CURRENT PROJECTS

2005-2008

Mentoring Baccalalaureate Nursing Students by Staff Nurses

Andrusyszyn, M.A., Iwasiw, D., Goldenberg, D., Kerr, M., McKale-Waring., J., Mawdsley, C., Parsons, C. Mentoring of baccalaureate nursing students by staff nurses

Funding Source: SSHRC $205,820

In this program of research, we plan to institute and determine the effects of a formal mentoring relationship. The overall purposes are to (1) develop data collection tools to assess mentoring relationships in nursing education; (2) identify the: (a) nature, merits, characteristics, and outcomes of the relationship for students and nurses; (b) rewards and challenges experienced by participants; (c) way(s) in which mentoring shapes students’ perspectives of the profession, commitment to program completion, and commitment to the profession; (d) and way(s) in which mentoring shapes nurses’ perspectives of the profession and their ongoing commitment to the profession and its novices; (3) identify characteristics of a successful mentoring relationship; (4) evaluate the outcomes of mentoring relationships for nurses and students; and (5) develop a model for mentoring relationships between nurses and nursing students.

2005-2008

Evaluation of the Use of Clinical Simulation in Ontario Nursing Programs

Baxter, P., (PI), King, M., (PI), & Stanyon, W.(PI), with Co-Investigators: Andrusyszyn, M.A., Akhtar-Danesh, N., Landeen, J., Norman, G., Sproul, S., Valaitis, R.

Funding Source: COUPN $250,000

Whenever a new teaching methodology is implemented in an academic setting it is important that it be evaluated with methodological rigor. Recent implementation of clinical simulations in 17 nursing programs in Ontario is influencing and hopefully changing the way undergraduate students learn clinical skills. Evaluating the outcomes of clinical simulation is essential to inform key stakeholders, including nursing students, educators, practice agencies, and governmental funding bodies. Three schools of nursing (McMaster University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology/Durham College, and the University of Western Ontario) are collaborating to address this call, thereby combining various areas of expertise and strengthening the proposal by their collaboration.

2003-2005

Perspective Transformation Among Graduates of Master’s Degree Programs in Nursing

Cragg, B. & Andrusyszyn, M.A.

Funding Source: Faculty Development Fund, University of Ottawa $5000

The study examines the process that has been called professional resocialization or perspective transformation as it occurs among graduates of Master’s programs in Nursing.