Renee Twibell

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.

The effect of sensory stimulation activities on the psychological well being of patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease

The authors investigated the effects of sensory stimulation activities on the psychological well being of 15 persons institutionalized with advanced Alzheimers disease. A recently developed instrument, the Discomfort Scale for Dementias of the Alzheimers Type (DS-DAT), measured nine indicators of discomfort and provided an outcome measure for interventions in this population. Mean baseline DS-DAT scores suggested that participants experienced a moderately high level of discomfort. Results indicated that overall discomfort decreased significantly during three stimulation interventions, including music, touch and smell. The DS-DAT variable of fidgeting body language also decreased significantly7 during three sensory stimulation activities.

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.