HCPro.com: The Staff Educator

June 2008 (Volume 4, Issue 6)	view entire issue

Connect the dots with concept mapping
Helping students make connections between important facts, thoughts, and theories is the key to developing critical thinkers. But when the complexities of the clinical world make formulating (and grasping) such connections seem like a monumental task for learners, educators can turn to a time-tested, research-supported training strategy: concept mapping. "Concept mapping increases learning capabilities," says Michele Poradzisz, PhD, RN, an associate professor and interim associate dean for the nursing graduate program at St. Xavier University in Chicago. "It forces [students] to show how they understand the concept and the relationships between concepts."

Recognize, reward, and retain at your organization
Strategies for successful nurse retention One of a hospital's top priorities should be to retain competent nurses within its facility. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, hospitals will need more than 1.2 million replacement RNs by 2014. Maintaining an enjoyable, positive working environment is essential to nurse retention, and educators can take steps to ensure that their nurses are happy to be hired into-and stay at-their organization.

Other recently-published articles from The Staff Educator:

Falls are focus of community hospital’s first EBP project

Adding oral care helps lower VAP rates

Celebrate nurses without breaking the bank

The art of nursing

Expert strategies for successful precepting

Train your learners about time management

Provide effective feedback to your nurses

Match new nurses with the right job

Cultural competence for the diverse population

Prep your nurses for Joint Commission surveyors

Step up nurse-patient interactions

Coping with challenging learners

Retaining the wisdom of the mature educator

Rewarding your gatekeepers

Project management pointers to develop staff leaders

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