Nurse Training Research Articles

The Development and Impact the First Irish Nurse-Led Lumbar Puncture Clinic in a Regional Specialist Memory Clinic

Abstract Background A Regional Specialist Memory service assesses complex cases of cognitive impairment, requiring a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Lumbar punctures (LP's) are the definitive procedure to identify Alzheimer's Disease. The highest limitation to LP access is shortage and availability of specially trained medical staff. Cognitive centres across Europe have been training nurses (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) to perform LPs since 2006. A nurse led service was established in April 2023 in a large Irish teaching hospital. Methods This analysis data represents a preliminary 5-month audit of an ANP Led LP service (ALLPS) compared to prior service provision (ALLPS n=40, pre-ALLPS n=20). Waiting time for LP prior to ALLPS averaged 25 weeks, which reduced by over 50% (12 weeks). Results CSF results were identified in half the time with ALLPS (3 weeks versus 6 weeks). The initiation of the ALLPS reduced the timeframe to diagnosis from 12 weeks to 5 weeks. This led to an average wait time reduction from date of CSF result to disclosure of diagnosis of 53% (15 weeks pre-ALLPS to 8 weeks). The ALLPS is pioneering the use of a seated upright LP procedural position, reported to be comfortable by this cohort. Analysis of the nurse led LP procedure is comparative with medical LP services. Almost 40% were achieved on 1st attempt, a further 28% on 2nd attempt, with 18% on 3rd attempt. The ANP successfully completed 75% of LPs in this initial cohort with 9 patients requiring supervisor LP performance. One case required x-ray guided LP. Conclusion Appointment of a dedicated ALLPS service has reduced waiting times for diagnostic intervention, leading to early diagnosis, accessing post diagnostic support, meeting best practice guidelines outlined by the National Dementia Office.

Construction of an index system of core competence assessment for sleep medicine nurse specialists in China: a Delphi study

AimTo construct an evaluation index system for the core competence of nurses in sleep medicine specialties.BackgroundSpecialized nurses in sleep medicine must handle treatment, nursing, and management well, which requires nurses to have excellent competence in knowledge, skills, and ability. However, a competency evaluation system for sleep medicine nurses has not been established in China.MethodsWe used a literature review and an expert meeting to establish a draft indicator system. Subsequently, two rounds of correspondence were conducted with 27 experts from 5 provinces using the Delphi method to solicit their opinions on the core competency evaluation indicators for sleep medicine nurse specialists and to qualitatively evaluate the experts’ scores. The consensus was defined in advance as a mean score of 4.0 or above, with at least 75% agreement among participants. In this way, the final indicator framework was determined.ResultsThe final evaluation indexes of the core competencies for sleep medicine Nurse Specialists included 6 first-level indexes (Practical ability, Theoretical Knowledge, Critical thinking, Communication and coordination, Nursing Management, and Professional Development), 16 s-level indexes, and 64 third-level indexes. The effective response rates of the two expert consultation rounds were 100%. The expert authority coefficients were 0.878 and 0.865 in the first and second rounds of consultation, respectively. In the second round of consultation, the first, second, and third indexes of Kendall’s coefficient of concordance were 0.373, 0.351, and 0.286, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe core competence evaluation index system for sleep medicine nurses established in this study is scientific and reliable and can provide a theoretical reference for the training, assessment, and evaluation of sleep medicine nurses in the future.Implications for nursing managementThe evaluation index system of sleep medicine nurses’ core competence will provide an effective practical framework for nursing management to evaluate, train, and examine the core competence of sleep medicine nurses.

Dementia Training for Nurses in Acute Care Settings: Impacts and Barriers.

The provision of consistent, high-quality dementia care training for healthcare professionals in acute care hospital settings has been largely overlooked until recent years. This study was designed to investigate the effect of current healthcare professional dementia care training courses on related knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy in hospital nurses and to understand their training-related experiences, willingness, and perceived barriers. Using a cross-sectional design, 201 nurses were recruited from a teaching medical center in Taiwan. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to caring for people with dementia and to elucidate participant experiences and preferences regarding dementia care training courses. Five academic and clinical dementia care experts held three content validity evaluation rounds for the developed questionnaire. Inferential statistics were used to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to caring for people with dementia between participants who had and had not attended a dementia care training course. Nearly all (96.5%) of the participants had prior experience caring for people with dementia, but only 25.9% and 7.0% respectively reported haven taken basic and advanced healthcare professional dementia care training courses. Those who had taken either the basic or advanced course earned higher mean knowledge scores than those who had taken neither (p = .009 and p = .027, respectively). Time constraints and scheduling conflicts were identified as the major barriers to attending dementia care training (n = 164, 81.6%). The participants who had attended either the basic or advanced healthcare professional dementia care training course were found to have better dementia care knowledge than those who had not. Stakeholders should work to further reduce the barriers faced by nurses to attending essential dementia care training.

MINISTOP 3.0: Implementation of a mHealth obesity prevention program within Swedish child healthcare – study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPreviously, we have reported on the efficacy and real-world effectiveness of a parent-oriented mobile health intervention (MINISTOP 1.0 and 2.0), which have shown improvements in pre-school children’s lifestyle behaviours. However, there is a need for implementation evidence. The overall aims of this study are to: (i) compare two different implementation strategies for MINISTOP 3.0 (Basic vs. Enhanced) on: acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, organizational readiness to implement MINISTOP 3.0 within Swedish child healthcare (primary outcomes) as well as reach, costs, and adoption of MINISTOP 3.0 (secondary outcomes); (ii) evaluate cost-effectiveness of MINISTOP 3.0; (iii) explore the sustainability of MINISTOP 3.0; (iv) evaluate the determinants of effectiveness of MINISTOP 3.0 on children’s key lifestyle behaviours; and (v) investigate the long-term effects of MINISTOP 3.0 on children’s body mass index.MethodsA hybrid type III implementation-effectiveness design will be used. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted to compare the effects of basic versus enhanced implementation strategies on the outcomes at the child healthcare level. A minimum of 50 child healthcare centers across Sweden will participate and we aim to recruit 120 nurses. Child healthcare nurses in both groups will offer the MINISTOP 3.0 app to the families at the 2.5/3-year routine visit. Basic implementation strategies include educational meeting with nurses, formal implementation blueprint, develop/distribute educational materials and enhanced implementation includes all aforementioned strategies plus auditing/providing feedback and ongoing training for nurses. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 12 months post-implementation. Implementation outcomes will be assessed quantitatively using questionnaires and sustainability will be assessed qualitatively at 12 months. Children’s key lifestyle behaviours will be collected through a parental questionnaire within the MINISTOP app at baseline and 6 months after they have received the app. Children’s weight/height will be measured at routine visits at 2.5/3 (baseline), 4 and 5 years of age.DiscussionThis study will provide important implementation evidence with regards to implementing mHealth interventions within Swedish child healthcare at scale and these results have the potential to be generalized to other digital interventions being implemented in child healthcare.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05667753. Registered December 29, 2022.

A Parallel-Group, Randomized Trial Examining Impact of Colposcopy Results Delivery by a Nurse Liaison on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Adherence

ObjectivesCervical cancer is on the rise in Canada. Addressing patient anxiety and improving patient understanding of colposcopy and results may improve adherence. This randomized controlled trial examined the impact of colposcopy results delivery by a Nurse Liaison versus the referring primary care provider (PCP) on patient anxiety, and secondary outcomes including patient satisfaction, knowledge of diagnosis, and 9-month adherence to follow-up. MethodsPatients ≥18 years old presenting for initial appointment at the study colposcopy clinic were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group (Nurse Liaison) versus a control group (PCP). After receiving colposcopy results, participants completed online measures of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), health care satisfaction scales (Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18, Health Anxiety Inventory, Visit-Specific Satisfaction Questionnaire-9), self-reported colposcopy diagnosis, and demographics. Chart review at 9 months assessed adherence to recommended colposcopy follow-up. Groups were compared on continuous and categorical variables, controlling for diagnosis severity and trait anxiety. ResultsThe intervention group had significantly lower state anxiety with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-state mean scores of 37.3 versus 40.7 in controls (P = 0.03). Intervention group participants were more likely to correctly report their diagnosis (84% vs. 66.3%, P = 0.003). Questionnaire responders were more likely to be in the intervention group and had a higher proportion of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ pathology. There were no differences in demographics, patient satisfaction, or adherence to follow-up between groups. ConclusionsDirect delivery of colposcopy results by a trained Nurse Liaison was associated with decreased patient anxiety around colposcopy results, and increased patient knowledge regarding diagnosis. This model may be considered to improve patient-centred care.

'I Was too Tired to Show Compassion': A Phenomenological Qualitative Study on the Lived Compassion Fatigue Experiences of Nurses Working in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Units.

Psychiatric nurses are at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue. Despite the economic, emotional and physical effects of compassion fatigue, it has not been sufficiently investigated in the field of psychiatric nursing, and the lived experiences of compassion fatigue, in particular, require further investigation using qualitative methods. The aim of this study was to examine the lived compassion fatigue experiences of nurses working in psychiatric clinics using a phenomenological approach. The study was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 with 22 psychiatric nurses working in acute psychiatric clinics. Data were collected through individual, in-depth interviews, and analysed using Collaizi's seven-step descriptive analysis approach. Data analysis revealed four main themes and eight subthemes: (1) being a psychiatric nurse (multifaceted role and benefits), (2) tiredness (from traumatic effects to depersonalisation and emotional isolation), (3) causes of compassion fatigue (patient derived, system and working environment derived) and (4) coping methods (individual and expectations). Due to difficult patient profiles and adverse working conditions, psychiatric nurses experience compassion fatigue and may become desensitised to patient needs over time. Institutional support in the form of training for nurses on recognising and coping with compassion fatigue, as well as a safe and workload-balanced working environment, is essential.

Review of the publication Analysis of the educational standard for training nurses with higher education and the development of their competencies as nursing managers A.V. Krasyukov

Review of the publication Analysis of the educational standard for training nurses with higher education and the development of their competencies as nursing managers A.V. Krasyukov

Analysis of the educational standard for training nurses with higher education and the development of their competencies as nursing managers

The object of the research of this article: the development of nursing in the Russian Federation based on identifying areas for improving the training of nursing specialists with higher education, expanding their professional, managerial and leadership functions. Subject of the study: organizational and managerial relations arising in the process of improving the activities of nurse managers based on the development of their organizational, managerial and research competencies. Objectives: To analyze federal state educational standards in the field of training "Nursing" for its compliance with the modern needs of the healthcare system of the Russian Federation and the development of nursing. To identify the shortcomings of the studied FSES and the competencies of nurses embedded in them, and to assess the presence of contradictions in the needs of the modern healthcare system of the Russian Federation and the real capabilities of nurses as managers of the nursing link To develop directions for the development of nursing and the improvement of the system of education or development of managerial skills and leadership qualities of nurses as managers of the nursing link.

Realist Approach to Continuing Training of Physical Assessment Education to School Nurses (Yogo Teachers) in Japan.

As part of efforts to revitalize regional medical care, we implemented training in physical assessment for nurses and school nurses. We conducted a questionnaire survey using a realist approach to evaluate the training for school nurses that has been ongoing for 12 years. The summer training held by the Toyama Prefecture School Nurse Association includes education on severity assessment (evaluation of consciousness and vital signs), auscultation (heart, respiratory, and bowel sounds), the Heimlich maneuver, a review of Basic Life Support, and case studies. Following the training, we conducted an online questionnaire survey with participating school nurses to assess the outcome of the program. A total of 122 people responded (response rate: 35.6%) with 109 (89%) indicating that the results of the training session met or exceeded their expectations. The most common outcome of the training was improvement in their own response capabilities, followed by increased trust in students/guardians and school staff members. The training also fostered a sense of responsibility among the participants, motivating them toward further self-improvement. Furthermore, within the school, it led to collaboration with other staff members, a review of the emergency system, and improvement of equipment, which was beyond our expectations. The findings suggest that continuous repetition of basic physical assessment education will form a community of practice and bring about collaboration and revitalization within the organization as well as the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Continuous training improved their ability to respond, earned the trust of students/parents and school staff, and motivated them to continue improving themselves. Furthermore, a community of practice was formed within the organization by continuing the training sessions.

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING END-OF-LIFE CARE AMONG NURSES

Background: End-of-life care is a critical component of nursing practice, aimed at providing compassionate support to patients in the final stages of life. This care focuses on ensuring patients' comfort, preserving their dignity, and addressing their emotional needs during this sensitive time. Objective: This study aims to evaluate nurses' knowledge level regarding end-of-life care practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital involving 108 patients who received end-of-life care over a six-month period from January to June 2023. Data collection methods included structured interviews and questionnaires directed at both the patients and their primary nurses. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics to summarise the findings. Inferential statistics, including the chi-square test, were used to identify significant factors influencing end-of-life care quality. Results: The study involved 108 participants, primarily females (93.52%) and a minority of males (6.48%). The analysis showed that 85% of the patients experienced notable relief from physical symptoms, particularly in pain management. Moreover, 75% of the patients highlighted the importance of psychological support, while 70% emphasised the significance of spiritual care in contributing to their overall satisfaction. Including family members in care planning positively affected the emotional well-being of 65% of the patients. Key factors such as effective communication between nurses and patients (80%) and the use of individualised care plans (78%) were significantly associated with an improved quality of end-of-life care (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: End-of-life care in nursing is crucial for enhancing patients' comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being. Effective pain management, psychological support, and involving family members in care planning are vital for delivering high-quality end-of-life care. Further training and resources for nurses are recommended to maintain and improve these practices.

Making inroads in the Indian AI imaging market

Research methodology This case study involves interviews with radiologists of various hospitals and with company personnel. Both primary and secondary data sources have been used. The first-hand perspective from the radiologists highlighted the challenges they face concerning time and the patient load. The company personnel highlighted using machine learning for used cases to make the platform more robust and accurate. This case has been tested with MBA students. Case overview/synopsis An emerging health-care artificial intelligence (AI) start-up, DeepTek.AI, wants to expand its reach in the radiology market. The company intends to leverage technology to assist radiologists in diagnostics. India's health-care sector faces the challenge of needing more trained doctors and nurses to meet the ever-increasing needs of patients. This case study revolves around the radiologists' concerns about implementing the new technology and its ease of use. The features and benefits of integrating AI in diagnostics are the need of the hour, but the reliability of results needs to be ascertained for adopting it. Complexity academic level This case was written for marketing applications and practices, trends in marketing, marketing strategy and technology adoption in marketing courses at the post-graduate level. Consumer adoption of finance, hospitality, travel and health-care technology is vital for increasing the company's market share and growth prospects. The students will have an opportunity to understand the challenges and the opportunities.

Research on the effect of training program based on service-oriented leadership theory on nurses' job burnout

Objective: To explore the effect of training program based on service-oriented leadership theory on alleviating the degree of job burnout of clinical nurses, and provide reference for improving the situation of job burnout of nurses. Methods: From January to December 2023, 10 head nurses of a Grade A general hospital were selected by random number table method for training, and 5 nurses were selected from the department of each head nurse by random number table method, a total of 50 nurses were selected as research objects. Through the training program based on the service-oriented leadership theory, the selected head nurses were trained on the service-oriented leadership theory, job burnout and burnout mitigation methods and passed the examination. The training period was 2 months. The general data of 50 nurses were collected, and the job burnout of nurses was investigated by using the Maslach Burnout Inventory before and 6 months after the training of head nurses, and the changes of scores of each dimension were compared by paired t-test. Results: The nurses were (30.4±5.5) years old and their working life was (8.1±6.1) years. The total detection rate of job burnout before training was 100% (50/50), the detection rate of moderate to severe emotional exhaustion was 60% (30/50), and the detection rate after training was 36% (18/50). The detection rate of moderate to severe depersonalization was 72% (36/50) and 40% (20/50) after training. The detection rate of moderate to severe lack of job accomplishment was 86% (43/50) and 54% (27/50) after training. After 6 months of head nurses training, the scores of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization of nurses were significantly lower than those before training, while the scores of personal achievement were significantly higher than those before training, with statistical significances (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The training program based on service-oriented leadership theory can scientifically prevent and alleviate nurses' job burnout after receiving training of administrators, which is helpful to improve the current situation of nurses' job burnout and reduce the degree of nurses' job burnout, and can play a positive role in promoting nurses' physical and mental health.

Impact of Triage Nurse Training on Accuracy and Efficiency: A Systematic Review-Based Study

Background Triage in the emergency department (ED) is a crucial procedure that establishes the urgency of patient care based on symptoms at presentation. Although the efficacy of triage nurse training programs varies, their goal is to increase the precision and efficiency of their decision-making. Aim With a focus on research done between 2019 and 2024, the systematic review attempts to evaluate the effect of training programs on the accuracy and efficiency of triage nurses in emergency departments. Method We conducted a thorough search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to find pertinent research. Studies assessing training treatments for triage nurses and reporting accuracy and efficiency-related results were included in the inclusion criteria. Both the quality assessment and data extraction were carried out separately by two reviewers. Result Ten studies that used a range of triage training techniques and covered a variety of geographic areas satisfied the inclusion criteria. Research findings consistently showed that, despite variations in study designs and outcome measures, training programs increased triage accuracy and efficiency. Interventions included clinical decision support system integration, training based on simulation, and conventional classroom-based instruction. Conclusion By increasing decision-making efficiency and accuracy in patient evaluation, training programs greatly improve the performance of triage nurses in emergency departments. To improve comparability and support evidence-based policies, future research must standardize training methodologies and outcome measurements.

Factors associated with moral sensitivity among nurses in adult intensive care units: A cross-sectional study in China.

Moral sensitivity may play a role in dealing with ethical issues in ICUs. However, the moral sensitivity of adult ICU nurses in China and its predictors have not been well investigated. To analyse the moral sensitivity of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and its predictors. A cross-sectional study through convenience sampling was conducted in the ICUs of five hospitals in China between November and December 2022. A total of 331 ICU nurses were recruited. Data were obtained using a self-developed socio-demographic characteristic questionnaire, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals and the Organizational Climate Scale for Nursing. The participating institutions received a link to the tools used for online data collection, which they then forwarded to nursing staff. The valid response rate was 96.98% (n = 321). The total mean moral sensitivity score of nurses was 43.04 ± 5.95. The mean scores for empathic ability and organizational climate for nursing were 91.97 ± 17.88 and 101.28 ± 14.77, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that the primary factors associated with moral sensitivity among critical care nurses included work tenure (p < .05), empathic ability (p < .001) and organizational climate (p < .001). High levels of moral sensitivity were found in critical care nurses in China. Work tenure, empathic ability and organizational climate were significant predictors of moral sensitivity in critical care nurses. To enhance the ethical sensitivity of ICU nurses, we suggest to strengthen the training of novice nurses so that they can better face the moral dilemma in clinical practice. In addition, organizational managers should also take measures to create a positive and harmonious working atmosphere, promote the application of moral knowledge in nursing practice and enhance their moral sensitivity.

Level of Satisfaction on Clinical Learning Environment among Nursing Students of Nepalgunj Nursing Campus at Kohalpur

Introduction: Clinical education is a major component of the undergraduate nursing curriculum. To practice a safe beginning level of nursing care, new graduates must have developed not only the theoretical knowledge on which to base their care but also the practical application skills required to implement that knowledge. The clinical learning environment can have a great influence on the development of attitude, knowledge, skills, and problem-solving ability of students. The clinical learning environment plays a crucial role, especially during the clinical training of student nurses, as they face the reality of their roles and responsibilities of being nurses. Aims: To find out undergraduate nursing student’s satisfaction with their clinical learning environment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Nepalgunj Nursing Campus. The study was conducted among 40 students who were studying Proficiency Certificate Level in Nursing at the Nepalgunj Nursing Campus, Kohalpur. A non-probability sampling method was used to select the sample. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher Scale (CLES+T) were used for data collection. The Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher Scale is an internationally valid and reliable instrument used to evaluate the quality of clinical learning environments for students in the health professions. Results: More than half of the nursing students (52.50%) were highly satisfied with the clinical learning environment. The association between the level of satisfaction among nursing students and age, marital status, last clinical placement ward, frequency of meeting nurse teachers, and use of e-communication tools with nursing teachers was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In today’s education system, which is centered on students’ learning concepts and expectations, assessing the students’ satisfaction level can be one of the innovative ways to bring positive changes to both the students’ and teachers’ experiences. However, the availability of limited research studies on this matter, makes it hard to draw any conclusions. Hence, future studies should focus on identifying the various factors influencing the satisfaction level of students with clinical learning.

Competency Approach in Nurse Training

In the current conditions of market relations, especially in the context of reforming the medical education system, it is necessary to change the quality of training of specialists in order to train demanded and competitive graduates of secondary vocational educational institutions using a competency approach. The competence approach contributes to the orientation of the young specialist to obtain theoretical knowledge, increasing the level of practical knowledge that a graduate of a medical college should have and his ability to master in the labor market. The opinion of medical college students about the knowledge and practical skills required by the graduate is important. To this end, a questionnaire survey of 84 medical college students was conducted. First-year students do not yet have a clear idea of ​ ​ the competence approach in the learning process and the importance of not only theoretical knowledge, but also clinical disciplines, practical communication skills. Students of the 3rd year have already formed an opinion about the importance of all subjects and motivation for future professional training. The introduction of a competency approach in the training of nurses makes it possible to conduct the educational process at a qualitative level, contributing to the training of highly qualified, competitive specialists in the medical labor market.

Organization of abdominal emergency surgical care across healthcare services in Senegal: a cross-sectional nationwide survey

IntroductionStudying surgical services and the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for enhancing access to quality surgical care in the region. Despite many recommendations to produce evidence based on reliable data on this subject to guide policymakers, there is still a knowledge gap on this topic. The aim of this nationwide survey was to describe the organization of abdominal emergency surgical care across healthcare services in Senegal.MethodologyThis was a cross-sectional nationwide survey. The study period was between October 1st, 2023, and January 20th, 2024. The target population included all registered healthcare facilities in Senegal offering emergency surgical services. A structured questionnaire was designed to gather infrastructure-related data, surgical activities, and human resources.ResultsAll 33 identified healthcare facilities responded to the survey (100%). Emergency abdominal surgery services were available for 96.7% of the surveyed structures. The teams were mainly composed of surgeons and residents (45.2%) or surgeons and medical trainees (48.8%). The average bed capacity of the services was 21.9, with a standard deviation of 13.9. The absence of a dedicated hospitalization section for patients requiring special monitoring was found in 69.6% of the facilities. Operating rooms dedicated to emergency abdominal digestive surgery were present in 54.6% of the services. On average, the services performed 17.6 scheduled surgical interventions with a standard deviation of 11.5 and 29.7 emergency surgical interventions with a standard deviation of 16.8 per month. Morbidity and mortality conferences were not routinely held in the majority of departments (only 27.3%). Professional development programmes were present only in 24.2% of departments. Most of the departments did not have adequate human resources (69.6%). A total of 70 surgeons were identified, resulting in a national ratio of 0.39 general surgeons per 100,000 inhabitants. The strategies employed to address staff shortages included additional working hour by staff (54.5%), temporary workers (30.3%) or the use of trainee doctors or nurses (12.1%).ConclusionThis research shows that significant deficiencies are present in the essential physical and human resources needed to conduct fundamental life-saving surgical procedures. These findings suggest potential areas for improvement in the delivery of emergency surgical care in the region.

Nursing students’ perceptions and satisfaction with a self-learning methodology in simulated environments: A mixed-methods study

AimThe aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and satisfaction of last-year nursing students with the Self-Learning Methodology in Simulated Environments (MAES©). BackgroundAs a learning method, clinical simulation uses elements that replicate real clinical practice scenarios and facilitates the acquisition of competencies and learning objectives. Simulations promote critical thinking, knowledge, techniques and teamwork in nursing students. The Self-Learning Methodology in Simulated Environments (MAES©) is a method that integrates problem-based learning with realistic clinical simulation. DesignA cross-sectional mixed-method study implemented a simulation learning method as part of the mandatory nursing training practice; that was registered in Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/R89PZ). MethodsStudents were invited to complete a cross-sectional questionnaire about satisfaction with the simulation and were asked to participate in an interview about their perceptions on the simulation. All data were collected in December 2023 in a mid-sized southern Spanish university. A total of 69 last-year nursing students were enrolled in the simulation course and were selected using eligibility criteria. ResultsSatisfaction measures showed no significant differences across gender, university access, or age (p>0.05 each). However, strong correlations were found between students' preference for the simulation method and perceived effort value (p<0.001 each). Qualitative analysis identified key themes in different stages of simulation (prebriefing, scenario, briefing, debriefing), simulation benefits (learning, usefulness, positive emotions) and challenges (difficulty, realism, time constraints). Despite some realism concerns, overall, students viewed the methodology positively. ConclusionsThe findings of this study underscore the vital role of simulation-based learning in nursing education. As the field of nursing continues to evolve, so too must the educational methods we employ, with simulation-based learning standing at the forefront of this transformative journey.

Developing an instrument to measure nursing students’ attitudes towards nurses during clinical practice: A quantitative study

AimThis study was conducted to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards nurses during the clinical practice. BackgroundNurses affect the clinical practice process of nursing students and play an important role in the latter gaining experience. Evaluation of students’ attitudes towards nurses is a critical factor for the training of qualified nurses. DesignThis study used a quantitative cross-sectional design. MethodsThis study was conducted between February and March 2024 with 408 students studying in the nursing department of a university in Türkiye. The item pool of the scale was formed with 45 items through literature review and qualitative data analysis and presented to 21 experts. After the content validity, the draft scale consisting of 38 items was used as a data collection tool. Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio, Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin Coefficient, Bartlett’s test, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, Varimax Factor Rotation Method, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Cronbach’s Alpha Internal Consistency Coefficient, Spearman Correlation Coefficient and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests were used to analyze the data. ResultsExploratory factor analysis revealed 28 items and three sub-dimensions in the scale. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient was 0.902 for the cooperation and understanding sub-dimension, 0.925 for the communication skills and guidance sub-dimension, 0.723 for the support for professional development sub-dimension and 0.946 for the total scale. According to the confirmatory factor analysis fit index results of the scale, RMSEA value was 0.054 and χ2/df value was 2.189. As a result of the analysis conducted to determine the test-retest reliability, it was determined that all items and factor scores showed significant relationships between the two applications (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe scale was found to be a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards nurses during the clinical practice.

Factors Associated With Pain Perception and Management Among Paediatric Nurses and Nursing Students Using Virtual Children: A Comparative Study.

To identify and compare factors associated with pain perception and management among paediatric nurses and nursing students using virtual human technology. This study employed a comparative, cross-sectional design. Fifty-one paediatric nurses from a tertiary hospital and 50 senior nursing students from a nursing college, both located in South Korea, participated in the study. Virtual vignettes, including scenarios with virtual children and their clinical information, were used to assess participants' pain perception and management. The virtual children, created from real face photos, varied in age (young/old), sex (boy/girl) and facial expressions (smile/grimace). Participants rated perceived pain scores and selected management choices for eight virtual vignettes, which were randomly presented. The Korean version of the Paediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Survey was completed along with demographic information. Both paediatric nurses and nursing students rated pain scores lower than the actual pain scores reported by virtual children. Nurses rated higher pain scores and accordingly selected more medication doses compared to students. Beyond pain-related knowledge, the facial expression of the virtual child influenced pain rating and medication choices, while age and sex had no effect. Nursing students were more sensitive to the facial expressions of virtual children when rating their pain compared to nurses. Future studies should explore how paediatric nurses' clinical experiences impact their assessment and management of child patient pain. Paediatric nurses' knowledge of pain is inadequate, necessitating ongoing education in pain management. Both nurses and nursing students should self-reflect on their pain assessment practices to ensure unbiased care regardless of child patients' characteristics. Virtual human technology can be utilised to train nurses and students to identify and address any biases in their assessment of patients' pain perception. STROBE checklist, cross-sectional. Digital face photos of four healthy children were used as the fundamental material for creating virtual children, with their parents' consent.