Objective: This study aimed to clarify the structure of student learning. After conducting a class for second-year nursing students where active nurses shared their personal experiences of living with illness, two nurses discussed their nursing practices and research activities, helping to broaden the students’ perspectives.Methods: Research participants are second-year nursing students from University A who attended this lecture and agreed in the study. After the completion of this lecture, students were instructed to prepare a report. The report assignment consisted of: things learned, thoughts, and feelings from the lecture. We analyzed the students’ report both qualitatively and inductively.Results: The study included 71 participants, consisting of 66 women and 5 men, all aged between 19 and 20 years. Among these participants, 31.6% had personally battled an illness, and an equal percentage of 31.6% had a family member who had experienced illness. However, this was not limited to those who perceive the fact of being ill as a shock.A total of 421 codes were obtained from all the students’ reports, including the four types of assignments, and by abstracting these, 25 subcategories and 12 categories were obtained to represent students’ learning.Conclusions: Students realized that as long as nurses faced patients sincerely, disciplined themselves, and continued to find ways to truly understand the patient, whether they have experienced living with an illness has no bearing on their nursing abilities. True care is without limitations. Additionally, they realized that research could be a powerful tool for supporting nursing practices.
Objective: The risk of gaming addiction or gaming disorder has become a cause of concern over the past years. This mixed methods study reports young adults’ experiences and self-ratings of the association between gaming and wellbeing coping. The study aimed at producing information about gaming experiences and potential gaming addictions. The research questions were: 1) How do young adults rate the effect of gaming on various aspects of their wellbeing? and 2) How do young adults describe the association between gaming and coping in their own words?Methods: Data were collected from 18–29-year-old young adults (n = 34) in the west of Finland in March and April 2025 using an online survey tool. Inductive content analysis was used for qualitative data, and central values and distributions in percentages for quantitative data.Results: The respondents did not report addiction to gaming; over 90% of them felt able to control their gaming. Most of them emphasized the positive effects of gaming on their life quality and social relationships. Most respondents found that gaming had helped them relax. Part of the respondents reported sleep problems. When analyzing the results, it should be noted that self-assessment of addiction cannot necessarily be considered reliable.Conclusions: Gaming can be seen both neutral, positive and negative with respect to coping, depending the person’s individual life situation.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that can stem from a myriad of causes, each influenced by physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Understanding the multifaceted causes of ED is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies. As research continues to evolve in the field of sexual health, new insights and innovative findings are emerging that shed light on the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction. This paper explores the most recent and groundbreaking information related to the causes of ED, offering a comprehensive understanding of this multifaceted condition. The factors contributing to erectile dysfunction can be broadly categorized into physical, psychological, and lifestyle components. For nurses recognizing the intricate interplay of these elements is essential not only for effective patient assessment but also for tailored interventions and holistic care. Understanding the complexities surrounding erectile dysfunction directly informs nursing practice. It empowers nurses to implement evidence-based strategies, advocate for comprehensive assessments, and promote awareness of holistic approaches to health and well-being in patients. This holistic understanding ultimately contributes to the advancement of sexual health care and improves the quality of life for individuals experiencing ED.
The objective of this work is to explore the role of testosterone in weight control by examining its impact on metabolism, muscle mass, and fat distribution. The author aims to highlight the physiological mechanisms by which testosterone influences body composition, educating healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, on the importance of assessing and managing testosterone levels in their patients. The intention of the review is to emphasize the significance of understanding testosterone’s role in addressing hormonal imbalances and improving weight management, particularly in populations at risk for low testosterone levels, such as aging men and individuals with obesity or metabolic disorders.
Objective: This study examined the subjective experiences of mothers who abused their infants and young children. This qualitative inductive study comprised semi structured interviews with six mothers who received public support to prevent the abuse of their infants and young children.Methods: We analyzed the results qualitatively and inductively. We summarized mothers’ experiences into four core categories: justifying husbands with no intention of protecting their families, internalizing both the crying self and the self who strives to raise the child perfectly, falling into a vicious loop of abuse and having suicidal thoughts, and controlling the vicious abuse loop with the emergence of faint hope.Results: Our findings indicate that the causes of maternal abuse included the crying self-seeking love, an imbalance from wanting perfection in child-rearing, negative factors regarding the husband, a lack of opportunities to nurture maternal instincts, and the child’s behavior serving as the trigger. Mothers in situations of abuse experienced uncontrollable anger, vicious loops of abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Abuse was prevented by the emergence of a glimmer of hope through budding feelings of attachment and various forms of support aiming to control the vicious loop.Conclusions: Experts’ support encouraged mothers to regain control and experience hope.
Objective: Older people occasionally require a temporary stay in a community rehabilitation facility for care and monitoring after hospitalisation due to a deteriorating health status. The risk of readmission from community rehabilitation facilities is high because of the older patients complex medical situations but little is known of the nursing staffs’ actions directed towards preventing hospital readmissions from the facilities. This study aim to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of the community rehabilitation facility nursing staff’s possibilities and interventions to prevent hospital readmissions of older patients.Methods: This explorative qualitative study was underlined by a constructivist paradigm. Twenty-six nurses and nurse assistants from five community rehabilitation facilities comprised the nursing staff who participated in this study. They contributed to the data production by participating in five focus group discussions performed in May 2024 and analysed using Braun & Clarke’s thematic analysis.Results: The overarching theme of “Their best is our worst” was found during the analysis which described the community rehabilitation facility nursing staff’s experiences and perspectives of why patients were at risk for hospital readmissions. This was supported by three themes: “Risking readmissions after hospital discharge,” “Lacking utilities and knowledge in the CRF,” and “Preventing readmissions through nursing interventions.”Conclusions: Hospitals discharge older patients with complex healthcare needs to community rehabilitation facilities for special care and all-hour nursing attention before they return home. However, the facilities often lack the utilities and competencies to fully care for the patients and prevent them from being readmitted to the hospital.
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the patient at risk for a fall-related injury while receiving care in an acute healthcare setting. The prevention of patient falls in hospital settings has been identified as an international patient safety goal. Despite a myriad of validated assessment tools, falls do occur.Methods: Using a retrospective study design, the medical records of patients who encountered a fall-related injury were reviewed, with demographic and situational variables included in the study data set.Results: Frequency and descriptive analyses were performed on the study population that fell, then sub-grouped by level of fall-related injury. These results were correlated to the results of the routinely used fall assessment tool and to the research literature.Conclusions: The study concluded that an assessment tool has value in identifying the patient at risk for a fall but is limited in the ability to identify the patient at risk for a fall related injury. Advanced age does increase the risk for a fall-related injury, especially if the patient is taking antidepressive medications or has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Women appear to have a slight propensity toward fall-related injuries. The overall length of hospital stay is prolonged as a result of the fall, and the ability to return to a private home is at risk. The design of this study consisted of data from patients and investigated due to caregivers’ desire to decrease these scenarios. Fall-related major injuries, while rare, demonstrate vague identifiable variables, not predictable using present-day assessment tools.
Objective: Community health volunteers (CHVs) provide significant contributions to the health and welfare of people in sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal. This study was to determine motivations for ongoing volunteerism.Methods: A descriptive mixed methods design was used in this study, a survey included demographic, quantitative, and quantitative sections. One-on-one interviews were completed with 44 subjects from Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Malawi during 2016-2019. Interviews were conducted orally using translators, allowing literate and illiterate healthcare workers to participate. SPSS was used to calculate the results. Open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analytics.Results: Having compassion for others, gaining health knowledge, and filling community needs ranked highest of the motivating factors queried. Hoping for employment, seeking recognition, and avoiding idleness ranked lowest.Conclusions: Enabling CHVs to gain knowledge that supports their community’s needs contributes to the longevity of CHVs more than money.
Objective: To explore the experiences of head nurses, preceptors, and newly employed nurses in five Danish medical departments on an ongoing preceptorship programme.Methods: The Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique was used to design this study and guide the data collection and analysis. In December 2023, 21 participants (head nurses, preceptors, and newly employed nurses) were interviewed in qualitative semi-structured interviews.Results: The findings show an overall need for a structure of the content, planning, and execution of the preceptorship programme and a specific focus on the newly employed nurses’ personalities and individual needs throughout the introduction. Three themes were unveiled after the RADaR analysis: “Aiming for overall structure and individuality,” “Preceptoring – Advantages and disadvantages of cutting corners,” and “Clarifications of expectations and progress.”Conclusions: A more structured preceptorship programme that considers individual needs and focuses on social interactions could strengthen the future introduction of newly employed nurses in medical departments. Even though the head nurses and preceptors considered the preceptorship programme too lengthy and time-consuming, it could be time and money well spent as it may increase retention and reduce turnover of newly employed nurses.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the anxiety levels of children with cancer and their parents following admission to the Military Hospital in Riyadh City.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a proforma between May 2019 to July 2019. Data collection involved the utilization of two tools. The first tool was a structured interview questionnaire design for children, while the second tool was intended for the parents of the children. The study sample comprised children and their parents who accompanied the child during hospitalization and chemotherapy. Approximately 74 children, aged 6-14 years old, diagnosed with cancer and admitted to the Riyadh Military Hospital, were enrolled in this study using convenience consecutive sampling.Results: A total of 148 individuals participated in this study. Seventy-four parents were enrolled, with 68.9% being mothers and 31.1% fathers. Among the parents in the study, 29.7% experienced severe anxiety, 41.9% reported a moderate level of anxiety, and 20.3% had a low level of anxiety. Seventy-four children were included in the study sample, with 48.6% being boys and 51.4% girls. Among the children, 37.8% exhibited high levels of anxiety, 41.9% displayed moderate anxiety, and 20.3% reported low levels of anxiety. Additionally, a relationship was observed between the anxiety levels of parents and the anxiety levels of their children.Conclusions: This study revealed that both children with cancer and their parents are experiencing moderate to severe levels of anxiety. The psychological well-being of cancer patients and their families is not a topic to be overlooked; rather, it is an important subject that requires attention and consideration.
Objective: Not all post mastectomy patients are eligible for immediate or late breast reconstruction. Therefore, an appropriate external breast prothesis (EBP) after mastectomy can inspire patient’s copying mechanism, self-confident and improve body image. This study aims to highlight the perceived comfort, confidence, satisfaction of post mastectomy women with the use of knitted EBP.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was implemented, and 51 participants completed an electronic questionnaire survey. The survey consisted of 26 close-ended questions related to body image satisfaction, confidence, satisfaction with the knitted EBP.Results: Interestingly, almost more than half of the participants reported dissatisfaction with their physical appearance following mastectomy if they do not wear the EBP and they were highly confident after wearing the EBP (76%) and (86%) respectively. Moreover, almost all participants reported their satisfaction regarding the EBP in terms of weight and stated that it is light and can be worn with almost all types of clothes (94%) and (70%), respectively.Conclusions: Our study shows that the majority of post mastectomy women had grateful experience with the knitted EBP and reported better self-confidence after wearing the breast prosthesis. However, there is no effect of EBP on young patient’s decision to have breast reconstruction in future.
Objective: Wearable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, when included in the plan of care for patients in inpatient settings, provides real time blood glucose data. This allows treatment to be proactive and timely. Implementation of these devices alters nursing care. The objective of this study was to describe the perceived barriers and facilitators, from the perspective of direct care providers in an inpatient clinical setting, when the plan of care includes a CGM device.Methods: Guided by a review of the literature and anecdotal data, a 20-item Likert scaled survey was developed. Once study approval was secured an invitational email was sent to the password protected emails of all potential participants. Frequency and descriptive analyses were used to analyze the responses.Results: Survey data from 31 direct care providers describe a positive experience specific to the education and resources available. The addition of a CGM device into the plan of care is not perceived to be an additional burden for the provider.Conclusions: Pre-implementation, appropriate education and exposure to the device is critical for providing confidence and trust. The availability of ongoing support ensures that care is enhanced when a CGM device is included in the plan of care.
Camp nursing is a specialty area that offers nurses an opportunity to apply clinical judgment skills in a unique environment. This non-traditional setting can be a great fit for nurses looking to expand their skill set and gain new perspectives. In this article, we will discuss essential components of camp nursing that can be insightful for interested nurses. These include finding the right camp, the day-to-day functions of what camp nurses do, the importance of self-care, and personal reflections from two nurse educators who currently work as camp nurses.
Objective: The study purpose was to describe secondary school nurses’, subject teachers’, special needs teachers’, study counselors’ and school social workers’ (n = 60) experiences of stressors that contribute to the development of mental health problems in secondary school pupils. Another purpose was to describe the professionals’ educational needs regarding mental health problems of secondary school pupils. The study aimed at producing information that can promote the detection of mental health problems and facilitate early interventions in secondary schools. The information collected came from the professionals only, not from the pupils or their parents.Methods: Data were collected in Finland using a Webropol online survey and analyzed by inductive content analysis.Results: According to the results, secondary school pupils’ mental health problems are associated with physical and psychosocial stressors, and with stressors pertaining to learning and studying, lifestyle, family, friend relationships and socioeconomic factors. In addition, the pupils’ mental health problems are associated with stressors pertaining to social media. Professionals working at secondary schools need education on how to identify pupils’ mental health problems, how to take up the concern with the pupil and parents, and how to support and counsel youth with a mental health problem.Conclusions: Although information packages, recommendations, materials and tools are available, encouragement and more specific and concrete mental health education for both pupils and professionals is required. New structures and practices, and possibly re-allocation of resources, may be necessary. The teachers’ role in mental health promotion and prevention of mental health problems should be supported and resourced more effectively. Psychiatric nurses should be employed at schools.
Understanding the role of testosterone and its impact on the overall health of men is important for healthcare providers who serve this patient population. To understand the impact of testosterone on men’s health, the healthcare provider must understand the function of testosterone, the implications of low testosterone on men’s health, symptoms of low testosterone, tests to determine testosterone level, and testosterone therapy. Also, it is important to understand the potential side effects and contraindications of testosterone therapy. This paper attempts to provide healthcare providers with essential aspects of the function of testosterone on men’s health and basic knowledge of testosterone therapy.
Objective: This study used Fowler’s Model for developing nursing judgment to document an innovative approach to enhance students’ clinical reasoning and judgment by examining the impact of incorporating concept-based learning and concept mapping in a structured classroom alongside clinical activities.Methods: The study employed a pretest-posttest design to collect data from a cohort of 40 junior students enrolled in adult care nursing courses at a private university in Jordan. Self-reporting and observing students’ clinical reasoning and judgment using a questionnaire and the Students’ Performance Aspects of Clinical Judgment Scale were employed.Results: Enhancement in students’ general cclinical reasoning behavior, independence in clinical reasoning and clinical judgment, and clinical judgment abilities were evident.Conclusions: This study provided a workable approach that will broaden academics’ understanding of the contextual factors that may impact students’ clinical reasoning and judgment abilities. It can also enhance deep learning and help desaturate the curriculum.
Objective: To compare career development trends and understand enablers and barriers to career progression of international nurses working in the National Health Service in England, United Kingdom (UK).Background: International nurse recruitment is happening at size and scale across the globe due to nursing workforce shortages worldwide. The UK is one of many healthcare systems competing for international nurses. Demonstrating how international nurses are supported with career progression can validate a healthcare systems employment offer.Methods: A mixed methods approach, comprising a quantitative analysis of career progression rates comparing domestic nurses and international nurses working in England between the dates 2014-2021; and qualitative interviews, exploring career progression of international nurses that have worked in the NHS for 5 years or more.Results: Data were collected on 611,912 nurses, including 496,741 domestic nurses (81.2%) and 115,171 international nurses (18.8% of all nurses). Progression from a Band 5 registered nurse happens less frequently and more slowly for international than for domestic nurses (median time to progress 5.8 years for domestic and 6.8 years for international); with less marked differences in frequency of progression from higher nurse bands. From 21 interviews, three themes emerged from the pre progression stage: (1) See me and know I can thrive; (2) Don’t overlook me; (3) Embrace Me as I learn; and three from the post-progression stage: (1) I have power to influence; (2) I can break down barriers; (3) I lead and inspire others. International nurses described characteristics of mettle, resilience and determination; with many demonstrating successes influencing change.Conclusions: The presence of international nurses in leadership and as role models can benefit career progression. Through empowerment and representation, following succession, international nurses are inspiring role models to enable opportunities for career progression for future generations.
Objective: Routinely collected quality improvement data identified the occurrence of newborn falls/drops as unacceptable. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement a site-specific newborn fall/drop assessment tool.Methods: Guided by data from the retrospective chart review data, results identified through the review of the literature, and the opinions of clinical experts, an 11-item risk assessment tool was developed. This tool includes three non-modifiable and eight modifiable variables.Results: Summing the items on the tool identifies a scenario specific newborn fall/drop risk. Once pilot testing was completed and revisions were made, the tool was implemented into clinical practice.Conclusions: Site-specific patient demographics, including cultural preferences, along with plans of care decisions, impact the risk for a newborn fall/drop. Including the uniqueness of the clinical setting and family values in the fall risk assessment decreased the prevalence of newborn falls/drops at the study site.
Objective: Several studies evaluated the effectiveness of the ventilator care bundle in reducing the occurrence of ventilatorassociated pneumonia. The ventilator care bundle efficacy in early mechanical ventilation weaning has not been adequately assessed. The study aimed to investigate the weaning success among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients following ventilator care bundle application.Methods: This study is quasi-experimental, recruiting 80 mechanically ventilated COPD patients (40 patients for each bundle and control group). It was conducted at the respiratory intensive care units (ICUs) at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Data were collected using a mechanically ventilated patient (MVP) assessment tool, a ventilator care bundle compliance checklist, and MVP evaluation tools based on the Burns’ Wean Assessment Program (BWAP) checklist and the patient’s ventilation indicators.Results: The results revealed that almost 75% of the bundle group was successfully weaned from invasive mechanical ventilation at the first attempt of the spontaneous breathing trial compared with 32.5% of the control group. The ventilation duration and length of ICU stay were reduced in the bundle compared with the control group.Conclusions: The bundle group demonstrated higher weaning scores than the control group. Therefore, we recommend the integration of the ventilator care bundle in the weaning trial of MVPs to accelerate weaning and reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation.
Objective: This qualitative study provides up-to-date knowledge about today’s nursing students’ views and experiences of factors that can increase or decrease the attractiveness of nursing and presents students’ ideas for improving the nursing profession.Methods: Data were collected from 168 nursing students at the University of Applied Sciences in Finland through an online survey in March 2022. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the data.Results: According to the students, the attractiveness of nursing is decreased because nursing is not adequately appreciated, the resources and salary do not match the workload, the working atmosphere can be detrimental to psychological well-being, and there is frequently little support from nurse leaders. Factors that could increase the profession’s attractiveness involve advancing nursing’s role at the level of individuals, organizations, and society; meaningfulness of nursing duties, influencing one’s work; better working conditions and well-being at work; development of nursing leadership; and work and career advancement. Students suggest promoting marketing and the appreciation of nursing, developing leadership and the theoretical and practical competence of supervisors, promoting nurses’ daily coping and well-being at work, and raising salaries.Conclusions: The status and image of nursing must be addressed at the level of individuals, organizations, and society, both nationally and internationally. Nurses themselves must appreciate their profession and feel that they have a possibility to advance their careers.
