Exposure to faculty is assumed to positively influence critical thinking ability and professional values; therefore, faculty must be assumed to be superior in these characteristics. As a first step toward testing these assumptions, this study used a cross-sectional survey technique to compare critical thinking ability and values in ADN-prepared (n = 32) and BSN-prepared (n = 32) registered nurses, nursing faculty (n = 32), and sophomore college students (n = 32) beginning a baccalaureate degree program in nursing. The critical thinking ability of faculty was not significantly higher than that of sophomore nursing students when the influence of age was controlled statistically. The values of all three groups of nurses were strikingly similar, although faculty valued achievement most highly (P = .0001), while sophomore students valued goal orientation most highly (P = .001). All subjects valued support highly, but only sophomore students valued benevolence highly.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patient teaching to promote behavioral change.

Nurses are taught that patient teaching is an essential component of their professional role. This article describes the research on which effective patient teaching should be based.

Behavior Therapy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lipid physiology and nutritional considerations in coronary heart disease.

Most authorities recommend a prudent diet, moderate exercise, and the maintenance of ideal body weight Although lowering total cholesterol and LDL levels has been demonstrated to lower CHD risk, the results of major clinical trials do not indicate a reduction in overall mortality. CHD is a complicated, multifaceted disease. In addition to recognized risk factors, there may be many more that have yet to be identified. With this in mind, it is important that the nurse does not place unmitigated stress on patients to make radical changes in diet and lifestyle. Moderation is the key in striking a balance between a prudent dietary regimen and the stress that such a regimen might induce. It would be wrong to lead patients to believe that dietary intervention will provide a panacea for all their ills. The adoption of a prudent diet can reduce the incidence of CHD morbidity. The benefits of lowering serum cholesterol may lie more in overall physical and psychologic fitness rather than longevity.

Cooking↗