Technological Change and Nursing: A Labour Process Theory Approach to the Shaping of Nursing Work

Technology and Nursing Practice explains and critically engages with the practice implications of technology for nursing. It takes a broad view of technology, covering not only health informatics, but also 'tele-nursing' and the use of equipment in clinical practice.

Organisational change stressor and nursing job satisfaction : the mediating effect of coping strategies

Aim To examine the mediating effect of coping strategies on the consequences of nursing and non-nursing (administrative) stressors on the job satisfaction of nurses during change management. Background Organisational change can result in an increase in nursing and nonnursing- related stressors, which can have a negative impact on the job satisfaction of nurses employed in health-care organisations. Method Matched data were collected in 2009 via an online survey at two timepoints (six months apart). Results Partial least squares path analysis revealed a significant causal relationship between Time 1 administrative and role stressors and an increase in nursing-specific stressors in Time 2. A significant relationship was also identified between job-specific nursing stressors and the adoption of effective coping strategies to deal with increased levels of change-induced stress and strain and the likelihood of reporting higher levels of job satisfaction in Time 2. Conclusions The effectiveness of coping strategies is critical in helping nurses to deal with the negative consequences of organisational change. Implications for nursing management This study shows that there is a causal relationship between change, non-nursing stressors and job satisfaction. Senior management should implement strategies aimed at reducing nursing and nonnursing stress during change in order to enhance the job satisfaction of nurses. Keywords: Australia, change management, job satisfaction, nursing and non-nursing stressors, public and non-profit sector

Autism : an introduction to behavioural therapy models used for autism and nursing the person with autism in the primary care setting

Childhood autism falls under the guise of autism spectrum disorders and is generally found in children over two years of age. There are of course variations in severity and clinical manifestations, however the most common features being disinterest in social interaction and engagement in ritualistic and repetitive behaviours. In Singapore the incidence of autism is on the rise as parents are becoming more aware of the early signs of autism and seek healthcare programmes to ensure the quality of life for their child is optimised. Two such programmes, Applied Behaiour Analysis and Floortime approach have proven successful in alleviating some of the behavioural and social skills problems associated with autism. Using positive behaviour reinforcement both Applied Behaviour Analysis and Floortime approach reward behaviour associated with positive social responses.

Medical and nursing students perceived knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning human immunodeficiency virus

Objective. To assess medical and nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Fiji. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 275 medical and 252 nursing students that participated in a questionnaire survey on HIV KAP. Data was analysed according to their gender, program of study, and academic year. Results. The mean HIV knowledge (HK) and attitude scores were 16.0 and 41.3, respectively. Mean HK score was significantly higher in males compared to females. Significant positive correlations were found between HK and academic year for medical () and nursing () students and between HK and attitude scores (). The majority of students indicated fear in contracting HIV through clinical practice and felt that health care workers have the right to know a patients HIV status for their own safety. The majority would wear gloves to touch a patient if suspected of HIV. Conclusions. The study found a high level of HIV knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV patients. However, respondents also displayed negative attitudes and unacceptable practices probably due to fear. Training institutions need to ensure that students gain accurate knowledge on HIV especially on transmission routes to allay the fear of caring for HIV-infected patients.

The World Stroke Organization and nursing [Guest Editorial]

The field of neuroscience nursing and, in particular, nursing people with stroke has evolved significantly over the past two decades. Nurses working with people who have had a stroke and their families are called upon to use advanced assessment skills, apply nursing diagnoses across the whole continuum of care, and identify and implement a wide range of interventions. Indeed, in a recent Canadian study on the implementation of stroke best practices, nurses were identified as playing a leading role in many aspects of stroke care and recovery. As the volume of research evidence across disciplines mounts, nurses are challenged to “keep up on the latest”...

Building research capacity in the nursing workforce : the design and evaluation of the nurse researcher role

Objectives: The Nurse Researcher Project (NRP) was initiated to support development of a nursing research and evidence based practice culture in Cancer Care Services (CCS) in a large tertiary hospital in Australia. The position was established and evaluated to inform future directions in the organisation.---------- Background: The demand for quality cancer care has been expanding over the past decades. Nurses are well placed to make an impact on improving health outcomes of people affected by cancer. At the same time, there is a robust body of literature documenting the barriers to undertaking and utilising research by and for nurses and nursing. A number of strategies have been implemented to address these barriers including a range of staff researcher positions but there is scant attention to evaluating the outcomes of these strategies. The role of nurse researcher has been documented in the literature with the aim to provide support to nurses in the clinical setting. There is, to date, little information in relation to the design, implementation and evaluation of this role.---------- Design: The Donabedian’s model of program evaluation was used to implement and evaluate this initiative.---------- Methods: The ‘NRP’ outlined the steps needed to implement the nurse researcher role in a clinical setting. The steps involved the design of the role, planning for the support system for the role, and evaluation of outcomes of the role over two years.---------- Discussion: This paper proposes an innovative and feasible model to support clinical nursing research which would be relevant to a range of service areas.---------- Conclusion: Nurse researchers are able to play a crucial role in advancing nursing knowledge and facilitating evidence based practice, especially when placed to support a specialised team of nurses at a service level. This role can be implemented through appropriate planning of the position, building a support system and incorporating an evaluation plan.

Advancing the meaning of nursing and technology

Technology and Nursing Practice explains and critically engages with the practice implications of technology for nursing. It takes a broad view of technology, covering not only health informatics, but also 'tele-nursing' and the use of equipment in clinical practice.

Change-induced stressors and effective coping strategies in nursing

This study seeks to examine the causality of non-nursing and nursing stressors on the job satisfaction of nurses and how coping strategies have a mediating influence on this relationship in the context of sector-wide reform. To conceptualize the relationships, a mediation path model was developed. Data were collected at two time points using a self-completed online survey over a six monthly interval. During time 1, 306 Australian nurses completed the online survey. In the first wave (time 1), 306 Australian nurses completed the survey. In the second wave (time 2), matched survey data were collected from 119 nurses. The analysis showed a significant causal relationship between time 1 administrative and role stressors and an increase in nursing stress in time 2. A significant relationship was also identified between job specific context stressors and the adoption of effective coping strategies to deal with increased level of change-induced stress and strain and the likelihood of reporting higher level of job satisfaction in time 2. This study contributes by providing an integrated theoretical perspective on how stress affects retention that has so far been elusive. This is useful to researchers wanting to examine this phenomenon further and practitioners responsible for implementing change programs.

Evidence-based practice and rural nursing : A literature review

This literature review is an exploration of issues related to evidence-based practice and rural nursing. Given the contribution that nursing research can make to improved client care in rural areas, it is important that nurses’ awareness and understanding of evidence-based practice be enhanced, and that strategies for fostering the development of clinically relevant programs of nursing research be identified for rural health services. The review highlights the deficiencies in the current metropolitan-based approaches to evidence-based practice that may disadvantage rural clients and nursing practitioners, because they do not accommodate the inherent differences in rural and metropolitan healthcare cultures. It emphasises the need to seek approaches to research-based practice that arise from the specific needs of the rural setting.

Radical nursing and the emergence of technique as healthcare technology

The integration of technology in care is core business in nursing and this role requires that we must understand and use technology informed by evidence that goes much deeper and broader than actions and behaviours. We need to delve more deeply into its complexity because there is nothing minor or insignificant about technology as a major influence in healthcare outcomes and experiences. Evidence is needed that addresses technology and nursing from perspectives that examine the effects of technology, especially related to increasing demands for efficiency, the relationship of technology to nursing and caring, and a range of philosophical questions associated with empowering people in their healthcare choices. Specifically, there is a need to confront in practice the ways technique influences care. Technique is the creation of a kind of thinking that is necessary for contemporary healthcare technology to develop and be applied in an efficient and rational manner. Technique is not an entity or specific thing, but rather a way of thinking that seeks to shape and organize nursing activity, and manage efficiently individual difference(s) in care. It emphasizes predetermined causal relationships, conformity, and sameness of product, process, and thought. In response is needed a radical vision of nursing that attempts in a real sense to ensure we meet the needs of individuals and their community. Activism and advocacy are needed, and a willingness to create a certain detachment from the imperatives that technique demands. It is argued that our responsibility as nurses is to respond in practice to the errors, advantages, difficulties, and temptations of technology for the benefit of those who most need our assistance and care.