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Education
SEPTEMBER 1989, VOL. 50, NO 3
AORN JOURNAL
text. It provides the surgeon and perioperative nurse a complete reference on issues surrounding the obese patient. It is available from Lea & Febiger, 600 Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19106. RHONDAP. SNYDER, RN, MSN, CNOR OFFICE NURSE LAKEWOOD FAMILY PRACTICE DURHAM, NC
EDUCATION Educational Outcomes: Assessment of Quality-State of the Art and Future Directions Edited by Sylvia E. Hart, Carolyn E Waltz 1988, 168 p p $24.95 paperback This book is part of the dissemination of the findings of the accreditation outcomes project conducted by the National League for Nursing. The focus of the project was to study nursing education outcomes-specifically to compile information on what is being assessed and measured, what tools are being used to measure outcomes, and what outcomes should be assessed and to develop recommendations about incorporating the assessment of student outcomes into the accreditation process. This publication reports the major findings of the literature review, survey of schools, content analysis of self-studies, and validation study. It briefly summarizes other parts of the project. The material is presented in three formats. First, data is discussed in a narrative form, then it is summarized in outline form, and it also is presented in tables following each chapter. The tables are clear, easy to read, and easy to follow, and it is easy to correlate the narrative with the tables. The multiplicity of presentation is somewhat redundant, but it allows the reader to review the data in several ways. The book objectively presents problems with current studies, especially regarding validity and reliability. Discrepancies between what have been identified as important outcomes and what actually is assessed also is discussed with possible 658
reasons for the discrepancies. Although the publication has most immediate importance for educators in all types of nursing programs, anyone concerned about the assessment of outcomes, the quality of nursing programs, and the quality of graduates would find this volume of interest. The book is available from the National League for Nursing, 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019. PAULAA. LATZ,RN, MSN, CNOR NURSING INSTRUCTOR/OR MINNEAPOLIS VA MEDICAL CENTER
COMPUTERS Computer Design Criteria for Systems that Support the Nursing Process By Rita D. ZielstorjJ Mary L. MeHugh, Jacqueline Clinton 1988, 40pp $13.50 paperback Even though this book is only 40 pages long, it is loaded with information. It was written to identify criteria for computer applications to support and document the nursing process. It identifies the necessary variables for an effective system, suggests reasons that previous systems have not been effective, and recommends designs to better meet the needs of the nursing process. The book contains information that will assist nurses, including perioperative nurses, in selecting and evaluating computer systems. It also reviews benefits of automation and impediments to the use of such systems. The book is direct and easy to read, and it includes an extensive bibliography. Perioperative nurses may not to wish to purchase the book, but those involved in purchasing a computer system should review it before they develop the purchase plan. The book is available from the American Nurses’ Association, 2420 Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. FRANCES A. KOCH, RN, MSN, CNOR ADMINISTRATOR/ ASSISTANT OR SERVICES HENRYFORDHOSPITAL DETROIT
AORN JOURNAL
text. It provides the surgeon and perioperative nurse a complete reference on issues surrounding the obese patient. It is available from Lea & Febiger, 600 Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19106. RHONDAP. SNYDER, RN, MSN, CNOR OFFICE NURSE LAKEWOOD FAMILY PRACTICE DURHAM, NC
EDUCATION Educational Outcomes: Assessment of Quality-State of the Art and Future Directions Edited by Sylvia E. Hart, Carolyn E Waltz 1988, 168 p p $24.95 paperback This book is part of the dissemination of the findings of the accreditation outcomes project conducted by the National League for Nursing. The focus of the project was to study nursing education outcomes-specifically to compile information on what is being assessed and measured, what tools are being used to measure outcomes, and what outcomes should be assessed and to develop recommendations about incorporating the assessment of student outcomes into the accreditation process. This publication reports the major findings of the literature review, survey of schools, content analysis of self-studies, and validation study. It briefly summarizes other parts of the project. The material is presented in three formats. First, data is discussed in a narrative form, then it is summarized in outline form, and it also is presented in tables following each chapter. The tables are clear, easy to read, and easy to follow, and it is easy to correlate the narrative with the tables. The multiplicity of presentation is somewhat redundant, but it allows the reader to review the data in several ways. The book objectively presents problems with current studies, especially regarding validity and reliability. Discrepancies between what have been identified as important outcomes and what actually is assessed also is discussed with possible 658
reasons for the discrepancies. Although the publication has most immediate importance for educators in all types of nursing programs, anyone concerned about the assessment of outcomes, the quality of nursing programs, and the quality of graduates would find this volume of interest. The book is available from the National League for Nursing, 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019. PAULAA. LATZ,RN, MSN, CNOR NURSING INSTRUCTOR/OR MINNEAPOLIS VA MEDICAL CENTER
COMPUTERS Computer Design Criteria for Systems that Support the Nursing Process By Rita D. ZielstorjJ Mary L. MeHugh, Jacqueline Clinton 1988, 40pp $13.50 paperback Even though this book is only 40 pages long, it is loaded with information. It was written to identify criteria for computer applications to support and document the nursing process. It identifies the necessary variables for an effective system, suggests reasons that previous systems have not been effective, and recommends designs to better meet the needs of the nursing process. The book contains information that will assist nurses, including perioperative nurses, in selecting and evaluating computer systems. It also reviews benefits of automation and impediments to the use of such systems. The book is direct and easy to read, and it includes an extensive bibliography. Perioperative nurses may not to wish to purchase the book, but those involved in purchasing a computer system should review it before they develop the purchase plan. The book is available from the American Nurses’ Association, 2420 Pershing Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. FRANCES A. KOCH, RN, MSN, CNOR ADMINISTRATOR/ ASSISTANT OR SERVICES HENRYFORDHOSPITAL DETROIT