title: Applying theory to practice--the use of 'ripple effect' plans in continuing education.
abstract: The difficulties students experience in applying theory to practice are well documented and educationalists have employed a variety of techniques in an effort to enhance effective application. This paper describes the utilization of one such teaching/learning strategy in a diploma level course in management for registered nurses and midwives. As problem-solving individual contracts of learning, 'ripple effect' plans enabled course participants to apply general principles of management theory to specific nursing management practice in their everyday world of nursing and midwifery work, making changes in practice and procedure which were visible and real.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, UWCC, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donald
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mousseau-Gershman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009742:Nursing Theory; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation