Cynthia Thomas

Ball State University · School of Nursing

Being a preceptor for a new nurse or a student is a great way to promote the future of nursing. However, most nurses have not been taught how to be an effective preceptor. Eight strategies for effective precepting are presented. Servant leadership is discussed as a theoretical basis for serving as a preceptor.

Simulated clinical experiences are an alternative to on-site clinical training. Focused simulations allow for teaching, clinical feedback, and adjustments in patient interaction strategies conducted in controlled real-time environments. Simulations allow nursing students to develop skill acquisition, improve critical thinking, problem-solving, and...

Nursing students participated in a simulation using a standardized patient role-playing an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers used student feedback to develop and improve a simulation aimed at increasing learner skills and knowledge for treating ASD patients. Students indicated that the standardized patient provided rea...

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to understand nursing students’ perception of the relationship between sleep deprivation and learning, and personal and patient safety when in a clinical or work setting.Methods: Design: The researchers used a cross-sectional correlational design. Setting: The study was conducted in a Mid-western state...

With recommendations from national nursing associations and accrediting bodies to transition to an all baccalaureate prepared nurse workforce by 2020, it is important to understand the expertise that a baccalaureate degreed nurse brings to patient care. The purpose of this article is to establish the differences of a non-bachelor of science in nurs...

In today's complex, chaotic, and rapidly changing healthcare environment, a newly registered nurse will face many obstacles on the journey into a professional role.

Health care has become very complex and is in a constant state of change. As a result of the evolving change and increasing complexity, a more educated nursing workforce is needed (Dracup K. Master's nursing programs. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 2015; Institute of Medicine. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. 2...

Background Although patients’ families want to be invited to the bedside of hospitalized loved ones during crisis events, little is known about patients’ perceptions of family presence. Objective To explore adult inpatients’ perceptions of family presence during resuscitation, near-resuscitation, and unplanned invasive cardiac procedures shortly a...

Students who are medically involved often require sustained related services, regular care coordination, and case management to ensure that they are receiving a free and appropriate public education. Exploring the collaboration efforts of school psychologists and school nurses for meeting the educational and related services needs of these students...

The number of students with special healthcare needs (SHCN) and severe disabilities in public schools in the United States has steadily increased in recent years, largely due to the changing landscape of public health relative to advances in medicine and medical technology. The specialized care required for these students often necessitates complex...

This study explored school nurses’ involvement during the identification and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The extent of school nurses’ collaboration with school psychologists and other educators also was studied. Participants included 100 school nurses, representing 18 states, who completed a survey on ASD. The respons...

The impetus for this special issue was to address the lack of research focused on the collaboration of school personnel (i.e., school psychologists and special education teachers) and school nurses when meeting the mental health and health care needs of children. It is surprising that highly recognized professions working within schools, and who of...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term encompassing a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Children with ASD present behavioral, communication, and social behaviors. One in 68 individuals is diagnosed with autism. With ASD prevalence continuing to rise, it makes sense for school nurses to identify areas that may be helpful in serving t...

This article describes the development and evaluation of a first run realistic autism scenario for senior nursing students. Providing a case study, lecture, examination questions, and a synopsis of the simulation benefited student success. The debriefing yielded rich information. Students often expressed difficulty in communicating with and priorit...

New RNs face many challenges. Inarguably, safe medication administration may be one of the most important. Patients may experience a medication error at the rate of one each day; however, many errors are preventable. Researchers have concluded that medication errors are the result of system errors, including transcription errors, failure to adhere...

The use of smartphones and computer tablets are fast becoming commonplace in healthcare organizations and schools of nursing. Nurses, students, physicians and other providers are using these devices to enhance their practice, improve patient care and outcomes and ease cumbersome and outdated methods of communication. However, smartphone and tablet...

In June 2011 three independent nurse researchers were charged with the task of reviewing the NLN/Jeffries (2007) Simulation Framework, specifically, the educational practices construct. This was done in an effort to define and enhance the major constructs to advance the science of simulation in nursing practice. The educational practices construct...

This qualitative study presents the transition experience of new registered nurses during the first year of professional practice. Four themes emerged: feelings of frustration and being overwhelmed, preceptors, fear, and the orientation process. The orientation process, quality, competent preceptors, and reducing lateral violence are key strategies...

Newly registered nurses often feel challenged during the transition to professional practice. Faculty has a responsibility to create teaching and learning strategies that bring forth the desired technical and cognitive behaviors needed to practice professional nursing. Using present-day technology, faculty at one school of nursing created an innova...

The education–practice gap in the area of management, leadership, and communication for newly registered nurses contributes to nurse attrition. Faculty are increasingly using simulations that provide experiences for senior nursing students to facilitate transition into practice. This article describes scenarios that incorporate students, faculty, s...

Thesis (D. Ed.)--Ball State University, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-184).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 1999. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-64).

Direct and indirect violent behaviors toward nursing students and newly registered nurses must be eliminated. Nursing students and newly registered nurses are particularly vulnerable to acts of violence. The article discusses the effect of violence on students and newly registered nurses, the role of the continuing education nurse in eliminating vi...

Recruitment into the nursing profession is an urgent need. Using the storybook Jill Learns About Nurses Around the Town, 11 nurses participated in a nursing promotion program with elementary-age children. Narrative analysis of participant experiences suggests nurses want to and can effectively participate in nursing promnotion programs with childre...

The Joint Commission and Institute for Healthcare Improvement have mandated healthcare organizations to improve professional communication. Nursing students lack experience in communicating with physicians. As a result, recent graduates may not be prepared to meet the demands of professional communication to ensure patient safety. The authors discu...