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The study aim was to describe the perceptions of 65 Midwestern rural women related to healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management. A semistructured interview guide was used to elicit data. Theory of planned behavior constructs were used to categorize the data into 4 predominant themes related to healthy lifestyle behaviors, (a) knowledge and attitudes, (b) rural cultural influences, (c) facilitators, and (d) barriers. Analyses revealed that facilitators and barriers consisted of social and environmental factors, and personal life situations. Results suggest key elements for developing and implementing effective physical activity and weight management interventions for Midwestern rural women.

Attrition in online courses, when compared to face-to-face courses, is higher. Student persistence affects the ability to complete an online course. The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure persistence among nursing students enrolled in a master’s level required theory course. Study data, collected during the first two weeks of the semester, included responses to the Persistence Scale for Online Education (PSOE) and completion of a demographic data sheet. Data from 26 consented students revealed an overall moderate level of persistence. The four students who reported low levels of persistence failed to complete the course. It appears that the PSOE can reliably identify the student at-risk for course incompletion and may be useful in identifying those for whom intervention would be helpful.

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