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Background As future health educators, nursing and physiotherapy students will play an essential role in the prevention of smoking. Aim To determine the prevalence of smoking among students and to analyse their knowledge of and attitudes towards smoking. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire and conducted in a Spanish Faculty of Health Sciences in 2013. Findings 247 nursing and physiotherapy students (82.33%) participated in the study. The global prevalence of smoking (18.2%) was lower compare with the general population group of the same age. We have observed statistical significance in relation to previous studies. Nursing and physiotherapy students showed a low nicotine dependence. We found a lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of cigarette consumption on health. Statistically significant results were also found in relation to degree courses (p < 0.01) as regards students' opinions about their knowledge of strategies and methods to help patients stop smoking. Conclusion Most students started smoking before commencing their university studies; consequently, interventions should focus on cessation programmes. An analysis of university curricula leading to the award of a degree in the health sciences could serve to identify educational deficiencies in order to implement the necessary modifications. Implications for nursing and health policy This paper presents an update in tobacco use characteristics amongst nursing and physiotherapy students. Those results have showed a need to improve the curricula in order to develop specific programmes to improve knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Measures to prevent smoking must be taken at school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyse scientific papers published by Chinese authors in nursing journals included in the Science Citation Index Expanded and compare the published scientific papers from mainland China (ML), Taiwan (TW) and Hong Kong (HK). All articles published in 62 journals that were related to nursing originating from ML, TW and HK from 1999 to 2008 were retrieved from the PubMed and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Knowledge database. The total number of articles published in nursing journals, impact factors and citation reports and articles were estimated for quantity and quality comparisons. The number of articles from the three regions increased significantly from 1999 to 2008. There were 1015 articles in total from the three regions: ML (48), HK (414) and TW (553) in PubMed. In the ISI Web of Knowledge database, TW derived the highest total citations (1755 citations from 500 articles), followed by HK (1316 citations from 347 articles) and ML (158 citations from 55 articles). HK had the highest average citations of 3.79, followed by TW (3.51) and then ML (2.87). The difference between the quantity and quality of nursing research articles published in ML, TW and HK is significant, although the gap appears to be narrowing. Long-term job stresses, low levels of education and language barriers are likely the main factors. ML, TW and HK have the same culture and ethnicity. We expect that ML will benefit significantly from increased exchanges with TW and HK in nursing research and education. We also speculate that TW and HK will benefit from exchanges because ML may have diverse nursing problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies performed in Central European countries showed a high prevalence of missed nursing care in various clinical settings before the COVID‐19 pandemic. Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate which domains of the work environment were significant predictors of missed nursing care activities in Czech hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was used. The RANCARE guideline and STROBE checklist were followed for reporting in the study. The sample consisted of 371 nurses from four acute care hospitals. The MISSCARE Survey and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index questionnaires were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. Results: Nurses reporting unfavorable environments consistently describe a higher frequency of episodes of missed care. Prevalence estimates of missed care in Czech acute care hospitals during the COVID‐19 pandemic was predicted from the overtime work, the nurses' perception of the "Nursing foundations for the quality of care," and their satisfaction with their current position. Conclusions: Missed nursing care could be mitigated by improving the nurses' work environment. Domains of the nurse work environment are known as structural modifiable factors and their refinement could be a cornerstone for interventions to reduce the prevalence of missed nursing care. Implications for nursing policy: Monitoring the conditions and aspects of the nurse work environment in hospitals and considering nurses' concerns about the work environment on an ongoing basis are important strategies for nurse supervision as well as for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GURKOVÁ E., ČÁP J., ŽIAKOVÁ K. & ĎURIŠKOVÁ M. (2011) Job satisfaction and emotional subjective well-being among Slovak nurses. International Nursing Review 59, 94-100 Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate job satisfaction and emotional subjective well-being and the correlations between these two constructs among Slovak nurses. Design: A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate this relationship among nurses ( n = 104) working in seven public hospitals in Slovakia. Methods: Data were collected using a set of questionnaires that included the questionnaire to measure job satisfaction, the Positive Affect Scale, the Negative Affect Scale and a demographics form. Findings: Findings of this study confirmed some general satisfying and dissatisfying elements for the nursing profession across different clinical specialties and different cultures. The results also indicate that there is a positive correlation between positive emotions and job satisfaction of Slovak nurses. Conclusion: The paper has drawn attention to the job satisfaction and emotional well-being among nurses. Further studies in this field, extended to different countries, work settings and nursing specialties, may help to improve subjective well-being of nurses. Study limitations: Participants came from a limited number of hospitals in Slovakia. A larger sample from different hospitals in Slovakia could have enhanced the generalizability of the results and increased the power of the study to detect significant differences and associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate effectiveness of specific policy and practice changes to the process of registration for internationally educated nurses. Background: Little research exists to inform registration policy for internationally educated health professionals. Introduction: Internationally educated nurse employment can help address nursing shortages. Regulators assess competencies for equivalency to Canadian‐educated nurses, but differences in health systems, education and practice create challenges. Methods: The study setting was a Canadian province. We used a mixed methods approach, with a pre–post‐quasi‐experimental design and a qualitative evaluation. Previous analysis of relationships between applicant variables, registration outcomes and timelines informed changes to our registration process. Implementation of these changes composes the intervention. Comparisons between pre‐ and post‐implementation exemplar subgroups and timeline analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and non‐parametric tests. Data were collected from complete application files before (n = 426) and after (n = 287) implementation of the intervention. Interviews, focus groups and consultations were completed with various stakeholders. Findings: The time between steps in the process was significantly reduced following implementation. Stakeholders reported an increase in perceived efficiency, transparency and use of evidence. Discussion: Results indicated that initial impacts of the policy changes streamlined the process for applicants and staff. Conclusion: Maintaining a consistent and systematic review of an organization's data coupled with implementation of findings to effect policy and practice change may have an important impact on regulatory policy. Implications for Nursing Policy: These findings represent the beginning of an international policy conversation. Policy changes based on organizational data can underlie major process improvement initiatives. Ongoing nursing shortages across the globe and increasing mobility of nurses make it important to have efficient and transparent regulatory policy informed by evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When modelling the nursing workforce, estimations of the numbers and characteristics of new graduates over the forecast period are assumed on the basis of previous generations; however, new graduates may have different plans for their future than those documented previously in different socio‐economical contexts. Aims: To explore (a) nursing student plans after graduation and factors influencing their plans, and (b) factors associated with the intention to emigrate. Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to students attending their final third year of nursing education in seven universities in Italy in 2015. Nine hundred and twenty‐three (90.4%) students participated. Findings: Four different plans after graduation emerged: about two‐thirds reported an intention to look for a nursing job in Italy; the remaining reported (a) an intention to emigrate, looking for a nursing job abroad, (b) an intention to search for a nursing job in both Italy and abroad, and (c) while a few an intention to continue nursing education in Italy. Having previous experience abroad, the need to grow and be satisfied, trusting the target country and a desire to increase knowledge encouraged an intention to emigrate, whereas the desire to stay in a comfortable environment and nurture personal relationships prevented the desire to migrate. Conclusion: Nursing students may have different plans after graduation, and this should be considered when modelling the nursing workforce of the future. Implications for nursing/health policy: Policymakers should be aware of different plans after graduation to guide healthcare human resource strategies. Knowing these trajectories allows policymakers to estimate the appropriate nursing workforce, and also to act at both macro‐ and meso‐levels, on work environments and opportunities for professional development, according to the different levels of expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Professional self-regulation is a privilege and needs to deliver against the underpinning social contract between the professional and citizens who are receiving care and services. Aims The aims of this study were to generate, international consensus on a contemporary definition of professional nurse regulation; and to articulate the key features of a highly performing regulatory body, and postulate which regulatory model and administrative arrangements are best suited to attain the key features. Method A highly diverse and globally recruited random stratified sample of 75 experts was approached to participate in a classic three-round policy Delphi study. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated and subjected to thematic and statistical analysis. Both non-parametric and descriptive statistical techniques were used in relation to quantitative data. Results Consensus on a revision of the current International Council of Nurses definition of professional nurse regulation was developed and a set of 47 key features of high-performing regulatory bodies was agreed. Although a strong preference for the delegated self-regulatory model (43%) and single-board administrative approach (48%) was expressed the underlying rationale for such a preference was unclear. Conclusion The research makes an important contribution to an underdeveloped field of study. The case for conducting more quantitative investigations to ascertain the best regulatory model and associated administrative approach has been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]