bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual approach to the identification of essential ethics content for the undergraduate nursing curriculum
Authors: Quinn Carroll A
Published: December 2006

While the importance of ethics content in the nursing curriculum is recognized, few guidelines exist to aid faculty in decisions regarding ‘essential’ content Comparison of documents from the Hastings Center Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing suggests that outcomes for the undergraduate nursing curriculum reflect the goals of both undergraduate and professional ethics education as identified by the Hastings Center study Faculty are faced with the challenge of adequately addressing ethics in an already filled undergraduate curriculum The conceptual integration of traditional clinical ethics with professional socialization and issues of professionalism provides a workable approach for identifying and integrating the necessary ethics content Within this integrated approach the author identifies seven areas essential to the undergraduate curriculum the moral ideals of the nursing profession, clarification of personal and professional values, moral issues/dilemmas common to nursing practice, recognizing ethical issues, basic ethical theory and principles, practice m analysis and debate, and the moral nature of a profession
Nursing: a career of yesterday?
Authors: Ann Firby Patricia
Published: December 2006

This quantitative study indicates that the recruitment problem in nursing may be more significant than previously thought Other research had suggested that the fall in the number of 16 to 18 year olds and the widening labour market may cause some difficulties Literature relating to occupational choice, the changing labour market for women and the image of nursing are considered to provide a theoretical framework. The results from a questionnaire dearly demonstrated that interest in nursing as an occupational choice is small, with less than 2% declaring an interest Many of the fifth formers had high aspirations for themselves This was particularly significant for girls hoping to obtain 5 or more subjects in the general certificate of secondary education They seemed to have replaced nursing with the professions as potenhal occupational choices The findings from the study indicate that nurse leaders need to take urgent action in relation to recruitment policies for the future, and ideas for further research are suggested
Long‐term follow‐up study of cerebral palsy children and coping behaviour of parents
Authors: Hirose Taiko , Ueda MLtt Reiko
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to understand (a) the feelings, thoughts and actions of parents at the time their children were diagnosed as having cerebral palsy, (b) the crisis periods in raising their children, (c) the important persons who supported the parents during the ‘acceptance’ phase; and (d) the roles of mothers and fathers in raising the children The subjects were 28 mothers and fathers who had sons or daughters with cerebral palsy The latter offspring were aged 22–29 years at the time of this study They were interviewed at their homes with a semi‐structured method retrospectively The results showed that most parents became aware of their children's disability in infancy and most of their children were diagnosed as having cerebral palsy by around 2 years of age The mothers’ reactions to the diagnosis were emotional and those of the fathers were realistic in coping with the problem Although crisis periods arose throughout the periods of growth and development of the children, the infancy period was the more critical for mothers and the toddlerhood, school‐age and adolescence periods were more critical for fathers The important support people were the spouses The mothers took care of the children while the fathers provided an income, however, some fathers withdrew from competing for achievement in their jobs
Attitudes towards the care of elderly people: are they getting better?
Authors: Treharne Gwyneth
Published: December 2006

This paper reports findings of research assessing the attitudes of both learner and trained nurses towards the elderly At the time of the study, all subjects were employed on wards within the care of the elderly unit of a large district general hospital Assessment of stress perceived on these wards was also made to determine its effect on learner nurses’ attitudes towards the elderly Attitudes of the learner nurses towards the elderly became slightly more negative over their training module Stress perceptions only correlated with this change to a small extent Trained staff were also found to be quite neutral in their beliefs about the elderly The study pointed to the great need for further research into this area so as to prepare the health care services to meet the increasing needs of elderly people Several implications of the research and more practical considerations are discussed
Thoughts on the discipline of nursing as we approach the year 2000
Authors: Moore Sharon
Published: December 2006

A discipline is characterized by a unique perspective, a distinct way of viewing all phenomena, which ultimately defines the limits and nature of its inquiry (Donaldson & Crowley 1978) Further, Chinn & Jacobs (1987) define discipline as a branch of instruction, a body of knowledge and of systematizing that knowledge within an area of concern or domain of inquiry The position taken in this paper is that nursing, as it approaches the year 2000, is an evolving discipline that is ‘dedicated to the advancement of knowledge which contributes to the pursuit of excellence of care’ (AARN 1985) The writer agrees with Jennings' (1987) position that theory gives definition to nursing's body of knowledge, and direction to research and practice This paper addresses some of the issues and concerns related to the development of nursing knowledge which serves as a cornerstone for the discipline It goes on to consider briefly a few tasks that face nursing as it approaches the year 2000
The smoking behaviour of military nurses: the relationship to job stress, job satisfaction and social support*
Authors: Alexander Linda L , Beck Kenneth
Published: December 2006

Three hundred and seven nurses at a large military medical centre were sent and completed an anonymous questionnaire which measured their smoking status along with job stress, job satisfaction and social support, as well as a variety of demographic factors Three groups of nurses were defined on the basis of their response to the smoking status questions those who have never smoked (54%), former smokers (23%) and current smokers (22%) The results revealed that the current smokers reported significantly (P < 0.05) more job stress, job dissatisfaction and less social support than either former smokers or those who had never smoked Further, the former smokers reported significantly less social support, defined from a variety of perspectives, than those who had never smoked These were not as important in predicting amount smoked (number of cigarettes per day) among the current smoker group as they were in predicting differences between the different smoking status groups The results suggest the need to incorporate the issues of social support and to a lesser extent job stress/satisfaction issues into smoking cessation programmes aimed at this population
Mandatory refreshment for nurses: an incentive to return?
Authors: Cowling Caroline
Published: December 2006

The UKCC's proposal to introduce mandatory refreshment for nurses will affect all qualified nurses and those in training This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages where similar changes have been effected It discusses concerns to the individual and the profession and considers the implementation during a period of change
Gay men's perceptions and responses to AIDS
Authors: Getty Grace , Stern Phyllis
Published: December 2006

Gay men continue to be the largest group in Canada developing AIDS They have responded to this threat on a personal and community level The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of gay men about AIDS, and how they responded to these perceptions Data were gathered through unstructured interviews with 34 healthy gay men, from participant observations chosen from logs that described nursing interactions with gay men who had AIDS, and fieldnotes collected during AIDS education programmes with health care workers and gay men Using constant comparative analysis, a substantive conceptual framework was developed Trusting was identified as the basic social psychological process that determined how gay men responded to AIDS AIDS was perceived by all gay men in this study to threaten their own health and their acceptance by society Variables identified behaviour, ranging from denial of personal risk to taking leadership roles in organizations to fight AIDS related to the trusting theory This theoretical explanation of gay men's responses provides direction for programmes to educate gay men about HIV‐related diseases, as well as to support those who acquire the HIV
The study of psychological factors in couples receiving artificial insemination by donor: a discussion of methodological difficulties
Authors: Carr E K , Friedman T , Lannon B , Sharp PC
Published: December 2006

Artificial insemination by donor (AID) may be the only means by which many infertile couples are able to have a child However, the treatment is not invariably successful and it is postulated in the literature that psychological factors may be implicated when conception does not occur Further investigation is required to establish the nature of any relationship between psychological stress and conception after AID but designing an adequate study is confounded by many methodological difficulties These include issues relahng to ethics, recruitment, measurement and logistics In this paper, such aspects are examined and the importance of research in this field for nursing is highlighted
Disreputable science: definition and detection
Authors: Morrison Ruby S
Published: December 2006

This paper describes definitions of fraud and misconduct as disreputable science Some causes and methods of detection of scientific misconduct are identified These hallmarks of credibility are essential for nursing to advance as a science
Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory: a replication study of the characteristics of ‘best’ and ‘worst’ clinical teachers as perceived by nursing faculty and students
Authors: Nehring Virginia
Published: December 2006

This study determined the characteristics of ‘best’ and ‘worst’ clinical teachers as perceived by 63 baccalaureate nursing faculty and 121 BSN students in Ohio It is a replication of the 1987 study by Knox & Mogan The Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory (NCTEI) they developed is a 48‐item Likert scale checklist which describes discrete teacher characteristics clustered into five subscales or categories teaching ability, nursing competence, personality traits, interpersonal relationship and evaluation Respondents are asked to rate their ‘best’ clinical teacher using the NCTEI and then their ‘worst’ clinical teacher Results show that both faculty and students agree, in both Knox & Mogan's sample and this sample, that the ‘best’ clinical teachers are good role models, enjoy nursing, enjoy teaching and demonstrate clinical skills and judgement The ‘worst’ clinical teachers are not good role models The most critical distinguishing characteristics between the ‘best’ and the ‘worst’ clinical teachers are being a good role model and encouraging mutual respect
Reluctant collaborators: do patients want to be involved in decisions concerning care?
Authors: Waterworth Susan , Luker Karen A
Published: December 2006

Against the background of the popularity of the concept of ‘patient collaboration’ in care, this paper describes, from the frame of reference of the patients, how they perceive being involved in decisions concerning their own treatment and nursing care A convenience sample of 12 patients were selected The data collection and analysis were informed to some extent by the approach known as grounded theory Although only 12 in‐depth interviews were conducted, one major theme emerged from the data and that was named ‘toeing the line’ The data suggests that some patients are more concerned about doing what is right, that is, pleasing the nurse, than participating in decisions concerning care It is contended that if nurses adopt practices which encourage involvement they may unwittingly coerse patients to comply It is argued that patients will accept this situation even if they do not wish a collaborative role Despite the small sample size, interesting questions are raised concerning the underlying rationale of patient involvement The conclusion is drawn that promoting individualized care is not necessarily synonymous with active patient involvement as advocated in much of the literature
Cardiac nurses: coping with stress
Authors: Ehrenfeld M , Cheifetz F R
Published: December 2006

This paper describes issues relating to coping with stress as expressed by nurses in cardiology The data were collected at a 1‐day workshop on ‘Coping with Stress’, sponsored by the Israel Cardiac Nursing Association in response to repeated requests from nurses in cardiology The programme included theoretical presentations Group work focused on the nurses ‘self‐evaluation of coping with stress, rather than on patients’ needs Twenty‐two groups of 15 nurses each worked with pre‐trained group leaders on the following issues causes and origins of stress, coping strategies and mechanisms, feelings and emotions accompanying the different coping strategies, suggestions and alternatives for improving coping skills The group process also included experiential exercises Analysis of the nurses' coping strategies in relation to staff, patients and their families, and work‐related issues suggests four distinct coping modes Nurses' overall responses were positive and emphasized practical benefits for future work
The pill and cancer: a review of the literature. A case of swings and roundabouts?
Authors: Knowlden Hilary A
Published: December 2006

The literature review has been earned out to determine the effects of the contraceptive pill in relation to the development of certain cancers Current research findings are presented, in an attempt to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with oral contraceptive use Particular attention is paid to the findings of a recent United Kingdom National Study, which supports the controversial link between the pill and breast cancer The actions of the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progesterone‐only pill are explored regarding their influence on the ovarian, breast, endometnal and cervical cancers A background to the incidence and nsk factors associated with these cancers is given Included is a brief analysis of long and short‐term use, dose variability and chemistry of the pill It emerges through the literature that the pill clearly has a protective function in relation to cancers of the ovary and the endometnum However, its influence on the development of breast cancer and cervical cancer remains irresolute pending further research In the absence of firm guidelines for advice to clients concerning the sensible use of oral contraceptives, proposals are included for a more reasoned approach to choice
Psychiatric patients' views of their lives before and after moving to a hostel: a qualitative study
Authors: Norman Ian , Parker Fiona
Published: December 2006

This study focuses upon the experiences of a group of 10 long‐stay psychiatric patients as they moved from a large institution to a staffed community hostel The residents were interviewed 2 weeks prior to moving and again 6 weeks after the move Areas identified in the first set of unstructured interviews were followed up in the second set Qualitative analysis of the interviews revealed seven recurrent themes that are discussed in relation to other research studies that consider how people experience the effects of inshtutionahzahon The study tests the feasibility of unstructured interviews as a means of collecting accounts of the perceptions and expenences of a client group from which other research methods have failed to elicit detailed information Unstructured interviews proved successful when undertaken by a researcher who was well known and accepted by the residents Familiarity with the residents and the context of the interview was also found to be important in analysing interviews qualitatively and the study casts doubt upon the value of primary qualitative analysis of interview transcripts by researchers who have not also participated in the interviews The methodological implications for future deinshtutionalizahon studies are discussed
Evaluation of an educational programme for patients taking warfarin
Authors: Anne Wyness M
Published: December 2006

The outcomes of a structured warfarin patient education programme were compared with those of an unstructured programme For both programmes, knowledge and satisfaction levels were determined, incidence of complications of warfarin therapy were noted, and prothrombin time results were examined The 23 patients who participated in the structured educational programme were selected from among vascular surgery patients The comparison group was composed of 10 patients who had mechanical prosthetic valves inserted The structured programme was designed for the study, and implemented by staff nurses The comparison group received the usual unstructured educational programme Post‐treatment assessments were made before discharge and at 1 month and 3 months after discharge Interview guides were developed, to determine knowledge and satisfaction At the predischarge interview, significant differences between the treatment and comparison groups were observed related to knowledge of elements of warfarin therapy The most important effects of the programme related to specific instructions to promote safety The interviews 1 month and 3 months after discharge demonstrated that knowledge changed in several areas for both groups Overall both groups were satisfied with the information they received. The majority in both groups did not experience complications Prothrombin fames were available for some patients Those obtained indicated that prothrombin times were not consistently within the therapeutic range for 60% of the time or more The study supports the use of a structured educational programme as one element in achieving safe, effective warfarin therapy Reasons for changes in knowledge over fame merit further exploration, as does the relationship between optimal control of therapy and educational programmes
The congruence of elderly client and nurse perceptions of the clients’ self‐care agency
Authors: Ward‐Griffin Catherine , Bramwell Lillian
Published: December 2006

Congruence of client and nurse perceptions is vital to mutual goal‐setting as a means of achieving self‐care in the elderly The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to explore the relationship between nurse and elderly client perceptions of the clients’ self‐care agency A sample of 40 elderly client subjects and registered nurses’ selected from two community health agencies, completed a questionnaire consisting of three instruments (a) a demographic sheet, (b) the appraisal of Self‐Care Agency Scale, and (c) the Perceived Health Status Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were significant for the relationships between (a) client and nurse perceptions of clients’ self‐care agency (r=0.42, P < 0.01), (b) client and nurse perceptions of clients’ health status (r=0 38, P < 0.01, and (c) nurse perceptions of clients’ self‐care agency and nurse perceptions of clients’ health status (r=0 44, P < 0.01) With increasing emphasis on health promotion of the elderly in the community, identified relationships may have potential implications for gerontological and community nursing practice
The patient's experience of diabetes and its treatment: construction of an attitude scale by a semantic differential technique
Authors: Wikblad Karin F , Wibell Lars B , Montin Kent R
Published: December 2006

An instrument for measuring attitudes towards diabetes and self‐care was constructed by a semantic differential technique The instrument contained nine adjective pairs Factor analysis classified these into four factors self‐esteem/autonomy, object evaluation, quality of life supporting factor and self‐strength/vulnerability The reliability coefficient of test‐retest by 28 nurses/nurse tutors was 0.93 Fifty diabetic patients completed the attitude scale for testing the validity of the instrument Male patients had a more positive attitude towards diabetes than females Those who had had diabetes for less than 10 years were more positive than those with a longer duration of the disease A higher degree of education, well‐performed self‐monitoring of blood glucose and achievement of good metabolic control were all associated with a more negative attitude towards diabetes A group of nurses/nurse tutors who also completed the attitude scale had a more negative attitude towards diabetes than the investigated groups of patients
Assessment of primary care nursing in relation to adolescent health behaviour by means of trigger films
Authors: Eshed Hannah , Epstein Leon
Published: December 2006

The pattems of adolescents' behaviour place them at a risk from developing health and social pathology In order to assess whether primary care nursing meets adolescents' health needs, the reported performance of 306 registered nurses working in different primary health care settings was studied The research tool developed especially for the study was a video‐taped trigger film Demographic, education and work‐related variables were studied by means of a questionnaire The behaviour patterns studied were smoking, sexual activity, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating habits The clinical issues were hypertension, obesity and anorexia nervosa Reported performance was low – 35% of the total possible score – with the lowest scores in the areas of preventive care, data gathering and recording, and somewhat higher in the areas of curative care and follow‐up The video‐taped trigger films were considered to have face validity, they were found to be reliable, with an ability to assess the nurses' reported performance and to differentiate between the nurses in the three different work settings This is the first study of its kind in Israel The results show that primary health nursing of adolescents is insufficient, and that teenagers should get higher priority as a target population from the nursing profession in order to achieve WHO's aims of ‘health for all by the year 2000’
Stoma care: the patient's perspective
Authors: Deeny Pat , McCrea Hally
Published: December 2006

This was a qualitative study, the design of which was based on ideas from the grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis The study examined the concept of human needs from the perspectives of individuals who have an ileostomy or a colostomy and attempted to ascertain their evaluation of the way in which their needs were fulfilled during the time they spent in hospital Respondents consisted of a convenience sample of six individuals who had recent expenence of surgery involving the formation of a stoma Data were collected through unstructured, non‐directive interviews Analysis of data involved identification of themes and categones that emerged from the transcripts of the interviews Findings indicated that while individuals' physical needs were met, their psychological and sociocultural needs were not identified This seems to imply that nurses may not be aware of the relevance of these needs to individuals who have an ileostomy or a colostomy Since respondents identified the existence of a good relationship with nurses as being conducive to the fulfilment of these needs, it could be inferred that nurses may lack the skills that are necessary to develop a good relationship with those who are m their care
The meaning of change to individuals within a college of nurse education
Authors: Davis Peter S
Published: December 2006

Change is an inevitability in all aspects of our lives today, with the prospect of an exponentially increasing rate of change This study attempts to provide a clearer understanding of the meaning of change to the individual within a college of nurse education The thoughts and feelings of individuals towards change are often subjective and contradictory in nature A cultural perspective using a phenomenological approach was therefore adopted Using the attributes of a ‘new paradigm research’ enabled a harmony to be achieved between the methodology and the paradoxical elements of change and the individual The study identified that good change is dependent upon a partnership between manager and managed or teacher and student It became evident that a true partnership based on open, supportive and trusting relationships was deficient in some areas Three themes concerning the individual and change evolved as being important (a) a perception of the individual's need to be self‐empowering, self‐helping, self‐caring, self‐motivating, (b) the need for the individual to be resilient to change and reflective in practice; and (c) a perception of change as a learning experience
A quality of life study of discharged long‐term psychiatric patients
Authors: MacGilp Dugald
Published: December 2006

A survey of 48 discharged long‐stay patients was carrried out The purpose of the survey was to identify the patients' perceptions of (a) the preparation given to them in the rehabilitation wards prior to discharge, (b) the quality of their life in the community, (c) the care given by the community psychiatric nurses A structured interview was conducted in the ex‐patient's own home and objective measures of quality of life were also used Most patients felt that they were well prepared for discharge More received skills training then received health education. Every respondent (48,100%) preferred living in the community to being in a psychiatric hospital Most respondents (46, 95%) were satisfied with life in general Twenty‐eight were visited by community psychiatric nurses and 24 (85%) were satisfied with the care given
A prototype for integrative review and meta‐analysis of nursing research
Authors: Smith Mary Colette , Stullenbarger Elizabeth
Published: December 2006

Meta‐analysis has gained international recognition as a statistical approach to research synthesis What is missing in research reviews, however, is the systematic compilation of results from non‐experimentally designed studies An approach is described which extends the rigours of integrative research review and meta‐analysis to descriptive studies A model for conceptualizing a systematically derived research synthesis is presented with selected accompanying generic elements The model serves as a prototype for application to a variety of topical areas of interest Generic elements contained in the prototype may be tailored to specific topics with relative ease Resources and time required for topic development from conceptualization through to dissemination can be considerably reduced by adaptation of the generic elements
Chronic sorrow: analysis of the concept
Authors: Teel Cynthia S.
Published: December 2006

Emotionally close relationships can be disrupted at any time in the life cycle When a relationship of attachment is disrupted following an event that renders a loved one forever changed from the hoped‐for child or from the known person, recurrent sadness, or chronic sorrow, is a frequently encountered response The genesis of sadness is one's recognition of a negative disparity between the person who was known prior to the onset of disability (or the imagined, hoped‐for child) and the now‐disabled person Though each episode of sadness resolves somewhat over time, renewed recognition of a negative disparity in the disabled loved one triggers sadness again Besides being recurrent, the sadness of chronic sorrow is also permanent, variable in intensity between situations and persons, and interwoven with periods of neutrality, satisfaction and happiness The concept is analysed and contrasted with the prevalent model of linear, time‐bound grief
Patient and staff perceptions of caring: review and replication
Authors: von Essen Louise , Sjodén Per‐Olow
Published: December 2006

The present study identified patient (n= 86) and nursing staff (n= 73) perceptions of most and least important caring behaviours Using a Swedish version of the CARE‐Q instrument or a free rating scale, patients ranked items concerned with giving honest and clear information and competent clinical expertise as most important The nursing staff ranked expressive/affective behaviours as most important There were significant differences between the two groups in the ranking of 14–30 out of 50 specific behaviours and in 3–5 out of 6 subscales Patient and staff ratings did not differ appreciably between the methods used, with the exception that staff gave much higher ratings to most items in the free response format Patients were more discriminating in the importance they assigned to the various items
Body‐image disturbance: cognitive behavioural formulation and intervention
Authors: Newell Robert
Published: December 2006

An account of the genesis and maintenance of disturbed body image is presented, drawing on cognitive–behavioural concepts of human experience, and emphasizing the central importance of fear and avoidance in mediating such difficulties Intervention strategies, extrapolated from work in dysmorphophobia and in anxiety disorders, are described, together with a clinical example Difficulties with the cognitive–behavioural approach to disturbed body image are discussed, and possible applications of the formulation to client care are suggested
Home pass assessment in neurorehabilitation practice
Authors: Henderson Elizabeth J , Pentland Brian
Published: December 2006

The patient undergoing in‐patient neurorehabilitation is often encouraged to go home with a family member or other carer for a short period when fit to do so This home pass is helpful to both the family and the rehabilitation nursing staff in gauging how well the patient will function when discharged, but valuable feedback information can be lost This study describes the experience of using a home pass assessment form to document the patients' performance and discusses the nursing staff and relative's perceptions of the usefulness of this instrument and the possible reasons for discrepancies between the nurses' assessment of the patient's abilities and the carers' reports
Why do we need sleep? Relating theory to nursing practice
Authors: Hodgson Linda A
Published: December 2006

By reviewing the literature, this paper explores the nature and function of sleep Most of the evidence for the functional theories of sleep has been obtained as a result of examining the effects of sleep deprivation, the physiological, emotional and behavioural effects of which are discussed There is a discussion on how an awareness of the theoretical knowledge may help in the nursing care of patients with advanced cancer and other chronic diseases, as well as their carers The physiological effects of stress, and the possible relationship to patients and their carers, leads the author to highlight the need for further research, and possible benefit of proachve intervention for the bereaved The effects of poor nutrition and common symptoms such as pain and dyspnoea on sleep, and the Iatrogenic causes of sleep disturbances, are discussed The importance of individualized patient care is stressed The conclusion is drawn that although researchers do not seem to have been able to prove conclusively any essential function of sleep, the nurse is in a unique position to facilitate and enable patients and their carers to cope during the waking hours, without the added stress that sleep disruption and deprivation bring
Dissatisfaction and insecurity of patients in domiciliary care
Authors: Raatikamen Ritva
Published: December 2006

This paper is based on material from two domiciliary care studies undertaken in Finland The purpose of this paper is to clarify on one hand the patient factors which relate to dissatisfaction and insecurity and on the other hand the significance of dissatisfaction and insecurity in patient care The data were collected by interviewing patients (Helsinki 129, Espoo 215), by devising a care plan in Espoo and directing a questionnaire to the domiciliary care providers (Helsinki 202, Espoo 64) About one in 10 of the patients was dissatisfied and insecure Correlation between dissatisfaction and insecurity was high (Helsinki r=0 63***, Espoo r=0 53***) The dissatisfaction was associated more with external factors, which appeared as a behaviour perceived by others. The quality of human relationships in care was the main predicting factor of the variance of dissatisfaction Insecurity again was linked more with internal factors The main factor which predicted the variance of insecurity was the quality of human relationships in care but also the well‐planned goal‐oriented care A dissatisfied patient who actually feels insecure, can be perceived as being unco‐operative, non‐compliant and unpopular by care providers
Multidimensional health locus of control in nurses
Authors: Eachus Peter
Published: December 2006

The importance of health belief and, in particular, health locus of control, in mediating health behaviours and resultant health status is discussed It is suggested that it is not enough to consider the health beliefs of patients in isolation, the beliefs of health professionals must also be investigated Health beliefs, conceptualised in terms of multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) were assessed in a group of nurses working in the North West Regional Health Authority Measures of ‘internal’ powerful others' and ‘chance’ health locus of control beliefs were obtained and comparisons with UK norms made Significant differences in the structure of health locus of control beliefs were found and it was suggested that these differences may have important consequences for both the teaching and practice of nursing
Stress‐management groups for nurses: practical problems and possible solutions
Authors: Kunkler Jane , Whittick Janice
Published: December 2006

Stress management training sessions involving nurses working in a psychiatric hospital were piloted The recruitment of staff proved difficult so different methods of organizing the sessions were employed Factors which influenced participation and which might be improved upon in the future are discussed
Skill mix in nursing: a selective review of the literature
Authors: Gibbs Ian , McCaughan Dorothy , Griffiths Mary
Published: December 2006

The issues surrounding skill mix are often highly contentious and, not surprisingly, various interest groups either welcome or reject attempts to examine the different combinations of staff, qualified and unqualified, experienced and inexperienced, in relation to costs, outcomes and quality of nursing care Despite the strong passions aroused by the debate, other factors, most notably demographic changes and the possible shortage of nurses, new demands on health care services and the call for more cost‐effective use of resources, have kept skill mix foremost on the policy agenda. The review covers manpower planning, an area where considerable efforts have been made to determine the number but rarely the mix of nurses required to provide the necessary care for patients In addition, previous work on staff turnover, and the possibility of substituting less qualified for more qualified staff, are examined in relation to cost‐containment, recruitment and demography, and the creation of a new single level of nurse These factors, along with the introduction of health care assistants, will have an important influence on the future shape and structure of nursing and, of course, the composition of the skills available While calling for further work on skill mix, the review provides a timely reminder that the issues are complex and often highly political.
Conceptions of the nursing process amongst nurse teachers and clinical nurses
Authors: Sheehan John
Published: December 2006

This is a report of an empirical study whose aim was to investigate the conceptual nature of the nursing‐process approach to the delivery of nursing care The report includes a selective review of the literature on the subject to determine how the nursing‐process approach is characterized by people who write about it Details of the grounded theory research methodology used are outlined So are the hierarchically focused interviews used to collect the data Details of the data analysis are also given, including the use of a cluster analysis technique In the results section, areas of concordance between conceptions of the nursing‐process approach as they appear in the literature and those held by the interviews have been identified Areas where conceptions are at variance with those in the literature have also been identified
Understanding lifestyles in the pledge process: a human ecology approach to nursing and health care
Authors: Sajiwandani Jonathan J
Published: December 2006

In this paper, the author attempts to describe, through human ecology, the theoretical origins of healthy lifestyles in people of all societies followed by an exploration of how such lifestyles can be replaced by unhealthy ones. He has identified physical and mental injury, disease or illness, as the causes of these unhealthy lifestyles In conclusion, he suggests the implementation of higher standards of care by nurses and other health workers as one way of restoring healthy lifestyles or delaying their deterioration in those people who acquire them
Nationwide faculty development: a model for a shift from diploma to baccalaureate education*
Authors: Bevis Em Olivia , Krulik Tamar
Published: December 2006

Many countries are in the process of moving nursing education from 2‐year or 3‐year diploma programmes to institutions of higher education This paper reports on a national project in Israel in which diploma school faculties were retooled for baccalaureate teaching. Among many issues associated with this shift are two addressed by this paper what are the essential differences between diploma and baccalaureate education and how can faculty be developed so that the change is substantive and not the same type of education with a different label? The authors propose (a) more radical changes must occur in the preparation of faculty for there to be substantive differences in the graduates, (b) the objectives curriculum model widely exported from the USA promotes training for technical levels of nursing and inhibits true education for professional practice; (c) there are six types of learning, not one, and the difference between technical and professional nursing education lies in the types of learning emphasized by faculty
Clients' perceptions: the use of case studies in developing theory
Authors: Pearson Pauline
Published: December 2006

This paper describes some aspects of a study which looked at clients' perceptions of health visiting, and how, if at all, these related to their perceptions of health needs The researcher explored the alterations of these perceptions over time, and also examined how they related to professional perceptions The background to this study is described The methods used are outlined The study was earned out in two phases The first phase used semistructured interviews and diaries to explore 41 parents' perceptions at one point in time In phase two, a series of three semistructured interviews were completed over a 10‐month period with 19 primiparous parents, commencing antenatally, and with 10 of their health visitors Analysis was by the grounded theory method The eight concept areas which emerged from the data are listed The paper goes on to discuss the use of case studies in developing a substantive theory Finally, some of the implications which this study has for health visiting practice are outlined
Critical thinking: impact on nursing education
Authors: Jones Sandra A , Brown Lynda N
Published: December 2006

Critical thinking is considered an essential component of nursing science As a concept in nursing education, however, critical thinking is not clearly understood nor systematically applied A survey of deans and directors of baccalaureate and higher‐degree schools of nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing examined perceptions of critical thinking as it is currently characterized in nursing education Results indicated that critical thinking was conceptualized as a variant of the scientific method It was explicated as a rational‐linear problem‐solving activity which reflected the nursing process The findings demonstrated the respondents' lack of clarity about the fullest expression of the mechanisms and operations of critical thinking process and applications
The use of a teaching model to promote reflection and the experiential integration of theory and practice in first‐year student nurses: an action research study
Authors: McCaugherty David
Published: December 2006

This study developed and evaluated an experiential teaching model which aimed to improve the integration of theory and practice for first‐year RGN students This work took a qualitative approach and used Lewin's action research methodology Using a participant observation approach, data, in the form of diaries, interviews and spot checks, were gathered To evaluate the teaching model, the spot checks were developed as an indicator of theory–practice integration The analysis of these spot checks revealed that this teaching approach had value The strengths and weaknesses of the teaching model, in relation to possible origins of the theory‐practice gap, are outlined The validity of action research is discussed, as are similar issues that are related to the methodology of this study
Service needs of stroke survivors and their informal carers: a pilot study
Authors: McLean Jacqueline , Roper‐Hall Alison , Roper‐Hall Alison , Main Alistair
Published: December 2006

This pilot study prepares the way for a controlled evaluation of counselling of disabled stroke survivors and their carers It assesses feasibility of methods and outcome measures potentially useful in the main study The study elicited information about the psychological, physical, social and service needs, and the feelings of stroke survivors and their informal carers Twenty patients and their carers were interviewed separately in their own homes Results describe research tools which were refined, and demonstrate several unmet needs in the psychosocial domain The main findings were a requirement for more information about stroke and for counselling in relation to ‘care’ problems arising out of the disability of stroke disease and the changes in dependency produced
Community psychiatric nursing and the depressed elderly: a case for using cognitive therapy
Authors: Hughes Colin P
Published: December 2006

This paper examines whether the literature suggests that Beck's cognitive therapy is a treatment helpful to depressed elderly people, and highlights the issues and adaptations which are considered in its use with this client group Evidence from outcome studies and case studies is presented which does suggest that it is helpful A number of issues are raised which require certain special sensitivities on the part of the therapist Evidence is discussed which suggests that certain adaptations to style and content of therapy may be needed for it to be maximally effective It is argued that the use of cognitive therapy by community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) could contribute to making the service to depressed elderly people more comprehensive
The effect of employment on the relationship between gender‐role preference and self‐esteem in married women
Authors: Haber Linda Cade
Published: December 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among gender‐role preference, self‐esteem and employment category (full‐time, part‐time, homemaker) while controlling for the effects of income and religion Data were collected from 79 White married women using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and a gender‐role preference scale developed by the author Findings indicated that (a) there are significant differences in gender‐role preference among categories of employment, with full‐time workers having more modern views, (b) category of employment did not influence self‐esteem, and (c) women with mixed gender‐role preference had lower self‐esteem than those with modern gender‐role preference The strength of the relationship between self‐esteem and gender‐role preference varied by category of employment Gender‐role preference made a significant contribution as a predictor of self‐esteem (above and beyond the effects of income and religion) for full‐time workers only
Power: a concept analysis
Authors: Hawks Jane Hokanson
Published: December 2006

This paper follows the Walker & Avant approach to concept analysis of the concept of power For the purposes of the paper, power was defined as the actual or potential ability or capacity to achieve objectives through an interpersonal process in which the goals and means to achieve the goals are mutually established and worked toward The distinction between the views of power as ‘power to’ versus ‘power over’ are addressed in the literature review King's conceptual framework was used as a guide Defining attributes, antecedents and consequences of power, demonstration cases, and assumptions are presented A theorem and testable hypothesis are proposed The final product is a conceptual map which illustrates the contents of the concept analysis
A study of role negotiation between nurses and the parents of hospitalized children
Authors: Callery Peter , Smith Lorraine
Published: December 2006

The role of the parent of a hospitalized child has changed considerably over the past 30 years Where parents were previously expected to hand responsibility for care over to their child's nurses, there is now an expectation that parents will be extensively involved in the care of their hospitalized children The negotiation of roles between nurses and parents has been advocated by workers concerned about conflicts between nurses and parents However, it is not known whether such negotiation takes place between nurses and parents It is clear that power is not evenly distributed between nurses and parents issues of territory, stress, anxiety, uncertainty, control and conflicts arising from parental competence all place the parent in a weaker position It is argued that the nurse holds the initiative in the decision about whether negotiation takes place. A small study is described in which nurses were invited to describes their response to their perception that a parent wanted to increase or decrease her or his involvement in her or his child's care The critical incident technique (Flanagan 1954) was used to collect data Nurses' responses were categorized into categories of ‘encouragement’, ‘explanation/advice’ and ‘negotiation’. Responses were then placed in more specific subcategones The inter‐rater reliability of the categorization was measured. Owing to the limitations of the study, the results can only be regarded as suggestive. Nevertheless, significant association was found between the category of response and the grade of staff, with a stratified pattern of category of response demonstrated The implications of the study for future research are discussed.