Conceptions of school based youth health nursing : a phenomenographic study

The School Based Youth Health Nurse Program was established in 1999 by the Queensland Government to fund school nurse positions in Queensland state high schools. Schools were required to apply for a School Based Youth Health Nurse during a five-phase recruitment process, managed by the health districts, and rolled out over four years. The only mandatory selection criterion for the position of School Based Youth Health Nurse was registration as a General Nurse and most School Based Youth Health Nurses are allocated to two state high schools. Currently, there are approximately 115 Full Time Equivalent School Based Youth Health Nurse positions across all Queensland state high schools. The literature review revealed an abundance of information about school nursing. Most of the literature came from the United Kingdom and the United States, who have a different model of school nursing to school based youth health nursing. However, there is literature to suggest school nursing is gradually moving from a disease-focused approach to a social view of health. The noticeable number of articles about, for example, drug and alcohol, mental health, and contemporary sexual health issues, is evidence of this change. Additionally, there is a significant the volume of literature about partnerships and collaboration, much of which is about health education, team teaching and how school nurses and schools do health business together. The surfacing of this literature is a good indication that school nursing is aligning with the broader national health priority areas. More particularly, the literature exposed a small but relevant and current body of research, predominantly from Queensland, about school based youth health nursing. However, there remain significant gaps in the knowledge about school based youth health nursing. In particular, there is a deficit about how School Based Youth Heath Nurses understand the experience of school based youth health nursing. This research aimed to reveal the meaning of the experience of school based youth health nursing. The research question was How do School Based Youth Health Nurses’ understand the experience of school based youth health nursing? This enquiry was instigated because the researcher, who had a positive experience of school based youth health nursing, considered it important to validate other School Based Youth Health Nurses’ experiences. Consequently, a comprehensive use of qualitative research was considered the most appropriate manner to explore this research question. Within this qualitative paradigm, the research framework consists of the epistemology of social constructionism, the theoretical perspective of interpretivism and the approach of phenomenography. After ethical approval was gained, purposeful and snowball sampling was used to recruit a sample of 16 participants. In-depth interviews, which were voluntary, confidential and anonymous, were mostly conducted in public venues and lasted from 40-75 minutes. The researcher also kept a researchers journal as another form of data collection. Data analysis was guided by Dahlgren and Fallsbergs’ (1991, p. 152) seven phases of data analysis which includes familiarization, condensation, comparison, grouping, articulating, labelling and contrasting. The most important finding in this research is the outcome space, which represents the entirety of the experience of school based youth health nursing. The outcome space consists of two components: inside the school environment and outside the school environment. Metaphorically and considered as whole-in-themselves, these two components are not discreet but intertwined with each other. The outcome space consists of eight categories. Each category of description is comprised of several sub-categories of description but as a whole, is a conception of school based youth health nursing. The eight conceptions of school based youth health nursing are: 1. The conception of school based youth health nursing as out there all by yourself. 2. The conception of school based youth health nursing as no real backup. 3. The conception of school based youth health nursing as confronted by many barriers. 4. The conception of school based youth health nursing as hectic and full-on. 5. The conception of school based youth health nursing as working together. 6. The conception of school based youth health nursing as belonging to school. 7. The conception of school based youth health nursing as treated the same as others. 8. The conception of school based youth health nursing as the reason it’s all worthwhile. These eight conceptions of school based youth health nursing are logically related and form a staged hierarchical relationship because they are not equally dependent on each other. The conceptions of school based youth health nursing are grouped according to negative, negative and positive and positive conceptions of school based youth health nursing. The conceptions of school based youth health nursing build on each other, from the bottom upwards, to reach the authorized, or the most desired, conception of school based youth health nursing. This research adds to the knowledge about school nursing in general but especially about school based youth health nursing specifically. Furthermore, this research has operational and strategic implications, highlighted in the negative conceptions of school based youth health nursing, for the School Based Youth Health Nurse Program. The researcher suggests the School Based Youth Health Nurse Program, as a priority, address the operational issues The researcher recommends a range of actions to tackle issues and problems associated with accommodation and information, consultations and referral pathways, confidentiality, health promotion and education, professional development, line management and School Based Youth Health Nurse Program support and school management and community. Strategically, the researcher proposes a variety of actions to address strategic issues, such as the School Based Youth Health Nurse Program vision, model and policy and practice framework, recruitment and retention rates and evaluation. Additionally, the researcher believes the findings of this research have the capacity to spawn a myriad of future research projects. The researcher has identified the most important areas for future research as confidentiality, information, qualifications and health outcomes.

Conceptions of school-based youth health nursing

The aim of this research is to explore the meaning of the experience of school-based youth health nursing in Queensland, Australia. The research follows a qualitative approach and is based on indepth interviews. The dominant experience is negative because participants feel they have to battle to gain respect and survive in the school environment. The small, positive experience of school-based youth health nursing is related to student consultations. Student consultations are a ‘golden egg’ because participants gain a sense of reward from making a difference to student wellbeing. This paper proposes operational recommendations including those related to health promotion and professional development and strategic recommendations regarding this model of school nursing. The authors conclude, first, that this ‘golden egg’ should be promoted to ensure all school nurses reap the rewards, second, that this model of school nursing is not the most effective model.

School based youth health nurses and a true health promotion approach : the Ottawa what?

Aim: The purpose of this research is to examine School Based Youth Health Nurses experience of a true health promotion approach. Background: The School Based Youth Health Nurse Program is a state-wide school nursing initiative in Queensland, Australia. The program employs more than 120 fulltime and fractional school nurses who provide health services in state high schools. The role incorporates two primary components: individual health consultations and health promotion strategies. Design/Methods: This study is a retrospective inquiry generated from a larger qualitative research project about the experience of school based youth health nursing. The original methodology was phenomenography. In-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen school nurses recruited through purposeful and snowball sampling. This study accesses a specific set of raw data about School Based Youth Health Nurses experience of a true health promotion approach. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) is used as a framework for deductive analysis. Results: The findings indicate school nurses have neither an adverse or affirmative conceptual experience of a true health promotion approach and an adverse operational experience of a true health promotion approach based on the action areas of the Ottawa Charter. Conclusions: The findings of this research are important because they challenge the notion that school nurses are the most appropriate health professionals to undertake a true health promotion approach. If school nurses are the most appropriate health professionals to do a true health promotion approach, there are implications for recruitment and training and qualifications. If school nurses are not, who are the most appropriate health professionals to do school health promotion? Implications for Practice: These findings can be applied to other models of school nursing in Australia which emphasises a true health promotion approach because they relate specifically to school nurses’ experience of a true health promotion approach.

School nurses and partnerships for health education : team teaching in the secondary school curricula

The purpose of this research is to examine School Based Youth Health Nurses experience of partnerships for health education and team teaching. The School Based Youth Health Nurse Program is a contemporary model of school nursing in Queensland, Australia. The role of the School Based Youth Health Nurse consists of individual health consultations and health promotion. This research analyses a subset of qualitative data collected for a larger project about the experience of school based youth health nursing. The Health Promoting Schools model is used as a deductive framework. The findings reveal five subthemes across the three areas of the Health Promoting Schools approach. There are two subthemes within the curriculum, teaching and learning area; We were on the same page so to speak and I can go and do my reports or whatever. There are two sub-themes within the partnerships and services area; I had a beautiful science teacher who was just delightful and really just wanted to do things in partnerships and It’s all airy fairy arty farty stuff that’s not important. There is one theme in the school organisation, ethos and environment area; I just don’t know how well the top of these organisations communicate with the bottom of those organisations. Successful partnerships for health education and team teaching between school nurses and teachers are based on personal relationships based on rapport which lead to trust and reciprocity. Partnerships are limited by teachers understanding of the role of the school nurse and engagement with school nurses in the classroom. Administrative support from the top down is fundamental.

School based youth health nurses and attrition : the reasons for moving on

Like the UK, Australia has a number of school nursing models and programmes. The School Based Youth Health Nurse Program (SBYHNP) is a new and unique model of school nursing in Queensland, Australia. The SBYHNP represents a philosophical and structural shift from traditional school nursing programmes. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the reasons School Based Youth Health Nurses (SBYHN) leave school nursing. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with participants who practiced as SBYHN and left the SBYHNP. This case study reveals six themes: The politics’: Navigating the organisational divide, 'Unconditional positive regard’: Surviving without team cohesion, 'Absolutely exhausted’: Maintaining physical and emotional strength, ‘Definitely geographical’: Managing the tyranny of time and distance, ‘If things fell into place’: Thinking about what could have been, and ‘A stepping stone’: Moving on to the next nursing position. This case study suggests nurses considering school nursing as a specialty should seek opportunity to understand this complex role, ensure realistic expectations and ndertake relevant qualifications. This approach may secure the investment made by nurses and schools and create demand for a highly sort after position.

Nurses and teachers : partnerships for green health promotion

Background: The term ‘green health promotion’ is given to health promotion underpinned by the principles of ecological health and sustainability. Green health promotion is supported philosophically by global health promotion documents such as the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) and the ecological public health movement. Green health promotion in schools aims to practice the principles of ecological health and sustainability. Methods: An extended literature review revealed a paucity of literature about green health promotion in schools across disciplines. Literature about nurses and health promotion in schools is generally found in nursing publications. Literature about ecological sustainability in schools is mostly found in teaching publications. Results: This paper explores the nexus between nursing and health promotion, and teachers and ecological sustainability. Collaborative partnerships between health and education do not capitalise on programs such as Health Promoting Schools and the School Based Youth Health Nurse Program in Queensland, Australia. The authors consider how collaborative partnerships between health and education in schools can work towards green health promotion. Conclusion: Nursing’s approach to health promotion and education’s approach to ecological sustainability need to be aligned to enhance green health promotion in schools and promote a new generation of ‘tree huggers and hippies’.

Ethical Principles as a Guide in Implementing Policies for the Management of Food Allergies in Schools

This article represents a prime example of applied ethics in public health policy development. The article provides guidance on the development of food allergy policies for child care settings based on core ethical principles in bioethics and public health ethics.

L’analyse et la mise en œuvre du développement d’une communauté virtuelle de pratique pour les infirmières en santé scolaire au Québec

Travail dirigé présenté à la Faculté des sciences infirmières en vue de l'obtention du grade de Maître ès sciences (M.Sc.) en sciences infirmières Option Administration

Information systems design for the community health services

This system is concerned with the design and implementation of a community health information system which fulfils some of the local needs of fourteen nursing and para-medical professions in a district health authority, whilst satisfying the statutory requirements of the NHS Korner steering group for those professions. A national survey of community health computer applications, documented in the form of an applications register, shows the need for such a system. A series of general requirements for an informations systems design methodology are identified, together with specific requirements for this problem situation. A number of existing methodologies are reviewed, but none of these were appropriate for this application. Some existing approaches, tools and techniques are used to define a more suitable methodology. It is unreasonable to rely on one single general methodology for all types of application development. There is a need for pragmatism, adaptation and flexibility. In this research, participation in the development stages by those who will eventually use the system was thought desirable. This was achieved by forming a representative design group. Results would seem to show a highly favourable response from users to this participation which contributed to the overall success of the system implemented. A prototype was developed for the chiropody and school nursing staff groups of Darlington health authority, and evaluations show that a significant number of the problems and objectives of those groups have been successfully addressed; the value of community health information has been increased; and information has been successfully fed back to staff and better utilised.

"Fatores de risco e de proteção para a violência nas relações de intimidade: o olhar de adolescentes"

Introdução: A violência nas relações de intimidade não tem idade, nem status social e/ou económico. É um fenómeno que está impregnado nas sociedades ao longo da história. Tem uma face visível que é o dano individual e social e pode repercutir-se por várias gerações. A prevenção da violência passa pelo estudo dos fatores de risco e de proteção, e de como atuam, constituindo este campo uma das prioridades máximas da investigação sobre a violência (Organização Mundial de Saúde, OMS, 2011). Objetivos: Descrever os fatores de risco e de proteção para a violência nas relações de intimidade (VRI) a partir de olhar de adolescentes do 9º ano de escolaridade. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo e exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, que integra uma investigação quase experimental para validação de um Programa de Promoção de Relações de Intimidade Saudáveis (PRIS), realizada em 2016 com estudantes do 9º ano de um agrupamento de escolas de Portugal. Participaram 104 adolescentes com idades compreendidas entre os 14 e 17 anos. Os dados foram colhidos após a obtenção do consentimento informado, através de um formulário e observação dos participantes após visualização de um filme sobre a violência no namoro. Os dados obtidos foram sujeitos a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os adolescentes apresentaram como fatores de risco para ser vítima de VRI as caraterísticas individuais e sociais, tais como o isolamento, a baixa autoestima, o medo, o "perdoar várias vezes", o agressor, e o desconhecimento sobre as caraterísticas da VRIs, o que dificulta a procura de ajuda. No âmbito do agressor, consideram fatores de risco predominantemente aspetos individuais, incluindo a agressividade, o ciúme, o controlo e a manipulação da vítima. Os adolescentes tiveram dificuldade em descrever fatores de proteção para o agressor, referindo a ajuda psicológica, a ajuda da família e dos amigos. Em relação à vítima, referiram o apoio recebido dos pais, em especial a confiança na mãe, dos amigos e das linhas telefónicas e instituições de ajuda. Conclusões: A conscientização sobre os fatores de risco e de proteção da vítima e do agressor é de extrema importância para a prevenção da VRI. A dificuldade expressa pelos adolescentes em identificar os fatores protetores do agressor (para evitar novas agressões) reflete a necessidade de um maior enfoque nos agressores no desenvolvimento de programas de prevenção, integrando as estratégias e recursos a mobilizar para ajuda, podendo contribuir para interromper ou prevenir a violência. Esta é uma necessidade premente para colmatar as respostas existentes para o fenómeno da VRI que se tem centrado sobretudo na vítima.

"Fatores de risco e de proteção para a violência nas relações de intimidade: o olhar de adolescentes

Introdução: A violência nas relações de intimidade não tem idade, nem status social e/ou económico, é um fenómeno que está impregnado nas sociedades ao longo da história. Tem uma face visível que é o dano individual e social e pode repercutir-se por várias gerações. A prevenção da violência passa pelo estudo dos fatores de risco e de proteção e de como atuam, constituindo este campo uma das prioridades máximas da investigação sobre a violência (OMS, 2011). Objectivos: Descrever os fatores de risco e de proteção para a violência nas relações de intimidade (VRI) a partir olhar de adolescentes do 9º ano de escolaridade. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo e exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, integra uma investigação quase experimental para validação de um Programa de Promoção de Relações de Intimidade Saudáveis (PRIS), realizada em 2016 com estudantes do 9º ano de um agrupamento de escolas de Portugal. Participaram 104 adolescentes com idades compreendidas entre os 14 e 17 anos. Os dados foram colhidos após a obtenção do consentimento informado, através de um formulário e observação participante após visualização de um filme sobre a violência no namoro. Os dados obtidos foram sujeitos a análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os adolescentes apresentaram como fatores de risco para ser vítima de VRI as caraterísticas individuais e sociais: o isolamento, a baixa autoestima, o medo, o "perdoar várias vezes", o agressor, e o desconhecimento sobre as caraterísticas da VRIs, o que dificulta a procura de ajuda. No âmbito do agressor, consideram fatores de risco predominantemente aspetos individuais: a agressividade, o ciúme, o controle e a manipulação da vítima. Os adolescentes tiveram dificuldade em descrever fatores de proteção para o agressor, referindo a ajuda psicológica, a ajuda da família e dos amigos. Em relação à vítima, referiram o apoio recebido dos pais, em especial a confiança na mãe, dos amigos e das linhas telefónicas e instituições de ajuda. Conclusões: A conscientização sobre os fatores de risco e de proteção da vítima e do agressor é de extrema importância para a prevenção da VRI. A dificuldade expressa pelos adolescentes em identificar os fatores protetores do agressor - para evitar novas agressões - reflete a necessidade de um maior enfoque nos agressores no desenvolvimento de programas de prevenção, integrando as estratégias e recursos a mobilizar para ajuda, podendo contribuir para interromper ou prevenir a violência. Esta é uma necessidade premente para colmatar as respostas existentes para o fenómeno da VRI que se tem centrado sobretudo na vítima. Palavras-chave1: Intimate partner violence; Adolescent; Palavras Chave2: Primary Prevention; Health Promotion; Palavras-chave3: School Nursing. Referências bibliográficas 1 (max. 4 - Norma APA): Organiación Mundial de la Salud. (2011). Prevención de la violência sexual y violência infligida por la pareja contra las mujeres: Qué hacer y cómo obtener evidencias. Organización Mundial de la Salud y Escuela de Higiene y Medicina Tropical de Londres.Comisión para la Investigación de Malos Tratos a Mujeres. (2005). Qué hacer si mi hija há sido maltratada? Madrid: Comisión para la Investigación de Malos Tratos a Mujeres.

McGraw-Hill's nursing school entrance exams.

Este recurso permite la preparación para los distintos exámenes de ingreso en la escuela de enfermería. Incluye ocho pruebas prácticas sobre habilidades verbales, de comprensión lectora, de matemáticas y de ciencias, así como información sobre la carrera y la orientación educativa de un profesional de la enfermería.

Collaboration : integrating education and clinical practice : The Case of La Trobe University/The Alfred Clinical School of Nursing

A Clinical School of Nursing combines resources, opportunities and benefits for hospital and university staff as well as students. Collaboration is essential in the partnership between the two institutions and aspects will be explored in this paper, including antecedent conditions of organisational commitment, cooperation and trust, identification of costs, and a formal agreement. Collaboration itself is built on cooperative endeavour, willing participation, shared planning and decision making, a team approach, and shared responsibility and power. These attributes are readily identifiable in this exciting initiative.