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Background: Continuing professional development (CPD) is perceived as a pivotal component of building and maintaining nursing skill and capacity. Exploring motivators for CPD engagement can aid program adaptation and improvement. The goal of this study was to survey the barriers, enablers, and changes of Australian RNs' engagement with CPD in general during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An additional goal was to understand factors influencing the interest of participants to engage with programs focused on care for people with intellectual disability and/or autism. Method: This study was a cross-sectional exploratory survey. Results: Most of the sample had engaged with CPD in the previous 12 months, and the most reported topics were related to COVID-19. Sixty percent of nurses saw a change in volume of CPD. Younger nurses, with fewer years of experience, and practicing in major cities, were significantly more likely to report less CPD. Conclusion: It is pivotal that the design and promotion of CPD curricula consider the motivators and barriers for nurses' engagement with them. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(9):405–412.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies the factors that minimize the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in deployed service members. It reviews the differences between Australian, U.S. and British service members' rates of PTSD and alcohol abuse. It also identifies the measures used to assess the health and well-being of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Approximately one in 10 Australian individuals report bisexual attraction, and this group has repeatedly been found to experience high rates of poor mental health. Despite this finding, our understanding of who is most at risk within this group remains limited. The current article presents findings of an online survey conducted in Australia with one of the largest samples of bisexual adults to date (Approximately one in 10 Australian individuals report bisexual attraction, and this group has repeatedly been found to experience high rates of poor mental health. Despite this finding, our understanding of who is most at risk within this group remains limited. The current article presents findings of an online survey conducted in Australia with one of the largest samples of bisexual adults to date (N = 2,651). Chi-square and regression analyses identified significant associations between the three dimensions of bisexuality (i.e., identity, behavior, and attraction) and mental health. Participants who reported identifying as bisexual were found to be especially vulnerable to poor mental health compared to those who reported bisexual attraction and/or sexual experiences without a bisexual identity. These findings provide a significant contribution to the lacking literature on the complexities of bisexual orientation and mental health. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(3), 28–37.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is global acceptance of the need for prelicensure nursing students to complete practice experience hours during their program of education. Yet questions remain about these practice experiences, including those related to duration. Method: This article reports findings of a scoping exercise that compared the number of practice experience hours mandated for students undertaking courses that lead to RN licensure in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results: Substantial differences were evident between the four countries regarding the number of mandated practice experience hours. There is no clearly linked research evidence to justify the decision made in relation to the mandated number of hours. Conclusion: Internationally, there is a need to reexamine the rationale for mandating a minimum number of practice experience hours for students in programs of education that lead to licensing as an RN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Bachelor of Nursing with Clinical Honors (Transition to Practice) program supports the transition of nursing graduates. It is the first initiative of its kind in Australia and is designed to integrate with existing graduate transition programs. The program is clinically focused, collaborative, and accessible online. Method: A 2015 evaluation comprised a program performance review, a questionnaire-based research component, and participating partner interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Results: The student and graduate surveys indicate that the program promotes evidence-based practice and learning, critical thinking, and reflection. Medication safety, its link to the national quality and safety agenda, and the promotion of safe medication administration were highlighted. The results of the industry partner interviews indicate that the program supports the missions and values of the participating organizations. Conclusion: The Clinical Honors program provides an evidence-based, theoretically structured program supporting transition to practice for new RNs. It supports the development of critical thinking, reflection, skill enhancement, and confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many health and social care research studies report difficulties recruiting sufficient numbers of participants, adding to time and money expenditures and potentially jeopardizing the generalizability of findings. The current article reports the effectiveness and resource requirements of recruitment strategies used in nine dementia-related studies conducted in Australia. Articles, notices, or advertisements in targeted specialist newsletters were the most cost-effective method of recruitment. The use of service providers to aid recruitment yielded mixed results, but was lengthy in terms of research time. Online and social media were low cost but not reliably effective in terms of recruitment potential. Despite using multiple strategies to maximize recruitment, significant challenges were encou ntered achieving the required sample sizes; in most cases these challenges resulted in delays in the recruitment phase. Implications for researchers in the fields of dementia and general social/health research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of evidence highlights that trauma is the single most significant predictorthat an individual will need support from mental health services. Yet despite this association, mental health services have been slow to provide approaches to care and treatment that deal directly with trauma. Embedding the principles of trauma-informed care and practice (TICP) in acute inpatient ward practice can lead to practice improvement and cultural change over a number of areas. The current service evaluation highlights how these principles can inform practice and the positive affect this has on areas such as seclusion and restraint, therapeutic engagement, and ward routines. TICP complements recovery-focused models of care and promotes collaborative and empowering relationships in the inpatient setting. Embedding this approach in inpatient mental health units can lead to changes in professional practice and service provision that benefit service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling design is critical to the quality of quantitative research, yet it does not always receive appropriate attention in nursing research. The current article details how balancing probability techniques with practical considerations produced a representative sample of Australian nursing homes (NHs). Budgetary, logistical, and statistical constraints were managed by excluding some NHs (e.g., those too difficult to access) from the sampling frame; a stratified, random sampling methodology yielded a final sample of 53 NHs from a population of 2,774. In testing the adequacy of representation of the study population, chi-square tests for goodness of fit generated nonsignificant results for distribution by distance from major city and type of organization. A significant result for state/territory was expected and easily corrected for by the application of weights. The current article provides recommendations for conducting high-quality, probability-based samples and stresses the importance of testing the representativeness of achieved samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling design is critical to the quality of quantitative research, yet it does not always receive appropriate attention in nursing research. The current article details how balancing probability techniques with practical considerations produced a representative sample of Australian nursing homes (NHs). Budgetary, logistical, and statistical constraints were managed by excluding some NHs (e.g., those too difficult to access) from the sampling frame; a stratified, random sampling methodology yielded a final sample of 53 NHs from a population of 2,774. In testing the adequacy of representation of the study population, chi-square tests for goodness of fit generated nonsignificant results for distribution by distance from major city and type of organization. A significant result for state/territory was expected and easily corrected for by the application of weights. The current article provides recommendations for conducting high-quality, probability-based samples and stresses the importance of testing the representativeness of achieved samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the perceptions of direct care staff working in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) regarding the organizational barriers that they believe prevent them from facilitating decision making for individuals with dementia. Normalization process theory (NPT) was used to interpret the findings to understand these barriers in a broader context. The qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews (N = 41) and focus groups (N = 8) with 80 direct care staff members of all levels working in Australian RACFs. Data collection and analysis were conducted in parallel and followed a systematic, inductive approach in line with grounded theory. The perceptions of participants regarding the organizational barriers to facilitating decision making for individuals with dementia can be described by the core category, Working Within the System, and three sub-themes: (a) finding time, (b) competing rights, and (c) not knowing. Examining the views of direct care staff through the lens of NPT allows possible areas for improvement to be identified at an organizational level and the perceived barriers to be understood in the context of promoting normalization of decision making for individuals with dementia. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2015; 8(6):286-292.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The virtual world of Second LifeThe virtual world of Second Life® is an emerging technology that is being considered as a simulation methodology for the education of professionals. Particularly for nursing, the adoption of simulation, although a response to technological advancement, is occurring during changes in population health care needs, the resultant impact on the workforce, and also the changing profile of students. Method: This systematic review aimed to establish the current applications of Second Life in the education of undergraduate nursing students. Databases searched were CINAHLThis systematic review aimed to establish the current applications of Second Life in the education of undergraduate nursing students. Databases searched were CINAHL®, Medline®, Education Research Complete®, ERIC®, Computers and Applied Sciences Complete®, and Library, Information Sciences and Technology®. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Evidence identified included the themes of transferability from theory to practice, focus on learner centeredness, and evaluative processes. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that positive learning outcomes are achievable in Second Life. Evaluative research is in an early stage, and further investigation is warranted. [This review demonstrates that positive learning outcomes are achievable in Second Life. Evaluative research is in an early stage, and further investigation is warranted. [J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(10):572--577.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing students learn to toilet, shower, and dress patients in the clinical laboratory with simulation modalities that lack the realism necessary to address the fears, values, and beliefs of nudity and intimate contact with patients. Method: A high-fidelity Mask-Ed™ (KRS [Knowledgeable, Realistic, Spontaneous] simulation) intervention was developed and piloted with first-year nursing students around patient showering to increase confidence and skills around intimate care. Results: Students initially felt intimidated, awkward, nervous, and anxious about showering patients; however, after the Mask-Ed simulation, 93% reported feeling more confident and having insight into the patient experience. The realism of the scenario was a contributing factor. Conclusion: Mask-Ed provides a platform for the educator to create realistic scenarios around intimate care that help students prepare, on many levels, for their initial clinical experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses working in critical care often undertake specialty education. There are no uniform practice outcomes for critical care programs, and consumer input to practice standards has been lacking. Methods: A structured multiphase project was undertaken to develop practice standards and an assessment tool informed by critical care nursing stakeholders as well as patients and families -- the Standards of Practice and Evaluation of Critical-Care-Nursing Tool (SPECT). Results: Testing of the SPECT revealed adequate content validity index (CVI), domain CVI (range, 0.772 to 0.887), and statement CVI (range, 0.66 to 1.00). Reliability was adequate in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.864) and test-retest Spearman rank correlation (range, 0.772 to 0.887); intra-rater kappa agreement was significant for 102 of 104 statements with moderate agreement for 94.2% of statements. Conclusion: The SPECT appears to have clinical feasibility, preliminary validity and reliability, and provides a clear definition for the expected practice level for graduates of a critical care education program. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2014;45(7):312-320. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medical records of 273 patients 75 years and older were reviewed to evaluate quality of emergency department (ED) care through the use of quality indicators. One hundred fifty records contained evidence of an attempt to carry out a cognitive assessment. Documented evidence of cognitive impairment (CI) was reported in 54 cases. Of these patients, 30 had no documented evidence of an acute change in cognitive function from baseline; of 26 patients discharged home with preexisting CI (i.e., no acute change from baseline), 15 had no documented evidence of previous consideration of this issue by a health care provider; and 12 of 21 discharged patients who screened positive for cognitive issues for the first time were not referred for outpatient evaluation. These findings suggest that the majority of older adults in the ED are not receiving a formal cognitive assessment, and more than half with CI do not receive quality of care according to the quality indicators for geriatric emergency care. Recommendations for improvement are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of older adults is increasing in Australia, and the proportion of older adults requiring medical care is expected to increase in the future. At the same time, budget restrictions are a reality for Australia's health system. Increasing need and decreasing resources suggest the need to focus on the quality aspect of treatment and care for older adults. Little research has been conducted in the area of perceived nursing needs of elderly patients during hospitalization. This is an important area of research because it is increasingly recognized that elderly patients have specialized needs and are the major consumers of health care. Even less research has compared patient and carer perceptions with those of nursing staff. This article is a literature review and an investigation of the quality of care elderly patients receive, and of patient and nurse perceptions of the importance of various nursing activities. Quality of care is reviewed in terms of perceptions of nursing care priorities and elderly patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing care they receive. Research examining nurses' perceptions related to why they are unable to consistently provide quality nursing care to all elderly patients is also reviewed. By identifying the nursing needs of elderly patients and educating nursing staff about these needs, professional practice can be guided and improvements in quality of care, patient satisfaction, and patient outcomes may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites the visual function questionnaire (VFQ) which offers valid measure of visual disability despite poor subject targeting. A study showed VFQ as a more valid statistical model of visual disability compared to the quality of life questionnaire (QOL). The two questionnaires were mailed to 489 catarac patients in Australia who took Rasch analysis to evaluate statistical factors like, unidimentionality, targeting and differential item functioning. The results showed VFQ has good metric properties while QOL showed poor person separation.

A recently published paper concluded that funding for conventional hemodialysis (CHD) should be maintained and that the newer methods of short daily (sDHD) and nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHHD) be denied funding through Medicare until a randomized control trial (RCT) on the benefits of sDHD and/or NHHD are complete. This conclusion is irrespective of the fact that RCT methodology has never been required of CHD itself and irrespective that a host of observational studies (OS) have already confirmed comparative outcome and cost benefit from these novel regimens. It begs the question: How can any RCT of dialysis modality, frequency, duration, location, and lifestyle impact ever be fairly (or ethically) completed? It also invokes a classic Catch-22 funding argument--funding should not be accorded without a fair and ethical RCT, yet a fair and ethical RCT of widely disparate lifestyle-impacting dialysis modalities is effectively impossible. Meanwhile, the better observational outcomes and cost-efficiencies of sDHD and NHHD remain tantalizingly attainable. It is time to recognize that a RCT may not be the best way to evaluate complex dialysis modalities and that available data is adequate to developing funding models.