Adverse patient events related to preventable errors while hospitalized resulted in need for interventions to improve outcomes. One identified error is the lack of symptom recognition during patient deterioration. Pediatric patients' symptoms during deterioration vary from their adult counterparts and often go unrecognized. A Pediatric Crisis Recognition and Management course was designed to assist the novice pediatric nurse to recognize and respond appropriately through the use of high-fidelity simulation enhancing their clinical skills and improving patient outcomes during a crisis.

Oral mucositis, a cancer therapy side effect, can negatively affect quality of life. This study evaluated the effect of an educational program on nurses' knowledge and perceived need to change oral mucositis management practice. This study revealed that nurses' knowledge and perceived need to change practice were positively affected by the educational program.

Children receiving care in primarily adult areas, such as emergency or procedural departments, may receive care from nonpediatric nurses. A pediatric resource nurse program offered didactic and hands-on education in pediatric assessment and care. Participants significantly improved self-reported knowledge, skill, and comfort level. Course development and initial learner results are described.

Scheduling traditional continuing education and required classes for homecare staff can be challenging, resulting in low attendance and compliance rates. Innovative, flexible, and accessible educational opportunities are needed to meet clinicians' educational needs. This article describes the affect of implementing online learning at one homecare agency. Implementation of online learning has resulted in an improvement in staff satisfaction, increase in compliance, and cost savings.

Continuing education programs that increase nursing knowledge and collaboration are needed across urban and rural settings. A survey was distributed to determine interest in nursing grand rounds and preferred educational modalities at two unaffiliated hospitals. Results revealed that nurses from the urban and rural hospitals were interested in nursing grand rounds as a recorded online offering, thus providing valuable information used to develop a nursing grand rounds program.

The education council at Orlando Regional Medical Center identified a need to improve the annual nurse competency assessment. A revision process was implemented to improve the method and efficiency of assessing nurse competency. This process included evaluating population-specific competencies using simulation-based scenarios that were developed by a multidisciplinary team. The results showed high participant satisfaction scores and cost savings because of an individualized, efficient approach and bundling of resources.

The authors examine the literature on resiliency and relate important concepts to the retention of new graduate nurses. Changes in the support of new graduates are proposed as a means to increase retention in the nursing profession. Developing resilient graduate nurses who can withstand the pressures of the workplace is at the center of retention efforts.

Currently, high-fidelity simulations (HFS) are widely used in nursing education and are being introduced into acute care to assist with orientation programs, continuing education, certification courses, and staff development. In a review of the literature, many articles were found that describe HFS and its advantages and how to use the technology. But, there are few research studies to support the use. Upon completion of a review of the literature and an analysis of utility, the data do not clearly show that HFS is the best practice for the orientation and education of staff nurses. Overall, HFS is recognized as a safe way to learn, and most nurses like participating in HFSs. However, before the healthcare industry continues on this journey of widespread adoption of HFSs, more research needs to be done to show that the increased skills and knowledge of the nurse obtained through simulation does translate into safer patient care and better patient outcomes.

Research skills education is needed for nurses at all levels: novice, intermediate, and advanced. Nurse educators can help novice nurse researchers develop skills such as performing literature searches and critiquing research articles, which are necessary to develop and update clinical practice guidelines and implement evidence-based practice. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative approach to encourage nurses to perform literature searches and critique research articles as a means to eventually engage in evidence-based practice.