Nurses In Korea Research Articles

Clinical Nurses' Intention to Use Defibrillators in South Korea: A Path Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting behavioral intentions to use defibrillators among clinical nurses in South Korea, using a modified predictive technology acceptance model 2 (TAM 2) that facilitates understanding of what prompts apparent spontaneous actions. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 467 clinical nurses with more than 6 months of clinical experience. The path analysis results showed that the variables directly affecting the intention to use a defibrillator among clinical nurses were the image, organizational support, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness. Moreover, job autonomy and total career indirectly affected the intention to use a defibrillator. Clinical nurses need to know how to use defibrillators and be able to act promptly on patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Organizational managers need to improve the work environments of clinical nurses accordingly. Additionally, it is necessary to establish a policy foundation to ensure the development of competence and job autonomy that can lead to the use of defibrillators by improving various factors, including anxiety or reluctance of nurses to use defibrillators in acute cardiac arrest.

An analysis of the policy participation of field response nurses in South Korea: COVID-19 response guidelines and the infectious disease act revision.

The Republic of Korea's response to Coronavirus disease 2019 was divided before and after global vaccine development at the end of 2020. It also varied according to the size of confirmed patients in the non-pharmaceutical intervention. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the contribution of frontline nurses to the policy and law revision on infectious diseases and suggest health and nursing policies for emerging infectious diseases in the future. This case evaluation study analyzed the significant policy decisions that nurses' roles brought on changes in the infectious disease response system in the Republic of Korea and applying the health system model and those capacities on resilience under emerging infectious diseases. Objective data that contributed directly to the revision of infectious disease-related Acts and policies in 2020 were collected and analyzed through literature search and information disclosure claims from the first to third waves of Coronavirus disease 2019 in one city. With the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 confirmed cases at the end of February 2020, a pan-government support group was formed and dispatched to D City. In addition, central quarantine officials worked with local quarantine officials to share real-time situations and find out on-site difficulties and support requests. As a result, inquiry of opinions to working staff before changing the "response guidelines to Coronavirus disease 2019" was reflected in major contents on the revision of "policy on infectious disease response" and "Infectious Disease Prevention and Management Act." With the establishment of an epidemiological investigation team in September 2020, the number of new nurses in 17 cities and provinces increased by 19.1% compared to the previous year, the most significant increase compared to doctors (-2.3), dentists (-1.6), and health workers (3.7). The experience of responding to Coronavirus was a reminder that the curriculum needed to be improved so that nurses will be recognized to have leadership competencies and as field experts regarding social determinants of health for population groups in the decision-making process. In the initial COVID-19 response process, nurses showed excellence in analyzing patient interviews and various information as field epidemiological investigation response personnel, making comprehensive judgments, and solving problems in cooperation with related agencies and severe patients' bedside nursing care. Continuous primary care and management of infectious diseases for the vulnerable should be prepared on an ongoing basis to assure the quality of care. Action strategies for developing leadership to enable nurses to have participated in the social determinants of health and the nursing policy formation for health equity should be applied in nursing education and practice, and global monitoring efforts were accelerated.

Cross-cultural differences and similarities in nurses' experiences during the early stages of COVID-19 in Korea and the United States: A qualitative descriptive study.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governmental responses varied worldwide, which resulted in healthcare professionals and organizations having different experiences. As threats of global infectious disease and disasters increase, it is important to examine the collective experiences of nurses to leverage support across international settings and systems and to tailor specific policies to their local nursing workforce. To compare and contrast nurses' experiences working in hospitals at the onset of COVID-19 in South Korea and the United States. This was a qualitative descriptive study. Nurses in South Korea and the United States were recruited through social media using snowball sampling between April and May 2020. Semi-structured telephone interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated as needed. The transcripts were analyzed thematically, and each theme was compared and synthesized using NVivo 12. A total of 43 nurses from South Korea (n=21) and the United States (n=22) participated in the study. The majority of the participants were female and working as staff nurses in both countries. The work settings were similar between the participants from two countries. However, the participants in South Korea provided less direct care to patients with COVID-19 compared to the participants in the United States. Despite cultural and infrastructure differences, the nurses shared similar experiences. The overlapping similarities of nurses' experience highlight the need for national and global policies for a safe work environment and psychological well-being. The differences between the two countries also emphasize that specific policies and practice implications for the local contexts are needed in addition to global policies.

Factors affecting job satisfaction of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea

Background & Aim: The activities of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea have expanded, but studies on their job satisfaction are lacking. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing job satisfaction among Korean advanced practice registered nurses.
 Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 142 APRNs selected from three tertiary hospitals in Korea from December 2020 to January 2021. Job satisfaction and the factors influencing it were investigated using structured questionnaires; factors affecting job satisfaction were identified by multiple regression analysis. Data analysis was processed using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.
 Results: Advanced practice registered nurses’ sex (β=.15, p=0.004), satisfaction with workload (β=.24, p<0.001), professional visibility (β=. 21, p=0.004) and APRN-physician relations in the work environment (β=.38, p<0.001), and clinical decision-making ability (β=.17, p=0.004) were identified as the factors influencing job satisfaction, which together explained 67% of the variance in job satisfaction.
 Conclusion: To increase advanced practice registered nurses' job satisfaction, nurse managers must consider strategies for providing administrative and educational support for workload control, recognition of professional identity and autonomy, and improving the work environment to encourage efficient interaction with physicians and improved clinical decision-making ability.

Health-Related Factors Influencing Nurse Turnover by Clinical Career: A Secondary Data Analysis of Clinical Nurses in South Korea.

The increase in clinical nurse turnover is an important issue in human resource management worldwide. Factors influencing it include health-related risk factors such as sleep quality and presenteeism, which need further exploration. We examined differences in job survival time of clinical nurses in relation to nurses' sleep quality and presenteeism. Participants were 857 Korean clinical nurses with more than three months' experience providing direct patient care. Data were analyzed using a time-independent Cox proportional hazard regression analysis of factors affecting actual turnover of clinical nurses. Average job survival times of competent, proficient, and expert nurses were 33, 64, and 143 months, respectively. Sleep quality and presentism significantly affected turnover risk. For clinical nurses with less than three years of experience, sleep quality significantly influenced the risk of turnover. For clinical nurses with more than six years of experience, presenteeism significantly affected the risk of turnover. The findings of this study offer a clinical career-based approach to reduce the turnover rate of clinical nurses. A differentiated approach based on work experience is necessary to establish a turnover management strategy for clinical nurses.

Workplace sexual harassment toward male nurses in South Korea: a cross-sectional online survey

BackgroundMany studies have focused on sexual harassment of female nurses perpetrated by patients and coworkers. However, as males in a female-dominated occupation, male nurses are also at risk of being exposed to sexual harassment. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment faced by male nurses in South Korea and to identify related factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey that recruited male nurses working in various general hospitals in South Korea. In total, 246 participants with at least 6 months of clinical experience enrolled in an online survey, and 155 male nurses were included in the final analysis. Data were collected from May 31, 2019 to July 26, 2020. Items on the questionnaire included sexual harassment experiences, nursing work environment, and general characteristics of the participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participants’ general characteristics and a negative binomial regression model was used to analyze predictors of workplace sexual harassment.ResultsThe mean number of sexual harassment incidents was 3.2 ± 5.5. The majority (65.2%) of male nurses had experienced sexual harassment at least once at work. The negative binomial regression model in the study was found to be acceptable (likelihood ratio chi-square = 30.03, df = 18, p = .037). The perceived nursing work environment was the only significant predictor of sexual harassment towards male nurses (p = .001; incidence rate ratio = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20–0.66).ConclusionsNursing administrators must recognize that men in female-dominated occupation may experience sexual harassment in the workplace. Specific and realistic managerial policies and educational programs should be implemented to prevent workplace sexual harassment and improve the nursing work environment for male nurses.

How do ethically competent nurses behave in clinical nursing practice? A qualitative study.

This study explored how ethically competent nurses behave in clinical nursing practice. Nurses' ethical competency is crucial in nursing practice as it promotes patients' safety and quality of care. Using a purposive sampling technique, 20 clinical nurses in South Korea were interviewed via an online video platform. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis based on phenomenological approach. The main theme found among the participating nurses' ethical competency was caring beyond egocentrism, with two subthemes: (1) patient-centred care based on compassion and (2) responsible behaviour based on nursing professionalism. Factors that enabled this included (1) reasonable work conditions, (2) interpersonal relationships, and (3) nurses' rich personal experiences. Nurses' ethical competency depends on how far they can move away from their own egocentrism and act for their clients' benefit, wherein an appropriate workload and warm human relationships with one's colleagues are essential. Nurses should thus receive education on ethics and professionalism and participate in volunteer and leisure activities that cultivate their degree of empathy. Nursing leaders and managers should understand nurses' ethical competency and its enabling factors to devise effective strategies to promote it.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the Effects of a Preceptor Reflective Practice Program: A Mixed-Method Research.

Studies on methods to share nursing and learning experiences with preceptors are lacking. This study was conducted to determine the preliminary effects of developing and applying a reflective practice program for preceptor nurses who experience stressful situations to convert negative emotions into positive ones. This study was conducted over 12 weeks from March to May 2022 on 47 participant nurses in South Korea. Preceptor Reflective Practice Program (PRPP) was conducted in parallel with writing a reflective journal and a reflective practice workshop. Data collection was integrated through quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires on stress coping, the burden of preceptors, social support, and emotional intelligence, and analyzed by SPSS WIN 26.0 program. The questionnaire data were analyzed after the preceptor nurses had written a reflective journal. Stress coping, social support, and emotional intelligence significantly increased in preceptor nurses after participating in the PRPP. This study found that the PRPP helped nurses improve their emotional intelligence through reflective practice and convert stress into a more positive direction. Therefore, at the organizational and national levels, a reasonable compensation system to provide support workforce and to the work of preceptor nurses should be established.

Mediating Effect of Communication Competence in the Relationship between Compassion and Patient-Centered Care in Clinical Nurses in South Korea.

This study investigates the mediating effect of communication competence in the relationship between compassion and patient-centered care (PCC) in clinical nurses. We used a descriptive research approach, and our sample comprised nurses (n = 204) with more than one year of experience in patient nursing in a general hospital in South Korea. The data were collected between December 2020 and June 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression using SPSS 24.0. The Sobel test and PROCESS macro in SPSS were applied to verify the mediating effect. The mean scores for communication competence, compassion, and PCC were 3.67 ± 0.42, 64.04 ± 7.71, and 3.75 ± 0.46, respectively. Communication competence was found to partially mediate the relationship between compassion and PCC (z = 6.977, p < 0.001), and its explanatory power was 63.9%. To improve nurses’ PCC, developing a step-by-step and differentiated PCC improvement program that includes communication competence and compassion is necessary.

Oral Care Practice, Perception, and Attitude of Nurses in Intensive Care Units in Korea: A Questionnaire Survey.

Background: This cross-sectional study investigated the factors influencing oral care in patients in intensive care units (ICUs) by identifying the current oral care practice status, perceptions, and attitudes of ICU nurses in Korea. Methods: This study surveyed 240 nurses with work experience in the ICU using a self-report questionnaire consisting of 22 items on the status, perception, and attitude towards oral care in the ICU. Results: A total of 227 questionnaires were analyzed. The average age of the participants was 29.79 ± 5.92 years, and the medical ICU was the most type of ICU. The factors affecting the attitude towards oral care and its importance in ICU patients were the experience of working as a nurse (r = 0.336, p < 0.01), ICU work experience (r = 0.218, p < 0.01), and oral care practice frequency (r = 0.167 p < 0.05); these were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: In this study, the interest of the nurses in oral care practice and education was high, but professional education and the regular implementation of oral care practices were insufficient. To address these problems, it will be necessary to improve oral care practices through dental intervention and education about oral care methods focused on ICU patients.

Validity and Reliability of the Depression Attitude Questionnaire: Korean Version

Purpose: This study tested the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Depression Attitude Questionnaire of Nurse (DAQ-K). The scale measures the attitudes toward depression among Korean nurses.Methods: The DAQ-K was developed using forward-backward translation techniques. An internal consistency reliability as well as construct validity using exploratory analysis, were conducted using SPSS/WIN (21.0). The data were collected from 234 nurses at two tertiary hospitals, four general hospitals, and two hospitals in D and S city, South Korea.Results: Factor analysis results of the revised DAQ-K demonstrated that it has a four-factor structure(professional confidence, a generalist perspective, therapeutic perspective, negative prejudice) that supports construct validity. Factor loadings of the 14 items were .42-.80. The DAQ-K showed reliable internal consistency from Cronbach’s ⍺ for the total scale of .74.Conclusion: Results showed that the DAQ-K has satisfactory construct validity, and is a reliable measure of attitudes toward depression among nurses in Korea. This revised scale is likely to be useful in examining attitudes across the nurses in Korea, and may be valuable for evaluating training that addresses nurses’ attitudes towards depression.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean version of Nurses&amp;apos; Attitudes towards the Forensic Psychiatric Patients Scale (NAFPPS-K)

Purpose: To translate the Korean version of Nurses' Attitudes Towards the Forensic Psychiatric Patients Scale (NAFPPS-K) into Korean and to test validity and reliability as well.Methods: Participants were 275 psychiatric nurses in South Korea who completed the self-reported online survey of the NAFPPS-K. Twenty-five items were used for item analyses, exploratory factor analyses, and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as for examining internal consistency.Results: The four factors of “Concerns about Recidivism (seven items)”, “Social Distance (four items)”, “Burden of Providing Care (four items)” and “Willingness to Provide Care (four items)” were identified based on the results of item reduction and exploratory factor analyses. Theses factors accounted for 58.1% of the total variance of the NAFPPS-K. Fitness of the modified mode was acceptable (x2=331.56, CFI=.92, TLI=.91, GFI=.89, RMSEA=.07). Cronbach’s ⍺ of the 19 items was .83.Conclusion: This study identifies the validity and reliability of the NAFPPS-K. Four factors of the NAFPPS-K may be useful in evaluating the nurses' attitude for forensic psychiatric patients.

Effect of Anxiety and Calling on Professional Quality of Life in COVID-19 Dedicated Nurses in Korea.

This study was conducted to investigate the anxiety, calling, and professional quality of life (ProQOL) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-dedicated nurses at COVID-19 hospitals and to identify the factors influencing the ProQOL in COVID-19-dedicated nurses. For this descriptive correlational study, data were collected from June to September, 2021, using structural questionnaires completed by 149 nurses working at four general hospitals with inpatient treatment facilities for patients with COVID-19 in Korea. The State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Calling Measure, and ProQOL 5 were employed for the survey. The data were examined using descriptive analysis, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The factors influencing compassion satisfaction were state anxiety, trait anxiety, and calling, with an explanatory power of 64%. The factors influencing burnout were trait anxiety and calling, and the explanatory power was 52%. The factors influencing secondary traumatic stress were state anxiety and trait anxiety, and the explanatory power was 23%. Based on the results, lower anxiety and calling influence the ProQOL of COVID-19-dedicated nurses. We propose that programs to raise and maintain ProQOL should be developed and applied.

Clinical practice experience of doctor of philosophy nurses in South Korea: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to gain a broader understanding of the clinical practice experience of Doctor of Philosophy nurses working in nursing positions. Method Participants were 15 full-time nurses who are current Doctor of Philosophy candidates or have acquired a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and the participants’ diaries, which were analysed using a descriptive qualitative method. Results The patient care experiences of Doctor of Philosophy nurses in clinical practice were grouped into four themes: “providing evidence-based and patient-specific education,” “proactively taking responsible for communicating with patients,” “enhancing the quality of nursing through reflective attitudes,” and “advocating for patients using a multifaceted approach.” The factors facilitating or inhibiting clinical practice were identified with three themes. Conclusion This study revealed that the Doctor of Philosophy nurses used the knowledge and experience they gained in their Doctor of Philosophy nursing programme to serve as role models for the advancement of nursing education and evidence-based practice.

Verbal violence and turnover intention among new nurses in Korea: A time-lagged survey.

To test a model examining the impact of verbal violence against new nurses on their turnover intention and the mediating effects of emotional reaction and burnout based on affective events theory. In Korea, turnover rate of nurses, especially new nurses, is at a serious level. It is important to verify the paths by which nurses reach a turnover intention after experiencing verbal violence, which is the most common form of workplace violence. In particular, research on new nurses who are vulnerable to exposure to verbal violence and have a high turnover rate is insufficient. Data were collected using time-lagged online surveys from 212 Korean new nurses. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesized model. The level of the turnover intention of new nurses was almost 4 out of 5. Verbal violence not only has a direct effect on turnover intention but also has an indirect effect through burnout. Emotional reactions and burnout sequentially mediated the relationship between verbal violence and turnover intention; these variables explained approximately 57% of turnover intention. To decrease negative emotional reactions and burnout caused by verbal violence may benefit to reduction of turnover intention of new nurses. Our finding highlight the critical need for new nurses' violence interventions that focus on emotional reactions and burnout, and thereby improving desirable patient-co-worker-nurse relationships and quality of life for new nurses.

Factors Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms among Rotating Shift Nurses in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Rotating shift work places a serious burden on nurses’ physical and psychological health. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common complaint among shift workers. This study assessed GI symptoms and identified the associations between dietary habits, psychological status, and sleep quality among rotating shift nurses. Data from 125 female nurses in rotating shifts who worked at two tertiary hospitals in South Korea were collected using a questionnaire that included the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire; the Dietary Habit Questionnaire; the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS)-21; and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All participants experienced various GI symptoms, and 47% of them complained of at least one severe GI symptom. There were significant differences in GI symptom scores according to the status of depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality. In multiple linear regression analysis, the factors associated with an increase in the occurrence and severity of GI symptoms were poor sleep quality and morbid anxiety and stress. The model explained power at 43.2%. As most nurses in rotating shifts experience GI symptoms, they should receive counseling and training programs at work to alleviate psychological symptoms, improve sleep quality, and pay more attention to their health status as well as GI symptom management.

Frontline nurses' burnout and its associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

BackgroundThe Coronavirus disease pandemic is a global health crisis with psychological consequences for healthcare workers. PurposeTo identify the prevalence and potential factors influencing burnout among frontline nurses in South Korea. MethodsThis cross-sectional study comprised 161 nurses who voluntarily participated in the survey through advertisements at a general hospital. Data on sociodemographic and professional characteristics, insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout were collected via an online questionnaire in 2021. ResultsAmong the participants, 90 had a high level of burnout. Overall, 59.6 %, 23.0 %, 36.0 %, and 17.4 % of nurses experienced insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The results showed that the assigned number of patients, insomnia, and depression were the major factors affecting burnout levels of nursing staff. ConclusionsFrontline nurses were the main force in the fight against public health emergencies. The government and medical institutions must consider professional and psychological factors in ameliorating burnout and safety for nurses.

Communication competence and resilience are modifiable factors for burnout of operating room nurses in South Korea

BackgroundBurnout negatively impacts the personal and professional life of nurses. Job stress and resilience have been determined to be associated with nurse burnout. Given the importance of communication competence in operating room (OR) nurses, the associations of job stress, resilience, and communication competence with burnout have not been examined.PurposeTo determine the relationships of job stress, resilience, and communication competence to burnout of OR nurses in South Korea.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 146 OR nurses. A series of self-reported questionnaires was used to assess job stress, resilience, communication competence, and burnout. Pearson correlation coefficient and a hierarchical linear regression were used for data analysis.ResultsCommunication competence was correlated with resilience (r = 0.65, p < .001) and burnout (r = -0.44, p < .001), and resilience was correlated with burnout (r = -0.48, p < .001). Resilience (β = -0.22, p = .027) and communication competence (β = -0.33, p < .001) were associated with burnout of OR nurses in a hierarchical linear regression (F = 6.28, p < .001).ConclusionsIncreased resilience and communication competence were associated with lower burnout of perioperative nurses. To prevent and reduce burnout of OR nurses, it is necessary to develop and implement a program targeting for communication competence and resilience.Implications for nursing managementNurse leaders should provide programs fostering communication competence and resilience to OR nurses and encourage them to actively participate in such job trainings.

Hospital management, supervisor support and nurse speaking-up behaviours: The mediating role of safety culture perception.

This study aimed to (a) elucidate the effects of hospital management and unit supervisor support for patient safety on nurse speaking-up behaviours and (b) identify potential mediators of this relationship. Speaking-up behaviour among nurses has emerged as a critical source of patient safety. Fuller understanding of the developmental mechanisms contributing to nurses' speaking-up behaviours could help to enhance patient safety in health care organisations. A correlational approach was used to conduct a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data collected from 450 staff nurses in Korea. Path analysis was performed to test potential mediation effects. After controlling for nurses' hospital and unit tenure, hospital management and supervisor support for patient safety had significant direct and indirect effects on nurses' speaking-up (promotive and prohibitive voice) behaviours through their perceptions of response to error and communication openness. Study findings indicate that when hospital management and supervisors emphasize patient safety and provide necessary resources, nurses are likely to perceive the hospital's safety culture more positively, in turn enhancing their speaking-up behaviours. Hospital administrators and nurse managers should clearly display hospital management and supervisory support for patient safety through implementation of related policies, resources, and communication standards.

Factors affecting triage competence among emergency room nurses: A cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to examine work-related stress, nurse-physician collaboration and clinical reasoning competence to identify the factors that affected the triage competence of emergency room nurses. A quick and accurate treatment plan for patients is first determined by a triage nurse. Triage competence is an indispensable requirement for emergency room nurses. A cross-sectional design was adopted. The participants comprised 156 emergency room nurses in South Korea who had more than 1 year of experience working in an emergency room. The collected data were analysed using SPSS 28.0. Self-reported data were collected via the Korean Nursing Stress, Nurse-Physician Collaboration, Nurse Clinical Reasoning, Emergency Room Nurse Triage Competence assessing work-related stress, nurse-physician collaboration, clinical reasoning competence and triage competence. In the analyses, multiple regression analysis using the enter method was conducted. We have followed through the STROBE checklist for the preparation of this manuscript. Triage competence significantly differed according to the age (F=9.93, p < .001), clinical experience (F=18.82, p < .001), emergency department experience (F=12.07, p < .001), triage experience (t=4.40, p < .001) and if nurses had a triage certificate (t=4.85, p < .001). The factors that influenced triage competence included clinical reasoning competence (β=.36, p < .001), emergency department experience (β=.21, p=.006), work-related stress (β=.18, p=.007) and nurse-physician collaboration (β=-.17, p=.009); these factors accounted for 38.1% of the variance in triage competence. The results of this study show that efforts to improve triage competence should be based on clinical reasoning. In addition, an effective plan should be devised to improve nurse-physician collaboration and work-related stress. Education programmes should be developed to enhance clinical reasoning competence in order to improve triage competence. In addition, a method for managing work-related stress among nurses in emergency departments and programmes to enhance collaborative physician-nurse relations should be developed.