Search

Background: Student knowledge acquisition and retention are essential in nursing training. This study examined differences in content knowledge acquisition and retention between traditional and flipped classroom (FC) formats. Method: A pretest-posttest quasiexperimental design with a follow-up test was used for this study of associate degree nursing students in a Hong Kong community college. The control group (n = 141) included nursing students in a traditional classroom (TC) setting before COVID-19 compared with nursing students in an FC (n = 130) setting during the pandemic. The effects were evaluated before the course, postcourse, and 3 months after the course. Results: Content knowledge scores for both groups improved after the course. Students in the FC performed better in the short-term (posttest immediately after the course) and long-term (follow-up-test 3 months later) than students in the TC. Conclusion: Implementing the FC method effectively promoted students' knowledge acquisition and retention. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(8):501–506.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a small mixed-methods research project undertaken with trainee nursing associates (TNAs) in the south of England. Aim: The aim was to gain insight into the motivation behind undertaking the nursing associate (NA) programme, how the NA role is perceived by service users and the wider healthcare team, and the future career pathways of NAs. Methods: Online questionnaires (n=14) and online focus groups (n=6). Findings: The results suggested undertaking the NA programme increased the TNAs' confidence and ability to use evidence to support their practice; that the role of the NA is not well understood. Some TNAs perceived the NA role as a distinct professional role, whereas others saw it as a way into registered nurse training. Conclusion: Role confusion still exists. Research is needed to capture how professional identities in new health and social care professional groups become established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Claire Urwin, Principal Lead for Pre-Registration Developments in London/Programme Leader M Nurse, University of Sunderland (claire.urwin@sunderland.ac.uk), reviews the development of the registered nursing associate role and considers factors relating to professional development for role holders [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the experiences of university employees on the development and implementation of the nursing associate programme. Background: As part of wider policy initiatives to address workforce shortages, provide progression for healthcare assistants and offer alternative routes into nursing, England recently introduced the nursing associate level of practice. Little research has yet considered university perspectives on this new programme. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study reported following COREQ criteria. Twenty‐seven university staff working with trainee nursing associates in five universities across England were recruited. Data, collected via semi‐structured interviews from June to September 2021, were analysed through a combined framework and thematic analysis. Results: Three themes developed: 'Centrality of partnerships' considered partnerships between employers and universities and changing power dynamics. 'Adapting for support' included responding to new requirements and changing pedagogical approaches. 'Negotiating identity' highlighted the university's role in advocacy and helping trainees develop a student identity. Conclusions: Nursing associate training in England has changed the dynamics between universities and healthcare employers, shifting learners' identity more to 'employee' rather than 'student'. Universities have adapted to support trainees in meeting academic and professional standards whilst also meeting employer expectations. While challenges remain, the ability of nurse educators to make adjustments, alongside their commitment to quality educational delivery, is helping establish this new training programme and thereby meet government policy initiatives. Implications for nursing policy: The international movement of apprenticeship models in universities has the potential to change the status of the learner in nursing educational contexts. National policies that encourage this model should ensure that the implications and challenges this change of status brings to learners, employers and education institutions are fully considered prior to their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the factors that contribute to the development of the nursing associate professional identity. Design: A 3‐year longitudinal qualitative study of trainee nursing associates. Methods: Trainee nursing associates in England were interviewed remotely annually in February 2020, March 2021 and March 2022. They also provided diary entries. Data were anonymised, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: Nursing associate professional identity was developed through: increased knowledge, skills and responsibility; and self‐perceptions of identity alongside responses to the role by colleagues. Tensions arose when the scope of practice expected by organisations differed from that expected by the nursing associates. Frustrations occurred when nursing associates were perceived as substitutes for Registered Nurses in the context of nursing workforce shortages. Conclusion: Nursing associates in this study clearly valued their new knowledge, skills and responsibility, enabling them to provide enhanced patient care. Increased clarity of role boundaries is necessary in enhancing the professional identity of nursing associates and reducing inter‐professional tensions arising from role ambiguity within health and social care organisations. Implications for the Profession: National guidance and employers should provide clarity on the boundaries of the nursing associate role which will strengthen their professional identity and mitigate role ambiguity within health and social care organisations. Reporting Method: The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research has been used to guide reporting. Patient of Public Contribution: A patient and public involvement group was consulted during the initial study design stage. Impact: This study aimed to understand the factors which contribute to the development of a nursing associate professional identity.Nursing associate professional identity is developed through increased knowledge, skills and responsibility, and the perceptions of identity by participants themselves and their colleagues.The findings should inform the implementation of initiatives to clarify nursing associate role boundaries and the development of similar roles internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The National Education Progression in Nursing's current goal is for one million incumbent nurses and 90% of new ADN nurses to achieve a BSN or higher by 2025 in the United States. To meet this goal, programs nationwide are exploring options to increase BSN graduates. One method is the concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN pathway. This review examines how nurse educators develop and implement concurrent enrollment ADN-BSN programs in the US and calls to expand access to this important approach to academic progression in nursing. Method. A PRISMA search strategy was used to identify articles that detailed the development and implementation of dual-admission nursing programs. Ten relevant works were analyzed in this review. Results. Dual enrollment programs vary in program type and implementation methods nationwide and offer an innovative, cost-effective, and time-efficient approach to obtaining the BSN. Conclusion. While employing dual or concurrent enrollment partnerships between community colleges and universities is a complex endeavor, these programs are a powerful and cost-effective way to increase the number of BSN nurses in the workforce and should be considered for expansion as we promote academic progression for all nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professionalism and safety in patient care are concepts nurses are expected to exhibit in practice. High fidelity simulation was explored to assist in teaching students the behaviors needed to succeed in nursing. Nursing leaders identified areas in which graduates struggle, including critical thinking, skills acquisition, time management, role responsibilities, delegation, and effective communication. The project's purpose was to analyze students' perceptions regarding professional nursing values, identify gaps in knowledge concerning professional behavior, and determine perception change of professional values. A pretest post-test simulation intervention was chosen. Improvement in communication and autonomy was noted with statistically significant findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article critiques the potential substitution of regulated diabetes care professionals with Physician Associates and Nursing Associates, arguing for their roles to be supplementary rather than replacing existing team members to maintain high-quality care.

The article focuses on the evolving role of registered nursing associates (RNAs) and their responsibilities in various healthcare settings, providing a route into graduate-level nursing while enabling registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical duties. Topics include the challenges RNAs face in caring for deteriorating patients, their contribution to preventing "failure to rescue" incidents, and their role in the Chain of Prevention model.