Description:
The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of nurse practitioner (NP) roles from NP, nurse manager, and nurse policy adviser perspectives in Australia. A questionnaire formed phase 1 of a mixed methods study with 171 responses (36% response rate). Results show that, although there was a generally positive regard for NPs, there is evidence of a difference in perception between the stakeholder groups. The finding that nurse policy participants had a lower overall perception rating score is significant given this is the group that drives policy at the state and territory levels.
Description:
Summary Background It is generally accepted that nurses have insufficient knowledge about disaster preparedness due to a lack of acceptance of core competencies and the absence of disaster preparedness in nursing curricula.1 This study explored nurses’ knowledge and sources of knowledge, and skills as they relate to disaster management in Saudi Arabia, where more than 4660 people have died, 32,000 people have been affected, and US$4.65 billion in damage has been caused by disaster since 1980.2 Methods A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive research design. Results Nurses in Saudi Arabia have moderate knowledge concerning disaster preparedness. However, nurses in military hospitals possess more knowledge than those who work in government hospitals. The majority of nurses gained their knowledge and skills from disaster drills. Conclusions Nurses need more education in all areas of disaster management, most importantly in their roles during response to disasters. Nurses perceive themselves as not well-prepared but they are willing to improve their skills in disaster preparedness if educational opportunities are provided.
Description:
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in the clinical setting is recognized as an approach that leads to improved patient outcomes. Nurse educators (NEs), clinical coaches (CCs) and nurse specialists are in key positions to promote and facilitate EBP within clinical settings and have opportunities to advance practice. Therefore, it is important to understand their perceptions of factors promoting EBP and perceived barriers in facilitating EBP in clinical settings, before developing educational programmes. This paper reports findings from a study that aimed to explore NEs' , CCs' and nurse specialists' knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with EBP. This study used a questionnaire containing quantitative and a small number of qualitative questions to capture data collected from NEs, CCs and nurse specialists working at a tertiary health-care facility in Victoria, Australia. The questionnaire was distributed to a total of 435 people, of whom 135 responded (31%). Findings revealed that the three senior nurse groups relied heavily on personal experience, organizational policies and protocols as formal sources of knowledge. Furthermore, they had positive attitudes towards EBP. However, participants demonstrated lack of knowledge and skills in appraising and utilizing evidence into practice. They indicated a desire to seek educational opportunities to upskill themselves in the process of EBP.
Description:
Eye-tracking methodology was used to investigate lapses in the appropriate treatment of ward patients due to not noticing critical cues of deterioration. Forty nursing participants with different levels of experience participated in an interactive screen-based simulation of hypovolemic shock. The results show that 65% of the participants exhibited at least one episode of non-fixation on clinically relevant, fully visible cues that were in plain sight. Thirty-five percent of participants dwelt for sufficient time (>200 ms) on important cues for perception to take place, but no action followed, indicating they had pattern-matching failure. When participants fail to notice what, they should notice in patient status until it is too late, this can have serious consequences. Much work needs to be done, since these human perceptual limitations can affect patient safety in general wards.
Description:
The authors thank the Science and Technology Research Project of Hebei Higher Education Institutions for financial support (QN2018169). The authors would like to thank Hui Li, Yizheng Yin and Jie Zhang for their help in collecting the data. We would also like to thank the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University for their assistance in recruiting the participants. We acknowledge the participant nurses who were involved in this study.
Description:
Objectives: To examine the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a cohort of Australian nurses towards caring for patients with mental illness in the intensive care unit. Research design: A questionnaire was developed and distributed via internal email to all nurses working in the study intensive care unit. Responses were anonymous. Setting: A metropolitan intensive care unit located in Melbourne, Australia. Main outcome measures: Intenisve care nurses completed a 76-question self-administered questionnaire. Results: Forty intensive care nurses completed the survey, a response rate of 35.7% (n = 40/112). Respondents were predominantly female (82.5%) and held a post-graduate qualification (62.5%). ICU nurses felt that they needed further training and education to care for patients with mental illness in the intensive care unit. While respondents were empathetic to this patient group, negative stereotypes and stigma were reported by some participants. The pressures of the environment were perceived barriers to delivering optimal person-centred care for patients with mental illness. Conclusion: This sample of nurses felt they require education and support in order to care for patients with mental illness in the intenisve care unit. Further education may also help to reduce negative perceptions of this patient group.