levels, a study could be conducted that measures the levels at various times (eg, six months to a year following the first study). Other evaluations of empathy levels, such as observer rating and patient rating, could be used to supplement nurses self-rating scores to avoid using one standard instrument and rating scale. Few conclusions can be drawn from this limited study, but it does help nurses realize that preoperative interviews can help the nurse become more aware of the surgical patient as a human being. This increased awareness may help the nurse function more effectively and efficiently in helping the patient during intraoperative care.

Evaluating the effect of teaching modules on underserved clients' perceived health.

This descriptive study examines the health concerns that underserved individuals have for their family and community. Of 82 subjects completing a self-report instrument, 29% reported specific health needs for their community and 20% reported health needs for their family. Their major concerns for the community included acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus; their major concerns for the family related to heart disease and diabetes. Study subjects were mostly concerned with healthcare needs facing specific individuals within their family and community. Results indicated that subjects had difficulty focusing on broader health concerns because of the multiple constraints of being underserved and uninsured.

Pharmacotherapeutics: A Nursing Process Approach

Purpose: To examine how lifestyle, health behavior, and health indices best predict health status in underserved adults. Data sources: Eighty‐four underserved adults from a nurse‐managed center completed an investigator‐developed instrument to measure lifestyle, health behavior, and health indices. The SF‐12 Health Survey measured general (SF‐1), physical (PCS), and mental (MCS) health status. Conclusions: The majority of the sample was female (64%). Sixty‐three percent were at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For nonsmokers, five independent variables accounted for 47.1% of the variance in SF1 (p < .000), 33.5% in PCS‐12 scores (p < .001), and 23.2% in MCS‐12 scores (p = .017). For smokers, six variables accounted for 48.7% of the variance in SF1 (p = .024), 41.7% in PCS‐12 scores (p = .067), and 25.4% in MCS‐12 scores (p = .378). Implications for practice: Findings provide partial support for the impact of lifestyle and health behaviors on health status outcomes. Focusing concurrent interventions on improving multiple behaviors may have the greatest impact on health status outcomes.Purpose To examine how lifestyle, health behavior, and health indices best predict health status in underserved adults. Data sources Eighty-four underserved adults from a nurse-managed center completed an investigator-developed instrument to measure lifestyle, health behavior, and health indices. The SF-12 Health Survey measured general (SF-1), physical (PCS), and mental (MCS) health status. Conclusions The majority of the sample was female (64%). Sixty-three percent were at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For nonsmokers, five independent variables accounted for 47.1% of the variance in SF1 (p < .000), 33.5% in PCS-12 scores (p < .001), and 23.2% in MCS-12 scores (p = .017). For smokers, six variables accounted for 48.7% of the variance in SF1 (p = .024), 41.7% in PCS-12 scores (p = .067), and 25.4% in MCS-12 scores (p = .378). Implications for practice Findings provide partial support for the impact of lifestyle and health behaviors on health status outcomes. Focusing concurrent interventions on improving multiple behaviors may have the greatest impact on health status outcomes.

A comparison of critical thinking abilities between accelerated and traditional baccalaureate nursing students.

Underserved individuals need comprehensive health care. Educational resources that meet health care needs can promote wellness. This descriptive study evaluated effects of preferred teaching modules on perceived health of underserved clients of a nurse-managed center. Participants (N = 101) were between 19 and 61 (M = 38.7); the majority was female (68.3%) with a high-school education (M = 12.17). Most participants (65%) identified health education as very important; 92% used at least one teaching module. Age, gender, and education were not related to importance of health education. Use of various teaching modules was positively correlated with perceived improved health (p < .05). Participants who used a combination of videos and pamphlets reported the greatest improvement (p < .000).

Undergraduate Peer-Assisted Learning in the Clinical Setting

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