Purpose/aims: Evidence is required to inform effective interventions promoting publication among clinical nurses. This study examined the effect of a mentored writing program on clinical nurse perceptions of writerly self-efficacy and publication.
Design: A mixed-methods, pretest-posttest study design with an education intervention was implemented. The Revised for Nursing Practice - Postsecondary Writerly Self-efficacy Scale (RNP-PSWSES) measured perception of writerly self-efficacy before and after intervention. Manuscripts submitted for publication were counted.
Methods: The purposive, convenience sample included registered nurses with completed research, evidence-based practice, or quality improvement projects. Subjects participated in a 3-month structured mentored writing program and completed the RNP-PSWSES survey before and after program completion. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to determine the significance of difference between the pretest and posttest, and the number of published manuscripts was reported.
Results: The RNP-PSWSES items identified pretest-posttest Cronbach's α (.728, .818). Posttest RNP-PSWSES scores were statistically significantly higher than pretest scores (z = -1.96, P = .050) with a large effect size of r = 0.69. Two manuscripts were accepted for publication, and 1 manuscript was withdrawn after the third request for revisions.
Conclusions: In this study, mentored writing workshops improve nurses' perceptions of writing ability and increase publications. Generalization of findings is limited by small sample size. Clinical nurse specialists are critical to champion writing and publication.
Purpose: A medical-surgical telemetry unit implemented a clinical triggers system for early recognition of clinical deterioration and bedside management between nurses and providers. The goal was to decrease cardiopulmonary arrest events.
Description of the project: A clinical triggers system was developed to help nurses to identify clinical markers early and advocate for prompt bedside assessment and interventions. When clinical triggers were identified, the nurse notified the provider, who performed a bedside assessment within 15 minutes. If the provider did not respond promptly, the rapid response team was activated.
Outcomes: Before intervention, the unit experienced 14 cardiopulmonary arrest events (rate of 1.37 per 1000 patient days). Incidences decreased annually to 5, 4, and 3 events (rates of 0.49, 0.39, and 0.3 per 1000 patient days) during the 3-year implementation period.
Conclusions: The clinical triggers system was successful in achieving the project objective of decreasing unit cardiopulmonary arrest events through early recognition and response to patient deterioration during the implementation period. The clinical nurse specialist helped nurses to use the clinical triggers system to detect and respond to clinical changes. Nurses were empowered to address concerns and promote patient safety.