In this descriptive study, graduates of a traditional baccalaureate nursing program were compared with graduates of an accelerated baccalaureate program at the same university between 1991 and 2006. A survey was sent to a random sample of two groups: traditional baccalaureate graduates and graduates of the accelerated program who had previous degrees in another major and completed the nursing curriculum in a shorter time frame than the traditional students, resulting in a total sample of 73 graduates. Outcome variables included demographics, NCLEX passing rates, transitioning to the professional role, employment, professional development, certifications and self-reported reasons the respondents entered the nursing profession and why they remained. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on these variables. Results of a t-test revealed that the GPA of the accelerated group was significantly higher than the traditional group. Future considerations include the impact that accelerated program development may have on both the current and projected nursing shortage.

Background/Objective: Proficiency in computerized documentation systems is an essential element of most areas of nursing practice today. Community health is one example of an area of nursing practice where computerized documentation systems help in the provision of high quality care. Nursing students must learn the basic principles of and begin to participate in the practices of computerized nursing documentation. It is, therefore, the responsibility of nursing faculty to promote student involvement in this important process.

Methods: Two different faculty experiences with students participating in computerized nursing documentation were described using different electronic systems, a notebook computer system and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) system.

Results/Conclusions: After reviewing the results of this descriptive experience, it is recommended that before students participate in computerized documentation, they receive written instructions. Sample charts, practice under direct faculty and staff guidance, and standardizing the learning experience are imperative. Educating the student in a technological environment is no longer optional for nurse faculty as the accurate documentation, transmission and management of data assures that the best practices are maintained, the proper billing of visits can be ensured, and the communication between the nursing student and community health nurses, as well as all members of the multi-disciplinary team is fostered.

The purpose of this project was to pilot a longitudinal study of perimenopausal women. The pilot study determined what instruments are essential in order to describe and predict the nature of women's health in middle age. Concise survey instruments were selected in an effort to assure accuracy of data collection and to encourage participants' cooperation in a longitudinal study.Data collection for the pilot study used the following tools: Demographic questionnaire, Prior's Symptom Diary, Bowles' Menopausal Attitude Survey (MAS), Holmes and Rahe's Recent Life Change Questionnaire (RLCQ), Lazarus' Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), and Neugarten's Menopause Symptom Checklist (MSC). During the six-month period of data collection only the Symptom Diary and WCC were completed each month during the study. The demographic questionnaire and the MAS were administered once at the beginning of the study. The RLCQ and MSC were administered once at the conclusion of the pilot study. Participants in the pilot study ( n = 11) are a convenience sample of healthy preand perimenopausal women.Statistical analysis was performed on data collected from October 1988 to May 1989. Discriminant function analysis confirmed that symptoms of fluid retention were a significant predictor of ovulation ( p < .05). Implications for future research include a more convenient measure of ovulation than that achieved by use of basal body temperature. On the basis of multivariate analysis of data from the pilot study, relationships among the remaining variables were not significant.Gender studies research has supported a pattern of psychological growth in women on the basis of current tasks within the individual's life cycle irrespective of chronological age.-Secondary analysis applied this life-phase framework of women's development to the data collected in an earlier retrospective study by this investigator ( n = 275). On the basis of multivariate analysis of these data, age and reproductive status were inversely related to the number and frequency of symptoms reported ( p < .01). Type of stress reported was related to life-cycle phase of these women: those women whose children were in the process of leaving home reported experiencing more negative stressful events ( p < .05). In view of the results of this project, future research needs to consider the use of qualitative as well as quantitative data collection in order to explain and predict women's health in middle age. REFERENCES

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