Background: In the Netherlands, the distinction between Bachelor degree and diploma nursing educational levels remains unclear. The added value of Bachelor degree nurses and how they develop professionally after graduation are subject to debate. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate whether Bachelor degree nurses have higher critical thinking skills than diploma nurses do and whether there is a positive relationship between higher critical thinking skills and self-efficacy beliefs. Outcomes might provide instruments that are helpful in positioning of nursing levels in education and practice. Participants: Questionnaire data were used of a sample of 95 registered mental health staff nurses (62 diploma nurses and 33 Bachelor degree nurses). Methods: First, ANOVAwas performed to testwhether the two groupswere comparablewith respect to elements of work experience. Second, t-tests were conducted to compare the two groups of nurses on self-efficacy, perceived performance and critical thinking outcomes. Third, relationships between the study variables were investigated. Finally, structural equation modelling using AMOS was applied to test the relationships. Results: The hypothesis that Bachelor degree nurses are better critical thinkers than diploma nurseswas supported (pb0.01). Years in function turned out to be positively related to self-efficacy beliefs (pb0.01). No significant relation was found between the level of education and self-efficacy beliefs. Conclusions: The results of this study support career development and facilitate more efficient positioning of nursing levels.
The current paper is a reflective discussion report that describes the advantages and limitations of online teaching and learning at master’s level healthcare education from the teachers’ point of view. The aim is to open dialogue between nursing educators and healthcare providers on how exclusively online education can ensure the development of healthcare professionals who master the requirements of today´s working life and contribute to innovations in healthcare. This paper addresses specifically how to strengthen master students’ interprofessional communication skills and improve their multicultural competence by developing a well-designed assignment in e-Learning environment. Perceptions and views are based on seven years of experience on online education in cooperation with two educators from different countries.
This study investigates the extent to which mentor teachers experience reflective moments during mentoring dialogues. Any description of the phases of professional growth includes the degree to which explicit action goes hand in hand with deliberate consideration and thinking. There is little known about the thought processes of mentor teachers during their dialogues with students in the workplace. This study analyses 60 dialogues of experienced mentor teachers, both before and after they receive training in supervisory skills. Two methods of investigation are used: firstly, a stimulated recall interview following the dialogue, which traces reflective moments and secondly, a specially developed push-button device used to record these moments as they occur. During mentoring dialogues, the mentor teachers' behaviour comprises few reflective moments. Significantly, these occur more frequently after training. This seems to not only confirm the view that much of professional behaviour occurs automatically and instinctively, but also to support the premise that cognitive processes are important in the acquisition of supervisory skills. The combination of both methods of recording seems to make it possible to achieve a more accurate registration of the number of times these moments occur.
