Using nurse managers' perceptions to guide new graduates toward positive nurse relationships

Soft Skills Teaching by Top-Ranked U.S. Nursing Faculty

BACKGROUND

Although prior studies demonstrate that "soft skills" are necessary for workplace success, few consider the emphasis faculty place on teaching soft skills. This study reports how top-ranked U.S. nursing faculty prepare students for success by incorporating soft skills training into their courses.

METHOD

Data were collected with an online survey distributed in spring 2020 to approximately 2,000 faculty at 25 top-ranked nursing schools. Responses were solicited from those who have taught bachelor's and master's students within the past 2 years. Of 165 respondents who started the survey, 144 finished (7%).

RESULTS

Most nursing faculty view soft skills as important and feel at least some responsibility for teaching those skills.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that a majority of faculty are teaching a range of soft skills and that when they teach those skills, they are also likely to provide students with feedback. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(8):437-443.].

The Professional Behaviors New Nurses Need: Findings From a National Survey of Hospital Nurse Leaders

AIM

The purpose of this study was to survey hospital nurse leaders throughout the United States to determine which professional behaviors they believe are essential for nursing students to learn in the classroom.

BACKGROUND

This study was part of a multiphase study. The survey was revised from a previous survey administered to nurse leaders in the Midwest.

METHOD

Participants were surveyed using 46 items in the categories of Change, Communication, Conflict, Leadership, and Self-Awareness.

RESULTS

The highest ranked category was Communication, followed by Self-Awareness, Change, Leadership, and Conflict. The highest rated items in each category were communication with patients, accept constructive criticism, manage change, prioritization, and conflict resolution techniques.

CONCLUSION

Nurse educators and leaders can use the findings to continue to refine nursing education.