Lyn Prater

Called to nursing: perceptions of student nurses.

Purpose:This study uncovers reasons students report for wanting to become nurses, to quantify those who feel that they are called to nursing, and to learn what “being called” means to them. Method:A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted with all students enrolled in nursing courses at one program in a private, faith-based university. Findings:Most students decided to go to nursing school while in high school or college and chose nursing because they had a desire to help others. The most common personal characteristics they identified that will be helpful in nursing were being caring or compassionate. Almost two thirds of the students indicated they were “called” by God to become nurses. Conclusion and Implications:Findings can help nursing educators and leaders determine howto better recruit and retain individuals into the nursing profession and howto support and encourage caring and compassionate qualities in all nurses.

A model for upscaling global partnerships and building nurse and midwifery capacity

AIM To provide a unique model for use in guiding global collaboration and policy to upscale nursing and midwifery partnerships. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION Nurses and midwives across nations need skills reaching beyond the bedside and unit level in todays complex, global, multifaceted healthcare milieu. Thoughtful consideration, research and concomitant development of models to guide appropriate upscaling of nurse and midwifery capacity within and between nations are needed. DISCUSSION This article explores an integrated global approach to upscaling nurse and midwifery capacity using examples of partnerships between nursing and midwifery programmes across multiple continents. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Global nurse and midwifery capacity is effectively being developed using a myriad of approaches. A new model is presented to illustrate supports, strategies and activities to achieve intermediate and long-term goals for capacity building through strong and sustainable global partnerships. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING POLICY Development of global skills can focus the nurse and midwife to influence policy-level decisions. Human resource planning that can impact countrywide provision of health care begins in the preservice setting for both nurses and midwives. A global experience can be a value-added component to the well-rounded education of future nurses. Education during preparation for entry into practice is a strategic way to develop a worldview. Incorporating reflective practice can build skills and shape attitudes to prepare the new nurse to be comfortable as a global healthcare provider. An expanded world view is the springboard to more robust and informed involvement and inclusion in policy-level discussions.

Effectiveness of Peripheral Intravenous Skill Continuing Education Using Low-Fidelity Simulation Among Nurses in India

BACKGROUND Many nurses have limited opportunities to practice peripheral intravenous (IV) skill access until they begin their nursing career, particularly in limited resource settings. Continuing nursing education is needed for practicing nurses to build nurse capacity and skill accuracy in IV access globally. METHOD A pretest-posttest design was used to measure effectiveness of peripheral IV continuing education among 180 nurses in India. A skills checklist was used to observe for skill accuracy using low-fidelity simulation. RESULTS A statistically significant improvement in knowledge regarding peripheral IV skill access and care was found (p < .001), and 95% of nurse participants successfully simulated IV access accuracy after the continuing education intervention. CONCLUSION Findings support the need for continuing nursing education to improve peripheral IV access and care knowledge and skill among nurses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries or other settings where hands-on experience is limited during undergraduate nursing education programs. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(6):255-261.

The Pad Project: A Global Initiative Uniting Women

The Pad Project is a womens health program used to educate women on their monthly menstrual cycles. Through this ministry, women who do not have access to menstrual hygiene products are given sustainable hygienic kits to promote menstrual health. This unique health education program also integrates stories from the gospel to illustrate Christs love and caring commitment toward women and womens health.

Travel as a Transformational Spiritual Event

There is a philosophical connection between elements of travel and elements of spirituality. Nurses can develop spiritual intelligence, hone transcultural skills, and develop cultural humility through travel. Concepts of spiritual intelligence are incorporated to distinguish spirituality from religion. This discussion is to describe the spiritual attributes of travel through exploration of unique cultural sameness and differences, stepping out of one’s routine, experiences of solitude, and the application to nursing. Venues such as study abroad, mission trips, cultural exchange opportunities, and service learning projects all can provide meaningful times of transformation, spiritual growth, learning new ways of doing things, and of being in the world. Nurses who integrate these practices into the care they provide daily will be enriched personally and rewarded with improved outcomes.