Browsing by Author "Rankin, James A."

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    Alberta Novice Critical Care Nurses’ Learning Styles, Self-Efficacy, and Perceptions of Their Orientation Program
    (2020-04-11) Giesbrecht, Sarah Kathryn; Goldsworthy, Sandra; Rankin, James A.; Tapp, Diane M.
    Background: All Registered Nurses that have no previous adult intensive care unit (ICU) experience who are hired into an ICU in Alberta, must go through a mandatory orientation program. Due to the limited research investigating ICU orientation programs and learning styles for critical care nurses, it is valuable to develop an understanding of how the Alberta ICU orientation program might be improved for novice critical care nurses (NCCNs). Research Questions: 1) What is the primary learning style of NCCNs in Alberta? 2) What are the perceived strengths and gaps of the critical care nursing orientation program among NCCNs in Alberta? Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey of NCCNs (n = 60) in Alberta was conducted. The target population was Registered Nurses in Alberta who have worked in an adult ICU less than 3 years and had no prior experience working in ICU. Results: The respondents’ strongest learning style preference was for sensing (32%) and balanced (30%) learning styles. Most respondents preferred the practicum/preceptorship (63.5%) portion of their orientation program the most and would prefer to have more simulation (55.8%) in their orientation. Respondents reported that their orientation program was too short; they would like to have a longer orientation for additional teaching and practice related to critical care medications, emergency patient situations, and teamwork. The ICU staff, including nurses, educators, physicians, and managers, had the greatest influence on respondents’ orientation program and transition into ICU. Conclusion: The primary learning preference for respondents was sensing suggesting NCCNs are concrete thinkers, who tend to be better at memorizing facts, enjoy trying things out, and engaging in hands-on experiences. Other respondents had sensing and balanced learning style preferences, thus using multiple teaching methods will aid in meeting learners needs and create optimal teaching opportunities. Healthy work environment, trained preceptors, and welcoming co-workers all positively affect NCCNs orientation and transition into ICU. To support nurses new to ICUs, it is important for organizational and nursing leaders to recognize the multiple factors that can influence NCCNs learning and transition into ICU and the range of individuals that can influence their success.
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    Momentary Fitting in a Fluid Environment: A Grounded Theory of Triage Nurse Decision Making
    (2014-09-12) Reay, Gudrun; Rankin, James A.
    Emergency departments (EDs) are fluid environments where conditions are constantly changing. Triage nurses control access to the ED and make decisions about patient acuity, placement, and priority to be examined by a physician. Understanding the processes and strategies that triage Registered Nurses (RNs) use in decision making is therefore vital for patient safety and operation of the ED. The aim of this classical grounded theory study was to understand the processes and strategies that experienced emergency RNs use when making triage decisions and to generate a substantive grounded theory of triage RN decision making. Data collection consisted of twelve interviews with triage RNs and seven observations of the triage environment at three hospital sites in a major urban centre. Initial sampling was purposive; as categories began to emerge theoretical sampling was used in accordance with grounded theory. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings reveal that the main concern of triage RNs was to achieve best possible fit between patients and the ED as a whole, given the circumstances for each moment in time. The main concern was conceptualized as the core category Momentary Fitting in a Fluid Environment. Best possible fit was not synonymous with optimal fit. Decision making occurred in a context where each decision changed the conditions for subsequent decisions. Momentary fitting consists of the interrelated categories determining acuity, anticipating needs, managing space, and creating space. At certain critical junctures, RNs decided to create space by pushing boundaries and, at times, temporarily crossing boundaries. Momentary Fitting theory makes explicit the importance for triage RNs to maintain up to date awareness of what is transpiring in the ED. This includes knowledge of incoming critical patients, the condition of patients waiting to be examined, and real time information about available treatment spaces, patients, and staff resources. Moreover, the findings point to the need for structuring triage environments to facilitate mechanisms that allow quick communication between co-workers. The results have implications for design of triage areas, computer programs, graphical user interfaces and education. Future research needs to account for the contextual and ethical nature of triage decisions.
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    Osteoporosis in older adults: a health record audit
    (2005) Banack, Cory J.; Rankin, James A.
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    Patient satisfaction with pessary usage in a nurse-led pessary clinic
    (2005) Neustaedter, Elizabeth Grace; Rankin, James A.
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