The Journal of the New York State Nurses' Association最新文献

College students, often away from home for the first time, are at risk for mental health disorders that can affect academic performance and quality of life. The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the provision of mental health services to students attending colleges on Long Island, NY and to explore information about the policies developed in regards to disclosing mental health information to a student's family in the event of crisis. A descriptive questionnaire was developed for the purpose of this study. Qualified professionals are providing mental health services to students on Long Island college campuses but few policies exist to enhance communication in the event of crisis. Nurses employed in college health centers can work with students and families towards health-promoting behaviors and to proactively plan for the management of health information in the event of a mental health crisis.

Baccalaureate student involvement in a faculty research project is presented as an opportunity for faculty to integrate teaching, practice, and research, and as a mechanism for students to: a) meet clinical course objectives and b) increase their familiarity with, interest in, and understanding of the role of research in developing a scientific basis for practice. Fifteen senior nursing students functioned as research assistants (RAs) and collected psychological and pulmonary data in the homes of primary caretakers who had a school-aged child with asthma. A description of student preparation for the RA role, their experiences as RAs, and feelings following participation are reported.

The article traces the historical development of regulatory standards for the practice of nursing in New York State. It gives an overview of the 2003 New York State Board for Nursing's proposal to amend the requirements and require a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) within 10 years of initial licensure. Current legislative initiatives are reviewed and the author cites numerous research reports that provide rationale for the bill's passage. Concerns are addressed and nurses are called to debate the issues in order to reach consensus on this important issue.

In the 2000-2003 New York State Nurses Association Strategic Plan, the Board of Directors called for an assessment of the progress made toward achieving an ethnically diverse nursing workforce as reflected in the literature. In this paper the authors have responded to that request and offer a snapshot of progress as well as standstills in the journey toward diversity. Although the literature has tended to focus on cultural competency of the healthcare worker, and includes numerous calls for action to diversify the nurse workforce, very little scholarly work has been conducted that rigorously evaluates such diversification activities. The purpose of this literature review is to explore existing scholarly work in ethnic diversity at three levels: in the general workforce, the healthcare workforce, and the nursing workforce. The authors explored the literature as it addresses two aspects: academic and career factors influencing diversity; and recruitment, retention, and other strategies employed to diversify the workforce. By exploring the existing research, gaps can be identified in order to either direct further research, or target funding to recruitment strategies to effectively enhance a more ethnically diverse nurse workforce.

Nurses are the voice of patients. Nurses speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Today's nurses need to find their voice and discover the power of public policy as a vehicle for patient-centered care. New York is a vast and varied state with multiple, competing healthcare interests. Nurses in New York need to be prepared to navigate the halls of power as patient-centered advocates. Nurses benefit from an education that teaches them to move comfortably in complex healthcare environments. This article describes the integration of an innovative, curricula-wide, public policy initiative with senior nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing program. We discuss the overall goals of the learning-centered program and the specific classroom and field assignments. Students described the results of this innovative teaching strategy as a life-changing event where they find their voice as an agent for their patients.

The need for timely and accurate communication among healthcare providers has prompted the development of computer-based health information networks that allow patient and client information to be shared among agencies. This article reports the findings of a study to assess whether residents of an upstate New York community were ready for a computer-based health information network to facilitate delivery of long term care services. Focus group sessions, which involved both consumers and professionals, revealed that security of personal information was of concern to healthcare providers, attorneys, and consumers. Physicians were the most enthusiastic about the possibility of a computer-based health information network. Consumers and other healthcare professionals, including nurses, indicated that such a network would be helpful to them personally. Nurses and other healthcare professionals need to be knowledgeable about the use of computer-based health information networks and other electronic information systems as this trend continues to spread across the U.S.

After Sept. 11, 2001, it became evident that there was a need in New York State for a database of registered nurses who would be able to volunteer in public health emergencies. The New York State Nurses Association worked with the New York State Department of Health to develop the NurseResponse program, which eventually registered more than 1,000 RNs. Although the system was not used for the Hurricane Katrina disaster, that event demonstrated that NurseResponse could be activated on short notice when the need arose.

The need for nurses with expertise in technology and information systems is expected to increase. This article describes a collaboration between a university's school of nursing and school of computer science and information to prepare nurses who wish to become nurse informaticians. The specifics of the master's-level Collaborative Nursing Informatics Program are discussed, classroom and clinical experiences are described, and evaluation processes are summarized.