Continuous Professional Improvement Research Articles

Defining nursing entrepreneurship from the point of view of future professionals: A qualitative study

IntroductionEntrepreneurship comprises the development of novel projects, products, and strategies, both from a business perspective and in the context of nursing care. Despite ongoing debate as to whether entrepreneurship should be considered a distinct academic discipline, this subject remains largely unexplored within the health sciences. There is a paucity of published work examining whether entrepreneurship constitutes a specific competence and what nurses and nursing students understand by entrepreneurship. This study aims to identify, on the basis of the beliefs of nursing students from different countries, what entrepreneurship in nursing is. Based on these responses, a definition of entrepreneurship in nursing that responds to society's current needs is proposed. MethodologyQualitative descriptive methods were employed to gather insights from first- and second-year students across four nursing faculties: two located in Colombia, one in Peru, and one in Spain. The students were tasked with defining entrepreneurship within the nursing context. This inquiry was posed at the outset of the educational sessions on entrepreneurship, ensuring that the students had no preexisting information. The responses were collected using the digital platform Mentimeter, which allowed the students to submit their answers via mobile devices. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsA total of 160 written responses were received, analyzed, and categorised by the research team. Finally, 24 codes were obtained, which were grouped into 5 main themes: Healthcare and patient support, Innovation in nursing, Continuous professional improvement, nurses' contributions to society, and own project development. ConclusionDrawing from the experiences and beliefs of nursing students, entrepreneurship is characterized as the ability to innovate, conduct research, and advance scientific knowledge, thereby achieving continuous improvement in care while engaging with environmental and societal contexts.

Fostering Effective Teaching Practices: Integrating Formative Assessment and Mentorship in Indonesian Preservice Teacher Education

The paper explores the implementation and effectiveness of formative assessment strategies to decorate the mastery of teaching competencies among preservice teachers in Indonesia. It specializes in the role of mentoring in guiding and helping preservice teachers efficiently make use of formative assessment practices to improve their instructional techniques and learner studying results. The study investigates the demanding situations and opportunities encountered in integrating formative assessment into the teacher education curriculum and offers guidelines for enhancing the mentorship system. The research method uses a systematic literature review incorporating the evaluation synthesis and guidance for mentors in enhancing the skills and knowledge of future educators in the context of formative assessment. The findings of the current study are exemplified through an analysis of the several facets of formative assessment and its advantages in enhancing teaching and students' acquisition of knowledge. The findings also offer precious insights for teachers, mentors, and policymakers seeking to elevate the best of teacher education packages and continuous professional improvement amongst preservice teachers by guiding them on the rigorous theories and procedures of formative assessment. This study provides a summary of the theoretical contributions and a step-by-step process for implementing formative assessment. It also discusses the implications of formative assessment for assessment education policies and practices in Indonesia.

Understanding English Language Teachers’ (De)motivation Toward Continuing Professional Development Through Psychological Contract and Work Attitude

Motivation as the driving force for achieving success, pursuing goals and fulfilling objectives, is shaped and affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, psychological contract and work attitude. Like other professionals, English language teachers also need to be motivated for continuous professional improvement in order to achieve organizational goals and ultimately reach high educational quality. Thus, it is of high importance to investigate teachers’ (de)motivation toward CPD. This paper focuses on the (de)motivational reasons as to why English language teachers at a university do not take part in professional development despite their awareness of its significance for their career, institution’s development and their students’ learning. The data from EFL teachers were collected through an online questionnaire consisting of three open-ended questions. The majority of the teachers were found to feel that the continuing professional development events were organized without considering their current workload, needs and contextual factors. It was also found out that the general organizational atmosphere and work attitudes of their colleagues led to decreased motivation and psychological contract. These results offer certain implications for the administrators of educational institutions regarding the importance of considering motivational factors, psychological contract and work attitude in planning continuing professional development for English language teachers.

NURSE MANAGERS’ ATTITUDES AND PREPAREDNESS TOWARDS EFFECTIVE DELEGATION IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN BATANGAS

The main problem of the study is to determine the attitudes and preparedness of nurse managers towards effective delegation in selected hospitals in Batangas. Specifically, the study dealt with the attitudes and preparedness of nurse managers in safe and quality care, confidence and trust, commitment to delegate, communication and clarity, handling responsibility and job satisfaction. The study employed the descriptive correlational research design in addressing the questions raised. The statistical treatment of data of frequency and percentage distribution, weighted mean, chi-square and Pearson’s r were calculated. The participants of the study were 31 nurse managers including nursing supervisors, head nurses and charge nurses. In general, the attitudes of nurse managers towards effective delegation are described as to “moderately positive attitude”. The preparedness of nurse managers towards effective delegation are described as “prepared”. Test results showed that there is no significant difference between the respondents when they are grouped according to their profile. However, there is significant relationship between the attitude and preparedness of nurse manager towards effective delegation. From the result, the need for training and continuous professional improvement should be encourage to nurse managers. An enhancement program for the nursing staff is recommended to provide the opportunity for nurses to continuously acquire and develop the skills and attitude towards effective delegation.

REFORMING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUOUS MEDICAL EDUCATION

The article examines the continuous professional development of specialists in the field of health care as a gradual, cyclical, long-term process of updating professional knowledge, improving the professional competencies of medical specialists, which requires reforming its management. It was revealed that the integration of Ukraine into the European and world scientific and educational space involves the internationalization of education, which is actively discussed in scientific circles. Directions, goals, tasks, strategies, mechanisms of postgraduate education are defined. The essence, purpose, content and main tasks of postgraduate education are defined. The importance of ensuring the availability of post-graduate education for all applicants, regardless of their socioeconomic status, is substantiated. Measures for the stable development of postgraduate education are considered, the success of which depends on the solution of a number of problems, in particular such as: regulatory and legal support of the postgraduate education system; updating the content, forms, methods, technologies of education; optimization of the informatization process of postgraduate education; creation of a mechanism for stimulating specialists to continuous professional improvement of their knowledge and skills throughout their lives. The best practical models of medical education in Europe are characterized in order to clarify the issues of developing a strategy for the development of postgraduate education in Ukraine. It is substantiated that a reasonable step for raising the quality of post-graduate training of health care specialists is: carrying out systemic changes in postgraduate education that will meet modern global and European recommendations; coordination of activities with the main directives of the European Union and the World Federation of Medical Education; modernization of the material and technical base of educational institutions and internship bases; improvement of university hospitals. It was concluded that the development of the system of continuous professional training is a priority direction of state policy and it is important to provide high-quality and affordable education for everyone, oriented to the needs of the labor market and society.

ДЕЯКІ АСПЕКТИ ПІДГОТОВКИ МАЙБУТНІХ ПРАКТИЧНИХ ПСИХОЛОГІВ ДО ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В НАДЗВИЧАЙНИХ СИТУАЦІЯХ

In connection with the fact that Ukraine is in the state of war that has been going on for almost a year and a half, the issue of high-quality professional training of practical psychologists capable of working effectively in emergency situations, and who combine high professionalism, responsibility, and interpersonal skills, has become significantly acute. The purpose of the article is to analyze the main features of the future practical psychologists’ professional training for acting in emergency situations at the current stage of modernization of domestic higher education, and to suggest some pedagogical approaches that will contribute to the effective formation of professional competence of higher school students of this profile. Methodology. Practical psychologists’ training is considered as a purposeful process of formation of students’ internal readiness for future work activities, in particular in emergency situations. One of the important aspects of such a readiness is students’ personal development and the achievement of the appropriate level of professional competence. Results. The essence of the problem of future practical psychologists’ training at higher education institutions in modern conditions is considered and its main aspects are clarified. Based on the study of scientific sources on the problem, it is substantiated that in order to successfully solve educational tasks, the organization of practical psychologists’ professional training at higher education institutions should be built taking into account the activity principle of mastering the profession. This principle allows structuring the process of training optimally based on the unity of psychological theory and practice and provides reliable foundations of successful performance of all professional functions by future practical psychologists. According to this principle, practical psychologists’ personal growth and professional development takes place throughout their life and work. Its implementation requires the mandatory inclusion of appropriate educational tasks into their professional training, taking into account the provisions of a systematic approach to the knowledge of mental reality, which contributes to adequate problem-solving and orients the educational process to the disclosure of a holistic image of a person and their personal potential. Value (originality). Thus, future practical psychologists’ professional training for activities in emergency situations should be directed not only to the formation of appropriate professional competence, but also to the development of internal readiness for continuous professional improvement and active self-development of the individual in accordance with the demands of society in modern realities. Key words: higher education institution; professional training; practical psychologists; formation of a specialist’s personality; activities in emergency situations.

NURSES’ MENTORING PRACTICES IN A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN CUENCA BATANGAS: BASIS FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The main problem of the study is to determine the mentoring practices of nurses in the district hospital in Cuenca, Batangas. Specifically, the study dealt with the mentoring practices in the hospital as perceived by the staff nurses and the nurse supervisors in interactive mentoring, task-oriented mentoring, and transformative mentoring in the different nursing areas. A quantitative research design was utilized in the study. The statistical treatment of data of frequency and percentage distribution, weighted mean, and ANOVA were calculated. The participants of the study were 20 nursing staff including the chief nurse, nurse supervisors, and registered nurses who have direct responsibility for giving nursing care. In general, the mentoring practices in the hospital as perceived by the staff nurses and the nurse supervisors are described as to “great extent”. However, the extent of the need for mentorship in the Nursing Service areas revealed: “Very Great Extent”. Test results showed that there is no significant difference in the assessments of the respondents when they are grouped according to profile. From the results, the need for training and continuous professional improvement should be encouraged among staff nurse and their supervisors. A development program for the nursing staff of the nursing services department is recommended to provide the opportunity for nurses to continuously acquire and develop the knowledge skill, attitudes ideals, and values essential for the maintenance of high-quality nursing care.

Innovative approaches to teaching students in the modern educational information environment in the USA and Great Britain

The trend of development of priorities in education and training of students, secondary and higher schools in the USA and Great Britain in retrospect (XIX – early XXI centuries) is clarified. In particular, classical education is briefly described, which had a reproductive character and considered the student as a passive object of learning, which must be filled with knowledge in accordance with certain programs and methods. Classical education was represented by the following approaches: secular, theological, biographical, introspectionist, logical and methodological. American scientists noted that traditional types of Education (classical education and non-classical education) are based on the causal mechanism of the development of thought, the basis of their thinking is considered either the object of learning (classical education) or the subject of learning (non-classical education). Postnonclassical Education combines the positive aspects of traditional education in a single syzygy process of educational activity, which means constant interchangeability, on the one hand, of those who study and on the other – of those who teach. The implementation of postnonclassical education is characterized by the following modern approaches: competence-based, continuous professional improvement of teachers, situational, cultural, systematic, interdisciplinary, axiological, synergetic.

Becoming effective online facilitators

AbstractThis article reviews the strategies discussed in this special issue using the framing of knowledge synergies for effective online facilitation. Guidance and resources for continuous professional improvement through self and peer assessment, creating spaces for professional learning, and managing workload are explored.

Psychological and Pedagogical Features of Students' Adaptation to Studying at Higher Education Institutions

The article describes the peculiarities of the process of students' adaptation to studying at a higher education institution, emphasizes the relevance of this problem in the context of the issue of training highly qualified specialists capable of effective work in the specialty at the level of world standards, ready for continuous professional improvement and personal development. The paper emphasized that the period of adaptation is a particularly important stage of studying at a higher education institution. It is particularly relevant when higher education students adapt to the content and nature of the educational process, in the period of adoption of norms and requirements of the new social environment, inclusion in the system of interpersonal relations, formation of a system of personal orientations, values, necessary for professional activity. The relationship between students' academic success and their level of adaptation to studying at a higher education institution has been identified. The results of an experimental study are presented, where the main factors of adaptation of higher education students, affecting their activity and academic success, are identified. Among these factors, the authors singled out magnitude of educational and extracurricular workload, working capacity during the school day and week, health condition, manifestation of various signs of fatigue, self-efficacy, motivation to learning, relationships with classmates and teachers, social frustration. The researchers stressed that the first-year students' adaptation period is different, depending on their individual and psychological characteristics, the level of readiness to study at a higher education institution, the correct choice of the future profession. On the basis of the results of the experimental study, the ways and directions of successful students' adaptation are determined, which foresees, first of all, the reduction of the impact of maladaptation factors on higher education students, increase in their resistance to these factors and strengthening of those factors that are favorable to them.

Headmaster Management to Improve Teacher Performance in Singkawang Senior High Schools

The progress of education of a school as an educational institution is influenced by the role of the principal as an education manager. It is very much determined by the principal's ability to manage human resources from the planning to evaluation aspects. This study aims to reveal the management of school principals to improve the performance of teachers in Singkawang State High School 3 with a focus on 1) The description of the planning of quality improvement programs for teacher performance by the headmaster of State High School 3 Singkawang, 2) The implementation of programs to improve the quality of teacher performance by principals in State High Schools 3 Singkawang, 3) Program evaluation activities to improve the quality of teacher performance carried out by school principals in SMA 3 Singkawang. The research method used is descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Data collected by in-depth interviews, participant observation, documentation, and analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, conclusions or verification. Data reliability testing is done by extending the period of observation, and triangulation and member checking. The results of the study conclude 1) planning of quality improvement programs for teacher performance is carried out with reference to the vision and mission and school work plans. 2) implementation of improving the quality of teacher performance is carried out by holding a program of continuous professional development in the form of technical guidance (BIMTEK) learning development activities, In House Training (IHT) and workshops aimed at improving teacher competence and quality of learning, 3) Evaluation of teacher performance is carried out by carrying out activities academic supervision of teachers and managerial supervision of administration. Based on the results of the study suggested the following things: 1) planning for improving the quality of teacher performance, especially in school work plans need to be improved in a continuous professional improvement program. 2) The form of carrying out continuous professional improvement activities should be adjusted to what is required by the teacher. 3) Evaluation activities should be carried out consistently to improve teacher quality.

Improvement of qualification of managing, pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical workers by the accumulating system: answer to challenges of modernity

There is elucidated the urgent problem of organization of increasing the qualification of educational workers corresponding to requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On education”, Conception “New Ukrainian school” and time challenges. There is analyzed the prospective foreign and native experience of the continuous professional improvement of aforesaid workers, based on accumulating systems. The notion “accumulating system of educational process organization” is defined as a totality of mutually coordinated content, organizational and technological components of improving the qualification that provide constructing individual educational trajectories of the professional-personal development of specialists corresponding to own needs, their realization, recognition and addition of results. The qualification improvement is grounded by the accumulating system of educational process organization in SHEI “University of educational management” that is embodied in the correspondent normative document of the institution. There is considered the theoretical background of the qualification improvement by the accumulating system that includes the scientific approaches (system, synergetic, personally-oriented, competence) and principles (continuousness; open education; diversification; module character of constructing a content of improving the qualification; European credit-transfer system; correspondence between the content and individual needs and demands of a person, level of the professional competence and so on). Attention is accented on the list of competences as a base of assessing/recognizing of results of teaching students. Peculiarities of organizational models of improving the qualification of educational workers are characterized according to this system, especially: staged mastering no less than five competences, mastering separate competences, distant additional study, verification of results of teaching students, acquired at other institutions/organizations or by informal education. In further studies there is provided to probate the qualification improvement by the accumulating system in SHEI “University of educational management” and to assess its effectiveness

El portafolio digital como instrumento de reflexión y autoevaluación docente en la educación superior

This article presents the results of the appropriation of the digital portfolio as an instrument for reflection and self-evaluation of university teachers during their participation in an institutional qualification process. From a qualitative approach, it was used the constant comparative method which was also part of the grounded theory, taking as analysis unit the reflections and interpretations made by the participants during the workshops, the digital portfolio, interviews and the focus group. As result, an appropriation of the digital portfolio was identified on the teachers at three levels: first, as a reflection for preparing for the task of being educators; second, as a way of self-reflection, assessment and ongoing professional improvement; and third, as a challenge for reflecting on their teaching task and for integrating new technologies as part of their continuous professional improvement. The digital portfolio can become an efficient strategy for integral teachers’ training in higher education if it takes part of institutional policies to guide teachers’ qualification processes.

ОСНОВНІ АСПЕКТИ КОНЦЕПЦІЇ ФАХОВОЇ ПІДГОТОВКИ МОЛОДШОГО МЕДИЧНОГО СПЕЦІАЛІСТА, ЗДАТНОГО ДО БЕЗПЕРЕРВНОГО ПРОФЕСІЙНОГО САМОВДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ

У статті наголошено на актуальності проблеми фахової підготовки молодшого медичного спеціаліста, здатного до безперервного професійного самовдосконалення, визначено основні пріоритети вдосконалення фахової підготовки молодшого медичного спеціаліста: інноваційна організація навчально-виховного процесу, формування фахових компетенцій студента, професіоналізм викладача медичного коледжу, креативні підходи до створення сприятливого освітнього середовища. Акцентовано увагу на ключових заходах, формах та методах фахової підготовки молодшого медичного спеціаліста відповідно до пріоритету.

Leadership performance is significant to project success or failure: a critical analysis

PurposeThis paper seeks to review the current literature in order to explore how performance of leadership in project management determines project outcomes. The specific causes of project success or failure have been an area of much debate in the project management literature. Performance of leadership has been cited as a critical success factor, determining either the success or failure of a project.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review has been undertaken to explore our understanding of how project leadership performance impacts on project outcome.FindingsThe mechanisms through which leadership may impact on outcomes are considered. Implications include the need for project managers to prioritize training in leadership skills, and the need for continuous professional improvement to enhance leadership outcomes. No single leadership model is appropriate throughout the duration of the project. Performance, therefore, must be modified to align with the stages of the project duration.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the literature has given meaningful insights into leadership of projects, there has been little research into performance management of project leadership. The work is the basis of developing a research agenda and establishing a conceptual framework. The opportunity exists, based on this work, for carrying out research on project leadership performance and its effect on project outcomes.Practical implicationsInsightful learning has been achieved into project leadership and the failing of practitioners in appropriate training and development at various stages of the projects life cycle.Social implicationsProjects and project‐based management, delivered nationally and internationally, are of significant importance to organizations. Increasing understanding of the implications of leadership performance, therefore, is of critical importance.Originality/valueThe literature review has identified significant limitation in project leadership performance management. It is anticipated that this work will trigger further research.

Evidence-based laboratory medicine as a tool for continuous professional improvement

Background: Evidence-based medicine (EBM), defined as “the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the current best evidence in making decisions about the care of patients,” seems a tool (a “new paradigm”) able to meet individual clinical experience with robust observations. EBM has been driven by the need to manage information overload by cost control and by public request for the best in diagnostics and treatment. Methods: The application of EBM in laboratory medicine or evidence-based laboratory medicine (EBLM) is aimed to advance clinical diagnosis by researching and disseminating new knowledge, combining methods from clinical epidemiology, statistics, and social science with the traditional pathophysiological molecular approach. Results: EBLM, by evaluating the role of diagnostic investigations in the clinical decision-making process with emphasis on measurable outcome, can help both in improving the quality of new scientific findings and in translating the results of good-quality research into everyday practice. Conclusions: Since there is a need to integrate many educational tools to focus the strategy on promoting the implementation of best practices, the STARD proposal for robust diagnostic test primary studies, the presence of systematic reviews of high quality, and the development of valid guidelines based on the best scientific evidence may be useful to promote an a evidence-based culture for appropriateness, efficiency, and effectiveness in laboratory medicine.