I describe the scope and practice of Florida’s first pediatric hospice, with an emphasis on the crucial value of house calls. Three vignettes are included, all describing house calls to patients with terminal cancer, to illustrate three difference aspects of this work. In concluding reflections, I comment on the contrast between the usual curative approach of modern medicine and the entire focus of palliative medicine on care and comfort. I also emphasize the inestimable value of a “body-mind-spirit” approach, and on the primary role played by hospice nurses

Background: There is little doubt about the challenge of teaching nursing research in today’s complex world of nursing education. Traditionally, nursing students have questioned the validity and necessity of nursing research during their academic careers.

Method: The redesign of this undergraduate nursing research course utilized a mastery learning model. Included in this re-design was innovative teaching and learning strategies. The expectation was that a redesign of the course would instill a new passion and appreciation for the research process.

Results: The results from class evaluations and the Likert scale utilized during the course were positive overall and supported this re-design.

Conclusion: Given the importance of the use of current evidenced- based practice within the profession of nursing, it becomes imperative to instill a sense of passion and excitement among students regarding research and its everyday relevance to insure quality healthcare outcomes.

Background: Medical devices often facilitate life-saving interventions, but may exert pressure on specific areas of the body leading to pressure injuries. Medical device-related pressure injuries are iatrogenic complications that prolong hospitalization, increase the risk of morbidity and mortality for patients, and ultimately contribute to increased healthcare cost.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of an Endotracheal Tube (ETT) related pressure injury prevention intervention in reducing the prevalence of ETT related mucosal membrane pressure injury, and to identify clinical variables that may be risk factors for this iatrogenic complication.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, pre-post intervention study involving Institutional Review Board approved review of the electronic medical records of 142 adult intubated patients (61 pre intervention and 81 post intervention implementation) admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at an academic medical center.

Results: After implementation of the intervention, the prevalence of ETT related mucosal membrane pressure injury decreased from 16% (10 of 61 subjects) to 10% (8 of 81 subjects), but this decrease was not statistically significant (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.26). Vasopressor infusion was significantly associated with increased likelihood of developing mucosal injury (odds ratio 6.85, 95% CI 1.71 to 27.56).

Conclusion: Although application of the pressure injury prevention intervention did not achieve a statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of ETT related pressure injury the results have clinical significance as preventing pressure injury in even one patient enhances clinical outcomes. Consequently, the use of interventions that relieve pressure on the lips, tongue and face from the ET tube and securing device in intubated patients should be encouraged. Additionally, patients who receive vasopressor infusion may be at increased risk for developing ETT-related pressure injuries, indicating a need for increased vigilance in performing skin and mucosal membrane assessment in this population.

Background: Teaching research to undergraduate nursing students is a challenging experience for nurse educators as it is viewed as complex and boring by students.

Method: A number of engaging learning activities were created to meet the challenges of teaching research to millennial students and these were designed around student characteristics.

Results: The teaching and learning strategies were effective in engaging students in understanding research. The activities were fun, exciting and experiential students took ownership of their learning.

Conclusion: It is important to consider student characteristics and learning styles as well as their past experiences when designing teaching and learning activities.

Aim: To compare the level of depression between older adults residing in an old age home and older adults living with their families in an urban community of Kolkata, India.

Background: The older adult population in India is increasing. Furthermore, with emerging changes in Indian social and cultural values, the older adults are forced to shift from their own place to some institutions/ old age homes. Lack of family support, poor income, accommodation and insecurity may lead to depression, a common disorder in these people.

Method: The data was collected from 200 respondents (100 residing in one old age home and100 living with family). Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess the level of depression.

Findings: The majority of the older adults residing in an old age home experienced severe depression whereas the majority of older adults living with family experienced mild depression. Older adults residing in an old age home had severe depression four times more than older adults living with family. Statistically significant relationship were found between age and level of depression of older adults residing in an old age home and older adults living with family.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the need for exploring factors causing depression among older adults. Nurses and other health care providers should assess elderly for depression, identify factors that are associated with depression and provide appropriate physical, psychological and social support.