This study examined the supports, barriers, and strategies to successful progression in a DNP program using a nationwide online survey of DNP students and graduates. Subjects (n = 172) had a mean age ...of 46.2 years; 83% worked full time. Major barriers were competing demands of work, family, and school. Perseverance was a key element in overcoming barriers; most students reported being overwhelmed, and 37% considered quitting. Mechanisms for programs to consider in addressing this stress are discussed.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains the third leading cause of infant death in the United States and the leading cause of death beyond 1 month of age. In 2011, the American Academy of ...Pediatrics (AAP) released the newest SIDS risk-reduction recommendations, which address healthcare providers in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Little is known about neonatal nurses' SIDS prevention strategies since the release of these newest recommendations.
To assess neonatal nurses' beliefs, knowledge, and practices regarding SIDS prevention in both the NICU and step-down transitional care unit (TCU).
A prospective-descriptive design was used. The 33-item SIDS Risk-Reduction Questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of nurses in a level III NICU/TCU in the Midwest.
Two hundred questionnaires were distributed; 96 (48%) were returned completed. Fifty-three percent of nurses strongly agreed that SIDS recommendations make a difference in preventing SIDS and 20% strongly believed that parents model SIDS prevention practices employed by staff. A majority of nurses correctly identified 2011 recommendations. Sixty-three percent of nurses often or always gave parents verbal information and 28% often or always gave parents written information regarding SIDS. Differences were seen between NICU and TCU nurses concerning beliefs and practices, suggesting that TCU nurses more consistently follow SIDS recommendations.
Increased neonatal nursing and parental education regarding SIDS prevention and updated hospital policies promoting safe sleep are paramount.
Larger multicenter studies in level II/III NICUs are needed to provide further data on SIDS attitudes and practices.
Preterm infants born before 37 weeks' gestation die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at a rate more than double that of term infants. There is a need for SIDS prevention programs tailored to ...the specific needs of parents of high-risk infants. The purpose of this study was to pilot test an online educational module addressing SIDS risk-reduction recommendations (RRRs) for parents of preterm infants. This study was conducted in a 44-bed transitional care unit at a level IV NICU in the Midwest. A repeated-measures design was used. Two weeks before discharge, mothers completed a survey, addressing knowledge and plans for caring for their baby at home. Mothers then viewed the 5-section Caring about Preemies' Safe Sleep (CaPSS) education module and completed the postmodule evaluation. A discharge survey was completed 4 weeks postdischarge. Fifteen mothers, mean age 26.4 years, participated; 8 (53%) returned the postdischarge survey. Module evaluation rated clarity and completeness of information high. Mothers' ratings of SIDS knowledge were significantly higher after viewing the module (P = .000) and 4 weeks after discharge home (P = .012). Mothers found the use of a pacifier at sleep times to be new information and changed their plans for caring for their infant, with 28.6% of mothers always offering a pacifier before sleep after discharge compared with the 6.7% who had planned to do this before discharge. However, only 71% of infants slept in parents' room after discharge and only 41% were receiving at least some breast milk, which are not consistent with SIDS RRRs.
Publication is a common expectation for both faculty and graduate students in schools of nursing. Little is known about the perceptions of students and faculty regarding what supports or interferes ...with students' success in writing for publication. Perceptions of supports and barriers to writing for publication and the differences in perceptions between graduate nursing students and faculty were examined. A descriptive comparative design was used to sample master's (n = 62), Doctor of Nursing Practice (n = 66), and Doctor of Philosophy (n = 7) students and graduate faculty (n = 35) using two investigator-developed surveys. Students (71.1%) and faculty (57.6%) identified working with faculty and mentors as the greatest support. Students' primary barrier was finding time (64.5%). Faculty identified not knowing how to get started (63.6%) as the students' greatest barrier. Findings support that mentoring and finding sufficient time for writing are priorities for the development of a plan to support students in writing for publication.
Quality improvement has evolved rapidly in neonatal nursing. This review outlines the history and current state of quality improvement practice and education in neonatal nursing. The future of ...neonatal nursing includes a stronger emphasis on quality improvement in advanced practice education that promotes doctoral projects that result in clinical improvements. A collective focus will ensure that neonatal nurses not only deliver evidence-based care, but also continually improve the care they deliver.
Treating pain during immunization should be a part of pediatric primary healthcare around the world, as untreated pain in children has short- and long-term consequences. Few studies of pharmacologic ...and nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief during immunization have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Finding pain-mitigating interventions that are low-cost, effective, and feasible across all settings, including with low-resourced settings could improve primary healthcare.
To evaluate the effectiveness of oral sucrose versus breastfeeding as methods of pain management during immunization of infants through 6 months of age.
A randomized controlled experimental design was used; 120 infants were randomly assigned to control, sucrose, or breastfeeding groups. Data were collected in an Egyptian primary health center. Outcome measures including pain (as per the FLACC pain scale), crying time, and heart rate were measured at three time points.
There were significant differences in pain scores and crying duration during and after immunization (p < .001) for the breastfeeding group compared with the sucrose and control groups.
Health staff and parents need education and support in use of breastfeeding for pain management during immunization. More studies are needed to evaluate effectiveness of breastfeeding versus other pain management methods for managing infants' immunization-related pain.
The global aim of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement a systematic process to assign and maintain consistent bedside nurses for infants and families.
A systematic process ...based on a primary care nursing model was implemented to assign consistent care for a 48-bed, single-family room NICU.
Four PDSA cycles were necessary to obtain agreement from the nursing staff as to the best process for assigning primary nurses. Post-intervention data revealed a 9.5 percent decrease of consistent caregivers for infants in the NICU ≤ 28 days and a 2.3 percent increase of consistent caregivers for infants in the NICU ≥ 29 days.
Although these findings did not meet the goal of the specific aim, a systematic process was created to assign bedside nurses to infants. Further PDSAs will be needed to refine the process to reach the aim.
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