Marilyn Ryan

Transcultural nursing concepts and experiences in nursing curricula.

Future trends in the convergence of a multicultural world continue to intensify the need to educate nurses to deliver culturally focused care. A descriptive survey was conducted to examine curricular trends related to the teaching of transcultural nursing (TCN) in nursing curricula of baccalaureate and higher degree schools of nursing in the United States. Faculty development and qualifications to teach transcultural nursing were identified as well as methods for collaboration between schools of nursing. Although TCN concepts are incorporated into most curricula, wide variation exists as to content, depth, and level of integration. Implications call for collaboration with accrediting agencies, including state boards of nursing, to strengthen expected outcomes related to culture, curricular reviews of nursing courses regarding the incorporation of TCN concepts and experiences, collaboration on culturally focused field experiences, faculty development, and networking across schools to expand available resources.

Online Education: Needs Assessment for Faculty Development

The rapidly evolving paradigm of technology-based education has increased the number of faculty teaching online. The role of faculty has changed from the traditional classroom instruction format to an online community of learning. Therefore, faculty development in online education becomes a critical component during this transitional period. A survey of faculty of the College of Applied Science and Technology in a midwestern university was conducted to identify their level of perceived expertise in online teaching and the priorities of areas to be addressed in faculty development sessions. Benners five-stage sequential transformation from novice to expert was used to construct the questionnaire. Results showed that faculty who taught online perceived their level of expertise to range from advanced beginner to competent, whereas faculty who had not taught online were at the novice and advanced beginner levels. Redesigning and rethinking faculty roles emerged as the number one priority area to be addressed in continuing education sessions. Implications for faculty development for online education sessions are presented.

Outcomes of a Transcultural Nursing Immersion Experience: Confirmation of a Dimensional Matrix

Schools of nursing are positioned to increase cultural awareness for students and potentially change practice. Dimensions of culturally focused field experiences were investigated to determine the relevancy of the dimensions of the Matrix for Personal and Professional Growth Through a Transcultural Immersion Experience. A questionnaire was developed and administered to two samples of nursing students following participation in an immersion experience. Results provided evidence of validation for major dimensions of the matrix, including situational predetermining factors, modifying factors, transitional factors, and outcomes of the matrix. The model for transcultural nursing immersion experiences was conceptualized, and propositions were generated.

Integration of global health concepts in nursing curricula: a national study.

The concept of global health is evolving with a growing recognition that international social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural issues affect health and health care around the world. Nurse faculty are challenged to find ways to prepare future nurses to provide care in an environment that is increasingly affected by globalization. This article presents results of a national survey of schools of nursing designed to identify a consensus definition for global health, attributes of the concept, and ways in which global health is identified and addressed in nursing curricula. Attributes of global health identified in this study are congruent with the literature. Implications for educators are presented, along with examples of how technology can be used to facilitate global interactions.

Continuing Professional Education and Interacting Variables Affecting Behavioral Change in Practice: Instrument Development and Administration

BACKGROUND Instruments were developed to measure variables identified by Cervero that evaluate the complex processes and effectiveness of continuing professional education. METHOD Content validity was established with a panel of experts. Four studies were conducted to determine reliability. Data were merged to conduct factor analysis. RESULTS Reliability was confirmed across studies using Cronbachs alpha. Stability was confirmed in a test-retest study. Factor analysis confirmed instrument items measure the concepts of Cerveros Model. CONCLUSION The reliable and valid instruments may be useful for continuing education and staff development nurses to measure the effectiveness of education on behavioral change in practice.

Women's Perception of the Divorce Experience: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Divorce is a personal experience, often negative, and each couple experiences it differently. However, the divorce experience may provide opportunities for personal growth. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the challenges and growth opportunities women who have divorced experience from their own perspective. Ten women with similar backgrounds participated in personal interviews. Individual interviews revealed the following themes: (a) dating reflections, (b) married life, (c) self-perceptions, (d) support or lack of support, (e) family, (f) personal emotions, (g) personal growth, and (h) the future. Mezirows (2000) theory of transformational learning was the framework used to organize the findings to understand growth through transitional phases. This article presents the findings of this study and implications for women going through divorce.

Web-based professional education for advanced practice nursing: a consumer guide for program selection.

As Web-based education becomes increasingly available, there are more educational opportunities to pursue an advanced practice degree. Despite the increasing number of schools delivering Web-based education courses and programs, evaluation of these programs is primarily in beginning stages. The purposes of this article are first to present a scenario of how a Midwestern nursing school developed, implemented, and continually evaluates Web-based education in its masters program, and second to present a consumer guide for program selection. Elements in the guide are derived from program accrediting agencies, the literature, and distance learning experiences. The consumers guide is presented for nurses interested in exploring or continuing the completion of an advanced practice degree.

Portfolio applications in a school of nursing.

The portfolio is an effective way to document and evaluate academic and career development. The authors discuss various applications of the process of portfolio implementation via computer in a graduate school of nursing. Portfolio guidelines, format, and a program outcome grid are presented. The portfolio also provides product information that can be used by faculty members for program evaluation.

Cross-Cultural Nursing: A Report of Faculty Collaboration Through Regional Networking

Healthcare environments increasingly are becoming culturally diverse. A project to incorporate multicultural issues in curricula, identify cross-cultural student learning opportunities, and increase faculty skills in teaching transcultural concepts is described. Through regional networking, faculty members identified barriers to teaching cross-cultural concepts and strategies to address those barriers. Recommendations call for proactive approaches for sharing resources to strengthen cultural dimensions in schools of nursing, particularly in rural areas that lack cultural diversity.

What are your perceptions of new RN competency levels

O ver the last two decades, the healthcare industry in the United States has experienced ongoing changes in hospital systems through mergers, managed care, technology, and the ability to rapidly access information. In the midst of ongoing changes, professional nurses must be aware of changing standards and new technology to provide quality care. Several national committees, such as the Committee on the