W. Dean Care

Dealing with the Unsafe Student in Clinical Practice

How do social justice issues affect the clinical evaluation of students? An emotionally charged issue, clinical evaluation can become a mine field when it becomes entangled with issues of social justice. The authors discuss the issues of justice and fairness in relation to situations that arise when a student repeatedly fails to meet minimum expectations for clinical performance. They discuss policies developed to deal with such situations and describe the application of these policies in a case study.

Grade inflation: should we be concerned?

Grade inflation is defined as an increase in grade point average without an associated increase in overall student ability. The literature supports the idea that grade inflation is rampant throughout higher education. Shoemaker and DeVos described the scope of the problem in higher education in general and note the lack of existing empirical information in nursing education. Given the perceived problem in faculties of nursing, the widespread nature of the issue of grade inflation across universities and colleges, and the lack of empirical data, understanding the nature of grade inflation is important. This article will discuss a study designed to investigate the extent to which grade inflation is an issue within a western Canadian faculty of nursing. Recommendations related to grade inflation are discussed.

‘Walking a tight rope’: an investigation of nurse managers’ work stressors and coping experiences:

Competing demands and a nursing shortage have contributed to a managerial workforce that is overworked and a health care environment that is under constant tension. The short supply and high turnover of manager positions, upwards of 30% in some regions in Canada, have contributed to an unstable work environment. The aim of this study examined the stress experiences and coping strategies of nurse managers in an acute care setting. Semi-structured interviews of five nurse managers were included in this pilot study. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed text. Six descriptive themes related to work stressors were identified: fiscal responsibilities, inadequate human resources, managing others, intrapersonal distress, middle management role and competing priorities. Three descriptive themes related to coping strategies were identified: peer and superior support, cognitive coping strategies and social and personal strategies. Findings indicate that coping mechanisms lessened the work stressors experienced by managers, but it was not always evident managers felt confident in their ability to cope effectively. Senior nurse leaders play an integral role in assuming responsibility for equipping managers with appropriate preparation and support to facilitate their success and to enhance the attractiveness of the manager role to potential recruits.

Persistence and Attrition: What Is Being Measured?

The purpose of this article is to discuss four assumptions commonly held in relation to persistence and or attrition rates at institutions of post secondary education: that persistence is positive, that persistence is an indicator of a programs ability to satisfy student need, that persistence is lower in distance education programs and that comparisons of persistence rates have meaning. The assumptions are explored in relation to the literature and to the data generated by the first complete cohort of graduate students in the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies at Athabasca University. We further propose formulae to address both persistence and attrition in online educational programs and present the variations in rates that can be produced.

Lessons Learned in Developing and Delivering Web-Based Graduate Courses: A Faculty Perspective

The increased demand for graduate distance education by RNs create many challenges for nurse educators. This article describes the trials and tribulations of developing and delivering two Web-based graduate nursing courses at a western Canadian university. The authors describe the background and rationale for developing Web-based courses, the relevant literature, and the lessons learned in planning and delivering these courses.

Meeting the Challenge of Developing Courses for Distance Delivery: Two Different Models for Course Development

Nursing education is increasingly challenged to convert traditional course offerings to distance delivery modalities to accommodate practicing RNs who wish to pursue continuing education. There is a lack of understanding regarding the experiences of faculty and staff from other departments within the university in the development of distance education courses. The purpose of this descriptive study was to uncover the experiences of nursing faculty and members of a university support unit involved in interdisciplinary development of distance delivery courses. Interviews were conducted with 11 participants. Two organizational models were identified. Other issues that emerged in the development of distance delivery courses were: faculty ownership of distance courses; workload implications for faculty; clinical practice by distance; and faculty expertise in new technologies. Implications for incorporating the challenges facing nursing faculty in the 21st century in the development of distance delivery courses are discussed.

Impact of Role Stressors on the Health of Nurse Managers: A Western Canadian Context

OBJECTIVE A qualitative exploratory inquiry was used to understand nurse managers’ (NMs’) perceptions of their role stressors, coping strategies, and self-health related outcomes as a result of frequent exposure to stressful situations in their role. BACKGROUND Strong nursing leadership is required for desirable staff, patient, and organizational outcomes. A stressed NM will negatively influence staff nurse satisfaction and retention, patient outcomes, and organizational performance. Stress can affect NMs’ mental and physical heath, leading to job dissatisfaction and turnover. METHODS A qualitative exploratory inquiry was conducted using semistructured interviews with 23 NMs and 1 focus group interview. RESULTS Findings suggest that coping strategies may be inadequate, given the intensity and demands of the manager role, and could negatively impact NMs’ long-term health. CONCLUSIONS Senior nurse leaders can significantly impact the health and productivity of NMs by minimizing the adverse effects of role stress and foster a positive work environment.