•Tracer study measures accountability and impact of higher educational institutions.•Nursing educational training provides graduates with the desired competencies for employment.•There is a high ...employability rate among nursing and midwifery graduates.•Entrepreneurship is poorly integrated in the nursing curricula.
Contribution of nursing is crucial for Universal Health Coverage and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. Tracer studies help evaluate accountability and demonstrate the impact of nursing educational institutions in a highly competitive job market. The study aimed at assessing the employability of nursing graduates, and perceived quality of the nursing program they pursued in a public tertiary institution in Ghana.
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey. One hundred and ten (110) nursing graduates responded to a web-based survey. The data were gathered using a customized questionnaire based on the Tarlac State University Graduates Tracer Questionnaire. Data were collected via google forms, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Majority of the participants were females (n = 64, 58.2 %). Most of the participants had completed a Bachelor’s degree at the tertiary institution (n = 101, 91.8 %). A significant proportion of the participants were gainfully employed during the study period (n = 102, 92.7 %) with majority of them working in the public sector (n = 81, 79.4 %). The quality of the diploma or degree program obtained was rated good in most of the areas by over 50 % of the participants. There was no statistically significant association between the highest educational qualification of participants and their perceptions on the quality of the nursing program.
There is the need to conduct this kind of tracer study on a regular basis to keep track of graduate’s progress and obtain feedback on the quality of programs being offered so as to meet the ever-changing needs of society.
Over the past years, internationalization has become the gold standard for most higher education institutions and strategies for internationalization at home have grown as a means to foster global ...learning. Virtual exchange (VE) as an internationalization at home strategy encompasses one of the most innovative teaching methodologies to provide students with an intercultural perspective in the subject area of their academic programs. A total of 158 veterinary students from a private university in Spain and a public university in Brazil participated in a COIL project based on veterinary anatomy and diagnostic imaging. The project’s primary objective was for students to leverage their diverse knowledge and backgrounds to collaboratively discuss a clinical case and create a scientific poster in small groups. This practice report aims to demonstrate the potential of VE in veterinary sciences by detailing the collaboration design and presenting students’ perspectives on their experiences. The results of a postcollaboration survey indicate that this methodology effectively stimulates students to engage globally and fosters their personal and professional development.
This paper presents some of the characteristics of supervision as a specific developmental educational and supportive method of professional development and reflection that we studied in a group of ...students and a group of teachers. The aim of our research was to find out what participants in supervision sessions perceive the contribution of supervision sessions to their personal and professional development. We conducted a qualitative research in which two different methods were applied to two groups: a) in the group of students from the Faculty of Education at the University of Ljubljana, we conducted a qualitative analysis of the texts of their written reflections, b) we conducted a focus group with four teachers who had participated in intensive Shrani supervision sessions in the past. Despite its limitations (the conclusions of the study cannot be generalized as it was conducted on selected samples), the study provides some insights into students' and teachers' beliefs about the benefits of supervision. It can be concluded that supervision is primarily important for students as an entry into the profession (by raising awareness of what supervision is and the importance of continuous professional development), while for those already in the profession, supervision offers a range of other benefits (reflection on work, support, professional and personal growth...).
Abstract Objective This study explored how personal therapy (PT) is experienced by psychotherapists, focussing on its positive and negative impact on clinical work as well as personal and ...professional development (PPD). The current meta‐analysis considered qualitative research studies focussing on therapists' experiences of the impact of their PT on their clinical activities and development. Method A systematic review of the literature led to the identification of 21 published qualitative research studies. The findings from individual studies were subjected to grounded theory meta‐analysis. Results Five clusters were identified: (1) PT helps to increase self‐awareness in general and within the therapeutic relations; (2) PT helps therapists to adopt a therapeutic approach by observing and experiencing the impact of therapeutic interventions; (3) PT helps to support patients in the therapeutic process on the basis of one's own experience of going through a therapeutic process; (4) PT helps therapists to become more confident and authentic because it fosters self‐acceptance; and (5) PT hinders clinical work and PPD through exposure to inadequate interventions and by stirring up personal issues. The four helpful clusters can be linked to the processes of personal growth, learning through observation and experience, experiential learning, and professional identity development, respectively. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that PT can have a helpful impact on clinical work and PPD through four processes that strengthen effective therapist skills, attitudes and ways of being. However, several studies demonstrate that the influence of PT on clinical work and PPD can also be experienced as complex, ambiguous and even harmful.
Refire! Don't Retire asks readers the all-important question: as you look at the years ahead, what can you do to make them satisfying and meaningful? Ken Blanchard and Morton Shaevitz point out that ...some people see their later years as a time to endure rather than as an exciting opportunity. Both research and common sense confirm that people who embrace these years with energy and gusto—rather than withdrawing and waiting for things to happen—consistently make the rest of their lives the best of their lives.In the trademark Ken Blanchard style, the authors tell the compelling story of Larry and Janice Sparks, who discover how to see each day as an opportunity to enhance their relationships, stimulate their minds, revitalize their bodies, and grow spiritually. As they learn to be open to new experiences, Larry and Janice rekindle passion in every area of their lives. Readers will find humor, practical information, and profound wisdom in Refire! Don't Retire. Best of all, they will be inspired to make all the years ahead truly worth living.
Introduction
Previous research has found that nurses in inpatient CAMHS can struggle to define their role and contribution to patient care. While gratitude has received increased attention in ...relation to subjective well‐being in healthcare settings, the receipt of gratitude in the form of thank you letters is currently unexplored in the CAMHS context.
Aim/Question
To gain an understanding of how inpatient CAMHS nursing staff experience receiving expressions of gratitude from patients.
Method
Adopting an exploratory qualitative approach, two focus group interviews were conducted. Participants completed a brief online follow‐up questionnaire. Data were examined using thematic analysis.
Results
Reflecting on expressions of gratitude improved understanding of professional identity, enhanced reflexivity, enhanced team cohesion and increased professional and personal confidence and motivation.
Discussion
Expressions of gratitude appear to offer meaningful sources of feedback for nurses and support a greater sense of personal accomplishment, professional role and the relational impact of care for patients. When nurses share and discuss expressions of gratitude with colleagues this brings benefits additional to the initial receipt.
Implications for Mental Health Nursing
Nurses should be supported to engage in discussing and reflecting upon receiving thank you letters and other tokens of gratitude although care should be taken to support those who might experience unease or increased self‐doubt.
There is limited literature describing the outcomes of formal career guidance in pharmacy programs. This study assessed the course outcomes including students' satisfaction, achievement of the ...learning objectives and scoring on assignments.
A 1-credit elective course aims at providing second- and third-year professional pharmacy students (P2 and P3) to career guidance. The main topics address career planning and paths, communication skills, personal and professional development, leadership and entrepreneurship. Included are written assignments, oral group presentations and mock interviews.
Data on 303 students, including 279 P2 and 24 P3, between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed using course evaluations, direct assessment and scoring. Average evaluations ratings were consistently above 4 on a 5-point scale including the clarity of the course policies and procedures (4.61) and its objectives and requirements (4.59), organization (4.58), instructors’ simulated questions, responses, discussion and openness to other viewpoints (4.57) and quality (4.5). Students found the experience to be interesting and relevant to pharmacy practice. All students scored above 70% on the course assignments.
Students were satisfied with the course and gave high ratings to the course content, delivery and in meeting its learning objectives. They scored high on the different course assignments. These findings are similar to the results of other studies reporting students' satisfaction with career guidance.
The career opportunities course is popular among pharmacy students who consistently reported their satisfaction with its content, design and delivery.
Professional identity formation (PIF) is an essential component of pharmacy education. A student-focused holistic approach can be introduced through exposure to a variety of curricular and ...co-curricular activities. It is essential for students to not only participate in these activities but also to reflect on their actions and thoughts about those activities. The objective of this study was to better understand the experiences students identify as significant in their PIF.
A mixed methods approach with qualitative thematic analysis was conducted for first-year (P1) and second-year (P2) student pharmacist end-of-year reflections to understand the types and impact of various experiences on PIF. Students identified which experience was most impactful; additional analysis based on this identification was conducted.
A review of 151 student reflections led to coding and analysis of 453 experiences. Co-curricular experiences were identified most frequently in both P1 and P2 groups (59.8% and 56.4%, respectively). Curricular experiences were more likely to be mentioned by P1 students than P2 students (28.8% vs. 9.8%, P < .001). P2 students were more likely to identify experiential rotations (17.9% vs. 6.4%, P < .001) or work (13.7% vs. 9.1, P < .001). Other experiences were cited less frequently but were ranked as most impactful by students. Students often identified experiences that allowed them to apply skills and knowledge and opportunities to attend seminars and lectures.
When reflecting on experiences and their impact on PIF, student pharmacists discussed a variety of experiences but identified co-curricular opportunities most frequently as impactful.
Introduction: To be trained as problem-solvers, medical students need to be exposed to activities that integrate and apply knowledge. Student research projects in the medical curriculum are a means ...of achieving these objectives. At Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), the Mentored Student Project (MSP) is a platform for research by students guided by a teacher-mentor. The MSP lends itself to innovative ideas to empower students for the future. Aim: To use the MSP as a platform, to compile a handbook of case scenarios for medical students. Materials and Methods: To construct the case scenarios, students (n=5) chose various medical topics (n=50), which were familiar to them from their curriculum of the first and second year. They were instructed to refer to authentic online and offline sources of medical literature. After ‘Turnitin’ analysis to check for plagiarism, the case scenarios were vetted by a clinician based on a questionnaire and compiled into a handbook. Students also presented a poster about the MSP experience. MCQ test designed by the faculty was used to as certain learning of the participants of the MSP (n=5) and performance was graded. A questionnaire on a Likert’s scale was used to analyse the students’ engagement with the MSP. Individual and focus group discussions to ascertain students’ opinion were also held. Results: The study demonstrated that students were capable of designing case scenarios of good quality free of plagiarism. They scored between 60-70% in the MCQ test providing evidence of substantial knowledge retention. They felt that the experience had integrated their knowledge and would help them in problem-solving. Conclusion: The evidence from this study brings to light the multifaceted role that MSPs play in the personal and professional development of medical students.
Objective. To create and implement individual development plans (IDPs) to assist pharmacy students in career planning and tracking their achievement of ACPE Standards 2016, Standard 4, for Personal ...and Professional Development.
Methods. First-year Doctor of Pharmacy students completed IDPs, which were subsequently reviewed to ensure they addressed components of the ACPE Standard 4 key elements: self-awareness, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, and professionalism. Faculty advisors were surveyed regarding the utility of IDPs. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the results.
Results. Self-awareness (100%) and professionalism (100%) were the key elements most commonly documented by pharmacy students, followed by leadership (51%), and innovation and entrepreneurship (22%). Faculty advisors reported IDPs as beneficial for stimulating individualized career planning and tracking achievement of ACPE Standard 4.
Conclusion. Most students enter pharmacy school recognizing the importance of self-awareness and professionalism, but require additional training to instill leadership and innovation/entrepreneurship skills. Individual development plans can be implemented in pharmacy education as a cornerstone of personal and professional development planning, as well as a means of tracking a school’s progress toward meeting accreditation standards.
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