Tom Christenbery

Building a schematic model: a blueprint for DNP students.

Doctor of nursing practice students are frequently required to design schematic models to support the theoretical underpinnings of their scholarly projects. However, there is little information in the literature that provides guidance on how to develop a schematic model. The author presents methods and practical suggestions for faculty engaged in advising DNP students in the development of their scholarly projects.

Manuscript peer review: a guide for advanced practice nurses.

Purpose: Dissemination of scholarly findings in peer‐reviewed journals is critical for sustaining optimal evidence‐based practice standards for advanced practice nurses (APNs). However, many schools of nursing do not teach the process or significance of peer review. The purpose of this article is to describe the peer review process and provide practical suggestions for APNs reviewing a research‐based manuscript. Data sources: This article was prepared by reviewing both theoretical and data‐based literature concerning editorial peer review. Conclusions: Reviewing manuscripts requires a high level of professional expertise and commitment. This article describes the history and benefits of peer review and provides a practical overview of the peer review process. A template has also been developed to serve as a checklist for critical elements relating to peer review. Implications for practice: Peer review has a critical role in improving the quality of nursings published knowledge base and ultimately the quality of patient care. The ability to provide sound critique of nursing manuscripts is essential to the continued development of advanced practice nursing

Creating effective scholarly posters: a guide for DNP students.

Purpose: Dissemination of scholarly project outcomes is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education. This article provides guidelines for professional poster development and presentation as well as suggestions for integrating poster development as part of the DNP curriculum. Data sources: This article was prepared by reviewing both theoretical and research‐based literature regarding professional poster development. Conclusions: Evidence indicates that poster presentations at professional conferences are an excellent venue for DNP students to successfully share the results of their scholarly projects. For posters to be both well perceived and received at conferences, certain guidelines must be followed regarding poster development. Guidelines include emphasizing a consistent message, clear focus, logical format, and esthetically pleasing design. Poster development guidelines and strategies need to be taught early and regularly throughout the DNP students education. Implications for practice: DNP scholarly projects provide forward‐looking solutions to some of societys most formidable healthcare challenges. The dissemination of knowledge gleaned from the DNP scholarly projects is vital to 21st century global health. Effective poster presentations are critical to the dissemination of scholarly knowledge.Purpose Dissemination of scholarly project outcomes is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education. This article provides guidelines for professional poster development and presentation as well as suggestions for integrating poster development as part of the DNP curriculum. Data sources This article was prepared by reviewing both theoretical and research-based literature regarding professional poster development. Conclusions Evidence indicates that poster presentations at professional conferences are an excellent venue for DNP students to successfully share the results of their scholarly projects. For posters to be both well perceived and received at conferences, certain guidelines must be followed regarding poster development. Guidelines include emphasizing a consistent message, clear focus, logical format, and esthetically pleasing design. Poster development guidelines and strategies need to be taught early and regularly throughout the DNP students education. Implications for practice DNP scholarly projects provide forward-looking solutions to some of societys most formidable healthcare challenges. The dissemination of knowledge gleaned from the DNP scholarly projects is vital to 21st century global health. Effective poster presentations are critical to the dissemination of scholarly knowledge.

There is an “app” for that: Designing mobile phone technology to improve asthma action plan use in adolescent patients

PURPOSE Asthma burden affects mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and the economy. Written asthma action plans are standard of care according to national guidelines, but these plans are often not prescribed. The purpose of this project was to develop an asthma action plan application for smartphones. DATA SOURCES A development studio was consulted for support in developing a smartphone application to code the software for the asthma action plan and assist in the design process. During development of the application, a survey was conducted to assist in design of the application and functionality. CONCLUSIONS All survey participants agreed that the application was easy to use, could be used without written instruction, and was designed for adolescents with asthma of any severity. Patients and providers mostly agreed that the app would help provide information about what to do in the event of an asthma exacerbation, and the application would be used frequently. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There was consensus from both patients and providers that this application is not only functional but also helpful in the event of an asthma exacerbation. The project met the goal of designing a mobile phone application that would improve patient access to asthma action plans.Purpose Asthma burden affects mortality, morbidity, quality of life, and the economy. Written asthma action plans are standard of care according to national guidelines, but these plans are often not prescribed. The purpose of this project was to develop an asthma action plan application for smartphones. Data sources A development studio was consulted for support in developing a smartphone application to code the software for the asthma action plan and assist in the design process. During development of the application, a survey was conducted to assist in design of the application and functionality. Conclusions All survey participants agreed that the application was easy to use, could be used without written instruction, and was designed for adolescents with asthma of any severity. Patients and providers mostly agreed that the app would help provide information about what to do in the event of an asthma exacerbation, and the application would be used frequently. Implications for practice There was consensus from both patients and providers that this application is not only functional but also helpful in the event of an asthma exacerbation. The project met the goal of designing a mobile phone application that would improve patient access to asthma action plans.

The curriculum vitae: gateway to academia.

A CV serves as formal documentation of the applicant’s career path and provides necessary demographic and historical information for career change or advancement. Therefore, each section of the CV should be a thorough accounting of the applicant’s academic, work, and professional responsibilities and attainments. The guidelines in this column also are relevant for nurse educators applying for positions in schools of nursing.

Skin cancer screening in the medically underserved population: A unique opportunity for APNs to make a difference

Purpose:To implement and evaluate the feasibility of an annual skin cancer screening program for the medically underserved at a free clinic in Marion, Indiana. Data sources:Clinical initiative with descriptive analysis of results. IRB approval was obtained and the project was found to be exempted. Conclusions:The participation rate of 65% supported the feasibility of the skin screening program in a free clinic. The skin screening program allowed for detection of 17 worrisome lesions and all of these patients were referred to either the small procedure clinic, general surgeon, or dermatologist for definitive treatment. Implications for practice:The project affirmed that clients in this setting are interested in total body skin exams and will participate in the screening program. Furthermore, there were a significant number of worrisome lesions discovered, which underscores the importance of this screening exam and the need for healthcare providers to either perform or refer patients for skin cancer screening on a regular basis. This area of screening is a unique opportunity for advanced practice nurses to make a difference in the medically underserved population who often lack skin cancer screening.Purpose To implement and evaluate the feasibility of an annual skin cancer screening program for the medically underserved at a free clinic in Marion, Indiana. Data sources Clinical initiative with descriptive analysis of results. IRB approval was obtained and the project was found to be exempted. Conclusions The participation rate of 65% supported the feasibility of the skin screening program in a free clinic. The skin screening program allowed for detection of 17 worrisome lesions and all of these patients were referred to either the small procedure clinic, general surgeon, or dermatologist for definitive treatment. Implications for practice The project affirmed that clients in this setting are interested in total body skin exams and will participate in the screening program. Furthermore, there were a significant number of worrisome lesions discovered, which underscores the importance of this screening exam and the need for healthcare providers to either perform or refer patients for skin cancer screening on a regular basis. This area of screening is a unique opportunity for advanced practice nurses to make a difference in the medically underserved population who often lack skin cancer screening.

Creating effective scholarly posters: A guide for DNP students: Creating effective scholarly posters

Purpose: Dissemination of scholarly project outcomes is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education. This article provides guidelines for professional poster development and presentation as well as suggestions for integrating poster development as part of the DNP curriculum. Data sources: This article was prepared by reviewing both theoretical and research‐based literature regarding professional poster development. Conclusions: Evidence indicates that poster presentations at professional conferences are an excellent venue for DNP students to successfully share the results of their scholarly projects. For posters to be both well perceived and received at conferences, certain guidelines must be followed regarding poster development. Guidelines include emphasizing a consistent message, clear focus, logical format, and esthetically pleasing design. Poster development guidelines and strategies need to be taught early and regularly throughout the DNP students education. Implications for practice: DNP scholarly projects provide forward‐looking solutions to some of societys most formidable healthcare challenges. The dissemination of knowledge gleaned from the DNP scholarly projects is vital to 21st century global health. Effective poster presentations are critical to the dissemination of scholarly knowledge.Purpose Dissemination of scholarly project outcomes is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education. This article provides guidelines for professional poster development and presentation as well as suggestions for integrating poster development as part of the DNP curriculum. Data sources This article was prepared by reviewing both theoretical and research-based literature regarding professional poster development. Conclusions Evidence indicates that poster presentations at professional conferences are an excellent venue for DNP students to successfully share the results of their scholarly projects. For posters to be both well perceived and received at conferences, certain guidelines must be followed regarding poster development. Guidelines include emphasizing a consistent message, clear focus, logical format, and esthetically pleasing design. Poster development guidelines and strategies need to be taught early and regularly throughout the DNP students education. Implications for practice DNP scholarly projects provide forward-looking solutions to some of societys most formidable healthcare challenges. The dissemination of knowledge gleaned from the DNP scholarly projects is vital to 21st century global health. Effective poster presentations are critical to the dissemination of scholarly knowledge.

Appreciative Advising in Nursing Education

The 6-phase Appreciative Advising framework for academic advising has been incorporated into a nursing program in the southeast United States, with promising initial results. Historical perspectives of academic advising, an overview of Appreciative Advising, and implementation of the framework are presented.

Appreciative Advising: An Innovative Approach to Advising Doctor of Nursing Practice Students

Academic advising is broadly defined as an interactive process in which an adviser assists a student in developing and achieving goals. Historically, the dominant academic advising model was prescriptive advising. Communication within prescriptive academic advising is linear, with directives flowing from the adviser to an individual advisee. Appreciative advising (AA) has emerged as an alternative to prescriptive advising and allows faculty and students to develop shared goals. Appreciative advising includes both individual and group sessions to provide individual mentoring and a supportive community of peers. The AA model has been used successfully with undergraduate nursing students to improve student retention and performance. Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) students have unique needs when compared with undergraduate students but still require advice, scholarly support, and a peer community, congruent with the components of AA. In addition, group advising streamlines faculty effort while enhancing student engagement. The purpose of this article is to describe our adaption of the AA model for DNP students.

Meta-Evaluation: Experiences in an Accelerated Graduate Nurse Education Program

Most schools of nursing are engaged in some form of program evaluation and recognize the potential benefits in using program evaluation outcomes to influence continuous improvement in program quality. A number of factors exist that may negatively influence program evaluation quality and adversely affect the ability to make sound decisions based on program evaluation outcomes. The potential limitations that threaten program evaluation quality underscore the importance of evaluating the evaluation process itself, also known as meta-evaluation. However, there is an absence of discussion in the nursing literature of the importance of program meta-evaluation. This article seeks to address this gap in the nursing literature and illuminate the need for more schools of nursing to engage in the meta-evaluation process. By introducing 1 model of program meta-evaluation and describing our own endeavors in the program meta-evaluation process, we hope to inspire other schools of nursing to consider using a systematic and formalized process to evaluate their own program evaluation processes to ensure that data obtained from program evaluation are of optimal quality to influence sound, data-driven decisions to promote continued quality and excellence in nursing education programs.