Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that in the study, "Driven and No Regrets: A Qualitative Analysis of Students Earning Baccalaureate Degrees in Three Years," authors Michael Firmin and Krista Merrick Gilson illuminate the motivations and causes of a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in three years. The writer details the goals, the methods and the results of the analysis, as well as provides subjective opinion on the subject itself, the study and the larger questions raised. The writer concludes that the idea of a three year baccalaureate degree is not only a sound fiscal decision; it is an idea that should be perpetuated throughout the curriculum of high schools nationwide as a viable option for students.

Outline:
Type of Research
Purpose of Research
Research Design
Instrumentation/Observation
Description of Sample
Recruiting Method
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Results
Conclusion

From the Paper
" The purpose of the study is to discover themes and patterns in the decision to take on a baccalaureate degree in three years. In this sense, the authors set out to discover what motivations were present in the decision-making process, what sorts of backgrounds the students were coming from, and what determining criterion were present. In a broader sense, the authors recognized the ever-increasing cost of secondary education in the United States, and, especially when one in three students are earning a degree, the need for a more cost-effective undergraduate education. By choosing a three-year program, these authors hope to tap into the minds of the students to discover motivating factors, and personality characteristics that led to a decision to graduate in three years."

Tags:undergraduate, student, academic, motivation

Abstract
This paper relates that the author has experiential knowledge of the legal ramifications of divorce, child custody and other particulars of family law and therefore wants to pursue a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate. Next, the author relates her being awarded for her senor management project in her undergraduate major of psychology, her volunteer work at 'Feed My Starving Children' and her current educational goals. The paper underscores that the author has selected this program because the university is highly accredited for its faculty and offers an enriching learning experience by working in close collaboration with highly competent lawyers and law students.

Table of Contents:
Educational Goals
Special Skills/Knowledge
Training/Orientation
Awards/ Honors
Activities
Educational Objectives
Career Goals and Objectives

From the Paper
"This writer has past volunteer work experience at senior centers, convalescent homes and assisted living centers has provided this writers with experiential knowledge gained through providing entertainment and interaction with older individuals in these facilities and this served to invoke a special empathy for these individuals coping with such challenging circumstances with which this writer has never had to cope.
"Just as the world's reality has entered through the door of volunteerism on the part of this writer, it is the desire of this writer to experience the opening of eyes to the realities of the law profession and the mundane and routine responsibilities that must be dealt with effectively by lawyers and which are far removed from the lives of glamor that is portrayed as belong to those in the law profession. It is the belief of the writer of this work that first-hand experience acquisition in the area of the study and practice of law and that paralegal work will enable this writer to work in close alliance with lawyers and will provide an inside view of valuable information that is garnered experientially and will serve as a measure for examining if the pursuit of the study and practice of law is the profession to which the writer of this work is both called and to ensure that this is the properly-suited pursuit for the future."

Tags:divorce, communication skills, research, routine responsibilities, collaboration

Abstract
The paper discusses how the results of the needs assessment questionnaire survey with regard to the need to integrate Jean Watson's theory into the baccalaureate nursing curriculum evidently point to both a desire for a change in the content of the current curriculum as well as the need for a more transtheoretical approach to teaching nursing theory and model application. The paper explains that most respondents expressed less familiarity and comfort with the theory compared to other, more renowned theories. The paper notes that instructors have demonstrated that, while there is a discrepancy between shallow and expert knowledge regarding Watson's theory, they expressed the desire to implement a means to overcome their shortcomings.

From the Paper
"The recently conducted survey had a total of 38 respondents. The respondents consisted of nurses that teach undergraduate nursing courses. For the first question, 33 (87%) of the respondents answered that they used nursing theories in their own practices. 5 (13%) the respondents replied that they did not utilize these theories. For the second question, 17 (45%) the respondents reported utilizing Dorothea Orem's Theory of Self-Care the most in their practice. 12 (32%) respondents reported using the Sister Callista Roy Theory of Adaptation. An equivalent number..."

Tags:nursing, theory, education

Abstract
This paper explores nursing education preparation. It specifically compares and differentiates the competencies of nurses prepared at the associate degree and baccalaureate degree levels. The paper then presents a specific patient care situation and compares the nursing care based on education preparation, specifically in the areas of provider of care, coordinator of care and member of profession.

Table of Contents:
Provider of Care
Coordinator of Care
Member of Profession
Differentiating Nursing Care Based on Education Preparation Using a Patient Care Situation
Provider of Care
Coordinator of Care
Member of Profession

From the Paper
"The associate degree and baccalaureate degree of nursing education creates different levels competencies. As a provider of care, both are competent in similar behaviors, while the BSN must work to improve on the administration of nursing care. As coordinators of care, both have the same client-centered goals, although the BSN has a larger client focus and contributes to the processes of their organization while encouraging and assisting others. As a member of the profession, the ADN focuses on self-maturation, whereas the BSN enhances themselves as well as being a resource to others in the health care team so that the nursing profession may evolve."

Tags:client, BSN, ADN, care

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at games as a way of engaging nursing students and maintaining their attention. This research study compares the effectiveness of two teaching strategies, lecture only and lecture with gaming, in baccalaureate nursing students' immediate knowledge and knowledge retention, using the concepts of arterial blood gases as the teaching exemplar. This study also explores students' attitudes towards gaming as an instructional strategy in nursing education.

Outline:
Chapter 1
Purposes of the Study
Statement of the Problems
Research Questions
Statement of Hypotheses
Theoretical Framework
Definition of Terms
Assumptions of the Study
Significance of the Study
Summary
Chapter 2
Review of the Literature
Theoretical Framework
Overview of Gaming
Gaming in Nursing Education

From the Paper
"Another game that demonstrated cognitive outcome gains was McDougal's (1992) 'Ionic Exchange Game.' According to McDougal, the game was developed to increase student involvement, understanding of electrolyte imbalances, and outcomes of interventions. To play the game, students are divided into groups representing intracellular and extracellular components, the cell membrane, mobile ions, and water molecules. Scenarios are presented and the students physically move across the cell membrane accordingly based on their knowledge of fluid and electrolyte exchange. A debriefing occurred after each scenario by the teacher which included a summary of key components. Advantages to the game included increased active student involvement, reinforcement of learning, and enhancement of group problem-solving skills."

Tags:Cognitive, instructional, gaming, develop, learner, confidence, educator, skills, tool, problem-solving, team

Abstract
This paper reviews the article "Computerized Patient Model and Simulated Clinical Experiences: Evaluation with Baccalaureate Nursing Students," written by C.E. Feingold, M. Calaluce and M.A. Kallen. The paper begins by discussing the purpose for the research and then reviews the research design and literature. It concludes with a look at the recommendations by the authors and a discussion of the implications of the study.

Table of Contents:
Problem and Purpose
Literature Review
Study Framework
Research Questions/Hypothesis
Study Variables
Study Design
Population, Sample and Setting
Method of Measurement
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Interpretation of Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
Implications for Practice
Qualification of the Researchers
Significance of Study

From the Paper
"As mentioned above, the significance of this study is in the fact that simulated clinical situations with the use of technology, while still being improved, is progressing towards a more realistic experience in the setting of timely faculty guidance and a safe environment within which to acquire fundamental clinical skills. It is also significant in that it provides insight into the disparity between faculty, student and student subset perspectives regarding the value of these simulations, aspects which need to be explored further in future research."

Tags:clinical, nursing, research, design, practice

Abstract
This paper explains that present day nursing practices guided by research-based evidence are replacing the old paradigm of anecdotal experience handed down from mentor to student. The author points out that the inquisitiveness, critical thinking and methods required for evaluating and creating research are critical to upholding the standard of nursing care. The paper stresses that the readiness to accept and appreciate evidence-based practice, as well as ascertain obstacles to its practice, are important issues that need to be addressed by the nursing professional both individually and as part of a group or unit.

Table of Contents:
Review of Literature
Strategies for Implementation
Conclusion

From the Paper
"A nurse should be able to assimilate the vast amount of literature available to her, but also be able to screen out irrelevant ones and "fit" useful ones to her patients' individual needs in a systematic manner. This is best exemplified in evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice by nurses is the process of arriving at clinically relevant research questions, attempting to gather evidence that answers these questions, determining the applicability of evidence in practice by determining its benefits, risks, cost-effectiveness, etc. and putting the answers to practice."

Tags:barriers, resistance, resistance, collecting, human

Abstract
This paper explains that the private St. Petersburg Junior College was the first successful junior college in Florida and that Palm Beach Junior College was the first public junior college, founded in 1933. The author points out that, in 1957, the Community College Council recommended that community colleges be established within commuting distance of 99% of the population in Florida, thus beginning the expansion of the community college system. Today, there are 28 community colleges in Florida. The paper relates that some of the community colleges have initiated baccalaureate degrees, particularly in education, nursing and applied science, and certification and re-certification of teachers.

From the Paper
"Community and Junior Colleges in the United States accommodated many students who would otherwise not be able to attend college. These students have various reasons for not attending Community Colleges. Two reasons that are at the forefront are financial constraints and inadequate high school academic grades. Community colleges offered students vocational education, adult education, associate degree programs and the first 2 years of a baccalaureate degree."

Tags:commuting, expansion, financial, baccalaureate, re-certification

Abstract
The paper discusses how collaboration is an essential element in nursing since nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team, and it is actually a complex process that involves good interpersonal communication skills as well as knowledge of group dynamics. The paper explains that a baccalaureate degree is to be preferred over a nursing diploma but there are situations where the presence of an advance practice nurse is needed to ensure effective collaboration. The paper discusses how the problem with lower levels of education is not lack of understanding of an issue or problem related to practice but a failure to understand the nature of collaboration. The paper relates that collaboration can result in helpful recommendations from peers as well as positive feedback (Morgan, 2006). The paper also notes that the level of education is important but when diploma and baccalaureate nurses as well as nurses who are trained at the master's level work collaboratively, they all share equal responsibility for improve patient outcomes (Patel & Moch).

From the Paper
"Collaboration is an essential element in nursing since nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Collaboration is actually a complex process that involves good interpersonal communication skills as well as knowledge of group dynamics. A baccalaureate degree is to be preferred over a nursing diploma but there are situations where the presence of an advance practice nurse is needed to ensure effective collaboration. The problem with lower levels of education is not lack of understanding of an issue or problem related to practice but a failure to understand the nature of..."

Tags:education, collaboration, impact

Abstract
This presentation examines the current growing controversy over the educational preparedness of the nurse. The paper covers the following question: Is the minimal competency to be considered a professional a diploma, associates degree or a baccalaureate? A comparison is made between the most popular nursing program: the associate degree to the purported panacea of nursing education: the BSN.

From the Paper
"The theory being researched states entry-level registered nurses should be baccalaureate prepared (BSN). This proposition is met with a plethora of mixed and heartfelt feelings, and with good reason. To research the subject being partial to the Associate prepared nurse, I was faced with some bias. First of all, it is important for professional registered nurses to realize that they are just that: professionals. Many proponents of the BSN feel that in order for nurses to be regarded as such, they need a four-year degree. The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes that baccalaureate-nursing education is necessary to prepare the nursing workforce for the challenges of a complex and changing health care system (Con, 2000"

Tags:adn, bsn, education, entry, level, nursing