Vincenza Coughlin, Benjamin Bass, Gail Geraghty, Kathleen E Zavotsky, Alice M Nash
{"title":"Evaluation of a Nursing Education and Competency Algorithm by Clinical Nurse Educators: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Vincenza Coughlin, Benjamin Bass, Gail Geraghty, Kathleen E Zavotsky, Alice M Nash","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-03","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-03","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Distinguishing between nursing competency and education in clinical health care is multidimensional. The NYU Langone Health Nursing Education and Competency Algorithm (NE-CA) was developed to guide competency identification.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted to elicit dialogue through focus groups to identify themes specifically related to use of the NE-CA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of this qualitative research include four major themes: algorithm, competency, competency assessment process, and education.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings from the focus groups support the application of the NE-CA by clinical nurse educators, professional registered nurses, and organizational stakeholders guiding competency and education.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 3","pages":"109-115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hung Thanh Phung, Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen, Binh Van Nguyen, Luyen Thi Dang, Nga Thi Tran, Thang Huu Nguyen, My Anh Thi Bui
{"title":"Beyond Clinical Skills: Gaps in Patient-Centered Nursing Competence in a Mountainous Area of Vietnam.","authors":"Hung Thanh Phung, Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen, Binh Van Nguyen, Luyen Thi Dang, Nga Thi Tran, Thang Huu Nguyen, My Anh Thi Bui","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251117-01","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251117-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nurses often face high workloads, limited supervision, and challenging conditions. This study was conducted to assess the competence of clinical nurses and explore driving forces for nursing competence in a mountainous area of Vietnam.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 356 clinical nurses working at nine district health centers, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with higher competence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the nurses, 67.4% reported good overall competence. The highest rated domains were comprehensive care practice and collaboration with colleagues in patient care. However, notable gaps were noted in patient-centered competencies, especially patient communication and education (62.4%), prioritization of care based on patient needs (70.2%), and medication guidance communication (71.9%). Nurses who reported higher job motivation (odds ratio = 7.9, <i>p</i> < .001) and recent training (odds ratio = 3.6, <i>p</i> < .001) showed notably better competence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight critical areas for improvement, particularly in patient-centered communication skills. Targeted training initiatives and strategies to enhance professional motivation are essential interventions to address these competence gaps, thereby improving health care quality and workforce retention in underserved mountainous areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 3","pages":"116-124"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing Clinical Judgment in Head-to-Toe Assessment: Current Practice and Educational Approaches.","authors":"Rachell Nguyen","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251209-01","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251209-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Head-to-toe assessment skills are core to nursing practice, but clinical settings often limit opportunities for skill reinforcement and growth. This study synthesized existing literature on continuing education programs on head-to-toe assessment and presents a case study highlighting a successful educational model that enhances nurses' clinical judgment and early detection skills.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This narrative review analyzed current literature on head-to-toe assessment continuing education, along with presenting a detailed case study of a voluntary continuing education program implemented within an integrated health care system.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The literature shows that structured, experiential learning methods enhance nurses' confidence and assessment skills. The described continuing education program, based on adult learning principles and simulation-based techniques, resulted in improved clinical judgment, increased confidence, and enhanced recognition of patient deterioration among participating nurses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Continuing education programs on comprehensive head-to-toe assessment that use experiential learning methods effectively enhance nursing clinical skills and improve patient safety outcomes. Regular reinforcement of skills through structured continuing education interventions is crucial for maintaining assessment competency across all levels of nursing experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 3","pages":"137-141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147357034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adaptive Leadership: A Framework to Support Innovation.","authors":"Sylvain Trepanier","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-03","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-03","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Now is the time to promote cataclysmic changes in health care. Nursing professional development specialists are well positioned to be the fire starters of a new world order. They are charged not only with ensuring competence in the present but also with shaping readiness for what lies ahead. In this role, they must find ways to let go of the past and embrace the future. One approach is to consider the adaptive leadership model of Heifetz et al. as one of the most useful leadership frameworks to support innovation. This model offers a framework to help nurses and others evolve as opposed to continuously resisting change.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"59-60"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nashi M Alreshidi, Afaf M Alrimali, Wadida D Alshammari, Malihah M Alreshidi, Debora M Tabungar, Eida H Alshammari, Melody B Lacbao, Abeer Q Alenezi, Jenifer M Thomas
{"title":"Mastering Midwifery Competencies: Impact of the M.I.D.W.I.F.E. Program on the Knowledge, Clinical Confidence, and Performance of Midwives.","authors":"Nashi M Alreshidi, Afaf M Alrimali, Wadida D Alshammari, Malihah M Alreshidi, Debora M Tabungar, Eida H Alshammari, Melody B Lacbao, Abeer Q Alenezi, Jenifer M Thomas","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-02","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-02","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Midwives play a central role in maternal and newborn outcomes, yet many face gaps in clinical competence and confidence because of limited training.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This quasi-experimental study evaluated the Mastering Integrated Development for Women's and Infants' Focused Excellence (M.I.D.W.I.F.E.) program. A total of 32 midwives were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention included interactive lectures, simulation-based learning, and a supervised clinical practicum. Outcomes (knowledge, clinical competency, and confidence) were assessed at baseline, posttraining, and at 3-month follow-up with validated tools.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge (from 80.19% to 86.88%, <i>p</i> < .001, Cohen's <i>d</i> = 2.8), clinical competency (91.3% vs. 81.4%, <i>p</i> < .001, <i>d</i> = 3.7), and confidence across all domains (<i>p</i> < .001, <i>d</i> > 2.0). Confidence gains were sustained at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The M.I.D.W.I.F.E. program effectively enhanced knowledge, skills, and confidence. Structured, simulation-based training with supervised practice holds promise for improving the quality of midwifery care.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"81-89"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Short Shares for a Short Month.","authors":"Patricia S Yoder-Wise","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20260105-01","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"55-56"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evolving Standards for Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation: A Comparative Analysis of 2023 Versus 2027 Standards.","authors":"Sheri Cosme","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-02","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-02","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since 2023, the American Nurses Credentialing Center has been recognizing advanced practice provider fellowships through the Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation (APPFA<sup>®</sup>). In January 2026, the newest version of the standards was released to the public: the 2027 Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Accreditation (APPFA<sup>®</sup>) Application Manual. This column explores the five domains that make up APPFA and describes some of the new standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"57-58"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer L Embree, Katie Feley, Cathy Wichman, Matthew S Howard, Tatiana Laitano Rodriguez, Caroline Mullins
{"title":"Collaborating with Nursing Organizations to Support Research and Mentoring.","authors":"Jennifer L Embree, Katie Feley, Cathy Wichman, Matthew S Howard, Tatiana Laitano Rodriguez, Caroline Mullins","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-04","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20260105-04","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Little research has been done on differences between professional identity in nursing, healthy work environment, and civility for nurses who belong to professional organizations and those who do not belong to these organizations. To identify baseline levels, a faculty researcher and the chief executive officers of two statewide organizations led a research study. This column describes the process that was followed. This process can be replicated in practice with nursing professional development specialists by identifying practice and academic stakeholders to support research and mentoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"61-64"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James S Cho, Stephanie Chan, Min Yang, Harmony Huang, Laura Ream, Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, David Hao
{"title":"Leveling Up: A Video Game for Critical Care Nursing Education.","authors":"James S Cho, Stephanie Chan, Min Yang, Harmony Huang, Laura Ream, Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, David Hao","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251113-01","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251113-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gamified learning may offer an accessible, time-efficient, and engaging modality for continuing education for nurses working in an intensive care unit (ICU). This study evaluated the effectiveness of a role-playing video game in improving ICU nurses' knowledge of train-of-four monitoring and assess attitudes toward gamified learning.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A single-arm pretest-posttest study was conducted with 17 nurses working in a surgical ICU. Participants completed an eight-item test before and after a 15-minute tablet-based game involving clinical decision-making. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pretest and posttest results. An 11-item postgame survey was used to assess engagement, usability, and the learning experience.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean scores improved from 3.41 to 7.12 of a possible score of 8 (<i>p</i> < .001). Most nurses found the game engaging (88.2%), easy to use (94.1%), and educationally effective (100%). Participant comments praised its relevance and interactivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A short, gamified intervention was well received and was associated with improved knowledge of train-of-four monitoring. Gamification may be a valuable tool for the future of clinical education.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"74-80"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"If You Build It, They Might Not Come: Barriers to APRN ECHO Engagement in Missouri.","authors":"Karry L Weston, Linda K Anderson, Rachel E Mutrux","doi":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-01","DOIUrl":"10.3928/00220124-20251118-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Historically, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have participated in Show-Me Project Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) sessions at lower rates than physicians and other clinicians. This study explored reasons for low APRN attendance.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>With an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, the study began with an investigator-developed survey, followed by semi-structured interviews for deeper insight.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data from 116 surveys and 14 interviews were analyzed to identify program improvements. Four key themes emerged: (1) time constraints and limited financial incentives, (2) varying familiarity and engagement with ECHO, (3) influence of colleagues and collaborators, and (4) perceived benefits of participation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although APRNs value peer learning, barriers, including scheduling challenges and limited awareness, reduce participation. Employers should allow protected time for attendance, and Show-Me ECHO should enhance outreach efforts to APRNs to improve engagement and ultimately patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":49295,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing","volume":"57 2","pages":"91-96"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}