Past Industry News

The Daily Nurse

Survey Paints Enrollment Picture

On June 3, 2024, writer Louis Pilla with The Daily Nurse, a blog produced by Springer Publishing, contributed a new article titled Survey Paints Enrollment Picture. The author highlights findings from AACN’s 2023 annual survey of baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. The article features insights from Dr. Jean Giddens, chair of the AACN Board of Directors and dean of the University of Kansas School of Nursing, on enrollment trends by program level, including decreases in PhD and RN-to-BSN programs. Dr. Giddens also commented on ongoing challenges related to finding faculty and securing clinical learning sites.

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National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Fraud Detection Guidance for Employers and Educators

On May 22, 2024, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) released a statement titled Fraud Detection Guidance for Employers and Educators to provide direction on how to detect individuals using fake credentials to enroll in a nursing program, apply for a license, or obtain employment. “Fraud in nursing is a serious health concern posing a threat to patients and eroding their confidence in the profession. This statement is designed to increase awareness and help implement methods of fraud detection and prevention,” said NCSBN’s Dr. Nancy Spector. The statement offers 10 recommendations to strengthen fraud detection processes that may already be in place at your institution.

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Journal of Nursing Education

Using Rapid Mini-Simulations as a Strategy to Increase Competency-Based Education

In the May 2024 Journal of Nursing Education, Dr. Bonnie Jones-Hepler, Dr. Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, and Dr. Stephanie Gedzyk-Nieman from Duke University explore Using Rapid Mini-Simulations as a Strategy to Increase Competency-Based Education. With three examples focused on maternity care, the authors illustrate how mini-simulations can be used to develop clinical judgement skills in students in accelerated baccalaureate programs. The authors show how the frequent application of mini-simulations can be incorporated into CBE as a formative evaluation method to foster clinical reasoning in nursing graduates.

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Nurse Educator

Strategies to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education

In the May/June 2024 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Cynthia Foronda and Dr. Andrew Porter from the University of Miami consider Strategies to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education. AI is mainstream within health care and accessible to virtually every nursing student. The authors argue that students should be educated about the pros and cons of AI to keep them informed about the current climate and help them determine appropriate circumstances for its application. The article describes strategies for the use of AI in nursing education, including guidelines on its ethical use.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Roadmap for Integrating the AACN Essentials with Perioperative Nursing

In the July/August 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Rebecca Vortman from the University of Illinois Chicago and colleagues published a Roadmap for Integrating the AACN Essentials with Perioperative Nursing. With a focus on prelicensure nursing programs, the authors outline steps faculty can take to enhance content and clinical learning experiences focused on perioperative nursing using a competency-based approach to education. Exemplars aligned with all 10 domains of nursing practice in the 2021 AACN Essentials are included and illustrate pathways for student learning from the beginning level to competent.

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Nursing Research

Research and Policy

In the May/June 2024 issue of Nursing Research, journal editor Rita Pickler contributed an editorial exploring the connections between Research and Policy. The author considers the importance of using rigorous research to shape health policy and underscores the responsibility scientists have in translating research findings to educate the public and policy makers. Dr. Pickler concludes that “our hope is that nursing scientists continue to expand their interest in policy development, using published evidence to support their efforts to improve health for all.”

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Journal of Professional Nursing

A Stepwise Approach to Integrating the New Essentials into a Master's Entry Nursing Curriculum

In the May/June 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Heidi Johnston and colleagues from Linfield College published A Stepwise Approach to Integrating the New Essentials into a Master's Entry Nursing Curriculum. The authors describe their efforts to launch Oregon’s first Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing Program (MEPN), aligned with AACN’s 2021 Essentials. The article outlines efforts to collect input from the program’s community of interest, engage in a curriculum development process, develop clinical experiences across the four spheres of care, and evaluate program success. Challenges associated with launching this new program and meeting competency expectations are noted.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Professional Identity in Nursing: Why It Is Important in Graduate Education

In the May/June 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Brenda Douglass from Johns Hopkins University and colleagues explore Professional Identity in Nursing: Why It Is Important in Graduate Education. Possessing a clear identity in nursing is a guiding principle to professional comportment. In graduate nursing education, transitioning and expanding one's professional identity requires role evolution. This article illustrates how faculty educate graduate nursing students on developing professional identity using a conceptual framework to achieve competencies outlined in the 2021 AACN Essentials.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

The AACN Essentials: An Intentional Framework for Successful Implementation

In the May/June 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Dawn Mueller-Burke from the University of Maryland and colleagues published a new article titled The AACN Essentials: An Intentional Framework for Successful Implementation. The article explores one nursing school’s approach to implementing the Essentials, illustrating the structural, procedural, and initial outcomes connected with integrating the new competency expectations across programs and specialties. Lessons learned highlight the critical need for ongoing faculty development and the use of learner-centric pedagogies to achieve students’ competency development and practice readiness.

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American Journal of Nursing

Nurses Step Up to Address Climate Change and Health

In the April 2024 issue of the American Journal of Nursing, authors Nicole Fauteux and Benjamin Simon consider the many ways Nurses Step Up to Address Climate Change and Health. The article explores how a growing number of nurses are battling climate change in the clinical settings and communities through education, research, and grassroots advocacy. “Whether by educating a single patient, supporting waste reduction in the workplace, promoting clean air in the community, or advocating for policy change, nurses have many opportunities to improve the health of the planet.”

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Incredible Health

2024 State of U.S. Nursing Workforce Report

On March 25, 2024, Incredible Health, the largest permanent nurse hiring platform in the U.S., published its 2024 State of U.S. Nursing Workforce Report. With the mental health of nurses improving, 88% of nurses are concerned about the detrimental effects of staffing shortages on patient care. Following a review of more than 1 million nurse profiles and a survey of more than 3,300 nurses, the authors found that 79% of nurses intend to remain in nursing until retirement. Respondents identified the top challenges facing the profession as the shortage of nurses, concerns around workplace safety, and unfair compensation.

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Nursing Outlook

Assessment of Nursing Faculty Retirement Projections

Published February 29, 2024 in Nursing Outlook, AACN’s Chief Policy and Scientific Officer George Zangaro and colleagues published an article titled Assessment of Nursing Faculty Retirement Projections. This article confirmed the accuracy of projections on nursing faculty retirements made in a previous 2017 study by co-authors Di Fang and Karen Kesten. Among the key findings, the study found that the mean age of full-time nursing faculty decreased; there was a larger loss of nursing faculty at senior ranks to retirement than anticipated; faculty age 50 to 59 in 2015 were underrepresented in senior ranks compared to retirees from 2016 to 2022; and for nursing faculty with a PhD degree, their growth was slower than their loss to retirements.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Enhancing Sense of Belonging in Nursing Student Clinical Placements to Advance Learning and Identity Development

In the March-April 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Dian Squire and colleagues from Loyola University Chicago explored Enhancing Sense of Belonging in Nursing Student Clinical Placements to Advance Learning and Identity Development. Campus climate plays a significant role in creating an environment necessary for belongingness to flourish and leads to enhanced student learning. This article argues that instructors supervising undergraduate nursing students in clinical learning environments must create welcoming climates for their students to increase positive educational outcomes. Specific recommendations for creating inclusive learning environments are provided.

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Inside Higher Ed

Annual Presidents’ Survey Finds Optimism Amid Uncertainty

On February 29, 2024, reporter Josh Moody with Inside Higher Ed published a story titled Annual Presidents’ Survey Finds Optimism Amid Uncertainty. The article explores findings from the publication’s 2024 Survey of College and University Presidents, which found that college leaders across the U.S. are confident about their institution's finances, worried about waning public confidence in higher education and the upcoming presidential election, and ambivalent about artificial intelligence. The authors also consider the perceptions of academic leaders on the state of campus speech, race on campus, and student mental health, among other issues.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

The Level of Political Astuteness in Nursing Leaders: A Baseline Assessment

In the March 2024 Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Joan O’Hanlon Curry with The Mount Sinai Hospital and Dr. Joyce Fitzpatrick with Case Western Reserve University published an article titled The Level of Political Astuteness in Nursing Leaders: A Baseline Assessment. Following an analysis of self-reported data from 101 members of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the researchers found that nurse leaders possess only beginning levels of political astuteness. The authors recommend more formal education to increase understanding of the political and legislative process and to develop the skills needed to advocate for healthcare policy.

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JAMA Health Forum

Projecting the Future Registered Nurse Workforce After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published February 16, 2024 in the JAMA Health Forum, Dr. David Auerbach from Brandeis University and colleagues authored a new article titled Projecting the Future Registered Nurse Workforce After the COVID-19 Pandemic. The authors found that after a substantial decline during the pandemic, the nursing workforce recovered in 2022 and 2023 with the number of registered nurses (RNs) now expected to reach 4.56 million in 2035. This growth will be driven primarily by nurses age 35 to 49, who are projected to comprise nearly half (47%) of the RN workforce by 2035.

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Nurse Educator

Competency-Based Education in RN to BSN Programs

On February 6, 2024, Nurse Educator published an article by Dr. Jaime Robinson from James Madison University and colleagues titled Competency-Based Education in RN to BSN Programs. This article provides a framework for curricular innovation in RN to BSN programs aligned with the 2021 AACN Essentials and the move to competency-based education (CBE). The authors explore how the Essentials crosswalk created by the National RN-Baccalaureate Faculty Forum can be used as a foundational guide for the development of template models to achieve the latest competency standards. Three exemplars of RN to BSN course assignments are detailed, including how they contribute to CBE.

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Journal of Nursing Education

An Intergenerational Comparison of Civility: Nursing Students and Nurse Educators

On February 1, 2024, the Journal of Nursing Education published a new study by Dr. Sheryl Henry Jenkins and Dr. Kim Schafer Astroth from Illinois State University titled An Intergenerational Comparison of Civility: Nursing Students and Nurse Educators. With both groups defining civility as kindness, collaboration, and respect, educators described uncivil students as being disrespectful and entitled who were prone to improperly using social media while students described uncivil educators as belittling and impatient who sometimes fail to listen. The authors called for more research on intergenerational differences to help nurse educators develop interventions that allow faculty to view civility from a student perspective.

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U.S. News and World Report

Why Nurse Practitioner Is the No. 1 Job of 2024

On January 9, 2024, editor Karen Coleman Fields with U.S. News and World Report published a story exploring Why Nurse Practitioner Is the No. 1 Job of 2024. With more than 118,000 new positions expected to be created over the next 10 years, nurse practitioners topped the 100 Best Jobs list and was also ranked number one on the lists for Best Health Care Jobs and Best STEM Jobs. The rankings are offered to help consumers make the best career decisions by providing information about salary, prospective job growth and other factors, including working conditions and work pace.

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National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice

Mitigating Nursing Workforce Challenge by Optimizing Learning Environments

The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) has released its 19th annual report to Congress titled Mitigating Nursing Workforce Challenge by Optimizing Learning Environments. NACNEP is calling for federal investments to strengthen the nursing workforce, attract more nursing students, and improve nursing education. Recommendations to Congress include funding models that demonstrate a commitment to salary equity and sustainability for nurse faculty; supporting professional development and compensation of preceptors; funding paid nursing student internships with an incentivized mentorship program; and supporting educational infrastructure to advance innovative pedagogical strategies in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

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Nurse Educator

Integrating Wellness into Curricula Using the Ten Dimensions of Wellness as a Framework

In the January/February 2024 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Joanne Noone (Oregon Health & Science University) and Dr. Teri Murray (Saint Louis University) have authored an article on Addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Contributions in Academic Review. They present the current state of the academic review of DEI contributions for appointment, promotion, and tenure, and provide examples for teaching, research and scholarship, practice, and service. Recommendations include expanding recognition and evaluation of academic scholarship and advocacy against efforts to dismantle social justice and antiracism advances within academia.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Integrating Wellness into Curricula Using the Ten Dimensions of Wellness as a Framework

In the January-February 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Kate Gawlik and colleagues from The Ohio State University explore Integrating Wellness into Curricula Using the Ten Dimensions of Wellness as a Framework. The ten dimensions of wellness - emotional, career, social, spiritual, physical, financial, intellectual, creative, environmental, and digital - offer a holistic approach for promoting undergraduate and graduate student wellness in the classroom and clinical settings. To inspire and support nurse faculty, this article outlines several strategies within each dimension, which can be adapted across educational settings, student cohort sizes, course delivery modes, and cultures of individual nursing programs and clinical institutions.

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New England Journal of Medicine

Attracting, Admitting, Supporting, and Graduating a Diverse Nursing Student Body

Published December 20, 2023, in the New England Journal of Medicine publication NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, an expert team from the University of California Davis, including lead author Dr. Kupiri Ackerman-Barger and AACN Board Member Dr. Stephen J. Cavanagh, published a case study on Attracting, Admitting, Supporting, and Graduating a Diverse Nursing Student Body. The authors detail the approaches used by the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing to recruit, retain, and graduate diverse students with the skill, knowledge, and desire to ameliorate health disparities and promote health equity. The article covers student outreach and pathway programs; holistic admissions; curriculum reform; student success measures; and overcoming assumptions and implicit biases of those with decision-making power.

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Nurse Educator

Exploring Clinical Practice Hours in Postbaccalaureate-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Practitioner Programs

In the January-February 2024 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Sharon Stager from Salve Regina University and colleagues published the results of a new study focused on Exploring Clinical Practice Hours in Postbaccalaureate-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Practitioner Programs. The study collected data on the number of direct and indirect patient care hours required in BSN to DNP programs preparing nurse practitioners. In a study of schools affiliated with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the authors found that the average number of supervised direct care hours was 791, which exceeds the minimum number of hours recommended by the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education in the 2022 Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education.

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Kaiser Family Foundation

Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health: Experiences and Impacts Across Racial and Ethnic Groups

On December 5, 2023, the Kaiser Family Foundation released the results of its Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health: Experiences and Impacts Across Racial and Ethnic Groups. The philanthropy is working to document the extent and implications of racism and discrimination on the daily lives of Americans, particularly with respect to people’s interactions with the healthcare system. With more than 50% of individuals in most racial/ethnic minority groups reporting incidents of discrimination over the past year, the study’s findings suggest that these experiences are associated with diminished health and well-being, including a higher reported incidence of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Further, a shared racial and ethnic background between provider and patient was associated with more positive interactions.

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Creative Nursing

Overcoming Marginalization by Creating a Sense of Belonging

Published November 30, 2023 by Creative Nursing, AACN’s Dr. Brigit Carter (Chief Access and Engagement Officer) and Dr. Wanda Thruston (Director of Access and Engagement) joined with Dr. Danica Fulbright Sumpter from the University of Texas at Austin in publishing an article on Overcoming Marginalization by Creating a Sense of Belonging. Belonging is a fundamental human need that strongly influences an individual's mental, social, and economic well-being, personal growth, and academic success. To nurture inclusive learning environments, the authors highlight strategies that administrators can use to increase nursing student belonging in academic and practice settings.

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Nurse Educator

Screen-Based Patient Simulation: An Exemplar for Developing and Assessing Competency

Posted November 22, 2023 by Nurse Educator, Dr. Gerry Altmiller from The College of New Jersey and colleagues published an article titled Screen-Based Patient Simulation: An Exemplar for Developing and Assessing Competency. The authors explored if screen-based virtual patient simulation is an effective strategy to assist learners in meeting select competencies and sub-competencies included in AACN’s 2021 Essentials. Using a pre- and post-test to evaluate student competency development, findings suggest that screen-based virtual patient simulation scenarios improve competence in addressing a patient's physical and psychological comfort and decreasing caregiver biases.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

PhD Program Faculty: Preparing the Next Generation of Nurse Researchers

In the November-December 2023 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Ellen Kurtzman from Rutgers University and Dr. Karen Fraser Wyche from The George Washington University published an article titled PhD Program Faculty: Preparing the Next Generation of Nurse Researchers. This article explores approaches to strengthening research education in PhD nursing programs with a focus on the roles of interdisciplinary faculty and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Through their analyses, the authors found uniformity in the preparation of PhD program directors as well as a disproportionate number of non-nurse PIs funded by NINR on topics relevant to nursing.

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American Nurses Foundation

Understanding and Prioritizing Nurses’ Mental Health and Well-being

On November 7, the American Nurses Foundation released new data from its Pulse on the Nation’s Nurses Survey Series in a report titled Understanding and Prioritizing Nurses’ Mental Health and Well-being. Conducted in May 2023 with more than 7,400 nurses, the survey found that 56% of respondents reported symptoms of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion. Though nurse turnover is beginning to decline, nearly 20% of surveyed nurses indicated they had changed positions in the past six months, and about 39% indicated they were likely to leave their current position in the next six months. Less-tenured nurse respondents were more likely to report lower satisfaction with their role, had a higher likelihood of leaving their role, and were more likely to be experiencing burnout.

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American Council on Education

Education Department Outlines Strategies for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

On October 30, 2023, the American Council on Education published a new report summary titled Education Department Outlines Strategies for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in academic settings. This synthesis includes key findings from the Department of Education’s recent report on Strategies for Enhancing Diversity and Expanding Opportunities in Higher Education. The promising, evidence-based approaches outlined in the report include recruiting students from underserved areas, adapting admissions processes, securing financial aid, and cultivating supporting environments that facilitate student success and degree completion.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Enhancing the Persistence and Academic Success of Students in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs

In the November-December 2023 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Feyifunmi Sangoleye from the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System and colleagues published a new article titled Enhancing the Persistence and Academic Success of Students in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs. In this study of factors impacting the retention and success of BSN students, the authors found that advising, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging were significant predictors of student satisfaction with the nursing program and academic success. Differences were found based on first-generation student status and race/ethnicity. These findings highlight the complexity of factors that influence student persistence and the need for integrated academic support.

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Nursing Outlook

Response to "DNP Preparation of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Conditions"

Published October 7, 2023, in Nursing Outlook, AACN Board Chair Cynthia McCurren, President and CEO Deborah Trautman, and Chief Communications Officer Robert Rosseter published a letter to the editor in response to an article titled DNP Preparation of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Conditions. The authors share their rationale for challenging the conclusion from the original article, which suggested that DNP education has no impact on patient outcomes. The letter ends with a call for more focused outcome studies to fully understand the contributions of DNPs to patient care.

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CNN

Nursing Schools Are Turning Away Thousands of Applicants during a Major Nursing Shortage. Here’s Why.

On October 5, 2023, senior writer Tami Luhby with CNN issued a story titled Nursing Schools Are Turning Away Thousands of Applicants during a Major Nursing Shortage. Here’s Why. Citing AACN data, the article explores how the faculty shortage and the limited number of clinical training sites are preventing schools from accommodating more qualified applicants in nursing programs. The author highlights federal and local efforts to prepare and recruit more nurse educators. AACN Board Chair Dr. Cynthia McCurren shares her insights on the issues throughout the article.

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National Institutes of Health

NIH Designates People with Disabilities as a Population with Health Disparities

On September 26, the National Institutes of Health announced that people with disabilities are now designated as a population with health disparities for research supported by the NIH. The designation is one of several steps NIH is taking to address the health needs of people with disabilities and ensure their representation in NIH research. To support this goal, the NIH issued a notice of funding opportunity calling for research applications focused on novel and innovative approaches and interventions that address the intersecting impact of disability, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on healthcare access and health outcomes.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

PhD Program Faculty: Preparing the Next Generation of Nurse Researchers

In the November-December 2023 issue of the Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Ellen Kurtzman and Dr. Karen Fraser Wyche collaborated on an article titled PhD Program Faculty: Preparing the Next Generation of Nurse Researchers. The authors explore approaches to strengthening research-focused doctoral programs with an emphasis on the roles of interdisciplinary faculty and the National Institute of Nursing Research's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The authors consider approaches to strengthening the research infrastructure of PhD programs to achieve AACN’s vision for doctoral nursing education.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

Health System-Academic Partnerships: Essential to Increasing the APRN Workforce

In the September 2023 Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. April Kapu from Vanderbilt University and Dr. Danielle McCamey from Johns Hopkins University published an article titled Health System-Academic Partnerships: Essential to Increasing the APRN Workforce. To meet the growing demand for advanced practice registered nurses, the authors outline opportunities for health systems and academic institutions to work together to meet the mutual objectives of increasing the workforce while increasing the number of faculty, preceptors, and clinical sites.

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HealthLeaders

3 Health Systems Where Tech Is Transforming Nursing

In the September 12, 2023 issue of HealthLeaders, nursing editor Carol Davis takes a closer look at 3 Health Systems Where Tech Is Transforming Nursing. The author explores how simulation, virtual reality, AI, and other technologies are being used to augment nursing education, reduce administrative burdens, enhance communication, and assist with clinical decision-making. The article examines the innovative use of technology to support nursing practice at HCA Healthcare, Atrium Health, and Singing River Health System.

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Medscape Medical News

Can Nursing Schools Graduate Enough NPs to Meet Skyrocketing

In the August 24, 2023 issue of Medscape Medical News, journalist Steph Web published an article titled Can Nursing Schools Graduate Enough NPs to Meet Skyrocketing? The Bureau of Labor Statistics identified the nurse practitioner role as the fastest growing occupation in the US. This article focuses on challenges faced by nursing schools looking to increase capacity in NP programs to better meet the growing demand for primary care providers. Federal efforts to remove barriers to NP practice and provide support to schools for faculty, clinical education, and other critical needs are profiled.

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Health Affairs

Five Urgent Steps to Address Violence Against Nurses in the Workplace

On August 23, Health Affairs published an article by Dr. Linda Beeber from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues titled Five Urgent Steps to Address Violence Against Nurses in the Workplace. Given the increase in patient violence, the authors call for immediate action to protect psychiatric nurses and other healthcare providers by enacting comprehensive federal legislation; emphasizing quality indicators that help protect staff from harm; strengthening data systems to better monitor worker exposure to aggressive events; improving reporting of workplace violence; and holding educational institutions accountable for teaching about quality and safety standards that protect nurses. The article calls for greater collaboration among all stakeholders to prevent further injury and death.

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Health Affairs

To Improve Outcomes Under CMS’ ‘Making Care Primary’, Focus on Registered Nurses

On August 21, 2023, Health Affairs published a new article by Dr. Jacqueline Nikpour, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and colleagues titled To Improve Outcomes Under CMS’ ‘Making Care Primary’, Focus on Registered Nurses. Emerging evidence suggests that expanding the use of registered nurses (RNs) in primary care presents an opportunity for practices to improve patient outcomes and achieve financial goals. The authors examine patient and financial outcomes of existing primary care models that leverage RNs in new roles to support accountable care, identify policy barriers and solutions for new models of nurse-led care, and explore opportunities for RNs to generate revenue in primary care.

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Nurse Centered

Breaking Barriers to Recruit More Nursing PhD Students

Published August 15, 2023, in Nurse Centered, Sigma Theta Tau International’s online resource center, Dr. Eleanor Turi from the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues share their insights on Breaking Barriers to Recruit More Nursing PhD Students. In addition to a lack of funding and scholarships to support nurse scientists, the authors recognize a disconnect between the clinical and research communities, which inhibits the integration of science and practice and hinders the advancement of both fields. Further, “exposing nurses to research early in their education and careers can foster a love for pursuing better health outcomes and answering the clinical questions that impact us, and thus increase the number of PhD-prepared nurses in the field."

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Journal of Professional Nursing

The Relationship Among Faculty-to-Faculty Incivility and Job Satisfaction or Intent to Leave in Nursing Programs in the United States

In the July-August 2023 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Pamela McGee from Delaware State University published the results of a new study on The Relationship Among Faculty-to-Faculty Incivility and Job Satisfaction or Intent to Leave in Nursing Programs in the United States. The researcher found that 50% of those surveyed believe that faculty incivility was a moderate to severe problem in their workplace, which negatively impacts job satisfaction and faculty retention. Further, nearly 39% of respondents had minimal to no confidence in addressing workplace incivility, citing fear of professional or personal retaliation as the greatest barriers to mitigating this issue.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Addressing Neurodiversity in Nursing Education

In the July-August 2023 Journal of Professional Nursing, PhD nursing student Naz Nami Yenmez from the University of Missouri-St. Louis contributed a guest editorial on Addressing Neurodiversity in Nursing Education. Neurodiversity recognizes differences in how individuals interact and experience the world based on variations in brain function. To advance equity and inclusion in nursing education, faculty should consider ways to accommodate neurodivergent students and enhance their preparation as a professional nurse. The author identifies specific strategies, including leveraging support services, reducing stigma, decreasing bullying, initiating discussions on disability, and providing mentorship.

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Journal of Nursing Regulation

Simulation in Nursing Education: Advancements in Regulation, 2014–2022

In the July 2023 Journal of Nursing Regulation, Richard Smiley and Brendan Martin with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) explore Simulation in Nursing Education: Advancements in Regulation, 2014–2022. The article examines the growth in the use of simulation-based clinical experiences in prelicensure nursing education since the publication of NCSBN’s National Simulation Study. The authors found that the number of jurisdictions with regulations regarding simulation use doubled from 21 in 2014 to 41 in 2022. The number of nursing regulatory bodies that allowed a maximum substitution of up to 50% simulated clinical hours rose from 1 to 23 over the same time frame.

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JAMA Health Forum

Physician and Nurse Well-Being and Preferred Interventions to Address Burnout in Hospital Practice: Factors Associated With Turnover, Outcomes, and Patient Safety

On July 7, 2023, the JAMA Health Forum published a new study by Dr. Linda Aiken from the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues titled Physician and Nurse Well-Being and Preferred Interventions to Address Burnout in Hospital Practice: Factors Associated With Turnover, Outcomes, and Patient Safety. This study of more than 21,000 nurses and physicians found high levels of burnout among hospital-based clinicians that was associated with frequent turnover and patient safety concerns. Clinicians rated improvements in staffing and work environments as more important to their mental health than instituting staff wellness programs. These findings call for deliberate action by management to improve nurse staffing, work environments, and patient safety culture.

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Nursing Outlook

Realizing the DNP as Envisioned: Moving Toward Consistent Nomenclature, Curricula, and Outcomes

In the May-June 2023 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Rosalie Mainous from the University of Kentucky and colleagues published a manuscript on Realizing the DNP as Envisioned: Moving Toward Consistent Nomenclature, Curricula, and Outcomes. The article highlights the need for consensus-building on what constitutes scholarship in DNP programs. The authors call for strengthening DNP curriculum and expectations for DNP final projects; adopting consistent terminology and methods of evidence-based practice and quality improvement; using the 2021 Essentials to guide curriculum development; and offering more opportunities for PhD and DNP students to collaborate. 

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Fierce Healthcare

Healthcare Groups Fear SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling Will Harm Diversity, Health Equity Efforts

On June 30, 2023, senior editor Heather Landi with Fierce Healthcare’s daily newsletter published an article titled Healthcare Groups Fear SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling Will Harm Diversity, Health Equity Efforts. The recent Supreme Court ruling that colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis in admissions has overturned more than four decades of court precedent. The author profiles how leading healthcare and higher education organizations responded to this consequential decision, including the American Medical Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Association of American Medical Colleges, and AACN among others.

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National Council of State Legislatures

The Growing Nursing Shortage

On June 18, AACN Board Chair Cynthia McCurren from the University of Michigan-Flint was featured in the Our American States podcast series presented by the National Council of State Legislatures. Titled The Growing Nursing Shortage, the podcast examines how the pandemic, nurse burnout, and other factors are impacting the workforce and what some states are doing to address this threat to patient care. Dr. McCurren discussed the essential role of nurses in the healthcare system and initiatives aimed at increasing the faculty population, which are needed to expand student capacity at nursing schools. She also covered state and federal efforts to help address nursing workforce supply.

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American Nurse

Nursing and the Evolution of Population Health

On June 7, 2023, the American Nurse published an article by Dr. Marisa Wilson from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and colleagues titled Nursing and the Evolution of Population Health. The authors trace the nursing profession’s history as pioneers in meeting population health needs, which includes “mitigating social, environmental, and behavioral risk factors; assessing needs; and ensuring equitable health care for all.” The article highlights current calls to strengthen nursing’s focus on population health, including the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report and the 2021 AACN Essentials.

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Nursing Outlook

Nursing Pre-licensure and Graduate Education for LGBTQ Health

In the latest issue of Nursing Outlook (March-April 2023), Dr. Athena D.F. Sherman from Emory University and colleagues published a systematic review of Nursing Pre-licensure and Graduate Education for LGBTQ Health. The authors critically appraised nursing curricula focused on LGBTQ health as well as student knowledge, skills, and attitudes. As faculty build LGBTQ content into nursing programs, the authors caution that care must be taken to fully integrate this content within the context of population health, social determinants of health, social justice, intersectionality, cultural competence, and political advocacy.

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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Insights Into Nurses' Experiences and Perceptions of Discrimination

On May 31, 2023, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released findings from a new survey titled Insights Into Nurses’ Experiences and Perceptions of Discrimination. The survey was conducted to better understand the incidence of discrimination and racism in healthcare settings and nursing schools. The survey found that 79% of nurses reported experiencing racism or discrimination from patients; 59% report similar experiences from colleagues. In academia, 44% believe that racism and/or discrimination was a part of their nursing school culture, 53% report experiencing microaggressions. Further, 58% report receiving instruction on providing racially/ethnically sensitive care, while less than a third were taught about unconscious bias or systemic racism in health care. Nearly 8 in 10 nurses identified the need for more education on diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing schools.

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Journal of Nursing Education

Hidden No More: Addressing the Health and Wellness of LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Nursing School Curricula

In the May 2023 Journal of Nursing Education, Dr. Jeff Day from New York University and colleagues published an article titled Hidden No More: Addressing the Health and Wellness of LGBTQIA+ Individuals in Nursing School Curricula. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals experience poorer health outcomes due to longstanding health inequities. This article provides an example on how elective courses can be developed to address the care needs of LGBTQIA+ patients. The authors call for more research and pedagogical articles to improve how nursing students are educated to address the unique health concerns of this population.

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Journal of the Advanced Nursing

Nurses' Motivations to Leave the Nursing Profession

On May 20, 2023, the Journal of Advanced Nursing published a new study from a research team based in the Netherlands, led by Wilmieke Bahlman-van Ooijen, titled Nurses' Motivations to Leave the Nursing Profession. Based on an analysis of studies published since 2010, the article uncovers reasons why nurses leave their jobs, which include poor working conditions, few opportunities for career development, a lack of support from managers, work-related stress, a discrepancy between nursing education and practice, and bullying behavior. The authors call for healthcare administrators and policymakers to develop retention strategies to address turnover and ease the global nursing shortage.

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U.S. Department of Labor Blog

Investing in Nursing = A Better Care Economy

On May 12, 2023, Brent Parton, Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), contributed a new article to the DOL Blog titled Investing in Nursing = A Better Care Economy. The authors explains how supporting the nursing workforce – including the agency’s new $78 million investment in the Nursing Expansion Grant Program – is important to sustaining our nation’s care economy.

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Nursing Outlook

Where are nurse-scientists? Academic nursing research at critical crossroads

In the March 2023 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Joan Bloch from Drexel University and Dr. Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow from Duquesne University consider the question: Where are nurse-scientists? Academic nursing research at critical crossroads. Creating academic environments that champion the work of nurse scientists is essential to bridging gaps in health care. The authors identify strategic actions that can be taken by nursing schools and stakeholders to support nurse scientists, including providing opportunities for internal funding and recognition; investing in the research enterprise; promoting pay equity; expanding the pipeline into PhD programs; and lobbying NIH for increased funding.

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National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties

Statement reaffirming the organization’s support for transitioning all entry-level nurse practitioner (NP) programs to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

On April 20, 2023, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) issued a statement reaffirming the organization’s support for transitioning all entry-level nurse practitioner (NP) programs to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree without a master's degree option by 2025. The statement highlights numerous documents that support this transition, including AACN’s report on The State of Doctor of Nursing Practice Education in 2022, as well as evidence supporting the DNP as the degree of choice for those preparing for NP practice. NONPF’s resources to assist faculty in making this transition are highlighted.

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Nursing Outlook

Nurse Practitioners’ Degrees and Associations with Time Use, Functional Autonomy, and Job Outcomes

In the July-August 2024 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Alex Hoyt from the MGH Institute of Health Professions and colleagues explored Nurse Practitioners’ Degrees and Associations with Time Use, Functional Autonomy, and Job Outcomes. Though the Doctor of Nursing Practice is recommended for entry into NP practice, few comparative studies have assessed practice differences among NPs with and without a doctorate. The authors found that differences in NP educational pathways are associated with distinct practice roles. DNP-prepared NPs enjoyed higher levels of functional autonomy and were more likely to focus on teaching and administration than master’s-prepared NPs.

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Medical Care

There’s No Substitute for Adequate Registered Nurse Staffing

On May 21, 2024, in the journal Medical Care, Dr. Patricia Patrician and Dr. Tracey Dick from the University of Alabama at Birmingham published an editorial titled There’s No Substitute for Adequate Registered Nurse Staffing. The article underscores the strong connection between supporting team nursing models and quality patient care. The authors conclude that “the increased complexity of inpatients combined with the high chance of adverse events and the empirical evidence suggesting better care with more RNs should give pause to those considering models of care that replace RNs with less skilled caregivers.”

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American Council on Education

Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: 2024 Status Report

On May 21, 2024, the American Council on Education released its Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: 2024 Status Report, which presents 201 indicators drawn from eight data sources, including the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau. The data show that though student diversity in undergraduate programs has increased over the last 20 years, degree attainment levels have not kept pace. The authors also provide a snapshot of faculty and staff diversity by race and ethnicity. This report helps to advance the national dialogue on how higher education can close persistent racial equity gaps.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Transitioning from a Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Role to Academic Scholar

In the March/April 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Danielle Hebert and Dr. Shari Harding from the school of nursing at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, explore Transitioning from a Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Role to Academic Scholar. As the number of DNP-prepared faculty increases, support for the successful transition to academia, including scholarly productivity, is essential to retention, especially as nurse faculty shortages persist. The authors call for more resources and mentoring to help DNP-prepared nurses thrive in a teaching role, including support for developing and disseminating scholarship and meeting the requirements of promotion.

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The Nurse Practitioner

The DNP Project: Two Decades of Impact

In the April 2024 issue of The Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Sheila Melander and colleagues from the University of Kentucky consider The DNP Project: Two Decades of Impact. Designed to improve quality outcomes and effect practice change, DNP Projects hold great promise for long-term professional value. The authors explain how the DNP Project, which represents the culmination of DNP education, can be integrated throughout the curriculum to maximize effectiveness and promote the introduction, reinforcement, and evaluation of competencies and sub-competencies in the 2021 AACN Essentials.

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Nurse Educator

Promoting Nursing Student Mental Health Wellness: The Impact of Resilience-Building and Faculty Support

In the May/June 2024 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Catherine Stubin from Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden and colleagues published a new article titled Promoting Nursing Student Mental Health Wellness: The Impact of Resilience-Building and Faculty Support. The article explores the relationships between faculty support, student resilience, and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among 989 baccalaureate nursing students from across the United States. Resilience strategies and supportive faculty behaviors predicted lower depression, anxiety, and stress in students.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

Reducing the Innovation Knowledge Gap by Developing Innovativeness Across Academia and Practice for Healthcare Progress Scale

In the May 2024 Journal of Nursing Administration, M. Lindell Joseph from the University of Iowa and colleagues published a new article on Reducing the Innovation Knowledge Gap by Developing Innovativeness Across Academia and Practice for Healthcare Progress Scale. Academic-practice partnerships are a catalyst for transformation, yet limited theoretically grounded evidence exists to provide strategic direction on how to maximize partnership capacity and the potential for innovation. Using data from 5 academic-practice sites across the U.S., researchers outline their work to develop and validate a scale to measure conditions that enable healthcare innovation.

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JAMA Open Network

Top Factors in Nurses Ending Health Care Employment Between 2018 and 2021

Published on April 9, 2024, in JAMA Open Network, Dr. K. Jane Muir from the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues examine Top Factors in Nurses Ending Health Care Employment Between 2018 and 2021. In a cross-sectional study of 7,887 nurses who were employed in a non–healthcare job, not currently employed, or retired, the top contributing factors for leaving healthcare employment were planned retirement (39% of nurses), burnout (26%), insufficient staffing (21%), and family obligations (18%). To improve retention, the authors call on employers to focus on reducing burnout, improving nurse staffing levels, and supporting nurses’ work-life balance.

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Journal of Nursing Education

Using Inclusive Language in Nursing Education: When Words Matter

Published as a guest editorial in the April 2024 Journal of Nursing Education, Dr. Patricia Bradley from Villanova University offers insights on Using Inclusive Language in Nursing Education: When Words Matter. The author calls on nurse educators and administrators to use their voices to challenge traditional hierarchies of power and address inequities affecting faculty, staff, and students. The article identifies 5 steps to embracing inclusive language as a way to resist oppression and effect equity and social justice.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

A Healthcare-Academic Practice Partnership Program to Promote Student Nurse Readiness for Work

In the April 2024 Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Carolyn Swinton from the University of South Carolina and colleagues published an article titled A Healthcare-Academic Practice Partnership Program to Promote Student Nurse Readiness for Work. Transitioning from nursing student to practicing clinician can be stressful and challenging for new graduates. The authors detail the creation and implementation of an innovative pipeline program, which allows students to perform select nursing tasks as employees of the partnering health system. Students, preceptors, and managers report the benefits of this program, which is effective at producing more practice-ready nurses.

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Notes on Nursing

Building Confidence and Supporting Lifelong Careers

On March 14, 2024, Johnson & Johnson’s Notes on Nursing published an article on Building Confidence and Supporting Lifelong Careers. RN residencies have long been known as a best practice for keeping nurses at the bedside, yet as of 2020, only about half of U.S. health systems had these in place. This article profiles how UConn Health, Los Angeles Medical Center, and NYC Health + Hospitals are using residency programs to facilitate the transition from new nursing graduate to practicing clinician. To read more about the NYC residency program, which was developed by Vizient and AACN, see this case study on A Comprehensive Approach to Increasing Nurse Retention.

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In Focus

Nursing Workforce Crisis: Healing the Healer

In the March 2024 issue of In Focus magazine, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) takes a closer look at the Nursing Workforce Crisis: Healing the Healer. NCSBN’s groundbreaking 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey found that almost one-fifth of registered nurses surveyed expressed an intent to leave the profession by 2027 due in part to wellness and mental health concerns. This article examines the impact of the pandemic on the nursing workforce, ongoing workplace challenges, misperceptions about mental health, and effective wellness solutions.

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Nursing Outlook

Increasing the Number of Nursing Faculty: Evaluation of a University System Workforce Grant

In the March 2024 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Linda Young and Jan Adams from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire published an article titled Increasing the Number of Nursing Faculty: Evaluation of a University System Workforce Grant. The authors discuss outcomes from a multi-year initiative funded by the University of Wisconsin System to enhance the nurse educator workforce. Titled Nurses for Wisconsin: Learn, Teach, Lead, this groundbreaking effort was successful in increasing the number of nursing faculty applicants and hires as well as uniting key stakeholders in Wisconsin to focus their collective efforts on enhancing faculty supply. Recommendations and lessons learned are shared to help inform the work of other statewide advocacy groups.

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Nurse Educator

The QSEN Competency Legacy Threaded Through the Entry-Level AACN Essentials: Shaping the Future

In the March/April 2024 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Mary Dolansky from Case Western Reserve University and colleagues published an article titled The QSEN Competency Legacy Threaded Through the Entry-Level AACN Essentials: Shaping the Future. For the last 17 years, faculty have integrated the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) prelicensure competencies into nursing curricula. The authors describe a QSEN-AACN crosswalk they developed to help faculty map and integrate the 2021 AACN Essentials into their curriculum. The article also offers QSEN teaching strategies that can be used to guide faculty on their Essentials journey.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Development of a Master of Science, Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership Program: AACN Essentials in Action

In March-April 2024 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Mary Antonelli and colleagues from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School published an article titled Development of a Master of Science, Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership Program: AACN Essentials in Action. The article explores the development of a new master’s program focused on leadership acumen, interprofessional relationships, and knowledge of healthcare operations. The authors detail how this new program aligns with AACN’s 2021 Essentials.

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The Journal for Nurse Practitioners

Value of Miller’s Pyramid for Clinical Skills Assessment in the Evaluation of Competency for Nurse Practitioner Students

In the April 2024 issue of The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Dr. Debra Hampton and colleagues from the University of Kentucky published an article on the Value of Miller’s Pyramid for Clinical Skills Assessment in the Evaluation of Competency for Nurse Practitioner Students. As nursing education transitions to a competency-based focus to meet AACN’s 2021 Essentials, Miller’s Pyramid of Clinical Competence provides a beneficial framework for the development and validation of skills needed for professional practice. The article provides examples of how Miller’s Pyramid can be applied to assess and develop NP student competencies and evaluate clinical performance.

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Nursing Administration Quarterly

Academic Leadership for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In the January/March 2024 issue of Nursing Administration Quarterly, Dr. Felesia Bowen from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and colleagues published an article titled Academic Leadership for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The article describes the creation, launch, and evaluation of an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in an academic nursing institution. Lessons learned are shared to assist other schools in their own journey to establish a DEI structure within their programs, especially one with a robust academic-practice partnership.

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Online Journal of Issues in Nursing

Nurses’ Impact on Firearm Safety

On January 31, 2024, the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, published by the American Nurses Association, granted free public access to a new set of articles addressing Nurses’ Impact on Firearm Safety. With an overview and summary on Gun Violence from a Public Health Perspective from Dr. Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell from Villanova University, this four-part series includes articles addressing Nursing’s Role in Firearm Violence Prevention; Firearm Safety and Mental Health; Pediatric Firearm Safety; and Supporting School Nurses. The articles offer insights regarding firearm violence in the U.S. with opportunities for nurses and nurse educators to make the places we work and live safer for all.

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Educause

2024 Higher Education Trend Watch

On January 8, 2024, researcher Nicole Muscanell with Educause, a nonprofit association focused on advancing the strategic use of data and technology in colleges and universities, released a publication titled 2024 Higher Education Trend Watch. This report focuses on workforce, cultural, and technological shifts in seven priority areas. Trends include the increasing need for data security and protection against threats to personal privacy; the demand for continued hybrid and remote work arrangements; more calls for data-informed decision-making and reporting; more attention to well-being and mental health; increased efforts towards creating equitable and inclusive environments and experiences; growing efforts towards digital transformation and institutional resilience; and increased focus on improving hybrid and online learning.

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American Nurse

2023 Nursing Trends and Salary Survey Results

On December 29, 2023, David Gilmartin and Cynthia Saver with American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association, published the 2023 Nursing Trends and Salary Survey Results. With findings based on input from more than 3,500 nurses, the new report highlights the current state of the nursing workforce, which finds lower nurse turnover rates, improved staffing levels, and a high rate of job satisfaction (70%). Hiring managers report fewer open positions, but greater difficulty in recruiting new nurses. With 27% of nurses planning to leave their current position in 1-2 years, the top reasons for wanting to leave are salary and workplace dissatisfaction. Survey findings also look at workforce violence and bullying and efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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Journal of Nurse Education

Social Media in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review

In the January 2024 issue of the Journal of Nurse Education, Dr. Dawn Sarginson and Dr. Cecilia Wendler from the University of Illinois Chicago have published Social Media in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review. The authors examine how—in a generation of learners where communication, information transfer, and collaboration occur quickly through social media—faculty must find novel ways to reach students accustomed to using technology for learning. They offer ideas on how social media in healthcare education can address asynchronous learning management system issues; create community belongingness; and support student collaboration.

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Healthcare IT News

Digital Transformation in Nursing Ed Can Increase Workforce Resilience

On January 4, 2024, senior editor Andrea Fox with Healthcare IT News published an article titled Digital Transformation in Nursing Ed Can Increase Workforce Resilience. The author profiles how the University of Rochester School of Nursing is leveraging tech-enabled experiential learning to elevate nursing curricula and produce graduates prepared to practice in a digital health environment. The article explores how the shift from a traditional classroom into a dynamic learning environment is working to hone critical thinking and clinical judgment skills. The school's efforts were recognized with AACN’s 2023 Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award.

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The Nurse Practitioner

36th Annual APRN Legislative Update: Improving Practice Scope and Authority, One State at a Time

Featured in the January 2024 issue of The Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Susanne J. Phillips with the University of California Irvine published the 36th Annual APRN Legislative Update: Improving Practice Scope and Authority, One State at a Time. In this highly anticipated report, the author highlights the work underway across the nation to remove statutory and regulatory barriers to full APRN practice, including a summary of practice authority for NPs in the U.S. The author provides individual state snapshots, including data and updates related to legislative developments, practice authority, reimbursement, and helpful links to state-specific resources.

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Nursing Outlook

Innovation for Encouraging Nurses to Become PhD-prepared Faculty

In the November-December 2023 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Julia Snethen from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee published an editorial titled Innovation for Encouraging Nurses to Become PhD-prepared Faculty. The author considers ways to deploy precision-based strategies that may inspire nurses to pursue a PhD and seek out faculty roles. One approach, the Professional Development Plan, is described as an enrichment process that can assist PhD students with developing a deeper understanding of the faculty role to facilitate their success in academe. Key components of these individualized plans, including forming partnerships, coordinating/managing data, and group writing, are explored.

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Journal of Nursing Education

Preparing Nurse Educator Students for the New National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCLEX and AACN Essentials

Published December 13, 2023 by the Journal of Nursing Education (online), Dr. Genieveve Cline and colleagues from the University of South Florida explore Preparing Nurse Educator Students for the New National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCLEX and AACN Essentials. The authors detail how faculty used a learner-centered, backward design approach to adapting their program and adding new core content to the nursing education curriculum. The article outlines the steps used to facilitate program innovation, including setting program goals; identifying courses and objectives; selecting learning activities tied to outcomes; and applying learning assessment criteria.

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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

In Conversation with Joan Stanley about The Role of Undergraduate Nursing Education in Patient Safety

On November 27, 2023, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Patient Safety Network (PSNet) published a Q&A with AACN’s Chief Academic Officer titled In Conversation with Joan Stanley about The Role of Undergraduate Nursing Education in Patient Safety. In this interview, Dr. Stanley addresses academic nursing’s ongoing focus on protecting patients from harm, including the emphasis on quality and safety curriculum (Domain 5) embedded in the 2021 Essentials. The importance of competency-based education to preparing practice-ready nurses is highlighted along with the need to forge strong academic-practice partnerships to sustain a culture of safety.

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American Nurses Foundation

Philanthropic Support for the Nursing Profession: Priorities and Potential for Transforming Nursing and Achieving Health Care Quality and Equity

On November 15, 2023, the American Nurses Foundation released the results of a newly commissioned study titled Philanthropic Support for the Nursing Profession: Priorities and Potential for Transforming Nursing and Achieving Health Care Quality and Equity. Though nurses are essential to sustaining the nation’s health, the study found that just one penny of every dollar of healthcare philanthropy actually goes to nursing. The author makes the case that nurses are the ideal partners for funders seeking to transform health care and suggests areas for targeted investment, including grants to help diversify the workforce, support for nurse-led research and innovation, and funding to advance nurse leadership.

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Journal of Nursing Scholarship

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses: A Bibliometric Analysis

In the September 2023 Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Dr. Gwen Sherwood with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues published an article titled Quality and Safety Education for Nurses: A Bibliometric Analysis. Since 2005, the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative has shaped the preparation of nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to prevent harm and improve safe care. With a strong emphasis on the QSEN competencies in the 2021 Essentials, the authors assess QSEN’s spread and global impact on nursing education curriculum and competency development.

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Nurse Educator

Planetary Health: Preparing Nursing Students for the Future

In the November/December 2023 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Shannon Vandenberg with the University of Lethbridge in Canada published an article on Planetary Health: Preparing Nursing Students for the Future. The article introduces the Planetary Health Education Framework, which was developed to support nurses in leading change in nursing practice and advocating for a climate-resistant future. The author describes the framework as grounded in equity, which is well suited to nursing education and can be readily adapted into current curricula.

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Health Affairs

Mitigating Racial and Ethnic Bias and Advancing Health Equity In Clinical Algorithms

In the October 2023 Health Affairs, Dr. Michael Cary from Duke University and colleagues published a new scoping review titled Mitigating Racial and Ethnic Bias and Advancing Health Equity In Clinical Algorithms. The authors identified a wide range of technical, operational, and systemwide bias mitigation strategies for clinical algorithms used to guide clinical decision-making and patient care. The authors call for future research to identify optimal bias mitigation methods for various scenarios, depending on factors such as patient population, clinical setting, algorithm design, and types of bias addressed.

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Journal of Nursing Education

SCOTUS and Diversity in Nursing Education

In the October 2023 Journal of Nursing Education, Dr. Teri Murray from St. Louis University published a new editorial titled SCOTUS and Diversity in Nursing Education. The article addresses how the recent Supreme Court decision to ban the use of race in college admission decisions presents a federally sanctioned structural barrier to educational access for minority students. The author identifies six ways schools can move ahead with efforts to prepare a diverse student body that would not violate the new restrictions.

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Medical Care

The Impact of Primary Care Practice Structural Capabilities on Nurse Practitioner Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Intent to Leave

On October 9, Medical Care published a study from Dr. Amelia Schlak from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs titled The Impact of Primary Care Practice Structural Capabilities on Nurse Practitioner Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Intent to Leave. The study found an association between practice infrastructure and effective care delivery, which impacts both patients and providers. The authors call on practice leaders to invest in structural capabilities to improve primary care provider outcomes and strengthen workforce participation.

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Journal of the American Medical Association

Overworked and Understaffed, More Than 1 in 4 US Nurses Say They Plan to Leave the Profession

Published October 4, 2023 by the Journal of the American Medical Association, senior staff writer Dr. Melissa Suran contributed a new article titled Overworked and Understaffed, More Than 1 in 4 US Nurses Say They Plan to Leave the Profession. The author looks at the latest data on nurses’ intent to leave their positions and how burnout and understaffing are impacting the workforce. A 2021 study led by Dr. Linda Aiken was cited, which found that 87% of nurses and 45% of physicians identified improving nurse staffing as the most effective intervention for reducing burnout.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

AONL Workforce Initiatives Seek to Bolster Nursing Staffs, Improve Patient Care

In the October 2023 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Robyn Begley, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), published a guest editorial titled AONL Workforce Initiatives Seek to Bolster Nursing Staffs, Improve Patient Care. Dr. Begley discusses the need for nurse leaders to create “positive practice environments where nurses can grow, thrive, be safe, and stay well.” She outlines how AONL is supporting this work with a focus on reducing workplace violence; promoting diversity, equity, and belonging; supporting clinician well-being; and promoting innovative care delivery models.

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American Journal of Nursing

Activism Is an Essential Nursing Role

In the October 2023 issue of the American Journal of Nursing, Dr. Peggy Chinn and Maureen Shawn Kennedy published an article titled Activism Is an Essential Nursing Role. Nursing has a long history of activism, yet nurses often express a dislike of “politics” and avoid contentious situations associated with political engagement. The authors consider the fundamental duty of nurses to advocate on behalf of their patients and communities. Examples of political activism and approaches nurses can use to address pressing healthcare issues are shared.

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Nurse Educator

A Compelling Case for the Use of Backward Design to Advance Competency-Based Nursing Education

In the September/October 2023 issue of Nurse Educator, Dr. Genieveve Cline and Kailey Rinaldi from the University of South Florida share A Compelling Case for the Use of Backward Design to Advance Competency-Based Nursing Education. “Backward design is a process of curriculum development that begins with the learning outcomes and competencies in mind to promote deep and enduring learning.” The authors outline reasons for adopting backward design, including an example of how to use this approach to align a curriculum with the 2021 Essentials and Next Generation NCLEX guidance.

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American Nurse

Peer Support and Nurse Well-Being

On September 8, 2023, the American Nurse published an article by Dr. Tim Cunningham and Dr. Trina Geyer from Emory Healthcare on Peer Support and Nurse Well-Being. “Peer support programs focus on the strengths of nurses, team members, and trusted colleagues who use their compassion and altruism to support the well-being of colleagues in need.” The authors describe how matching nurses seeking help with peer supporters from similar backgrounds can promote feelings of empowerment and self-efficacy, reduce stress, and enable individuals to contribute at the highest level. Dr. Cunningham will be a featured speaker at AACN’s Academic Nursing Leadership Conference (ANLC) in October.

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American Nurse

A Call for Healthy Role Models

In the August 2023 issue of American Nurse, Dr. Peter Stoffan from NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City and colleagues issued A Call for Healthy Role Models. Though nurse leaders have the potential to act as healthy role models for their teams, this new study found that most nurse leaders fail to demonstrate consistent self-care behaviors. The authors challenge nurse leaders to prioritize self-care and the well-being of their staff, which includes taking steps to ensure “healthy work–life harmony” for today’s nursing workforce.

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The Future of Nursing, 2020-2030 Report

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity

On August 17, 2023, Drs. Susan Hassmiller, Ashley Darcy Mahoney, and Kenya Beard released a new book titled The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity. The book explores how to apply the concepts and recommendations featured in The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report to inspire nurses to take action to improve health equity. The authors advance program and policy recommendations, along with case studies, tools, resources, and storytelling, designed to empower nurses to lead in transforming health care in pursuit of an equitable, just, and fair society.

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Inside Higher Ed

Who Should Be Called a ‘Doctor’?

On August 16, 2023, reporter Jessica Blake with Inside Higher Ed considers the question: Who Should Be Called a ‘Doctor’? A new Georgia law limiting the use of the title of doctor to physicians has renewed the debate over the legal use of this title by healthcare professionals with doctoral-level preparation, including nurses. As other states consider similar legislation, organizations representing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare providers argue that transparency with patients and the ability to accurately advertise academic credentials and qualifications can coexist.

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U.S. Departments of Education and Justice

Dear Colleague Letter and Question and Answer Resource

On August 14, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education joined with the U.S. Department of Justice in announcing two resources to help colleges and universities understand and respond to the recent Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions practices. The new published materials, which include a Dear Colleague Letter and Question and Answer Resource, are designed to help academic leaders lawfully pursue efforts to achieve a student body that is diverse across a range of factors, including race and ethnicity. Examples of steps schools can take to achieve a diverse student body include targeted outreach, recruitment, and pathway programs; evaluation of admission policies; and retention strategies and programs.

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HealthLeader

University of Pittsburgh Nursing School Creates Tools and Learning for LGBTQIA+ Healthcare

In the August 7, 2023 issue of HealthLeaders, nursing editor Carol Davis published a story titled University of Pittsburgh Nursing School Creates Tools and Learning for LGBTQIA+ Healthcare. The article profiles the work of Drs. Brenda Cassidy, Betty Braxter, and Andrea Fischl to develop an interactive learning module and resource toolbox to promote best practices in LGBTQIA+ healthcare, which is now available to students and all healthcare providers. Currently, fewer than 20% of nursing students are prepared to provide care for LGBTQIA+ patients. Issues connected to unconscious bias are explored.

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Nursing Outlook

Nurse-led Approaches to Address Social Determinants of Health and Advance Health Equity: A New Framework and its Implications

Published as an article-in-press by Nursing Outlook, Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos and colleagues from the Duke University School of Nursing discuss Nurse-led Approaches to Address Social Determinants of Health and Advance Health Equity: A New Framework and its Implications. To address the gap in applying research to mitigate the harmful impacts of the social determinants of health (SDOH), the authors introduce a new framework developed by the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health at Duke that synthesizes extant SDOH research to address this gap. This work is supported by an online hub focused on disseminating innovations to end health inequities.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

AONL Workforce Compendium: Practice-Based Evidence to Support Nurse Leaders

In the July/August 2023 Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Ronda Hughes with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership profiles the AONL Workforce Compendium: Practice-Based Evidence to Support Nurse Leaders. This resource identifies strategies and innovations that can be used by leaders to manage the nursing workforce in several key areas, including talent attraction and acquisition, recruitment and retention, leadership, positive practice environments, total rewards, and a culture of inquiry. A special section on academic-practice partnerships, including exemplars, is featured in the compendium.

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Medical Research Archives

The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Narrative Review of the History and Current Status

Published July 10, 2023, in the Medical Research Archives, the official journal of the European Society of Medicine, Dr. Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob and colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh authored The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Narrative Review of the History and Current Status. The article highlights the origins and intent of the DNP degree, discusses the implementation of programs, describes the work environments for DNPs, considers the impacts of DNPs on health and health care, identifies challenges, and offers recommendations for the future.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

From Crisis Management to Multi-level Interinstitutional Partnerships: Development of the Southeastern Conference Deans Nursing Coalition

In the September-October 2023 Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. Jeanette Andrews from the University of South Carolina joined with seven fellow nursing deans to publish an article titled From Crisis Management to Multi-level Interinstitutional Partnerships: Development of the Southeastern Conference Deans Nursing Coalition. The distinguished authors discuss the formation of a strategic regional alliance that leverages the expertise of affiliated schools of nursing to help expand capacity and influence. The article addresses the keys to coalition building, catalyzing trust, sharing resources, uniting nursing’s voice in the policy arena, and the many benefits of collaboration to deans, faculty, students, and institutions.

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Journal for Nurses in Professional Development

Curriculum Mapping Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Curriculum to Accrediting Agency Standards

In the July/August 2023 Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, Dr. Shannon Layton from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and colleagues published a manuscript on Curriculum Mapping Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Curriculum to Accrediting Agency Standards. This article examines the process and benefits of mapping nurse residency curriculum with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education standards. Curriculum mapping revealed gaps and redundancies in the curriculum as well as documented compliance with accreditation standards.

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Journal of Nursing Regulation

Addressing Barriers to APRN Practice: Policy and Regulatory Implications During COVID-19.

In the latest issue of the Journal of Nursing Regulation (April 2023), Dr. Ruth Kleinpell from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and colleagues published findings from a national study on Addressing Barriers to APRN Practice: Policy and Regulatory Implications During COVID-19. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) face regulatory barriers that limit their ability to provide care based on their education, training, and certification. This article summarizes existing barriers (including practice authority restrictions, transition to practice requirements, federal regulations, and economic realities), highlights changes in regulations since the pandemic, and concludes with policy implications and recommendations.

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Academic Medicine

Power Reimagined: Advancing Women Into Emerging Leadership Positions

In the June 2023 issue of Academic Medicine, Dr. Linda Chaudron from Maine Medical Center and colleagues published a new commentary on Power Reimagined: Advancing Women Into Emerging Leadership Positions. The article addresses the gender gap that exists among leaders in academic health centers and throughout health care and higher education. The authors call for identifying emerging leadership roles, dismantling systemic barriers, and preparing more women with the knowledge, skills, and experience required of top leaders.

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Journal of Professional Nursing

Burnout Among Academic Nursing Faculty

Published ahead of print by the Journal of Professional Nursing, Dr. George Zangaro, AACN’s Chief Policy and Scientific Officer, and staff colleagues contributed an article titled Burnout Among Academic Nursing Faculty. Based on an assessment of more than 3,500 nurse faculty using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, approximately 85% of nurse faculty are experiencing moderate to high levels of exhaustion, burnout, and disengagement. Nearly half of those surveyed indicated plans to retire within the next 10 years. Given the need to expand the nurse faculty population, academic administrators are encouraged to seek ways to minimize faculty burnout by re-examining role expectations, providing support services, and creating work environments that promote wellness and resilience.

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Nurse Educator

Curriculum Mapping for Competency-Based Education: Collecting Objective Data

On June 5, 2023, Nurse Educator published a guest editorial from Dr. Gerry Altmiller from The College of New Jersey titled Curriculum Mapping for Competency-Based Education: Collecting Objective Data. The author details how the approach to curriculum mapping differs for nursing programs transitioning to competency-based education, which shifts the emphasis from what is taught to what the learner does. “Focusing on the outputs of education provides the objective data needed to determine what learning is occurring and how one activity provides the foundation for the next.” Practical steps are shared to support faculty moving to implement the 2021 Essentials.

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Nurse Educator

Effective Interventions for Nursing Student Burnout

n the May/June 2023 issue of Nurse Educator, Shannon Burleson and colleagues from the University of Nevada, Reno published a scoping review on Effective Interventions for Nursing Student Burnout. Research has shown that burnout is rising among nursing students as they struggle to cope with stress in academic and clinical environments. Following an analysis of 258 studies, the authors identified effective burnout interventions, including recreational music-making, mindfulness-based and resilience education, integral-caring-holistic-science curriculum, Acceptance and Commitment Training, and progressive muscle relaxation.

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American Council on Education

Effective Strategies for Combating Faculty Burnout

On May 18, 2023, Dr. Hollie Chessman with the American Council on Education contributed a new article to the Higher Education Today blog on Effective Strategies for Combating Faculty Burnout. The author reflects on recent reports and dialogue in academic circles focused on how role dissatisfaction, disengagement, lack of meaning, and workload are contributing to faculty burnout. Various levers to help alleviate burnout are considered, including salary, faculty development, flexibility, workload expectations, and recognition.

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Journal of the American Medical Association

The Economic Burden of Racial, Ethnic, and Educational Health Inequities in the US

In the May 16, 2023 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Thomas LaVeist from Tulane University and colleagues published a new study on The Economic Burden of Racial, Ethnic, and Educational Health Inequities in the US. This groundbreaking work, funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, provides national and state-level estimates of the economic burden of health disparities by race and ethnicity and educational levels. The authors estimate that in 2018, racial and ethnic health disparities cost to the U.S. economy - driven by increased medical costs, decreased labor productivity, and premature deaths - was $451 billion and the cost of education-related health disparities reached $978 billion. The authors argue that addressing health inequities is both a social justice issue and an economic issue.

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Nursing Outlook

Where are nurse-scientists? Academic nursing research at critical crossroads

In the March 2023 issue of Nursing Outlook, Dr. Joan Bloch from Drexel University and Dr. Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow from Duquesne University consider the question: Where are nurse-scientists? Academic nursing research at critical crossroads. Creating academic environments that champion the work of nurse scientists is essential to bridging gaps in health care. The authors identify strategic actions that can be taken by nursing schools and stakeholders to support nurse scientists, including providing opportunities for internal funding and recognition; investing in the research enterprise; promoting pay equity; expanding the pipeline into PhD programs; and lobbying NIH for increased funding.

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Journal of Nursing Administration

Evaluating Burnout and Resiliency in New Graduate Nurses

In the May 2023 Journal of Nursing Administration, Dr. Bryce Catarelli and colleagues from the University of Florida published the results of a new study on Evaluating Burnout and Resiliency in New Graduate Nurses. With novice nurses at high risk of turnover during their first year of employment, the authors explore evidence-based approaches to improving nurse retention, which focus on improving personal and work-related burnout. Recommendations include offering a structured nurse residency program, ensuring a safe workload for new nurses, fostering a supportive work environment, building a network of mentors, and providing access to mental health services.

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