Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Clinical Nurses (clinical + nurse)
Terms modified by Clinical Nurses Selected AbstractsThe status of training and education in information and computer technology of Australian nurses: a national surveyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 20 2008Robert Eley Aims and objectives., A study was undertaken of the current knowledge and future training requirements of nurses in information and computer technology to inform policy to meet national goals for health. Background., The role of the modern clinical nurse is intertwined with information and computer technology and adoption of such technology forms an important component of national strategies in health. The majority of nurses are expected to use information and computer technology during their work; however, the full extent of their knowledge and experience is unclear. Design., Self-administered postal survey. Methods., A 78-item questionnaire was distributed to 10,000 Australian Nursing Federation members to identify the nurses' use of information and computer technology. Eighteen items related to nurses' training and education in information and computer technology. Results., Response rate was 44%. Computers were used by 86·3% of respondents as part of their work-related activities. Between 4,17% of nurses had received training in each of 11 generic computer skills and software applications during their preregistration/pre-enrolment and between 12,30% as continuing professional education. Nurses who had received training believed that it was adequate to meet the needs of their job and was given at an appropriate time. Almost half of the respondents indicated that they required more training to better meet the information and computer technology requirements of their jobs and a quarter believed that their level of computer literacy was restricting their career development. Nurses considered that the vast majority of employers did not encourage information and computer technology training and, for those for whom training was available, workload was the major barrier to uptake. Nurses favoured introduction of a national competency standard in information and computer technology. Conclusions., For the considerable benefits of information and computer technology to be incorporated fully into the health system, employers must pay more attention to the training and education of nurses who are the largest users of that technology. Relevance to clinical practice., Knowledge of the training and education needs of clinical nurses with respect to information and computer technology will provide a platform for the development of appropriate policies by government and by employers. [source] Variability in incubator humidity practices in the management of preterm infantsJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 9 2009Lynn Sinclair Aim: To determine current practice and opinion in relation to incubator humidity use in the management of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) within the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN). Methods: A survey was conducted in 26 NICU's in the ANZNN. A senior clinical nurse in each perinatal centre participated in a telephone survey that focused on local humidification practices and on the clinicians' views and experiences of humidity use. Results: All centres routinely used supplemental humidity in the management of preterm infants. The majority of centres (77%) had written protocols to guide practice. Eighty-eight per cent commenced humidity at a high level (relative humidity , 80%). There was wide practice variation in the gestational age parameters determining humidification use (all gestational ages up to 37 weeks), duration of use (3,77 days), timing of initiation (admission to 72 h after birth) and weaning practices. Perceived benefits of humidification included improved thermoregulation, skin integrity, and fluid and electrolyte balance and reduced transepidermal water loss. Perceived risks included sepsis and hyperthermia. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that incubator humidity is used routinely in the management of preterm infants in the ANZNN. Wide variation in humidification practices across NICUs reflects the paucity of research evidence. Perceived benefits and risks of humidity use were consistent with available literature. To optimise the care environment and provide an evidence base for practice further research is warranted. [source] Improving geriatric mental health nursing care: Making a case for going beyond psychotropic medicationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2003Philippe Voyer ABSTRACT Providing high-quality mental health nursing care should be an important and continuous preoccupation in the gerontological nursing field. As the proportion of elderly people in our society is growing, the emphasis on high-quality care will receive increasing attention from administrators, politicians, organized groups, researchers and clinical nurses. Recent findings illustrate unequivocally the important contribution of nurses to achieving the goal of high-quality geriatric care. However, the quality of care for the elderly with psychological difficulties has not been addressed. The objective of this article is to illustrate that while nurses can accomplish much to improve the well-being and mental health of the elderly, their skills are often underutilized. Psychotropic drugs are often the first-line interventions used by health-care professionals to treat mental health concerns of elderly persons. Alternative therapies that could be implemented and evaluated, such as psychological counselling, supportive counselling, education and life review, are infrequently used. Nevertheless, current scientific data suggest that it would be very advantageous if nurses were to play a dominant role in the care of elderly people who are depressed or experiencing sleep pattern disturbances. The same can be said about elderly chronic users of benzodiazepines, as well as those with cognitive impairment. Evidence for the use of psychotropic medications as a viable treatment option for the elderly both in the community and in the long-term care setting who are experiencing mental health challenges is examined. Alternative non-pharmacological approaches that nurses can use to augment care are also briefly discussed. [source] Nurses' knowledge of error in blood pressure measurement techniqueINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2002BHScArticle first published online: 27 MAY 200, DipAppSci(NsgEdn), Robin S Armstrong RN Errors in measuring blood pressure may have significant impact on the investigation and treatment of patients. Errors arise from faults in measurement technique or the equipment used. In Australia, blood pressure measurement technique is taught to nurses during their undergraduate education and may not be reviewed again. This observational, descriptive study surveyed clinical nurses at a metropolitan teaching hospital at shift hand-over time. Participation was voluntary and anonymous by 78 nurses who answered a questionnaire to determine the need and focus for updating blood pressure measurement technique. Sixty-one per cent of participants conformed to currently accepted practice in identifying systolic blood pressure, and 71% diastolic blood pressure; 54% correctly interpreted a description of blood pressure sounds containing an auscultatory gap. Correct answers for assessment of faulty equipment were given by 58%, assessing cuff size by 57%, arm position for seated measurement by 14%, determination of inflation pressure by 29% and deflation rate 62%. Incidence of terminal digit preference was 32%. These findings indicate that knowledge of participants was inadequate to perform blood pressure measurement in a standardized manner, and prevent introduced error. [source] Burnout as a developmental process among Japanese nurses: Investigation of Leiter's modelJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Kazuyo KITAOKA-HIGASHIGUCHI Abstract Aim:, The first object of the present study was to compare Leiter and Maslach's original model (1988) and the revised model (proposed by Leiter in 1991). The second object was to ascertain whether the process model of burnout proposed by Leiter in 1993 is applicable to Japanese nurses. Workload demand, role conflict, and interpersonal conflict were selected as organizational demands, and supervisor support, coworker support, and occupational decision authority as resources. Methods:, The subjects were Japanese clinical nurses (n = 238) working at a municipal general hospital. One hundred and eighty-three effective data was obtained. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation analysis. Results:, The results supported the revised model which maintained the sequential link from exhaustion to cynicism, but recast the relationship of professional efficacy with another two components of burnout. The hypothesized model was revised based on findings and re-analysed. The organizational demands exhibited a significant positive correlation to exhaustion. Cynicism exhibited a negative correlation to supervisor support. The job decision authority exhibited a positive correlation to professional efficacy. However, the hypothesis that supervisor support exhibits a positive correlation to professional efficacy was not supported. Conclusions:, Leiter's process model of burnout is conceptualized based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory. The results of the present study were reasonably in line with the COR theory. It was suggested that Leiter's model should be applicable to Japanese nurses. [source] Case management educational intervention with public health nurses: cluster randomized controlled trialJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 10 2010Wen-I. liu w.-i., edwards h. & courtney m. (2010) Case management educational intervention with public health nurses: cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(10), 2234,2244. Abstract Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to determine the effectiveness of a community case management collaborative education intervention in terms of satisfaction, learning and performance among public health nurses. Background., Previous evaluation studies of case management continuing professional education often failed to demonstrate effectiveness across a range of outcomes and had methodological weaknesses such as small convenience samples and lack of control groups. Method., A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted between September 2005 and February 2006. Ten health centre clusters (five control, five intervention) recruited 163 public health nurses in Taiwan to the trial. After pre-tests for baseline measurements, public health nurses in intervention centres received an educational intervention of four half-day workshops. Post-tests for both groups were conducted after the intervention. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on target outcomes. Results., A total of 161 participants completed the pre- and post-intervention measurements. This was almost a 99% response rate. Results revealed that 97% of those in the experimental group were satisfied with the programme. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in knowledge (P = 0·001), confidence in case management skills (P = 0·001), preparedness for case manager role activities (P = 0·001), self-reported frequency in using skills (P = 0·001) and role activities (P = 0·004). Conclusion., Collaboration between academic and clinical nurses is an effective strategy to prepare nurses for rapidly changing roles. [source] The status of training and education in information and computer technology of Australian nurses: a national surveyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 20 2008Robert Eley Aims and objectives., A study was undertaken of the current knowledge and future training requirements of nurses in information and computer technology to inform policy to meet national goals for health. Background., The role of the modern clinical nurse is intertwined with information and computer technology and adoption of such technology forms an important component of national strategies in health. The majority of nurses are expected to use information and computer technology during their work; however, the full extent of their knowledge and experience is unclear. Design., Self-administered postal survey. Methods., A 78-item questionnaire was distributed to 10,000 Australian Nursing Federation members to identify the nurses' use of information and computer technology. Eighteen items related to nurses' training and education in information and computer technology. Results., Response rate was 44%. Computers were used by 86·3% of respondents as part of their work-related activities. Between 4,17% of nurses had received training in each of 11 generic computer skills and software applications during their preregistration/pre-enrolment and between 12,30% as continuing professional education. Nurses who had received training believed that it was adequate to meet the needs of their job and was given at an appropriate time. Almost half of the respondents indicated that they required more training to better meet the information and computer technology requirements of their jobs and a quarter believed that their level of computer literacy was restricting their career development. Nurses considered that the vast majority of employers did not encourage information and computer technology training and, for those for whom training was available, workload was the major barrier to uptake. Nurses favoured introduction of a national competency standard in information and computer technology. Conclusions., For the considerable benefits of information and computer technology to be incorporated fully into the health system, employers must pay more attention to the training and education of nurses who are the largest users of that technology. Relevance to clinical practice., Knowledge of the training and education needs of clinical nurses with respect to information and computer technology will provide a platform for the development of appropriate policies by government and by employers. [source] Hand hygiene among nurses in Turkey: opinions and practicesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3 2007Asiye D. Akyol RN Aims and objectives., This study aims to identify nurses' practices and opinions of handwashing during routine patient care. Background., Transmission of microorganisms from the hands of healthcare workers is the main source of cross-infection in hospitals and can be prevented by handwashing. Design and methods., A questionnaire survey was used for this study. A total of 129 clinical nurses at University of Ege Faculty of Medicine Application and Investigation Hospital at Internal Medicine Clinics was surveyed with a response rate of 100%. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 10. Results., The study revealed that nurses have a poor level of knowledge concerning quality of hand washing. All nursing actions related to ,clean' and ,dirty' activities were evaluated using the Fulkerson scale. The majority of nurses reported that they always wash hands after contact with contaminated and non-contaminated patients, equipment and environment. It was found that they did need to wash their hands often but that they were not able to do this because of dense working conditions, insufficiency of necessary materials and drying and sore of hands after frequent washing. Conclusion., To improve hand hygiene and quality of handwashing compliance, additional factors must be considered. These factors include improving healthcare workers , especially nurses', skin conditions, hand hygiene techniques and disinfections substantially. Relevance to clinical practice., Hospitals need to develop and implement innovative educational and motivational programmes tailored to specific groups of health personnel. [source] Clinical caring , the diary of a nurseJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 8 2005Carola Skott RN Aims and objectives., The aim of this study was to explore the content of individual acts of nursing care and to discuss how these context-specific acts relate to the concept of caring. Design and methods., The point of departure was a diary kept by a nurse on an oncology ward over a period of six months. Hermeneutic interpretation, including content analysis of verb phrases, was carried out to inspire reflection and discussion rather than to generalize. Results., The verbs that occurred in the diary text represented three categories of acts: physical care, speech and reflection. Conclusions and discussion., The diary text expresses the carer's acts as situated in a specific space and time through her presence, communication and reflection. The absence of bodies in this text points to the discourse of nursing as subjected to dualism and to the medical rules of knowledge. Caring emerges as experience-near action that through history is connected to situated knowledges, actual discourse and universal human condition. Relevance to clinical practice., This study demonstrated that caring acts are situated and conditioned and that they should therefore be researched in relation to the carers' acts and thoughts. This confirms the need for cooperation between researchers and clinical nurses in the quest of deepening our understanding of caring. [source] Perinatal nursing education for single-room maternity care: an evaluation of a competency-based modelJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2005Patricia A Janssen PhD Aims and objectives., To evaluate the success of a competency-based nursing orientation programme for a single-room maternity care unit by measuring improvement in self-reported competency after six months. Background., Single-room maternity care has challenged obstetrical nurses to provide comprehensive nursing care during all phases of the in-hospital birth experience. In this model, nurses provide intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care in one room. To date, an evaluation of nursing education for single-room maternity care has not been published. Design., A prospective cohort design comparing self-reported competencies prior to starting work in the single-room maternity care and six months after. Methods., Nurses completed a competency-based education programme in which they could select from a menu of learning methods and content areas according to their individual needs. Learning methods included classroom lectures, self-paced learning packages, and preceptorships in the clinical area. Competencies were measured by a standardized perinatal self-efficacy tool and a tool developed by the authors for this study, the Single-Room Maternity Care Competency Tool. A paired analysis was undertaken to take into account the paired (before and after) nature of the design. Results., Scores on the perinatal self-efficacy scale and the single-room maternity care competency tool were improved. These differences were statistically significant. Conclusions., Improvements in perinatal and single-room maternity care-specific competencies suggest that our education programme was successful in preparing nurses for their new role in the single-room maternity care setting. This conclusion is supported by reported increases in nursing and patient satisfaction in the single-room maternity care compared with the traditional labour/delivery and postpartum settings. Relevance to clinical practice., An education programme tailored to the learning needs of experienced clinical nurses contributes to improvements in nursing competencies and patient care. [source] Factors influencing job satisfaction of front line nurse managers: a systematic reviewJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 7 2008HOW LEE BScN Aim, The purpose of this study was to systematically review the research literature that examined the determinants of front line nurse managers' job satisfaction. Background, Front line managers are the vital link between senior management and clinical nurses. They influence organizational culture and outcomes for patients and staff so their job satisfaction and ultimately retention is of importance. Evaluations, A review of research articles that examined the determinants of front line nurse managers' job satisfaction was conducted. These managers supervise staff nurses and have direct responsibility for the management of a nursing unit or team in any type of healthcare facility. Fourteen studies were included in the final analysis. Key issues, Evidence of significant positive relationships were found between span of control, organizational support, empowerment and the job satisfaction of front line nurse managers. Conclusion, The review suggests that job satisfaction of front line managers may be improved by addressing span of control and workload, increasing organizational support from supervisors and empowering managers to participate in decision-making. Implications for Nursing Management, Healthcare organizations may enhance the recruitment, retention and sustainability of future nursing leadership by addressing the factors that influence job satisfaction of front line managers. [source] Australian clinical nurse supervisors' ethical decision-making styleNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 1-2 2002Ingela Berggren RNT Abstract This paper explores clinical nurse supervisors' ethical styles with regard to supervision in health care. Eighty-six registered nurses, all with experience of supervising clinical nurses and students in nursing, completed a specifically designed questionnaire. A qualitative interpretative content analysis identified three core themes: (i) ,Is it safe?'; (ii) ,Is it right?'; and (iii) ,Is it kind?', describing the clinical nurse supervisors' ethical styles. The first core theme ,Is it safe?' covered the supervisors' rules, codes and values that guide their supervisory actions, as well as two subthemes: (i) empowerment and (ii) integrity. The second core theme ,Is it right?' described the supervisors' responsibility and advocacy as well as the ethical dilemmas experienced in the supervisory process. The third core theme ,Is it kind?' included the supervisors' relationships with patients, professionals and supervisees. The results demonstrate the value of offering a support system, such as clinical supervision, which helps nurses to explore their professional identity for the benefit of the patients. [source] | ||||||||||