Jenifer M. Chilton

Preparing for disasters: Education and management strategies explored

During the last half of the 20th century, the focus of nursing changed from home and field to high-tech clinics and hospitals. Nursing in the absence of technology due to man-made or natural disasters almost disappeared from the curriculum of many nursing schools. Numerous disaster events and threats in the early 21st century caused educators and practitioners to increase the emphasis on disaster nursing and those principles that guide the nurses practice in response to disasters. This article chronicles tools used by nurse educators to integrate disaster nursing into the didactic and clinical experiences of baccalaureate nursing students. We represent two nursing schools about 90 miles apart that collaborated to provide students with practical application of disaster nursing concepts. Part 1: An educational journey toward disaster nursing competencies: A curriculum in action provides an overview of the curricular tools used to insure adequate coverage of disaster nursing concepts across the curriculum. Part 2: Collaborative learning in Community Health Nursing for emergency preparedness relates the steps taken to plan, implement, and evaluate two different collaborative disaster simulation events. In this manuscript we have attempted transparency so that others can learn from our successes and our failures.

The Effect of a Wellness Program on Adolescent Females

Guided by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a comprehensive wellness intervention on total wellness, physical fitness, and self-efficacy for health promoting behaviors in adolescent females, ages 14 to 19, enrolled in physical education (PE) classes in Grades 9 to 12. The intervention was administered in an experimental pre-test, post-test, two group design in rural east Texas. Participants (n = 153) were randomly assigned to a 12-week intervention or control group. Independent t-tests to determine differences between the intervention and control groups were nonsignificant for overall wellness and physical fitness. The Wellness Essential-Self subscale score was significantly higher in the intervention group, t(64, 36) = 2.67, p = .005, d = .84. Self-Efficacy Health Promotion subscale scores for the intervention group were also significantly higher, t(20,28) = 2.60, p = .006, d = .74. The intervention has potential to improve overall wellness in adolescent females.

Preparing for disasters

During the last half of the 20th century, the focus of nursing changed from home and field to high-tech clinics and hospitals. Nursing in the absence of technology due to man-made or natural disasters almost disappeared from the curriculum of many nursing schools. Numerous disaster events and threats in the early 21st century caused educators and practitioners to increase the emphasis on disaster nursing and those principles that guide the nurses practice in response to disasters. This article chronicles tools used by nurse educators to integrate disaster nursing into the didactic and clinical experiences of baccalaureate nursing students. We represent two nursing schools about 90 miles apart that collaborated to provide students with practical application of disaster nursing concepts. Part 1: An educational journey toward disaster nursing competencies: A curriculum in action provides an overview of the curricular tools used to insure adequate coverage of disaster nursing concepts across the curriculum. Part 2: Collaborative learning in Community Health Nursing for emergency preparedness relates the steps taken to plan, implement, and evaluate two different collaborative disaster simulation events. In this manuscript we have attempted transparency so that others can learn from our successes and our failures.

Transformation from within: a concept analysis of epiphany.

The aim of this article is to explore the concept of epiphany using a modified version of Walker and Avant’s (2005) concept analysis procedures. This transformative experience produces behavior change that can impact wellness. The occurrence of epiphanies through analysis of historical figures, retrospective and qualitative studies, and literary works is described. Evidence suggests this phenomenon can be profound, liberating, and enduring. Nursing research has not considered the potential of epiphanies as a behavior change theory to improve health behaviors and wellness.

A Process for Teaching Research Methods in a Virtual Environment

&NA; Translating and integrating scholarship into practice is a difficult concept for students to embrace through a passive education model. Therefore, innovative teaching strategies were integrated into a translational science course for online graduate nursing students. The purpose of this project was to increase understanding of the research process and stimulate interest in translating nursing evidence into practice. The result was an effective educational strategy for teaching and learning about the research process in a virtual environment.

Development of the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices–Adolescent Version: A Self-Efficacy Measure

Background and Purpose: An instrument to measure wellness behaviors in adolescent females did not appear in the literature. The purpose of this article is to describe the development and evaluation of the Self-Rated Abilities for Health and Practices Scale–Adolescent Version (SRAHP-A). Methods: Initial psychometric testing was conducted with a sample of 265 adolescents and young adults aged 13–24 years. Data collection occurred through paper and pencil surveys. Results: Exploratory factor analysis using maximum likelihood factor extraction method and oblique ration was conducted. A four-factor structure consisting of Exercise, Nutrition, Health Practices, and Well-Being emerged. Conclusions: Initial psychometric testing suggested that it is a valid and reliable measure of wellness behaviors in adolescent females. Further testing is necessary; however, it appears this instrument has the potential to move wellness care for adolescents and young adults forward.

EFFECTS OF A SLEEP HYGIENE TEXT-MESSAGE INTERVENTION ON SLEEP IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Objective: To test the effectiveness of a text-message intervention to promote sleep hygiene to improve sleep in young adult college students. Participants: A convenience sample of undergraduate students from one Southwestern university (n = 96), 18–26 years old, recruited in August 2015. Methods: A 2-group pretest-posttest experimental design assigned participants to receive biweekly text messages about sleep hygiene or healthy behaviors for 6 weeks. Survey questions addressed sleep knowledge, sleep hygiene, self-efficacy for sleep hygiene, and sleep quality at baseline and posttest. Results: Though not significant, sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and sleep knowledge improved in both groups. Conclusions: Self-efficacy for sleep hygiene is a modifiable factor that may serve to improve sleep quality. Sleep quality improved in both groups. Text messaging is a feasible approach to delivering an intervention to promote healthy behaviors among young adults.

An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention to Improve Personal Emergency Preparedness of Nursing Students

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 educational intervention modalities (face-to-face or online) aimed at improving nursing students’ personal emergency preparedness. Personal emergency preparedness means an individual has a Grab-and-Go kit, has developed a plan for self and family, and remains informed about potential disasters. Outcomes indicated that face-to-face instruction for BSN nursing students and online instruction for RNs were effective at increasing knowledge and increasing personal emergency preparedness.

Empowerment in Latina Immigrant Women Recovering From Interpersonal Violence: A Concept Analysis:

Latina immigrant women are vulnerable and may experience higher levels of interpersonal or intimate partner violence (IPV) due to their immigrant status and cultural emphasis on familism. The concept of empowerment within the cultural context of Latina immigrant women experiencing IPV was analyzed using a modified version of Walker and Avant’s concept analysis technique. The technique considers usage and definitions in the literature, antecedents, attributes, empirical referents, and the inclusion of a model and contrary case. This analysis encompasses a comparative approach and includes a discussion of how the definition of empowerment compares across the nursing literature. Defining attributes include reciprocal relationships, autonomy, and accountability. Antecedents comprise willingness to learn and motivation to create change. Consequences encompass self-esteem, self-efficacy, and competence for making life decisions. Empowerment has the potential to improve total well-being, having a positive and profound impact on the lives of women experiencing IPV.