Baccalaureate Degree Research Articles

Changes in grit and psychological capital at the time of major crisis: nursing students' perseverance, resources, and resilience.

To examine changes in grit and psychological capital among nursing students prior to, during the height of the pandemic, and more than 12months after the initial pandemic announcement. A cross-sectional study design addressed the aim of the study. Nursing students undertaking a three-year baccalaureate degree between 2019 and 2021 were included. Mean grit levels among the n=818 unique student participants were significantly lower in 2020 than in 2019 and 2021; however, no significant difference was detected for psychological capital over the same period. Although normative day-to-day challenges may aid grit development, a major event has a negative impact yet has a buffering effect of negative life events at the time of a crisis. The study further placates that psychological capital remains malleable and open to change at the time of a crisis and may be an essential mechanism to mediate grit and has the capacity to influence student performance over time. It remains essential to develop grit through the mediating elements of psychological capital to enable nursing student to undertake academic studies, particularly in the event of major challenges, such approaches may further enable students' endurance to withstand major crises as they enter the workforce.

Determinants of the Self-Efficacy of Prospective Teachers in Using Drama Activities for Kindergarten: A Sample from the Arab Region

Modern education increasingly focuses on interweaving drama as an integral part of pre-school education. Given that teachers’ self-efficacy in meeting expected tasks tends to stabilize over time and is grounded in their success and failure experiences as tertiary students, addressing self-efficacy among prospective teachers before starting their profession is strategic. This study assessed self-efficacy in using drama activities for kindergarten and its determinants among prospective teachers in Jordan. The study also discussed the potential risks associated with using drama activities within the Jordanian education system. The study utilized a cross-sectional design with a sample of undergraduate university students majoring in kindergarten education (N = 234). All universities that offer kindergarten education baccalaureate degrees in Jordan were targeted (N = 6). An online survey was used to collect data from students aged 18 to 21 regarding their academic characteristics, self-efficacy, attitudes toward the teaching profession, and communication skills. The results showed high levels of perceived self-efficacy in utilizing drama with children. The reports were high in all domains, including perceived self-efficacy in classroom planning, classroom management, and preparing and evaluating learning and teaching environments for drama activities. Almost 30% of the variability in prospective teachers’ self-efficacy could be explained by their attitudes toward the teaching profession, communication skills, as well as some academic characteristics. Kindergarten education curricula should foster students’ interest and attitudes toward teaching and help them improve, learn, and use communication skills effectively. Measuring and managing the risk of using drama activities in Jordanian schools and similar contexts is also warranted.

Effect of Implementing Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Guidelines Related to Post-Partum Care on Maternity Nurses' Performance

Context: Delivering high-quality care that improves patients' health outcomes necessitates using evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP).
 Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing evidence-based nursing practice guidelines related to postpartum care on maternity nurses' performance.
 Methods: One group (pre/post-test) is studied in a quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out at the postnatal unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample included all maternity nurses working in the previously mentioned setting. Three tools are used for data collection: A self-administered questionnaire includes an assessment of socio-demographic characteristics of the studied maternity nurses, an assessment of maternity nurses' knowledge regarding evidence-based practices about postpartum care, an observational checklist regarding evidence-based nursing practice during the postpartum period, and barriers scale of nurses in implementing evidence-based practices.
 Results: The study revealed a mean nurses' age of 33.6±9.867, and 55.4% had baccalaureate degrees in nursing sciences. 60% of them depend on the internet as a source of information. The present study findings a highly statistically significant difference between pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and follow-up (p<0.0001) regarding nurses' knowledge and practice concerning postpartum evidence-based nursing practice. The barriers assessment revealed that 84.5% of the nurses agreed they did not have time to read the research.
 Conclusion: Maternity nurses' performance in postpartum care significantly improved after implementing evidence-based practice guidelines. The study recommended encouraging continuous educational training programs and workshops for nurses regarding evidence-based nursing in obstetrics and gynecological unit.

Career outcomes and satisfaction among graduates of a 4-year oral health and welfare baccalaureate program at Niigata University, Japan: A cross-sectional study.

Globally, baccalaureate programs in dental hygiene are increasingly established. In addition, in Japan, many dental hygienists (DHs) and social workers (SWs) are prematurely leaving the workforce. This study aimed to investigate the most recent employment, career outcomes, reasons for a job change, and satisfaction with the job and undergraduate curriculum among graduates of the baccalaureate program at the Department of Oral Health and Welfare (DOHW), Faculty of Dentistry, Niigata University. All 262 graduates (graduating classes 1-10) of the DOHW were invited to participate in this survey; an original self-administered questionnaire was distributed to those who consented. Responses were received from 114 (43.5%) graduates. Almost all respondents (89.5%) had dual licensure as both DH and certified SW. They were employed immediately after graduation (99.1%) and at the time of the survey (96.5%). Over 60% of them worked as DHs, mainly in hospitals. SWs mainly worked in administration. Among the 113 respondents who were employed, 39.8% changed jobs at least once. The main reasons for job selection were 'interest in job content' and 'flexible working hours'. Nearly 90% of the respondents felt satisfied or fairly satisfied with their job and their undergraduate education. A quality 4-year baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene and social welfare positively influenced graduates' work continuity. Most graduates felt satisfied or fairly satisfied with their job and the undergraduate curriculum. Employment rates within each profession and the prevalence of hospital and administrative roles were higher than national averages. Long-term studies of graduates' career outcomes are warranted.

Evaluating Knowledge of Public Health Nursing Competencies in Baccalaureate Nursing Students.

Community health workers are projected to grow in number by 17 percent by 2030. A baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) provides a foundation for public health nursing practice. The Competencies for Public Health Nursing Practice instrument was distributed to BSN students at a Midwestern university before and after an educational intervention. Students completed a pretest ( n = 269) and posttest ( n = 154). All four subscales and total score indicated a significant increase in competence ( p < .001). There is a need to develop interactive public health nursing simulations with an interprofessional venue to help students improve teamwork and communication competencies.

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF BACCALAUREATE SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ABOUT INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION IN CANADA

Although interprofessional collaboration is a common expectation in social work employment, interprofessional education has not been a robust feature of baccalaureate social work preparation in Canada. There is also a dearth of research on the topic. These gaps are problematic because social workers with baccalaureate degrees are often employed in interprofessional teams in various health care settings in Canada. To address this gap in knowledge, this mixed methods study explores attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration of social work students in a Canadian undergraduate university. Also, the study evaluates the students’ knowledge acquisition of interprofessional competencies after a single interprofessional education event. Findings indicate a positive change in students’ attitudes and enhanced knowledge of the interprofessional care competencies. The study contributes to the limited body of research on interprofessional education of baccalaureate-level social work students in Canada. It also shows the power of a single interprofessional experiential event in benefiting professional education of future social work professionals.

The Fathering Styles Experienced by Successful Young Professionals

It is established that a good foundation at an early stage of development through appropriate employment of parenting styles positively affects a person’s growth. However, parenting is usually associated with “mothering” or how mothers rear or raise their children, creating gaps in the other half of parenting: the fathers. This study was conducted to know the most prevalent fathering styles of the fathers of successful young professionals. The researcher asked 11 young professionals, meaning they were currently employed and finished college or have a baccalaureate degree, to answer 2 interview questions that will describe their fathers’ rearing. The respondents were also asked to answer the PSS or the Parenting Scenario Scale created by Ribeiro (2009). It will allow the researcher to know the parenting styles of the fathers. The researcher concluded that out of the four parenting styles, the authoritative parenting style is the most prevalent and it matched with how the respondents describe their fathers’ rearing.

The value of an online postprofessional (transitional) Doctor of Physical Therapy program

The elevation of education is found across the business continuum. Professional doctoral programs are growing in response to the complex nature and consumer demand in business sectors. The healthcare field has experienced a demand for doctoring professions, beginning with nursing. The movement toward a doctorate in physical therapy was predicated by a federal physical therapy governing association emphasizing the need for physical therapy to become a doctoring, clinical profession. The directive resulted in the creation of transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) programs responding to the need for doctoral-level courses to bridge the educational gap between currently licensed physical therapists with baccalaureate or master's degrees and the newer graduates in the field who hold doctorate degrees. Programs erupted, but over time, online programs emerged as the primary method of education with flexibility and reachability for working clinicians. Outcomes of online tDPT programs are lacking and perhaps overlooked as being an essential medium within postprofessional education for professional advancement and currency. This mixed-methods study sought to understand the perspectives of tDPT graduates on the value of an online tDPT education. The 105 participants completed an online survey through the Qualtrics data gathering system. The findings included themes related to the value of a tDPT degree in improving clinical skill sets in diagnostic imaging, evidence-based practice, and differential screening. Many participants reported that they thought differently as clinicians, primarily identifying as autonomous practitioners. The overarching common theme was the value of postprofessional programs in providing education currency achievable through an online program.

Social interactions and practices that positively influenced women’s retention in their computer science major

ABSTRACT Background and Context Despite over 30 years of research on broadening participation, women are still underrepresented in Computer Science (CS) education. While enrolment in CS majors has increased, women earn only 18% of the CS baccalaureate degrees in the US. Objective Most research focuses on why women leave CS. This study explores factors (i.e. social interactions and practices) that support retention from the perspective of women who persisted in their CS major. Methods We interviewed ten participants first by separating them in two focus groups and then by using individual in-depth interviews. Findings We identified four types of social interactions that support retention of women. In terms of practices, we present four of the most frequent practices, and four practices that characterised retention of women at the periphery. These findings add nuanced understanding of factors that support retention of women through the theoretical lens of legitimate peripheral participation in communities of practice. Implications This study has several implications for CS departments on how they can support women’s retention, such as by supporting internships, propagating work-life balance and training faculty and students on the importance of legitimacy and support.

Undergraduate Ethics Education in Paramedicine in Australia.

In Australia, paramedics are obliged to practice ethically. Graduates of baccalaureate degrees in paramedicine should therefore possess a common grounding in ethics to meet the professional capabilities expected of registered paramedics. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding ethics education for paramedicine students, including what is taught, how it is taught, and how it is assessed. This paper explores ethics education for paramedicine students in Australia, how it aligns with current professional expectations, and how it may be enhanced. Point-in-time data regarding ethics education was collected from websites of fifteen Australian universities offering undergraduate baccalaureate degrees in paramedicine. Data collection was supported by consultation with academics from several institutions. Content analysis was utilised to categorise and analyse data to explore similarities and differences in curricula. Similarities included approaches to learning and teaching and the use of case-based learning, with variability found across teaching staff profiles and content areas. Findings suggest it is time for collaboration to develop a model ethics curriculum for paramedicine students in Australia.

Predictive Characteristics of Adequate Employment in Baccalaureate-Prepared Graduates

Underemployment, which occurs when baccalaureate degree holders are employed in occupations that do not require or fully use a college-level degree (Lederman, 2018), challenges the notion that a college degree alone adequately prepares a student for a satisfactory level of employment based on education level. During 2018 and 2019, the higher-ed capstone team conducted this study to identify predictive characteristics of underemployment among undergraduate alumni from a large, public, urban, Tier-1 research university. Although identifying underemployment characteristics was the primary impetus for the research, the team instead discovered three primary predictors of adequate employment from the analysis. Higher education institutions and policy leaders may be able to better ensure students gain employment, particularly during challenging economic times, by encouraging student participation in internships, extracurricular activities, and the selection of STEM majors.

Through the Gate: Mapping the Transfer Landscape and Understanding What Students Say Builds Their Capacity for Transfer

ABSTRACT Educational practitioners, researchers, and policymakers have focused on increasing community college transfer rates as an equity strategy for improving social and economic mobility among historically underserved populations. While there is a vast amount of research on students who have successfully transferred, there is limited evidence base on the experience of community college students who are on the verge of this transition. This study employed a mixed-methods design to map California’s transfer landscape and understand what factors facilitate or hinder students’ capacity to transfer to a university successfully. Findings reveal a missed opportunity: between 2010 and 2015, over one-third (N = 292,556) of California community college students did not make it “through the gate” to a university within six years – even though they had met most or all of their transfer requirements. Subsequent student surveys and interviews revealed four critical factors for building students’ transfer capacity and helping them reach their goals of a baccalaureate degree and economic and social mobility for themselves and their families: university affordability, school-life balance, pathway navigation, and support network. This article discusses implications and future research considerations for leveraging these findings to support equity and transfer success efforts.

Variability in qualifications for principal investigator status in research studies by nurses: A call for clarification

PurposeTo describe existing guidance for qualifications of principal investigator s (PI s) of human subjects research and explore how they are operationalized for pediatric nurse scientists and clinical nurses in children's hospitals. Design and methodsAfter reviewing federal regulations, accreditation guidelines, and the literature, a convenience sample of members of the National Pediatric Nurse Scientist Collaborative (NPNSC). Participants completed a 33-item survey that included questions about Institutional Review Board (IRB), guidelines, and policies for PI status at their affiliated children's hospitals. ResultsThe survey was electronically disseminated to 179 members of NPNSC through the Collaborative's listserv. Of the 39 members who responded, 90% hold a PhD and 80% practice in a free-standing children's hospital, nearly all of which (93%) are recognized as Magnet® hospitals. While the majority of respondents indicated that nurse scientists and other nurses were allowed to be PIs of research studies, educational requirements for PI status varied, with 3% requiring a PhD, 15% a baccalaureate degree, and 10% a graduate degree. 54% of respondents reported there was no degree requirement for PI status; however15% reported that even doctorally prepared nurse scientists cannot serve as PIs of research studies at their affiliated children’'s hospitals. ConclusionsThe survey identified substantial variability in requirements for PI status and potential barriers to pediatric nurses conducting independent research as PIs at children's hospitals. Practice implicationsOperationalizing existing guidance will expand inclusion of nurse scientist expertise in human subjects research.

Factors influencing nursing professional identity development: A qualitative study.

This research focuses on approaches that best support nursing professional identity formation, particularly by providing the insights of nursing students in their own words. This report reflects qualitative phenomenological research on nursing professional development from the perspective of both associate degree and baccalaureate degree student nurses in their final semester of study and describes factors that support or detract from the experience of nursing professional identity development. Participants were guided through individual interviews using semi-structured interview questions and later invited to facilitated focus groups with other students to clarify and elaborate on previous comments. The approach participants most often described as helping them develop into a professional nurse was clinical experience and the ability to practice independently. It was mentioned far more than the next most common response: role models and mentors. Other methods include reflection, critical thinking, and confidence. This research adds to a limited body of literature on the factors that influence nursing professional identity.

Thoughts About Teaching: A Nursing Discipline-Specific Perspective of Lifespan Growth and Development.

This essay addresses a nursing discipline- specific approach to teaching a course about lifespan growth and development. This course may be a requirement for the baccalaureate degree in nursing, offered as a pre-requisite to the nursing major or relevant content may be integrated into clinical courses. Noteworthy is that the content for the course frequently is drawn from the field of developmental psychology. In this essay, I offer a nursing-discipline specific approach guided by Meleis' transitions framework and the Roper-Logan-Tierney model of nursing based on activities of daily living.

The Impact of Offering Baccalaureate Degrees on Institutional Enrollment in Community Colleges

Objective:The community college sector plays a vital role in broadening access to education and helping states meet their workforce needs. An emerging trend and potential lever to better achieve these goals is the community college baccalaureate or CCB. Yet, opponents wonder whether CCBs may lead community colleges to abandon their traditional logics. This study attempts to help address this question.Methods:Using institution-level panel data, I employ various difference-in-difference approaches to estimate the impact of CCB adoption on overall enrollment levels, as well as the enrollment of historically underrepresented student populations.Results:I find that CCB adoption leads to significant increases in overall student enrollment; these results are robust to alternative specifications and control groups. Yet, enrollment-related impacts vary by selected student populations. I find no consistent evidence that CCB adoption shifts community colleges away from their commitment to underrepresented students, though there may be a tipping point not yet reached by current levels of CCB adoption.Contributions:These findings have important implications for policy and practice as institutional leaders and policy makers continue to debate, adopt, and implement baccalaureate programing at the community college level.

Student nurses' educational experiences during COVID-19: A qualitative study

BackgroundDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, many unexpected changes occurred in healthcare. With the abrupt change to online education in 2020, nursing students experienced challenges with virtual learning which impacted their perception of preparedness to practice. There were few qualitative studies completed in the U.S. that investigated the nursing students' experiences. The aim of this study was to explore pre-licensure nursing students' experiences with the transition to virtual learning and their perception of nursing amidst a pandemic. ObjectivesThis study investigated nursing students' experiences and perceptions of the nursing profession amidst a pandemic and explored whether students would continue pursuing a career in nursing. DesignA descriptive exploratory qualitative study utilizing focus group interviews and questions using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework. SettingA university in Northern Illinois educating baccalaureate degree pre-licensure nursing students. ParticipantsTwenty-four pre-licensure nursing students first through fifth semesters. Ten focus groups were established and consisted of two to three students. MethodsA descriptive qualitative study design using the Theory of Planned Behavior to construct 9 semi-structured questions. These questions were utilized in the focus groups (n = 24) and Framework Analysis was utilized to analyze data. ResultsFive themes and three sub-themes emerged from the study. Themes included: inspiration to become nurses with sub-themes-students' own inspiration and inspired by family; relationship strain with friend/family due to poor adherence to isolation guidelines; transition to online learning with sub-theme mental health strain; unprepared to begin nursing practice; and ambiguity regarding how to impact government health policy. ConclusionsThis study found that the students' perceptions of the nursing profession did not waiver, and their desire to pursue a nursing career was resolute. This study demonstrated the challenges students experienced with a transition to virtual learning. Students expressed having insufficient in-person experiences and felt unprepared to begin practice.

Lived-experience of former ALS (Alternative Learning System) students of Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines

The institutionalization of the Alternative Learning System in basic education in the Philippines (Republic Act 11510) last December 2020 paved the way for the out-of-school youth, adults, unreached, undeserved, conflict-affected communities, and communities in emergency situations to avail of systematic and flexible basic education program. The Department of Education in Nagcarlan is one of districts in Laguna, Philippines who is very passionate about this program, and through years of implementation, there were those who have even succeeded up to college graduation. This study focused on tracing those graduates and learning from them the struggles or obstacles they overcame going to college success. Six former ALS passers who obtained baccalaureate degree agreed to participate in this qualitative study. Through online survey containing five qualitative questions with follow-up inquiries through social media, the investigation of their path to success was documented. Responses were analyzed by developing themes from the patterns in their responses. The five major findings are as follows: (1) Education is a way of lifting ones status in life as a person mature in age, achieve dreams, and raise a family (2) Time management is the best way to grip ones responsibilities in terms of having a family, work and household chores (3) Lack of opportunities, worries, fulfilling a dream of finishing secondary school and being a different person are the perspective of ALS students (4) College study poses to ALS passers a survival-of-the-fittest in education as insecurities, struggles, fear and pressure are present to stop them, but with the help of others and self-determination, they are able to conquer all those obstacles and (5) Despite having difficulty in time management, financial instability, and adjustment to new lessons, ALS passers chose to be inspired, work hard, be patient and diligent for them to overcome obstacles. Recommendations were laid down for out-of-school-youths, adults, families, Department of Education officials and future researchers at the end of the study.

Scaling up community college baccalaureates in Washington State: Labor market outcomes and equity implications for higher education

Community and technical colleges in Washington state were early adopters in the growing trend to offer bachelor’s degrees, actively expanding these degrees over the last 15 years. This study describes the evolving state policy landscape on community college baccalaureate (CCB) degrees in Washington in certain programs previously classified as terminal career-technical education and assesses labor market outcomes for graduates of three high-demand program areas conferring these degrees. Comparing bachelor’s graduates of community colleges to regional university graduates, CCB graduates demonstrated slightly higher employment and earnings in the first quarter post-graduation. However, university graduates caught up to approximately the same or slightly higher earnings as CCB graduates by three years post-graduation. Differences in age and prior work experience of graduates in the two groups may help explain these findings but variation in employment and earnings by gender and race were persistent for both groups, with pronounced disparities for female and some racially minoritized graduates. These findings can inform state policy on baccalaureate attainment, CCB degrees as well as university bachelor’s degrees, to help address inequities in higher education. Future studies evaluating the effects of college degrees on employment and earnings may also be enriched by these results.

The impact of a 12-hour educational program on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundProper pain assessment is fundamental to effective pain management. Training nursing staff is critical for improving pain assessment competence and patient clinical outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research examining interventions that can enhance nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain management, especially in Saudi Arabia. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education program on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management.MethodsA quasi-experimental design was used. The study sample included 124 registered nurses working in intensive care or inpatient units in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between March and September 2021 using a knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain, satisfaction with and self-confidence in learning, and the learning self-efficacy scale for clinical skills.ResultsNurses showed moderate levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding pain before (M = 20.3, SD = 4.80) pain management education, which were significantly higher after the intervention (M = 22.2, SD = 5.09, t = 2.87, p < .01). Before the intervention, nurses with a baccalaureate degree had more knowledge and better attitudes regarding pain management than diploma nurses (t = 3.06, p < .01). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (p > .05), indicating that the education was effective in enhancing nurses’ knowledge and attitudes, regardless of nursing education level. Nurses in this study had high mean scores for self-confidence in learning (M = 35.6, SD = 4.68, range = 18–40), self-learning efficacy (M = 52.9, SD = 7.70, range = 25–60), and satisfaction with learning (M = 22.2, SD = 3.24, range: 10–25).ConclusionRegular pain education programs can improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes. Increasing the breadth and depth of educational courses, alongside appropriate training, competency-based assessment, and pain education programs, is also recommended. Future research should consider the subjectivity and individualized nature of nursing by including patient satisfaction surveys to measure the improvement in nurses’ knowledge and attitudes from the patient perspective.