Nurses' spiritual well-being: Its influence on attitudes and level of practice in providing spiritual care

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the spiritual well-being of nurses and its influence on their attitudes toward providing spiritual care to patients. Two research instruments and a demographic data form were used for the survey. Using a descriptive design, tbe Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Health Professional's Spiritual Role Scale, and the demographic data form were administered to 100 registered nurses from a large South Florida teaching hospital. The findings indicated a significantly positive correlation between the overall Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Health Professional's Spiritual Role Scale (r = 0.52; p =.005). Significant differences were found between correlation of nurses' levels of spiritual well-being and all sociodemographic factors except for the three Age Groups and for religious affiliations. Findings have implications for how nurses should be trained in meeting patients total needs. ^

Reducing the Discipline Gap Among African American Students: Learning in Classroom Communities of Practice

The author argues that learning in classroom communities of practice may reduce exclusionary school discipline practices and the discipline gap that disproportionately affect African American students. Communities of practice prioritize the social nature of learning as legitimate peripheral participation, encouraging community membership, social identity transformation, and synergistic relationships and spaces.

Communities of Practice and Learning in a Senior Living Environment

Adults participate in communities of practice (COP) in diverse environments. As the number of US citizens 55 years or older increases, so might the number residing in adult living environments. COP research would be valuable in such settings.

Cultivating a Community of Practice Among Student Teachers and Cooperating Teachers

This study examined the experience of four student teachers and their supervising teachers who participated in a Community of Practice (CoP) during their internship semester. Their experience can be separated into the four key components of a Community of Practice: (a) structure, (b) processes, (c) content, and (d) conditions.

Mock-ups in design : the implications of utlizing [sic] a mock-up review process in professional practice

The purpose of this research is to examine the use of a mock-up review process in interior design projects to better understand the implications of using such a process within the standard professional practice model. The research consisted of interviewing design professionals who utilize mock-ups as part of their standard of practice. These interviews were centered around two groups - those working in shipbuilding, where mock-ups have a long history, and those working in land-based projects, where mock-up use is rare. Analysis of the interviews indicated a positive relationship between mock-up use and collaboration, innovation, and problem solving. The interviews also brought to light concerns on behalf of all the professionals surveyed about the current practice model in land-based building design and construction projects within the United States. The positive relationships shown in the thesis support further research to explore how mock-ups can be best utilized in interior design.