Search

Aims: To investigate factors that influence the willingness of inactive nurses to return to nursing in a crisis situation and to identify aspects that need to be considered with regard to a possible deployment. Design: A deductive and inductive qualitative content analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews. Methods: Semi-structured focus group interviews with inactive or marginally employed nurses, nurses who have been inactive for some time and nursing home managers in October and November 2021. The participating inactive nurses had declared their willingness for a deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic or not. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Communication was seen as essential by the participants for an informed decision for or against a temporary return to nursing and to potential or actual deployments. To make them feel safe, inactive nurses need to know what to expect and what is expected of them, for example, regarding required training and responsibilities. Considering their current employment status, some flexibility in terms of deployment conditions is needed. A remaining attachment to care can trigger a sense of duty. Knowledge of (regular) working conditions in nursing can lead to both a desire to support former colleagues and a refusal to be exposed to these conditions again. Conclusion: Past working experiences and the current employment situation play a major role in the willingness of inactive nurses to return to nursing in a crisis situation. Unbureaucratic arrangements must be provided for those who are willing to return. Summary Statement: • What already is known - In crisis situations, not every inactive nurse is willing or able to return to nursing and therefore, the 'silent reserve' may not be as large as suspected. • What this paper adds - Inactive nurses need to know what to expect and what is expected of them for their decision regarding a return to active patient care during a crisis situation. • Implications for practice/policy -- Inactive nurses need to be informed and should be offered free training and refresher courses to ensure patient safety. Impact: This research shows that the group of inactive nurses are not a silent workforce which can be activated anytime. Those who are able and willing to return to direct patient care in crisis situations need the best possible support -- during and between crises. Reporting Method: This study adhered to COREQ guidelines. No Patient or Public Contribution: The involvement of patients or members of the public did not apply for the study, as the aim was to gain insight into the motivations and attitudes of the group of inactive nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To report a systematic review of the psychometric properties of self-report instruments to identify the symptoms of anxiety in pregnancy to help clinicians and researchers select the most suitable instrument. Background Excessive anxiety in pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, developmental and behavioural problems in infants and postnatal depression. Despite recommendations for routine psychological assessment in pregnancy, the optimal methods to identify anxiety in pregnancy have not been confirmed. Design Psychometric systematic review. Data sources A systematic literature search of the multiple databases (1990-September 2014). Review methods Identification of self-report instruments to measure anxiety in pregnancy using COSMIN guidelines to assess studies reporting a psychometric evaluation of validity and reliability. Results Thirty-two studies were included. Studies took place in the UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. Seventeen different instruments were identified. Measures of validity were reported in 19 papers and reliability in 16. The overall quality of the papers was rated as fair to excellent using the COSMIN checklist. Only one paper scored excellent in more than one category. Conclusion Many instruments have been adapted for use in different populations to those for which they were designed. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale have been tested more frequently than other instruments, yet require further assessment to confirm their value for use in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was the translation, cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Family Confusion Assessment Method in critically ill patients. Background: Delirium is a frequently unrecognized disorder in critically ill patients. Visiting family members might be the first to notice subtle changes in a patient's cognition and behaviour. The Family Confusion Assessment Method was developed to detect delirium by family members, but has not been available for the German‐speaking area yet. Design: A prospective validation study was conducted between January 2020 and October 2020. Methods: The Family Confusion Assessment Method was translated into German according to the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient‐Reported Outcomes. Subsequently, we compared the Family Confusion Assessment Method with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit in critically ill patients and their family members in a medical intensive care unit in Germany. Results: We included 50 dyads of critically ill patients and their family members. The prevalence of delirium measured by Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit was 44%. Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.84. The German Family Confusion Assessment Method had a high sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 89.3%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 87.5% and 96.2% respectively. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the German Family Confusion Assessment Method is an accurate assessment tool for delirium detection in the intensive care unit by family members. Furthermore, the results indicate that family members may identify delirium by the Family Confusion Assessment Method without prior training. Impact Collaborating medical staff with patients' family members to detect delirium in the intensive care unit may lead to early recognition of delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Advanced Nursing (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate whether selective optimization with compensation constitutes an individualized action strategy for nurses wanting to maintain job performance under high workload. Background High workload is a major threat to healthcare quality and performance. Selective optimization with compensation is considered to enhance the efficient use of intra-individual resources and, therefore, is expected to act as a buffer against the negative effects of high workload. Design The study applied a diary design. Over five consecutive workday shifts, self-report data on workload was collected at three randomized occasions during each shift. Self-reported job performance was assessed in the evening. Self-reported selective optimization with compensation was assessed prior to the diary reporting. Methods Data were collected in 2010. Overall, 136 nurses from 10 German hospitals participated. Selective optimization with compensation was assessed with a nine-item scale that was specifically developed for nursing. The NASA- TLX scale indicating the pace of task accomplishment was used to measure workload. Job performance was assessed with one item each concerning performance quality and forgetting of intentions. Results There was a weaker negative association between workload and both indicators of job performance in nurses with a high level of selective optimization with compensation, compared with nurses with a low level. Considering the separate strategies, selection and compensation turned out to be effective. Conclusion The use of selective optimization with compensation is conducive to nurses' job performance under high workload levels. This finding is in line with calls to empower nurses' individual decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims (1) To explore 'successful ageing' strategies in terms of selection, optimization and compensation in nursing; (2) To develop a scale that measures these strategies in nursing; (3) To investigate the association between these strategies in nursing and work ability of nurses and the moderating effects of age on this relationship. Background Studies indicate impaired work ability of older nurses. Research is needed to examine if 'successful ageing' strategies can promote the work ability especially in older nurses. Design The investigation applied a mixed method design: Study (1) Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore selection, optimization and compensation in nursing; (Study 2) A cross-sectional survey was used to test the association between selection, optimization and compensation in nursing and work ability. Methods Data were collected in 2010 and 2011. Study 1: 17 nurses ≥45 years were interviewed; Study 2: 438 nurses (21-63 years) participated. A selection, optimization and compensation-in-nursing-scale was applied that was developed on the basis of study 1. Work ability was measured with the Work Ability Index (Dimension 1) . Results Study 1, the majority of reported ageing strategies were identified as selection, optimization and compensation in nursing. Study 2, selection, optimization, and compensation in nursing was positively related with work ability . The positive relationship was stronger for older nurses. Conclusion Selection, optimization and compensation in nursing contributes positively to work ability, particularly in older nurses. This finding is relevant for the development of measures that promote work ability of nurses over the course of their professional careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

bathe a., weisshaar e. & matterne u. (2012) Chronic pruritus - more than a symptom: a qualitative investigation into patients' subjective illness perceptions. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(2), 316-326. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06009.x Abstract Aim. This article is a report of a study exploring the subjective illness perceptions of patients with chronic pruritus (>6 weeks). Background. Pruritus is a common symptom of dermatological as well as other conditions. This pervasive symptom has a substantial impact on quality of life. Little is known about how patients with chronic pruritus construct the symptom, what causes they ascribe, consequences they endure, how they control the symptom and experience the healthcare system. Design. A qualitative design taking a constructivist inquiry perspective. Methods. Semi-structured interviews with 16 patients were conducted between September 2008-February 2009 and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results. Many patients find it very difficult to adequately describe the symptom to others resulting sometimes in bizarre accounts of the symptom that provoke irritation in lay people and health professionals. This irritation frequently leaves the sufferer feeling misunderstood. Patients often feel their burden is not taken seriously by health professionals. This and various other reasons contribute to difficulties in accepting a given diagnosis. This can leave patients unsatisfied with their current health care and the system. They respond with frequent doctor changes and consideration of complementary and alternative therapeutic methods. Conclusion. Assisting patients with chronic pruritus in their efforts to adequately describe the symptom along with unconditional regard and empathy are key factors that can help enhance the provider-patient relationship and subsequent acceptance of a given diagnosis. A stronger emphasis on the perspectives of these patients may also improve the quality of healthcare provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

watkins d. (2011) The influence of Masters education on the professional lives of British and German nurses and the further professionalization of nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(12), 2605-2614. Abstract Aims. This article reports on findings from a qualitative study which explored the influence of a Masters in Nursing on the professional lives of British and German nurses and its role in further professionalizing nursing. Background. A collaborative Masters programme was delivered in the United Kingdom and Germany. This provided an opportunity to study the influence of the programme on the professionalization of nursing in different country contexts. Continuing education is thought to contribute to furthering professionalization. Evidence to support this in the field of nursing is limited. Methods. An interpretive research design was used and data were collected via semi-structured interviews with ten German nurses and nine British nurses. Data were collected in the United Kingdom and Germany from August 2006 to February 2007. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed using a template approach with further immersion and crystalization of the data. Findings. Nurses' personal and professional confidence improved; research-based evidence was used to underpin changes made to practice; new roles and careers emerged; multi-professional working was enhanced; and nurses rediscovered nursing and championed the profession. Conclusion. A diagram is presented based on the findings. Masters education is at the centre as the catalyst with four interconnecting circles, which depict elements that contribute to professionalization. The diagram highlights overlap and interplay between nurses' increased personal confidence, improved cognitive functioning, evidence-based practice development and enhanced professionalism. Findings support the theory that this Masters in Nursing programme enhanced practice and further professionalization of nursing in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]