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Transformative learning aims to awaken students to issues of injustice, and to promote their critical analysis of assumptions, beliefs and values that lead to and sustain social inequities, so that they may become agents of social change. This paper introduces the Sensitise Take Action and Reflection (STAR) framework, which encapsulates transformative learning principles, as a tool for educators to enhance student health professionals' capacity and preparedness to address health inequities they are likely to encounter in their future practice. Using an action research methodology within a three-cycle process, STAR was trialled and evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of health educators (n = 25) in an Australian university. Disciplines included: nursing, nutrition and dietetics, public health, occupational therapy and paramedic science. Data were gathered via individual interviews, focus group discussions and field notes, and were analysed inductively, with member-checking of emerging themes to ensure interpretive rigour. The results of this research suggest that STAR is easily understood by users, has relevance for health professional education, and holds promise for producing desired educational outcomes within and across health disciplines. Furthermore, this project could be considered a model for fostering inter-professional collaboration in health education, research and practice. (Contains 3 figures.)

Every day in Queensland, Australia, student services within schools are responding to children who have deliberately self-injured. Although school nurses are in a prime position to effectively intervene, mitigate risk, and promote healthy self-caring behaviors, no programs that focus specifically on self-harm currently exist. This feasibility study of a program to assist young people find safer alternatives to self-harm canvassed opinions of 12 school nurses in secondary schools on the Sunshine Coast in 2009. Participants showed strong support and reported that the program was much needed; had an innovative, strengths-oriented approach; incorporated an essential training component; would likely be engaging for young people; and was in appropriate format. Perceived challenges to implementation included garnering support from the school community and educational stakeholders and recruiting young people most likely to benefit. Suggested changes included providing a youth-friendly name for the program and formalizing inclusion criteria to select appropriate group members. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)

Asserts that the craft knowledge of skilled teachers must be shared to help nursing students become competent, committed qualitative researchers. Strategies to develop a qualitative eye, deal with challenges such as ethical conduct, inform approaches to fieldwork, and extend capacity and confidence to interpret data, play with ideas, analyze themes, and contribute to knowledge are described. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

The philosophical basis of a nursing education curriculum in Australia is the human dimension of nursing. The curriculum acknowledges the importance of the learning climate, diverse learning styles, diversity, and the active role of teachers in developing nurses who are competent and critical thinkers. (SK)

Describes a teaching-learning framework for nursing education that has learning outcomes at its center. Elements discussed include learning climate; shared culture; input factors (student, teacher, and institutional characteristics); course design, content, organization, and objectives; the psycho-socio-political-economic environment; and assessment and evaluation. (Contains 60 references.) (SK)