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Background: Public policy across the world is increasingly focusing on the role of mental health promotion in whole of health strategies. There is a growing evidence-base that mental health promotion, delivered by trained facilitators, is effective in promoting self-awareness and self-care to prevent the damaging effects of ongoing stress in one's life and to promote early detection of any possible emerging mental health problems. Within Australia, however, few clinicians or school staff are confident or trained in mental health promotion. Aims: This paper reports the results of a two-day training designed for facilitators of a mental health program for secondary-school students. The goal was to develop facilitators' knowledge and understanding of best practice in youth mental health promotion and to increase their confidence in delivering the program. Design: A mixed methods evaluation assessed the impact that a solution-focused training program had on participating facilitators. Methods: A questionnaire was created and included eight quantitative items and one open ended, qualitative question. Twenty-seven nurses and guidance officers from central Queensland were recruited via convenience sampling and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The evaluation revealed that participants' perception of their ability to facilitate a youth mental health program significantly improved after completing the training. Qualitative data indicated that participants found the professional development experience to be valuable, provide useful and transferable skills, and believed it to be necessary for mental health promotion work. Conclusion: By providing detailed description of the program's content and processes, other mental health professionals may be inspired to further develop effective learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediation statistical models help clarify the relationship between independent predictor variables and dependent outcomes of interest by assessing the impact of third variables. This type of statistical analysis is applicable for many clinical nursing research questions, yet its use within nursing remains low. Indeed, mediational analyses may help nurse researchers develop more effective and accurate prevention and treatment programs as well as help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and clinical practice. In addition, this statistical approach allows nurse researchers to ask – and answer – more meaningful and nuanced questions that extend beyond merely determining whether an outcome occurs. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to provide a brief tutorial on the use of mediational analyses in clinical nursing research by briefly introducing the technique and, through selected empirical examples from the nursing literature, demonstrating its applicability in advancing nursing science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last decade several innovative approaches to enhance students' transition to graduate nurse year have been implemented or piloted. This paper describes a study that investigated how the social practices of clinical partnership placement model underpin workplace learning for undergraduate students as they transitioned to graduate. Methods: A mixed method approach was utilized comprising individual interviews with students, observation of clinical workplaces across six different areas of nursing practice, student surveys of the clinical learning environment and participant workshops. Results: Three themes were identified that influenced participants' preparedness for work and enhanced the transition into the workplace: 'organizational familiarity', 'continuity' and 'social participation'. Conclusion: A clinical partnership model offers a degree of work readiness for novices when commencing their professional practice role. It enables individuals to participate and engage in workplace activities which are a central component of their learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the evolution of the role of a 'walk-in' nurse at an Australian urban community mental health clinic. Despite the lack of any indication that a walk-in service was available, people persisted in presenting to the community mental health clinic requesting immediate help. A nursing position was therefore established to assess people presenting as walk-ins and address the issues identified. Data was collected over a 33 week period. Many people presented with social issues, and about half were referred to agencies outside the mental health system. A number of difficulties in the nursing role were identified including the variable workload, problems obtaining adequate clinical supervision, and lack of clarity about the place of the service within the established pathways to care. With further development, the mental health walk-in clinic role would be suitable for a nurse practitioner. Our study suggested that a walk-in clinic is preferred by many consumers, is efficient in terms of staff time, and is able to provide a high quality service responding to a wide range of presenting problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a report of a study to examine the influence of demographic, learning behavior and learning performance variables on learning outcomes of baccalaureate nursing students within a blended learning environment. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the self-structured demographic questionnaire, case analysis attitude scale (CAAS), the case analysis self-evaluation scales (CASES), the metacognition scale (MS) and blended learning satisfaction scale (BLSS) to measure learning outcomes after the blended learning course. A total of 99 senior undergraduate nursing students currently studying at a public nursing college in Taiwan were eligible to participate in the study in 2008. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Univariate analysis showed significant associations between frequency of online dialogues, time spent on the internet, CAAS, and MS and scores on the ethical course. However, frequency of online dialogues, time spent on the internet, and the CAAS were significantly independent predictors for scores on the ethical course in the final model of multivariate analysis. The final model of the data analysis could account for 78% variances scores of ethical course (R2 = 0.78 and adjusted R2 = 0.77). It can be concluded from this study that frequency of online dialogue, time spent on internet, and the CAAS score are all useful predictors for learning outcome. In addition, blended learning was found to have contributed to learners' learning outcome by facilitating their metacognitive development and self-regulatory development. In blended learning courses, students have more responsibilities placed upon them than in traditional face-to-face learning environments. The first step of constructing a working blended learning model is to develop student-oriented teaching pedagogies that include face-to-face and online instruction, rather than just focusing on the provision of technical skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key driver for this study arose from two serious untoward incidents that occurred in a large district general hospital in the United Kingdom. Following investigation of both these events the Director of Nursing in post at that time believed that poor organisation and delivery of care may have been a contributory factor. This paper reports the findings on one phase of a multi-phase study and focuses upon the perceptions and experiences of the hospital staff around the organisation and delivery of patient-centred acute nursing care. Although we saw little evidence of multi-disciplinary approaches to care, it was evident that the issue which had the biggest impact upon both the organisation and delivery of care was staffing levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men and women who use illicit drugs have a heavy reliance on health care in emergency departments and acute care wards. Nurses' care however, is known to be constrained by inadequate drug education and policy and practice standards. This paper describes an additional constraint on care, namely, patients' behaviour. The findings are part of a broader mixed-methods study of nurses' therapeutic attitude to this patient group. The themes of violence, manipulation and irresponsibility emerged from the data analysis of written reports provided by a sub-sample (N = 311) of the main study sample. Recommendations are made for assisting nurses to reconceptualise their role with this patient group, and importantly, for an increase in violence management education and organisational role support, safety and security measures. Finally, further research in the field is recommended so that a comprehensive analysis of the difficulties faced by nurses and patients can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept and definition of pastoral care in aged care remains ambiguous. This paper reports on the defining characteristics and meaning of pastoral care from the perspective of older recipients, their family members and pastoral care workers. Using a qualitative descriptive approach semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 pastoral care workers and 11 older people. Transcribed data were analysed using NVivo software and coded for emerging themes. The defining characteristics of pastoral care that emerged from analysis of transcribed interviews were: a trusting relationship, spiritual support, emotional support and practical support. Findings also portray the role of the pastoral care worker as spiritual guide, confidante, and emotional and practical supporter acting within a trusting relationship. Future studies should confirm these results by exploring the perceptions of experts in the field of pastoral care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: This paper reports a study aimed at exploring the nursing practices associated with the administration of pro re nata (PRN) postoperative analgesia to children, and at gaining a preliminary understanding of the decisions that nurses make about this important intervention. Background: Nurses are responsible for assessing and administering the appropriate medication at the appropriate time to the child in pain. There was scant published research about the administration of postoperative PRN analgesia to children, or about the decision-making processes inherent in this aspect of clinical nursing care. Design: A sequential mixed methods explanatory study with two data collection phases -- quantitative followed by qualitative -- was conducted. Results: Nurses used multiple strategies to ascertain children's need for postoperative PRN analgesia, including reference to pain assessment tools, focussing on the behavioural cues of children, involving parents and children, and drawing upon personal and professional backgrounds and experience. Evaluation of the effectiveness of PRN postoperative analgesia was poorly communicated. Conclusions: Decision-making associated with the selection and administration of appropriate analgesia to children is complex. In-service education should be developed and offered to nurses working with children postoperatively to ensure the appropriate use of PRN pain relief. Relevance to clinical practice: Documentation surrounding this task is poor and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure quality patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge for the future is to embrace a new partnership aimed at closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians on life expectancy, educational achievement and employment opportunities. Significant improvements in contemporary Indigenous health care can be achieved through culturally safe health education programs for Indigenous students. However, while participation rates of Australian Indigenous students in the higher education sector are increasing, attrition rates are markedly higher than those of the general student population. This paper focuses on a unique degree program that is offered exclusively to Indigenous students in the field of mental health in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, Charles Sturt University. This qualitative exploratory study aimed to identify strategies that were especially helpful in sustaining students in the program and to identify and address barriers to the retention of students, to empower students to better prepare for the university environment and to inform academics within the course about areas that could be improved to provide a more culturally safe learning environment. The first stage of the study utilised focus group interviews with 36 Indigenous students across all three years of the program. The findings of the study addressing the issues of culturally appropriate pedagogy, curricula and cultural safety in the mental health degree program are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a two-phased pilot study that explored the concept of 'specialling' older patients with challenging behaviours in acute ward situations. Previous research suggests that the nursing workforce is not equipped with the skills and resources required to provide quality care for these patients. The hospital in which this study was conducted, instigated a model where these patients were closely observed by 'specials'. Phase 1 of the study involved a retrospective analysis of de-identified 'Specials' Observation Charts' and 'Request for Patient Special' forms of patients aged 65 years and above, over 12 months in 2006. Phase 2 involved in-depth interviews with the nurses caring for these patients. Findings revealed inadequacy of the forms, gaps in service provision for this vulnerable group of patients and the need for education of specials and ward staff, with suggestions to improve care for this patient group. Findings suggest the necessity to design and structure the observation forms more efficiently. It is important to formulate clear assessment criteria for these patients and incorporate in-service education programmes for 'specials' and ward staff and adequately prepare and support them to meet the challenges of caring for older persons with behavioural disturbances in ward situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare professional's systems thinking is emphasized for patient safety. Aims: To report nurses systems thinking competench and its relationship with medical error reporting and the occurrence of adverse events. Design: A cross-sectional survey using a previously validated Systems Thinking Scale (STS), was conducted. Methods: Nurses from two teaching hospitals were invited to participate in the survey. There were 407 (60.3%) completed surveys. Results: The mean STS score was 54.5 (SD 7.3) out of 80. Nurses with higher STS scores were more likely to report medical errors (odds ratio (OR) = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02--1.08) and were less likely to be involved in the occurrence of adverse events (OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.93--0.98). Conclusions: Nurses showed moderate systems thinking competency. Systems thinking was a significant factor associated with patient safety. Impact Statement: The findings of this study highlight the importance of enhancing nurse's systems thinking capacity to promote patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Satisfaction with life is a complex interplay of older people's perspectives on life achievements. Satisfaction with life, alongside health and functional ability contribute to successful ageing. Aim: To explore the impact of increasing age on older people's perceptions of their health, functional ability and life satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalised older people (65+) was conducted (n = 542). The Short Form-12 Health Survey measured perceived physical and mental health, the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale measured functional ability and the Satisfaction With Life Scale measured life satisfaction. Results: Significant group differences were found; while participants' perceptions of health and function decreased with age, perceptions of life satisfaction increased. Unexpectedly, the youngest groups reported low levels of life satisfaction while the oldest reported very high levels. Conclusions: Further study should consider factors that might influence the perception of health, functional ability and particularly life satisfaction across older age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate nurse staffing levels and nursing care delivery in adult general medical or surgical wards of hospitals in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. Background: Rapid economic development and improved Chinese living standards have spurred increased demands for high-quality health care. Thus, the quality of nursing services has become a focus of attention. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used for the study. Methods: We used an anonymous survey to collect data from 1614 nurses from 98 wards in seven general hospitals in Pudong, Shanghai. Results: During day shifts, the nurse-to-patient ratios were >1:10. However, these ratios were much higher during evening and night shifts. The clinical frontline nursing workforce primarily consisted of nurses with junior college degrees that had limited working experience. Junior nurses with different educational backgrounds, professional levels and work experiences were assigned almost similar nursing care work as senior nurses. Conclusions: In the surveyed hospitals in the Pudong district, nurse staffing levels and skill mix may be inadequate to meet the increasing demands of patient care. The clinical nursing workforce needs to be strengthened and used effectively to enhance the quality and safety of patient care. Relevance to clinical practice: We should focus on the quantity and quality of the nursing workforce, as well as nursing skill utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Learning style is a major consideration in planning for effective and efficient instruction and learning. Learning style has been shown to influence academic performance in the previous research. Little is known about Taiwanese students' learning styles, particularly in the field of nursing education. Aim: This purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between learning styles and academic performance among nursing students in a 5-year associate degree of nursing (ADN) program and a 2-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program in Taiwan. Methods/Design: This study employed a descriptive and exploratory design. The Chinese version of the Myers-Briggs type indicator Form M was an instrument. Data such as grade point average were obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs and the Registrar computerized records. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance and chi-square statistical analysis were used to explore the relationship between academic performance and learning style in Taiwanese nursing students. Results/Findings: The study sample included 285 nursing students: 96 students in a 2-year BSN program, and 189 students in a 5-year ADN program. Two common learning styles were found: Introversion, sensing, thinking, and judging; and introversion, sensing, feeling, and judging. A sensing-judging pair was identified in 43.3% of the participants. Academic performance was significantly related to learning style (p < 0.05, df = 15). Conclusion: The results of this study can help educators devise classroom and clinical instructional strategies that respond to individual needs in order to maximize academic performance and enhance student success. A large sample is recommended for further research. Understanding the learning style preferences of students can enhance learning for those who are under performing in their academic studies, thereby enhancing nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the reasons and consequences of leadership styles in ethical dilemmas is fundamental to exploring nurse managers' abilities to influence outcomes for patients and nursing personnel. Purpose: To explain the associations between different leadership styles, reasons for their application and its consequences when nurse managers make decisions in ethical dilemmas. Methods: The data were collected between 15 October 2011 and 30 April 2012 by statistically validated questionnaire. The respondents (N = 278) were nurse managers. The data were analysed using SPSS 20.0, calculating Spearman's correlations, the Stepwise Regression and ANOVA. Results: The reasons for applying different leadership styles in ethical dilemmas include personal characteristics, years in work position, institutional factors, and the professional authority of nurse managers. The applied leadership styles in ethical dilemmas are associated with the consequences regarding the satisfaction of patients,' relatives' and nurse managers' needs. Conclusions: Nurse managers exhibited leadership styles oriented to maintenance, focussing more on the 'doing the job' than on managing the decision-making in ethical dilemmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of falls is a key safety priority for hospitals. There are no tools that examine the safety climate from a falls prevention perspective. The aim of this study was to measure the falls prevention safety climate at an Australian metropolitan hospital. The Victorian Safety Climate Survey (SCS) was used to examine the general safety climate, with four items replicated and modified to examine the falls prevention climate. Data (N = 458) for the six SCS domains compared favourably with statewide data. The falls prevention items were correlated with the original items from which they were derived but responses regarding falls prevention tended to be less positive than patient safety more broadly. Priorities for improvement identified using a falls SCS can inform the development of falls prevention strategies and form the basis of a more comprehensive tool to explore the falls prevention safety climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The investigation of the clustering of symptoms in patients with cancer is still at an early stage. Initial evidence suggests symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety occur concurrently. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of a symptom cluster involving breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety in Chinese patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT). Methods: The study was conducted in an oncology out-patient unit of a publicly funded hospital in Hong Kong. A convenience sample of 140 patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires at four time points including the A-state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a breathlessness visual analog scale and the intensity subscale of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale at four points: 1 day prior to RT (baseline) (T0), and at week 3 (T1), week 6 (T2) and week 12 (T3) after the commencement of the RT. Results: Between 64-73% of patients experienced all three symptoms concurrently across T0-T3. The prevalence of anxiety, fatigue and breathlessness ranged from 65-97% respectively. Intensities of breathlessness and fatigue were highest at T1. Significant correlations between the three symptoms were moderate across time (r < 0.50). Conclusion and implication: The high prevalence of the symptom cluster demonstrates a need to assess and manage these symptoms simultaneously in patients with advanced lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) is used to evaluate maternal infant feeding attitude. The breastfeeding rate has declined but no validated instruments to assess infant feeding attitudes or related studies have been available in mainland China. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of a mainland Chinese version of the IIFAS among postpartum women. Methods: Postpartum women (N = 660) were recruited from three university hospitals in Guangzhou in mainland China. The participants completed an IIFAS questionnaire before being discharged and accepted telephone follow-up sessions at 6 weeks and 3 months postpartum. The reliability of the scale was evaluated using intra-class correlations (ICC) for test-retest reliability, correlated item-total correlations and Cronbach's a. The validity of the scale was evaluated using the content validity index (CVI), construct validity using exploratory factor analysis and predictive validity using independent t-tests. Results: The ICC was 0.861. The correlated item-total correlations ranged from 0.262-0.691. Cronbach's a was 0.623. The CVI was 0.996. Four factors were extracted using exploratory factor analysis and they contributed to 48.69% of the total variance. Conclusions: The mainland Chinese version of the IIFAS scale can be considered a reliable, valid and predictive scale for assessing infant feeding attitudes among women in mainland China. In-hospital scores on the scale were significant predictors of the infant feeding method and breastfeeding duration at 3 days, 6 weeks and 3 months postpartum. Construct validity was confirmed and showed four factors. However, future studies are required to improve the lower level internal consistency of the IIFAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among the self-efficacy, professional commitment, and job satisfaction of diabetic health-care personnel. The research design was cross-sectional. Three teaching hospitals, one from each of northern, middle and southern parts of Taiwan, were selected for data collection and used questionnaires to collect data; 202 participants were recruited. The demographic data for job title and job satisfaction were not significantly different (F = 2.13, P = 0.090). Self-efficacy was significantly positively correlated with professional commitment (r = 0.29, P = 0.000) and with job satisfaction (r = 0.14, P = 0.041). A total of 34.1% of the variance in job satisfaction was explained by age, years of service in the medical or nursing field, the actual number of years caring for patients with diabetes, self-efficacy, and professional commitment. Understanding the self-efficacy and professional commitment of medical and nursing personnel can help increase job satisfaction and improve the quality of medical and nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between powerlessness, social support, and glycemic control in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes, taking into consideration their demographic characteristics. A total of 124 adults with type 2 diabetes answered the questionnaires of powerlessness and social support. Glycemic control was measured by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Powerlessness score differed significantly with gender, age, and occupation; social support score with education, occupation, and income; and HbA1C level with age and income. The relationship between glycemic control and powerlessness was not significant, but the one between powerlessness and social support was negative. In conclusion, higher level of powerlessness was significantly related to having less social support. Based on this outcome, it is necessary to develop, for Korean adults with type 2 diabetes, an intervention program that improves their social support, which in turn reduces their powerlessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers were involved in an evaluative approach to examine the health promotion activities of paediatric nurses from a paediatric tertiary hospital centre (N = 83) and five paediatric non-tertiary hospital centres (N = 48) from Sydney, Australia. The aims of this study were to understand the nature of heath promotion in paediatric nursing practice by examining nurses' attitudes, investigating paediatric nurses' involvement in the five action area of the Ottawa Charter, and identifying barriers to the implementation of health promotion in practice. The researchers developed a health promotion survey based around the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (World Health Organisation, 1986a), and a literature review of nurses' involvement in health promotion. Results showed that tertiary paediatric nurses undertook more varied health promotion activities such as creating supportive environments (CSE), reorienting health services (RHS) and building healthy public policy (BHPP) than did non-tertiary paediatric nurses who were involved in only one action area of the Charter, that of developing personal skills (DPS). This research revealed that within paediatric nursing practice the action areas of the Ottawa Charter of BHPP and CSE were important; and that there is support for the advocacy role of paediatric nurses. There is also evidence that paediatric nurses may have health promotion knowledge deficits associated with the Ottawa Charter, and that the environment of multidisciplinary allied health professionals in a tertiary paediatric centre may positively influence senior paediatric nurses and their capacity to be involved in varied health promotion activities associated with the Ottawa Charter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When caring for an older relative with dementia, family members experience considerable distress and burden. Literature reviews show that supportive group interventions for these caregivers have significant positive effects on improving their distress and quality of life, but not consistent and conclusive. Limited research is found in Asian populations. This study tested the effectiveness of a 12-session bi-weekly mutual support group program for Chinese family caregivers of a relative with dementia in Hong Kong, when compared with standard family support service. An experimental study with pre- and post-test, parallel groups design was conducted. A randomized sample of 78 family caregivers, 39 in each of the experimental and control groups, from one regional dementia care center participated in the study. A protocol was specifically designed by an advanced practice nurse to guide the mutual support group process and the facilitator and peer leader training, based on evidence from the literature on family support group intervention in Western countries. The results of ANOVA tests indicated that the mutual support group participants had significantly greater improvements in distress levels and quality of life than the control group. There were only mild changes in the demands for mental health services in both groups at post-test. These findings support the effectiveness of mutual support groups to offer psychosocial support to Chinese family caregivers in dementia care beyond routine community mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To shorten the waiting time for psychiatric treatment, nurse-led services may help in the first-line mental health consultation and interventions for patients with recent first onset of mental illness. Aims: The study evaluated the effectiveness of a six-session nurse-led, needs-based psycho-education program for Chinese patients with mental health problems newly referred to an outpatient clinic in Hong Kong, when compared with routine outpatient care. Method: A randomized controlled trial with a pre- and post-test, control group design was conducted. Seventy-nine patients were randomly assigned to either the nurse-led psycho-education program (N = 39), or to usual psychiatric outpatient care (N = 40). Multiple patient outcomes and services utilization were measured at recruitment and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results: The results of a multivariate analysis of variance test indicated that the psycho-education group had significantly greater improvements in mental and overall health status, insights into their treatment and illness, and hospitalization rates at the post-test. Implications: The findings provide evidence that nurse-led, needs-based psycho-education can improve mental health, self-efficacy and insights into mental illness in Chinese first-onset mentally ill patients. A future multi-center controlled trial of this nurse-led intervention is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation is increasingly being used to prepare and supplement clinical practice in critical care areas for undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing (BN) students, with some success. However, the effects of multiple, medium-high fidelity simulations for this purpose have not been previously assessed. The purpose of this study was to assess self-reported confidence and competence using scenario-based simulations. A pre-test post-test design was used to evaluate a series of simulations conducted over a semester. There were twenty seven scenarios, incorporating programmed mannequins, moulage and actors. The scenarios were embedded in a team-based process involving preparation and video-recordings used for debriefing. Third year BN students reported their confidence and competence before and after the simulation series and made comments on their perception of the experience. Multiple scenario simulations are effective in improving BN students' confidence and competence related to critical care practice and are an enjoyable experience for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This action research study involved an 'expert group' that was convened to consider issues for mature age nursing students in the Australian context and develop recommendations that could be used to strengthen mature age entry, access and success in nursing programs. Consistent with action research, the group worked through phases of planning, action, observation, evaluation and critical reflection. In developing recommendations that could be used for future planning, the group met regularly, reviewed extensive literature, and conducted two data collection activities, a questionnaire and focus group with education providers. From the action research activities, five major recommendations were generated. These focused on the value of mature age students, the need for specific information, transparent and clear processes for students entering nurse education, study support and finally, the provision of financial assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2000, there has been a shift to undergraduate midwifery education in Australia. Midwifery students are generally highly motivated, however attrition rates remain high among first-year students. This study was undertaken in one Australian University against a background of high course demand and high student attrition. Thirty-two first-year midwifery students completed a demographic questionnaire and wrote a reflection in response to the question: What if anything, would make your experience as a first year student better? Data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Findings indicated a need for: greater opportunities to prepare; for more time to study; for greater student supports; and outlined difficulties such as financial and childcare. In conclusion, undergraduate midwifery courses and local conditions vary among institutions. Student feedback is a useful way of identifying local concerns that may impact on student completion rates. This is a necessary first step to the provision of meaningful student support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attrition from undergraduate nursing programs continues to warrant investigation particularly in the climate of nursing shortages and fiscal reflection on academic institutional programs. This three-year study used a prospective longitudinal survey design to determine entry characteristics of students, attrition, progression and completion in an undergraduate program. Students were surveyed in the first three weeks of commencing their program and gave permission for academic grades to be collected during their six session, three year Bachelor of Nursing program. Of the 740 students enrolled 48% (357 students) were surveyed and 352 students (99%) gave consent for their grades to be collected. One-third of the student cohort graduated in the expected three-year timeframe, one-third had dropped out and one-third was still completing their studies. A higher Grade Point Average and being a native English speaker were most predictive of students completing their course in the minimum expected timeframe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally the recruitment and retention of Indigenous and minority peoples into nursing is a persistent challenge, despite their participation being essential in reducing health disparities and improving health service quality for Indigenous and minority users. We aimed to identify Māori (Indigenous to New Zealand) nursing students' experiences of undertaking a nursing degree program. A non-experimental cross-sectional survey was undertaken with undergraduate nursing students identifying as Māori. The surveys were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. One hundred and eight students responded, with a career, stable income, and desire to make a difference in Māori health outcomes motivating most to embark on a nursing program. They reported numerous obstacles that compromised their academic advancement. However, affirming students' identities; providing academic support; accessing Indigenous role models, mentors and relevant clinical experiences; and, having supportive teaching and learning environments and the inclusion of Indigenous content in curricula; were identified as strategies that promoted retention in nursing programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary lifespan development models of adaptive development have been applied to the workforce to examine characteristics of the ageing employee. Few studies have examined adaptive development in terms of worker perceptions of workplace, or their learning and development issues. This study used the recently developed Revised Learning and Development Survey to investigate employee selection and engagement of learning and development goals, opportunities for learning and development at work, and constraints to learning and development at work. Demographic and career goal variables were tested amongst a sample of private hospital employees, almost all of whom were nurses. Workers under 45 years of age perceived greater opportunities for training and development than more mature aged workers. Age and physical demands interacted such that physical demands of work were associated with lower engagement in learning and development goals in mature aged workers. The opposite was observed amongst younger workers. Engagement in learning and development goals at work predicted goals associated with an intention to decrease work hours or change jobs to a different industry when opportunities to learn via work tasks were limited. At the same time limited opportunities for training and development and perceptions of constraints to development at work predicted the intention to change jobs. Results indicate consideration must be paid to employee perceptions in the workplace in relation to goals. They may be important factors in designing strategies to retain workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing roles within health care teams reflect the rapid pace of change in contemporary health care environments. Traditional nursing roles and responsibilities are being challenged as fiscal constraints drive health reform. How nursing teams are configured in the future and the scope of practice of the individuals within those teams will require clear and unambiguous boundaries. This study explores the relationships in and between scope of practice and communication amongst teams of nurses. Six focus groups with both Registered and Enrolled Nurses were undertaken in three Sydney metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales. Nurses report that confusion surrounding scope of practice particularly in the areas of medication administration, patient allocation and workload are resulting in situations whereby nurses are feeling bullied, stressed and harassed. With the imminent widespread introduction of a third tier of nursing into acute care hospitals in Australia the findings of this study are timely and suggest that unless nursing team members clearly understand their roles and scope of practice there is potential for intra-professional workplace conflict. Furthermore the impact of the conflict may have consequences for both the individual nurse and their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted as a descriptive study for the purpose of determining nurses' attitudes towards their profession and the factors influencing their attitudes. A purposeful sampling technique was used to make selection from 15 hospitals in total. A quota sampling method was used to determine the number of nurses, and initially, it was planned to include 1000 nurses from private and public hospitals in the study; however, valid data was obtained from 834 nurses. A 17-item questionnaire was used to determine the respondents' opinions about the profession. In addition, a 55-item scale was used to collect data regarding the nurses' attitudes towards their profession, as well. Frequency distribution, percentage calculation, One way ANOVA, t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey HSD were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the study, nurses had 164 point on average in the 55-item scale, and accordingly, certain personal and professional factors like education level, position at work, professional experience and the employer institute were found to affect nurses' attitudes towards their profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]