Peer-assisted learning was implemented at a private university. Senior nursing students were assigned to assist sophomores during their fundamentals clinical experience. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-assisted learning in the clinical setting and to ascertain students' perceptions of fulfilling the roles of the professional nurse. During a 2-year period, 342 students participated in peer-assisted learning. Major outcomes identified by sophomores were reduced anxiety and increased confidence. A major benefit for seniors was reflection on their professional development, which strengthened their confidence and facilitated transition into the role of professional nurse. Future research should examine the impact of diversity and learning styles on this strategy and faculty perception of peer-assisted learning at achieving learning outcomes and relieving faculty burden. This study supports peer-assisted learning as an effective teaching strategy for learning nursing skills and implementing the roles of the professional nurse.

Purpose: Student-faculty collaboration on research is an effective model to engage undergraduate students in the research process outside the traditional curriculum. Using this model, a student-faculty team developed a longitudinal study about college students' alcohol use behaviors and implemented an intervention to influence the culture of drinking on campus. Methods: A longitudinal design was used to assess drinking behaviors and evaluate the effect of a mass media campaign with social norm messages and alcohol education. Undergraduate students on a faith-based, Midwestern campus completed baseline (N = 1,095) and post-intervention (N = 1,011) electronic surveys. Results: In addition to helping students learn about and develop enthusiasm for research, this project had an impact on the drinking culture on campus. Findings showed 88% of students observed media campaign messages with 82% viewing the printed posters, 47% viewing the outdoor displays, and 25% viewing messages on social media. There was a significant change in binge drinking from the pre-(72%) to post-intervention (40%) surveys. Conclusions: Collaborative undergraduate research teams are an effective model to help students learn how to carry out research and develop interest and enthusiasm for the process. The outcomes of the project demonstrated interventions were effective at influencing the drinking culture on campus. The development of a research program outside the required curriculum can be a successful strategy to engage students in all phases of the research process, increase enthusiasm for research, and enhance health care outcomes in various settings.

The nursing student-faculty team implemented a mass media campaign, which was effective at influencing the drinking culture on a college campus.