Sunday, April 29, 2012

Blog #15: Additonal source to my previous bibliography

Rajesh Kumar, Nancy. "Stress and Coping Strategies among Nursing Students." Nursing and
Midwifery Research Journal 7.4 (2011): 141-51. Web.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Research Blog #15: Final Abstract and Bibliography

Abstract:
My research paper focuses on how studying nursing can actually lead to serious risks. Although my paper states that all college students are predisposed to feeling stressed out, I strongly emphasize how nursing students have a tendency to experience more stress than the average student who is not in a professional area program. Therefore, the central idea of my research paper is that since nursing students are at a heightened risk for feeling stressed out, they are indeed also more at risk for having depressive and/or suicidal thoughts. The reason for them being at an increased risk is a result of long study hours, limited personal time, feelings of worry and doubt, difficult clinicals, and pressure to not fail. Attempts to lessen the occurance of this problem have been made. Nursing students can be helped academically and mentally through their rigorous curriculums with the help of an authority figure. However, the students must first realize that someone is willing to help them, rather then them feeling like the ones who constantly needs to do the caregiving.


Bibliography:

                                                                 
Durkheim, Émile, and George Simpson. Emile Durkheim; [selections from His Work,. New   
              
          York: Crowell, 1963. Print.

Goetz, CS. "Are You Prepared To S.A.V.E. Your Nursing Student From Suicide?" Journal Of
            
          Nursing Education 37.2 (1998): 92-95. Web.

Hardy, Sally, J. Carson, and Ben L. Thomas. Occupational Stress: Personal and Professional

             Approaches. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Stanley Thornes, 1998. Print.

Holmes, Ronald M., and Stephen T. Holmes. Suicide: Theory, Practice, and Investigation.  
              
          Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005. Print.

R. Khachatryan, et al. "P03-302 - Evaluation Of Suicidal Behaviour And Depression Among
            
          Nursing Students In Northern Greece." European Psychiatry 25.(2010): 1370. Academic
            
         Search Premier. Web.

Vye, Christopher, Kathlene Scholljegerdes, and I. David Welch. Under Pressure and
            
         Overwhelmed: Coping with Anxiety in College. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007. Print.

Whitaker, Leighton C., and Richard E. Slimak. College Student Suicide. New York: Haworth,
              
         1990. Print.

W Sawatphanit, et al. "Depression, Stress, Emotional Support, And Self-Esteem Among
              
         Baccalaureate Nursing Students In Thailand." International Journal of Nursing
              
         Education Scholarship 2.1 (2005): Web.

Young, Lynne E., and Barbara L. Paterson. Teaching Nursing: Developing a Student-centered

             Learning Environment. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Print.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Research Blog #14: Book Review #5

1.)


2.)

Hardy, Sally, J. Carson, and Ben L. Thomas. Occupational Stress: Personal and Professional

            Approaches. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Stanley Thornes, 1998. Print.

3.)

This book offers the general insight of how stressful certain professions are. This book also offers studies of different types of occupations corresponding to different stress levels and triggers. It also includes studies of students and stress, with a lengthy list of studies done particularly with those studying nursing.

4.)

Sally Hardy is a lecturer in Nursing.
Jerome Carson is the senior lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Manchaster School of Management.
Ben Thomas is the chief nursing advisor at the Maudsley Hospital.

All three contributors to this book have experience in settings where stress is relavent and where they were able to gather information and data among the people ho are at high risk.

5.) Key Terms:

Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI): a comprehensive measure of stress, including work-place stressors, strategies used to cope with stress, general behaviour, the individual's current state of health, both physical and mental, and job satisfication

Emotional Exhaustion: a chronic state of physical and emotional depletion that results from excessive job demands and continuous stress.

6.) Quotations:

"The study raises a very important issue. It is that student health and social care professionals experience both academic and clinical pressures, unlike non-vocational student groups." (Page 35)

A study was done to see whether or not nursing students were really under a lot of stress. The results of the study determined that nursing students are at their worst during their clinicals. Student health care professionals are under pressures that other students are not.

"While stress can be a product of working and caring for people, it is still an occupational hazard that can be controlled and managed like any other." (Page 181)

Stress is hazardous towards students, especially those studying a health care profession. This stress has the potential to lead to depression, which only builds up and continues to get worse and worse throughout the student's academic career.

In one study, nursing students were asked how their training could be made less stressful. Out of all the individuals, "29% felt individual therapy or personal tutor support" could help them achieve this. (Page 35)

In my paper, I plan on incorporating the idea that personal therapy among nursing students can help prevent a student from having suicidal or depressive behavior. Therefore, it is on a positive note that these students want the same thing, individual therapy. They perhaps also need a personal tutor who can help support them during the most difficult aspects of their academic careers, such as during clinicals and/or certain classes.

7.)

This book is beneficial to my overall research project by providing me with specific studies which conclude that nursing students are at high risk for feeling stressed out and/or burntout. I liked this book because of its studies and how it explicitly explains different stress theories with a general focus on certain occupations. I also liked this book because not only does it offer solutions to prevent student stress, but it also includes what the students believe can potentially work to help them to succeed.

8.)

This book is similar to previous books that I have research, however it includes a lot of studies. This book reminds me of Teaching Nursing: Developing a Student-centered Learning Environment. Both of these books both address that there is a problem among nursing students and it is that they are under too much stress. However, the only difference is that one of the books offers a learning approach and the other discusses why this approach is necessary.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Research Blog#12: Book Review #4

1.)

2.)

Young, Lynne E., and Barbara L. Paterson. Teaching Nursing: Developing a Student-centered

            Learning Environment. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007. Print.

3.)

This book focuses on how a "learner-centered teaching approach" is the most effective way to help nursing students succeed. This book also focuses on the fact that since nursing programs are so difficult, the educators must give students their full attention. Overall, this book offers both students and educators of nursing how to get the most out of their experiences.

4.)

Lynne E. Young is the associate director of graduate education for a nursing school. She is currently involved in many studies including nurse education. As mentioned in her book, she focuses on one specific method of nurse education which includes a "learner-centered teaching approach."

Barbara L. Paterson has written numerous publications relating to the field of nursing.

5.) Key terms:

transactional distance: the psychological distance that occurs in learners (often caused by miscommunication and psychological gaps occurring between the learner and the instructor)

dialectic: a tension between seemingly opposing forces of health and student stress where the tension itself becomes the site of interest rather than the binary poles of stress or health



6.) Quotations:

"...the experiences of disconnect or tension becomes part of the classroom texture that may be named by students, or arise indirectly through student behavior." (Page 427)

-I decided to use this quote because it uses the words "disconnect" and "tension." Emile Durkheim suggested that suicide is the result to a lack of connection between the individual and its society. Perhaps among nursing students there is a lack of connection within the students which inevitably causes there to be tension.


"...the tension of student health and stress/disease is only one of many contradictions students experience in classroom and clinical settings." (Page 426)
&
 "Student stress is an expected aspect of any academic experience. However, research suggests that student nurses have additional stressors within clinical experiences that differentiate the nursing population from other academic and health-related disciplines." (Page 426)

-I chose the following two quotes above because they represent exactly what I am trying to prove in my paper. Nursing students are involved with a great deal of stress, not only compared to students in other fields but also in other health-related disciplines. Hence, "Sometimes nurses need to know more than what the doctor does."
"The ideal of student-centered teaching is that rather than students expending energy determining what the teacher wants, they explore and discover what they want and need to know." (Page 545)

-I chose this quote because it sums up what the student-centered teaching approach really means. I plan on using this as a solution in my paper.

7.)

My research topic focuses on how nursing students are at greatest risk in comparison to students who are not in a professional program. This material offers solutions on how educators can help their students cut back on the stressors that their program inevitably causes upon them. Initially, I planned on including solutions in my paper that involve intense academic advising for nursing students. However, after reading segments of this book, I now have specific methods that have been created by a nursing program director.


8.)

I felt this book was especially unique in comparison to previous books I researched because it contains useful material. For example, only in this book was I able to find ways in which teaching nursing can change in order to help the student prosper without as much stress caused by feeling isolated or alone.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Research Blog #13: Interview

I have interviewed Patricia Woodin-Weaver, Ed.D.

I have learned a lot from my interview with Patricia. During my interview with her, I asked her the following the questions:

-Suicide is something that is quite common now nationwide, especially amongst college students. As a result, colleges/universities have been coming up with ways (i.e. programs, etc.) to reduce the amount of suicides from occuring. Are there any programs in which you have come across that appear to be beneficial?

Patricia has provided me with information regarding the Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation consists of progams that aim to reduce the rate of suicide as well as emotional distress among college and university students.

-Do you believe when students resort to suicide, that this is mostly due to a lack of assistance provided for them?

Patricia replied by saying, "Within college work, were putting a lot of emphasis on prevention services by educating all the constitutions on the college campus. Were doing training in all these departments in the college community so that they are aware of warning signs and are comfortably encouraging students to get help."


-Why are students at such a heightened risk for suicide? Do you believe professional students such as those of the nursing school are at an even higher risk? And if so, why?

Patricia has provided me with information regarding why students are at such a heightened risk for suicide. One article she gave me states, "Just as the demographics of the current generation of college students have changed considerably from the past, so have their needs, including their mental health needs" (NASPA Journal, Vol. 41, no.1 Fall 2003). "In addition, there has been a marked increase in both the number of students with serious psychological problems on campus and the number of students seeking counseling services" (NASPA Journal, Vol. 41, no. 1 Fall 2003).


-What are some depressive and/or suicidal symptoms amongst college students?

Patricia has provided me with a list of symptoms among distressed students:

Psychological:
-Marked changes in concentration and motivation
-Feelings of intense sadness
-Lack of interest and social isolation
-Crying spells
-Hopelessness
-Suicidal thoughts or statements of intention

Academic:

-Deterioration in quality of work
-Missed assignments or appointments
-Repeated absences from class or not participating in the study or social groups
-The student continually seeks special accomodations (e.g, late papers, extensions on projects, postpones, exams, etc.)
-Essays or projects have themes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair
-Inappropriate disruption or monopolization of classroom time

Physiological:

-Deterioration in physical presence or hygiene
-Visible increase or decrease in weight
-Visibly and chronically tired or having sleep difficulties (problems falling asleep or getting up from bed)
-Complaining about stomach pains, feeling nauseous, or having headaches
-Shaking or tremors
-Restlessness

http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/consultation-and-intervention/for-faculty-staff/distressed-students

I chose Patricia since she is a staff psychologist here at Rutgers' Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). I also chose Patricia because she is extremely educated and motivated towards helping out students here at Rutgers. 

Research Blog #13: Interview

I have interviewed Patricia Woodin-Weaver, Ed.D.

I have learned a lot from my interview with Patricia. During my interview with her, I asked her the following the questions:

-Suicide is something that is quite common now nationwide, especially amongst college students. As a result, colleges/universities have been coming up with ways (i.e. programs, etc.) to reduce the amount of suicides from occuring. Are there any programs in which you have come across that appear to be beneficial?

Patricia has provided me with information regarding the Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation consists of progams that aim to reduce the rate of suicide as well as emotional distress among college and university students.

-Do you believe when students resort to suicide, that this is mostly due to a lack of assistance provided for them?

Patricia replied by saying, "Within college work, were putting a lot of emphasis on prevention services by educating all the constitutions on the college campus. Were doing training in all these departments in the college community so that they are aware of warning signs and are comfortably encouraging students to get help."


-Why are students at such a heightened risk for suicide? Do you believe professional students such as those of the nursing school are at an even higher risk? And if so, why?

Patricia has provided me with information regarding why students are at such a heightened risk for suicide. One article she gave me states, "Just as the demographics of the current generation of college students have changed considerably from the past, so have their needs, including their mental health needs" (NASPA Journal, Vol. 41, no.1 Fall 2003). "In addition, there has been a marked increase in both the number of students with serious psychological problems on campus and the number of students seeking counseling services" (NASPA Journal, Vol. 41, no. 1 Fall 2003).


-What are some depressive and/or suicidal symptoms amongst college students?

Patricia has provided me with a list of symptoms among distressed students:

Psychological:
-Marked changes in concentration and motivation
-Feelings of intense sadness
-Lack of interest and social isolation
-Crying spells
-Hopelessness
-Suicidal thoughts or statements of intention

Academic:

-Deterioration in quality of work
-Missed assignments or appointments
-Repeated absences from class or not participating in the study or social groups
-The student continually seeks special accomodations (e.g, late papers, extensions on projects, postpones, exams, etc.)
-Essays or projects have themes of hopelessness, social isolation, rage, or despair
-Inappropriate disruption or monopolization of classroom time

Physiological:

-Deterioration in physical presence or hygiene
-Visible increase or decrease in weight
-Visibly and chronically tired or having sleep difficulties (problems falling asleep or getting up from bed)
-Complaining about stomach pains, feeling nauseous, or having headaches
-Shaking or tremors
-Restlessness

http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/consultation-and-intervention/for-faculty-staff/distressed-students

I chose Patricia since she is a staff psychologist here at Rutgers' Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). I also chose Patricia because she is extremely educated and motivated towards helping out students here at Rutgers.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Research Blog #11: Counter-Argument Book Review #3

My theory suggests that nursing students are at a higher risk to commit suicide because of all the academic stress that they are under. However Emile Durkheim, the famous sociologist claimed that suicide was a result of a lack of connections within society. For example, people with a lack of connection from a group or lack of regulations of behavior. Durkheim did not suggest that suicide was a result of an individual's feelings.

Therefore, I decided to use an english version of Durkheim's book, "Le Suicide."

1.) (Photo is of Emile Durkheim himself)

2.)  Durkheim, Émile, and George Simpson. Emile Durkheim; [selections from His Work,. New York:

                    Crowell, 1963. Print.
3.) This book includes Emile Durkheim's investigations on why one commits suicide. Durkheim has  established the three classifications of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, and anomic.
4.) Emile Durkheim is a famous sociologist who explored suicide. Durkheim has made a large contribution into the world of sociology. He collected a lot of data pertaining to suicide and had written many books on the topic as well.
5.) Terms: (The three categories of suicide)
Egoistic- Results from the lack of integration between individual and society.

Altruistic- Results from the individual's taking his own life because of higher commandments, either those of religious sacrifice or unthinking political allegiance.

Anomic- Results from the lack of regulation of the individual by society.

6.) Three Quotations with Explanations:

#1.) "The individualistic characteristics of the spouse is unimportant in explaining the suicide-rate; it depends upon the structure of the family and the roles played by its members." (page 105)
Explanation: This quote argues that family structure has a role in suicide rates. Emile Durkheim did not believe suicide linked to the actual person, but of the people they come from (society). In my argument, I do not support this belief.
#2.) "Durkheim seeks to establish that there are individual forms of suicide which display mixed types, such as the ego-anomic, the altruist-anomic, and the ago altruist." (page 97)
Explanation: These forms of suicide mentioned in the quote above all relate the individual's reason for suicide back to their society. I have already listed the terms for all three of these forms. However, I included this quote in my book review, because they all connect with Durkheim's theory (which differs from my research theory).
#3.) "Durkheim is skeptical about the reliability of the statistics on suicide." (page 240)
Explanation: I chose this quote because in the research I have come across, there are several statistics corresponding to suicide. I find it interesting that Durkheim does not fully trust in statistics on suicide.   

7.) This material greatly helps me to explore my research question since I believe nursing students are at a higher risk for suicide in comparison to other students. I believe this to be true since they are put under a lot of academic stress. However, this book claims that suicide is not a result to this matter but that it is a result of a lack on conformity between the individual and it's society. While reading Durkheim's work, I am able to see other viewpoints of suicide that have been tested throughout history. By reading his work, I might come to the conclusion that perhaps nursing students are not more likely to commit suicide. However, I still firmly believe that there is something connected between nursing students and suicide, and that it is not because of the possiblity that they are "unconnected to their socities."

8.) This book clearly argues against the books I have read for the past book reviews. In my previous book reviews, I read about college students and stress. I also read about students and suicide and what the major factors are. Those books all claimed that stress and depression were contributing factors to student suicide. However, "Le Suicide" strongly disagrees with this.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Blog #10: My Case

My case explores how nursing students are at a higher risk for suicide. My chief example that I plan on using in my paper is the case studied in Northern Greece.

In this article, it is stated that worldwide, suicide is the leading cause of death amongst adolescents. This article then discusses how nursing students are primarily the ones to be under such stress that afterwards leads to suicide. This studies purpose was to find out whether or not the nursing students in Greece were experiening depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts. The conclusion of this study was that nursing students are in fact under academic stress and that this can be helped through counseling. All of my previous posts relate to this article in some way, so therefore this one article covers exactly what I am trying to prove in my paper.

Online Material:

website link

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Research Blog #9: Visual

Visual

(My image was unable to show)

However, if you click on the link above it will take you to a visual that goes very well with my topic.
Within the boxes are reasons will nursing students are under so much stress and what some possible solutions might be.

Blog #8: Book Review #2

1.)



2.)

Holmes, Ronald M., and Stephen T. Holmes. Suicide: Theory, Practice, and Investigation. Thousand

             Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005. Print.

3.) This book investigates all aspects of suicide including cause, biological factors, mental health, etc. It focuses greatly on youths and how they are especially prone to suicide. According to one of the tables in this book, suicide is the 11th cause for deaths in the United States. Mentioned in one part of this book, are physicians and how they are especially prone to suicide since they have such high stress from dealing with such ill patients. After this part, the book mentions that certain occupations are not the result for higher suicide rates. (This is a good counter argument for my paper.) Another part of this book includes the work of Emile Durkheim, and his contributions to the study of suicide. For example, he has studied suicide from a social and societal perspective.

4.) There are two authors, Ronald M. Holmes and Stephen T. Holmes.

-Ronald M. Holmes has written several books all relating to suicide, death, crimes, etc. He is also the Vice President of the National Center for the Study of Unresolved Homicides.

-Stephen T. Holmes is the Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Flordia.

*Both authors have knowledge in regards to crimes involving suicide and have written several books which demonstrates their knowledge in the topic.

5.)

Key terms/Key Concepts

        1.) Anomie: Lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group.

        2.) Suicide: Sui- oneself Cide- from the latin verb caedere, to kill (To kill oneself)

6.) Quotations

#1)  (Also mentioned above) "Suicide experts now inform us that there is no significant statistical relationship between suicide and occupation" (8).

-I chose this quote because it could potentially be used for my counter argument. My argument suggests students studying nursing are at a higher risk for suicide. However, this quote suggests that there is no relation between the two.

#2)  "Using the scientific method of the times, Durkheim saw suicide as a phenomenon that arose from societal pressures and influences" (27).

-This quotes supports my theory that nursing students are more prone to suicide because of their pressure from their vigorous curriculums. Although I plan on using Durkheim's theories as my counter argument in my paper, I still feel this quote can be incorporated into my paper.

#3) (Also mentioned above) "Physicians also have a high rate of suicide, perhaps because of the stress involved in the practice of medicine...The high stress of dealing with patients who are ill and many times terminally ill may take a terrible toll on the psychological health of physicians" (7).

-I chose this quote because although it does not focus solely on nursing students, it still pertains to the medical field. Nursing students do have a lot of stress and can be in contact with severely ill patients during their clinicals.


7.) This book has helped because it includes the work of Emile Durkheim, who I have recently decided to inlclude in my research project. Also, this book includes statistics that I can potentially use in my paper.

8.) This book does not differ completely from the one I used in the previous book review, however it does include some new topics. For example, it does not only focus on college students, but on the population as a whole. Although I do not plan on focusing on this book entirely, I feel it have information that is useful.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Picture for Research Blog #7: Book Review

                                                   (Picture of book for my research project)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Research Blog #7: Book Review

1.)


2.)
Vye, Christopher, Kathlene Scholljegerdes, and I. David Welch. Under Pressure and Overwhelmed:
Coping with Anxiety in College. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007. Print.
3.) This book largely emphasizes how stressful college can be. This book also suggests that perhaps colleges and universities appear tranquil, but that they really are not. Students as a result suffer from a series of emotions such as depression, anxiety, guilt, and etc. This reading suggests that perhaps these students do not necessarily need to go through this experience. Clearly college is a stress trigger, however these psychological and emotional issues are not normal. This book is really meant to help students realize that they can change by receiving help.
4.) The authors:
Christopher Vye: Christopher is a doctor who works with patients that have all types of anxiety disorders. He also has a great deal of experience from aiding patients with psychological treatment intended to help with their disorders.
Kathlene Scholljegerdes: Kathleen is a psychologist for mental/behavioral health.
David I. Welch: (No information found)
5.) Key terms/Key concepts:
1.) Anxiety-A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
2.) Cope-Deal effectively with something difficult. (Students must learn to cope with academic pressures)
6.)
Quotation #1:
"In the midst of this new found freedom, anxiety can surface when the demands of attending class, reading texts, preparing projects, writing papers, taking tests, and the other academic demands become intense" (45).
I chose this quote because I like how it states "the other academic demands become intense." Not only is college stressful for the reasons mentioned above, but primarily because of the other intense demands, such as applying for specific professional programs. Therefore, it is important for students to not feel so much anxiety during their "less intense" years such as their general courses.
Quotation #2:
"Some students find, however, that anxiety interferes with their learning and test taking to such an extent that their grades and their well-being are seriously affected" (98).
I like this quote because I feel it is 100% true. Several students suffer from anxiety and it is seriously affecting their well being. I also like how the quote emphasizes students well-being, their psychological and emotional states.
Quotation #3:
"...they are entering another culture, the culture of higher education, and its unique blend of demands and pressures" (4).
The words "demands" and "pressures" relates significantly to my research project. I want to emphasize that these students are under an immense amount of pressure and that it is causing unhealthy results. (This aspect , demands and pressure can be seen as the potential cause for suicide)
7.) I believe this material does have the ability to help me with my research project. I feel like it contains all the general aspects of what the average college student is going through and how it is a typical experience. However, the anxiety and fear is not necessarily a normal experience that all students go through. Students living with these anxiety disorders need to learn how to cope with their anxieties in order to pursue a successful academic career, not simply just one semester of general courses.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Blog #6: Five Scholarly Sources and Research Question

My five scholarly sources:


R. Khachatryan, et al. "P03-302 - Evaluation Of Suicidal Behaviour And Depression Among Nursing   


         Students In Northern Greece." European Psychiatry 25.(2010): 1370. Academic Search Premier.          
     
         Web. 28 Feb. 2012.


Whitaker, Leighton C., and Richard E. Slimak. College Student Suicide. New York: Haworth, 1990. 
           Print.
Humphrey, James Harry. A Textbook of Stress for College Students. Springfield, IL: Thomas, 1982. Print.


Vye, Christopher, Kathlene Scholljegerdes, and I. David Welch. Under Pressure and Overwhelmed: 
          Coping with Anxiety in College. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007. Print.


Lees, John, and Alison Vaspe. Clinical Counselling in Further and Higher Education. London: 
           Routledge, 1999. Print.


My potential research question:


Are students who are involved with professional areas of study (i.e nursing) more prone to suicide? And if so, why? How can they be helped?

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Research Blog #5

Rutgers RIOT was a great experience. The website is a good way to keep students interested. I feel this animation is a lot more attention grabbing as opposed to reading a handout. While exploring Rutgers RIOT I chose assignments that would be appropriate for certain topics. After doing this, I now realize why I need to analyze a certain aspect of Nursing students, for example suicide rates. Certain topics are just too broad and are unable to be written about by themselves. Finding sources was deffinately my favorite part. I always have difficulty with this, so therefore it helped me out a lot in preparation for my research paper. I never realize all the opportunities I have for finding research. For example, newspaper articles usually contain valuable information, and it is always current. Alexander library will be very beneficial when writing my research paper. I plan on looking through various books, as well as other sources before I make my final selection of references. Overall after meeting with Peggy and reviewing Rutgers RIOT I feel a lot more confident in beggining my paper.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Research Blog #4

At this point I am unsure if I still want to write about how competitive the nursing program is here at Rutgers. However, regardless of what my topic will focus on, privitization will still be relevant. For example, if I do write about the nursing program I can say that the lack of professors teaching this nursing courses is limited due to privitization since funding such programs is serious. Also, although Rutgers School of Nursing puts an emphasis on the EOF program, not all students qualify for this. Therefore students still need a way to pay their tuitions. Perhaps instead of writing about how competitive it is to get into the program, I can write about the amount of stress nursing students have in general such as competitiveness, studying, money, etc. It may also be interesting to focus my paper on why society claims that the nation is in a high demand for nurses if there are so many students willing to pursue a career in this field. In this day and age privitization relates to practically anything associated with colleges and universities.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Research Blog #3: Questions for the Librarian

Question #1: What are the biggest mistakes that students tend to make as they are doing research?
I would like to know this because majority of the mistakes made tend to be repeated by a lot of students. Accurate research is the key to a successful paper.

Question #2: Since my topic regards the pressure on Nursing students, I would like to find out which sites have the most accurate statistics. For example, where can I find an accurate statistic about the suicide rate among Nursing students?

Question #3: I enjoy finding my research through using books as opposed to the internet, which books can help me the most to find out accurate information on all the stress components that Nursing students feel?

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Research Blog #2

My research topic idea has generally stayed the same. However, I would like to focus primarily on the stress factors leading towards potential Nursing students. For example, it would be a lot less stressful for these students if they were to have an academic advisor. Majority of the students at Rutgers who try transferring into the School of Nursing end up being declined at the end. Meanwhile, thousands of dollars has been spent and these students now need to change their majors. There is a website online that discusses how stressful the lives of these Nursing students are. I feel this also applies for pre-Nursing students. Melissa Halikiopoulou writes, "
Νursing students may be at higher risk for suicide than other colleges and students.     The process of education in nursing is leading to increased productivity and effectiveness, but it can also be a very stressful experience. Stress and depression can result in low academic performance, low quality of life and suicidal thoughts." Nursing curriculums are very rigorous and students are under constant pressure that has negative side effects such as suicide. If there were not such a limited number of seats in this program, would there be this much stress on the students? One article discusses how not only do Nursing students stress over their grades, but they also need to stress over paying their tuition just like any other college student. All of this stress is not healthy is not healthy. I used the first link listed below because it provides severals charts on Nursing students and suicide rates. It also lists the stress related factored on these students. The second link also provides information similar to the first one. As far as any controversies, it can be debated that Nurses are typically in demand because it is hard to find students worthy of enrolling into the programs. Nursing students do need to be very smart and attentive.

Sources used: http://www.hsj.gr/volume5/issue2/522.pdf
                       http://www.nurseeducationtoday.com/article/S0260-6917(01)90698-7/abstract

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Research Blog #1

I am considering writing about the stressful competition in which students face when applying to selectives programs. I feel this topic is extremely relative to students today since not only are we competing nationally, but also internationally. Rutgers University is especially known for having extremely competitive programs. I believe this is very unfair since many students end up having to change their majors because they are unable to get into the programs they need. For example, I am currently working towards getting into the school of Nursing and in order to get in I must have a gpa of at least a 3.5. I feel this is unfair given that the first two years are general classes including expositoring writing and either a history or anthropology course. Clearly Nursing students do not intend on majoring in english or history and therefore may do poorly in these classes. Also, there is a low number of students allowed to be admitted into the Nursing school because there is a shortage of professors teaching the required courses for that program. Therefore students who wish to major in Nursing and cannot get into the program here at Rutgers need to either change their major or transfer to another school and risk not having their credits transfer. I feel that researching more information on this topic will be beneficial since I am one of the many students who are currently dealing with this issue.