Characteristics of effective clinical and theory instructors as perceived by LPN to RN versus generic students in an associate degree nursing program

The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of effective clinical and theory instructors as perceived by LPN/RN versus generic students in an associate degree nursing program.^ Data were collected from 508 students during the 1996-7 academic year from three NLN accredited associate degree nursing programs. The researcher developed instrument consisted of three parts: (a) Whitehead Characteristics of Effective Clinical Instructor Rating Scale, (b) Whitehead Characteristics of Effective Theory Instructor Rating Scale, and (c) Demographic Data Sheet. The items were listed under five major categories identified in the review of the literature: (a) interpersonal relationships, (b) personality traits, (c) teaching practices, (d) knowledge and experience, and (e) evaluation procedures. The instrument was administered to LPN/RN students in their first semester and to generic students in the third semester of an associate degree nursing program.^ Data was analyzed using a one factor mutivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Further t tests were carried out to explore for possible differences between type of student and by group. Crosstabulations of the demographic data were analyzed.^ There were no significant differences found between the LPN/RN versus generic students on their perceptions of either effective theory or effective clinical instructor characteristics. There were significant differences between groups on several of the individual items. There was no significant interaction between group and ethnicity or group and age on the five major categories for either of the two instruments. There was a significant main effect of ethnicity on several of the individual items.^ The differences between the means and standard deviations on both instruments were small, suggesting that all of the characteristics listed for effective theory and clinical instructors were important to both groups of students. Effective teaching behaviors, as indicated on the survey instruments, should be taught to students in graduate teacher education programs. These behaviors should also be discussed by faculty coordinators supervising adjunct faculty. Nursing educators in associate degree nursing programs should understand theories of adult learning and implement instructional strategies to enhance minority student success. ^

The relationship of aptitude, course grades, and program length, to performance on a standards based test (NCLEX -RN)

The purpose of this study was threefold: first, to investigate variables associated with learning, and performance as measured by the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The second purpose was to validate the predictive value of the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) achievement exit exam, and lastly, to provide a model that could be used to predict performance on the NCLEX-RN, with implications for admission and curriculum development. The study was based on school learning theory, which implies that acquisition in school learning is a function of aptitude (pre-admission measures), opportunity to learn, and quality of instruction (program measures). Data utilized were from 298 graduates of an associate degree nursing program in the Southeastern United States. Of the 298 graduates, 142 were Hispanic, 87 were Black, non-Hispanic, 54 White, non-Hispanic, and 15 reported as Others. The graduates took the NCLEX-RN for the first time during the years 2003–2005. This study was a predictive, correlational design that relied upon retrospective data. Point biserial correlations, and chi-square analyses were used to investigate relationships between 19 selected predictor variables and the dichotomous criterion variable, NCLEX-RN. The correlation and chi square findings indicated that men did better on the NCLEX-RN than women; Blacks had the highest failure rates, followed by Hispanics; older students were more likely to pass the exam than younger students; and students who passed the exam started and completed the nursing program with a higher grade point average, than those who failed the exam. Using logistic regression, five statistical models that used variables associated with learning and student performance on the NCLEX-RN were tested with a model adapted from Bloom's (1976) and Carroll's (1963) school learning theories. The derived model included: NCLEX-RNsuccess = f (Nurse Entrance Test and advanced medical-surgical nursing course grade achieved). The model demonstrates that student performance on the NCLEX-RN can be predicted by one pre-admission measure, and a program measure. The Assessment Technologies Institute achievement exit exam (an outcome measure) had no predictive value for student performance on the NCLEX-RN. The model developed accurately predicted 94% of the student's successful performance on the NCLEX-RN.

Estudo sobre tratamento térmico e mudança superficial da diatomita de Punaú/RN para o desenvolvimento de um auxiliar de filtração

The diatomite is a natural material that has numerous applications due to changes in their physical and chemical properties after processing. It is currently used in the industry as a sound insulator , filter aid and industrial load . The filter material shall be inert chemical composition , which will diatomite confers a high commercial value and performance not found in other particulate materials , for this application. The diatomite surface undergoes changes after thermal treatment at high temperatures , from 800ºC , with properties that enable its application in the food , beverage , pharmaceutical , cosmetic and textiles . In this work , we developed a study on thermal treatment on natural diatomite to adapt their properties to the application as a filter aid . The heat treatments were performed in an open oven at temperatures of 800ºC , 1000ºC and 1200ºC for a time of 24 hours. Reagents were added in the constitution of the samples analyzed. The reagents used were sodium carbonate (Na2CO3 ) and sodium chloride (NaCl) . The samples were characterized by x - ray diffraction , x -ray fluorescence , scanning electron microscopy , analysis and particle size distribution , specific surface area by the BET method , and pore volume by BJH method. The results showed a reduction in porosity of the material as well as a significant increase in specific surface area after heat treatment and the reactants in the ratio of 3 wt%. The diatomaceous earth , after heat treatment , undergone changes in its coloration , varying in white, cream and beige , which directly interferes with the speed of filtration materials process. All results obtained before and after heat treatment of the material with the values obtained for samples already used industrially , Brazilian and American industry , which were characterized using the same test methods performed with the samples in the study were compared and showed promising efficiency when material studied in the region of Punaú - RN , after processing , reagent addition and heat treatment, as an element in the composition of filter .

O FUNDEF e o FUNDEB como política de financiamento para a valorização do magistério: efeitos na carreira e na remuneração dos professores da rede pública e estadual de ensino do RN.

Este estudio analiza los efectos de la política de financiamiento de la educación básica, por intermedio de los Fundos contables, Fundef y Fundeb, y su proposición en valorar el magisterio, considerando las dimensiones de carrera y de la remuneración de los profesores de la red pública estadal de enseñanza del estado de Rio Grande do Norte, en el período entre 1996 y 2010. Para entender las condicionantes de la evaluación de las políticas públicas, se buscó también las contribuciones de Marx (1996) segundo quién “el concreto es concreto” y que la dialéctica del concreto se puede auxiliar en el intento de captar el fenómeno estudiado. Se utilizó aún, el referencial teórico bibliográfico relacionado al financiamiento de la educación y a la valoración del magisterio, a partir de la literatura referente a las dimensiones del objeto (fundef y Fundeb) y (carrera y remuneración). En la investigación documental, además de las legislaciones, directrices nacionales y locales pertinentes, se utilizaron datos referentes a los recursos disponibles en la Finbra. Tesoro Nacional, SIOPE/RN, INEP/MEC, datos de resumen del folio y folio de pagamiento de Secretaria de Estado, de la Educación e de la Cultura (SEEC), y 289 sueldos de 21 profesores. Se realizó entrevista semi estructurada con nueve profesores, referente a la carrera, además de un cuestionario aplicado a 12 profesores relacionado a remuneración. Se considera que en los resultados referentes a los indicadores educacionales, en el período Fundef ocurrió una reducción en las inscripciones de la red pública de enseñanza, como también en las funciones docentes, de la enseñanza base (fundamental), que corresponde a 37%. A partir de la vigencia del Fundeb (2007 – 2010), estos indicadores fueron puestos en ecuación. En todo el período entre 1996 a 2010, ocurre un aumento en las inscripciones de 119,03% y en las funciones docentes de 77,44%. Sobre los datos de financiamiento, se constató que, del mínimo exigido (60%) en la aplicación de recursos de los Fundos en la remuneración del magisterio se aplica en el período de los dos Fundos, pero el mínimo exigido, o sea, 83,29% a 98,89% de los recursos. Los efectos de los Fundos en la carrera de los nueve profesores, considerando la promoción y la progresión, no han sido satisfactorios. En la promoción de los nueve de estos docentes, apenas uno evolucionó el Nivel (titulación), pero retrocedió en la progresión. En la progresión de los nueve profesores, ocho se hallan con la progresión retrasada, entre dos y cinco clases, acumulando un perjuicio que varía de 10% a 45% en su ganancia. La diferencia de una clase a otra corresponde a 5% en la renta anual. Se observa que las ventajas pecuniarias contribuyen con la remuneración con porcentaje más alto que la renta, disminuyendo esta diferencia en el período de Fundeb. Sobre la remuneración, un profesor con 24 años de carrera, con formación (magisterio), no consigue, después de años de profesión, ganar ni siquiera dos salarios mínimos. El profesor con 30 años de carrera, con maestría, tiene una renta, en 2010, correspondiente a menos de tres salarios mínimos, o sea, 2,82 y una remuneración que equivale a poco más de tres salarios mínimos, o sea, 3,66. Si comparamos la profesión de magisterio con otras que igual exigen formación superior, la primera es, en general, de bajo nivel, causando un resultado negativo sobre la búsqueda de la profesión del magisterio. Por los efectos en la remuneración, se concluye que hubo una mejoría, pero aún insuficiente, sobre todo al comparar con el Salario Mínimo Anual. Se evalúa, una vez que los fundos – Fundef y Fundeb – no fueron capaces de promover la valoración del magisterio en las dimensiones de la carrera y de la remuneración. Se constatan algunos resultados negativos en la política de Fundo ya que tendría que ver, principalmente, con la incapacidad de la referida política a valoración de magisterio, siendo una de las causas, o financiamiento con restricción de presupuesto.

Prevalência e fatores associados à morbidade materna: inquérito populacional em Natal/RN

INTRODUCTION: Severe maternal morbidity , also known as maternal near miss , has been used as an alternative to the study of maternal mortality , since being more frequent shares the same determinants and enables the implementati on of epidem iological surveillance of cases . Since then, hospital audits ha ve been carried out to determine the rates of maternal near miss, its mai n causes and associated factors . More recently, population surveys based on self - reported morbidity have als o been presented as vi able in identifying these cases . OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of maternal near miss and complications during pregnancy and puerperal period in Natal/RN. METHODS: A cross - secti onal population - based study was conducted in Natal /RN , Brazil, which has as its target population women aged 15 to 49 years who were pregnant in the last five years. It was carried out a probabilistic sam pling design based on a multi - stage complex sample , in which 60 census tracts were selected from three strata (north , south - east and west). Afterwards, domiciles were visited in order to obtain a sample of the 908 eligible women in whom a questionnaire was applied. The descriptive analyzes and bivariate ass ociations were performed using the Chi - square test and the estimate of the prevalence ratio (PR ) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and considering the weights and design effects . The Poisson regression analysis , also with 5% significance and 95% CI, was us ed for analyzes of associated factors. RESULTS: 848 women were identified and interviewed after visits in 8.227 households corresponding to a response rate of 93 . 4 %. The prevalence of maternal near miss was 41 . 1 /1 000NV, being the Intensive Care Unity stay i ng (19 . 1 /1 000 LB ) and eclampsia (13 . 5/1000LB) the most important marker s . The prevalence of complications in the puerperal peri od was 21 . 2 %, and hemorrhage (10 . 7%) and urinary tract infection (10 . 7%) the most frequently reported clinical conditions and rema in ing in the hospital for over a week after delivery the mo st frequent intervention (5.4%) . Regarding associated factors , the bivariate analysis showed an association between the increased number of complications in women of black/brown race ( PR= 1 . 23; CI95 % : 1 . 04 - 1 . 46) and lower socioeconomic status ( PR= 1 . 33; CI95%: 1 . 12 - 1 . 58) in women who had pre natal care in public service ( PR= 1 . 42; CI95%: 1 . 16 to 1 . 72 ) and that were not advised during prenatal about where they should do the d elivery (PR= 1 . 24; CI95%: 1 . 05 - 1 . 46), made the del ivery in the public service (PR= 1 . 63; CI95%: 1 . 30 - 2 . 03), had to search for more than one hospital for delivery (PR=1 . 22; CI95%: 1 . 03 - 1 . 45) and had no companion during childbirth ( PR =1 . 19; CI95%: 1 . 01 - 1 . 41) or at all times of childbirth c are - before, during and after childbirth - ( PR= 1 . 25, CI95%: 1 . 05 - 1 . 48) . Moreover, the number of days postpartum hospitalization was higher in women who had more complications (P R= 1 . 59 ; CI95%: 1 . 36 - 1 . 86). In the final regression model for both birth place (P R= 1 . 21 ; CI 95% : 1 . 02 to 1 . 44 ) and socioeconomic status (PR = 1.54 ; CI95%: 1 . 25 - 1 . 90 ) the association remained. CONCLUSION : Conducting population surveys using the pragmatic definition of near miss is feasible and may add importa nt information about this ev ent . It was possible to find the expression of health inequalities related to maternal health in the analysis of both socioeconomic conditions and on the utilization of health services.

Uma abordagem ergonômica para análise da qualidade do pescado, desde sua captura ao seu desembarque na praia, resultante da atividade dos jangadeiros de Ponta Negra - Natal/RN

The artisan fishing activity, which involves historical - cultural, environmental, social, political, economi c, among other factors, presents, nowadays, as an important source of income, creating jobs and food, contributing to the permanence of man in their own birthplace. However, the fish, considered one of the most perishable foods, requires a proper handling and conservation, from capture to its availability in the market, in order to slow the deterioration process. Thereby, this dissertation aims to study the effect of the manipulation practices on fish quality, from capture to its landing on the beach, resul ting from fisherman’s activity from Ponta Negra - Natal/RN. It also presents the purpose of analyzing the quality of the fish and propose recommendations for their proper handling and possible solutions to add value to the product, through the improvement of the quality and good handling practices. For this purpose, the methodology used was based on ergonomic analysis of their work through observational techniques and interactional with the focus group, the jangadeiros, to understand their activity and eval uated the freshness and quality of the fish by sensory analysis, and microbiological parameters and physicochemical from existing legislation Ordinance No. 185 of May 13, 1997 and RIISPOA - amended on December 1, 2007 and RDC No. 12, dated January 2, 2001. According to the results obtained in laboratory tests, it can be established, the acceptable quality of fish as the existing rules and regulations parameters , not getting significant deterioration caused by poor handling and improper storage of fish.