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Aims This study aimed to compare the findings of the quality of nursing doctoral education survey across seven countries and discuss the strategic directions for improving quality. Background No comparative evaluation of global quality of nursing doctoral education has been reported to date despite the rapid increase in the number of nursing doctoral programmes. Design A descriptive, cross-country, comparative design was employed. Methods Data were collected from 2007-2010 from nursing schools in seven countries: Australia, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Thailand, UK and USA. An online questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of nursing doctoral education except for Japan, where a paper version was used. Korea and South Africa used e-mails quality of nursing doctoral education was evaluated using four domains: Programme, Faculty (referring to academic staff), Resource and Evaluation. Descriptive statistics, correlational and ordinal logistic regression were employed. Results A total of 105 deans/schools, 414 faculty and 1149 students/graduates participated. The perceptions of faculty and students/graduates about the quality of nursing doctoral education across the seven countries were mostly favourable on all four domains. The faculty domain score had the largest estimated coefficient for relative importance. As the overall quality level of doctoral education rose from fair to good, the resource domain showed an increased effect. Conclusions Both faculty and students/graduates groups rated the overall quality of nursing doctoral education favourably. The faculty domain had the greatest importance for quality, followed by the programme domain. However, the importance of the resource domain gained significance as the overall quality of nursing doctoral education increased, indicating the needs for more attention to resources if the quality of nursing doctoral education is to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lafond c.m. & van hulle vincent c. (2012) A critique of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework. Journal of Advanced Nursing 00(0), 000-000. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06048.x Abstract Aims. To present a critique of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework. Design. Fawcett's criteria for theory analysis and evaluation are used. Background. Use of simulated learning experiences in nursing education is widespread; a sound framework to guide educators across the globe in implementing these experiences effectively is essential. The basic assertion of the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework is that student-learning outcomes are influenced by the concepts of teacher, student, educational practices, and simulation design characteristics. Data sources. A literature search was performed using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies published in the English language, between 2005-June 2011, where the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework was tested or used as a theoretical framework for research. Discussion. Sixteen publications (two articles in press) from the USA and UK were identified using the framework to guide research; outcomes included increased student satisfaction, confidence, and improved skill performance. Implications for nursing. As a newer theoretical framework, the National League for Nursing/Jeffries simulation framework offers promise to guide the construction and implementation of simulation experiences resulting in positive student outcomes. Conclusion. Empirically supported definitions of concepts would strengthen the framework and help educators to consistently produce and identify positive outcomes. Additional rigorous research is necessary to further test relationships among concepts and the associated concept variables in the framework. More studies outside of the United States are needed to confirm the framework is relevant to nursing programs in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To report a review and narrative synthesis conducted to analyse and evaluate nurses' preparedness to respond to a bioterrorist event. Background. The anthrax attack on the USA in 2001 resulted in the development of global response strategies for future bioterrorist events. However, despite these actions, it remains unclear whether nurses are prepared to respond to such events. Data sources. A search for relevant research articles was conducted using the MEDLINE, CINAHL, BNI, and EMBASE databases to locate articles published in the period 1996-March 2010. Design. Narrative Synthesis Review methods. A narrative synthesis of qualitative and quantitative studies was undertaken and the articles reviewed using Greenhalgh's critical appraisal criteria. The review was conducted with inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to ensure the studies examined focussed on the hospital nurse's role in responding to a bioterrorist event. Results. Seven original research studies were included in the review. Four themes were identified as affecting nurses' preparedness for a bioterrorist attack. These were perceptions of bioterrorism, the role of formal knowledge, the role of institutional plans and policies, and personal factors. The overarching theme centred on nurses' willingness to respond to a bioterrorist event. It was clear that, although nurses were willing to respond to a bioterrorist attack, they felt unprepared to do so. Conclusions. Existing nurse education in areas such as infection control can incorporate bioterrorism training to improve preparedness, yet nurses must also prepare themselves personally for a bioterrorist attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

williams j.k., skirton h., barnette j.j. & paulsen j.s. (2012) Family carer personal concerns in Huntington disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(1), 137-146. Abstract Aim. To examine and compare the personal concerns of family members providing care for people with Huntington disease in the United Kingdom and the United States. Background. Family carers of people with Huntington disease may feel burdened by caregiving responsibilities and concerned about illness risk for relatives. Method. A mailed personal concerns survey was completed by 108 United Kingdom and 119 United States adult family carers of people with Huntington disease in 2006 and 2007. Survey responses included frequency and intensity of concerns, and narrative comments. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of the products of frequency and intensity of reaction scores to identify a personal concerns index for items with the twelve highest combined scores. Factor analysis identified three factors, which were compared between respondents by factor and items within factors using t tests mean frequency by intensity scores. Narrative comments were thematically analysed. Results. Three main factors were labelled impact of role change, sense of isolation and concerns for children. Within the role change factor, United States family caregivers had significantly higher concerns about family finances and United Kingdom carers expressed significantly greater personal sadness. Both groups expressed concern about isolation from family. Although family carers in both countries expressed concern about their children, those of United States caregivers were significantly higher. Conclusion. Further studies are required to identify benefits of support services that are specific to carer concerns and consistent with national healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]