The hearing voices simulation provided students with a greater understanding of the experience of hearing voices, and the role-play helped students to gain personal insight into patients' behaviors and practice skills learned in preparation for their first mental health clinical experience.

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This qualitative key informant study examined the emerging role of the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree to fill a gap in health care in the United States. Although the DNP degree was proposed to bring added value to the health care system, it is new with little research to confirm the assumption. This research addressed this need by phone interviews of 12 practicing DNPs in the United States. Questions asked of the participants focused on differences in role/practice as a DNP and challenges faced. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and responses coded for themes. Five broad categories with relational themes emerged from the data of DNPs perceptions of their practices. The categories included educational preparation, practice settings, role acceptance, leadership, and challenges. The results of this study provide insight into the perceptions of practicing DNPs experiencing adjustment to practice as a DNP. These perceptions aid other DNPs and educators in preparing advance practice nurses for the future.

Rural school nurses are on the front lines of providing health care for children and families in rural Colorado, but there is little research from their perspective. To fill this gap, a descriptive phenomenological study examined the experiences of nine rural school nurses through in-person audiotaped interviews. Analysis of data revealed three main themes: (1) rural school nurses’ efforts to meet students’ extensive physical and mental health issues, (2) school nurses struggle to help rural students in extreme poverty, and (3) communication challenges experienced by rural school nurses. The findings of this study give voice to the experiences and challenges faced by rural school nurses in southern Colorado.

A factor contributing to uncontrolled hypertension in older persons is medication nonadherence. Older Black men in a rural cardiology clinic were not taking blood pressure medication as prescribed resulting in uncontrolled hypertension. A nurse protocol to assist with self-administration of hypertensive medication was proposed to address the problem. This qualitative key informant study identified a purposive sample of 10 hypertensive Black men who were 65-70 years of age and nonadherent in taking their medication. The nurse conducted teaching sessions using the protocol to review evidence-based strategies for improving medication adherence. A follow-up phone call was done after 1 week. Participants were interviewed about their perceptions of taking hypertensive medication. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes using constant comparative analysis. Six themes emerged: Medication Bottle Guides Medication Usage, Confusion about Side Effects, Reasons for Not Taking Medications, New Behavior, Unchanged Behavior, and Discovery of Other Problems. The results showed that the nurse-administered protocol resulted in participants' changed attitudes about taking medication.