Articles related to Nursing

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has just disclosed an enlightening study titled, “Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout & Stress Among U.S. Nurses.” The study provides a stark look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the U.S. nursing workforce, leading to stress, burnout, and a disturbing decline in their numbers. The groundbreaking research has unveiled that approximately 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) exited the workforce during the pandemic, primarily due to stress, burnout, and retirements. A staggering 610,388 RNs reported plans to leave by 2027 for similar reasons. Particularly alarming is the high proportion of younger nurses, under 40 years of age, who share these intentions. In total, about one-fifth of RNs across the nation are predicted to depart the health care workforce. Moreover, the study revealed that 62% of nurses had to shoulder a heavier workload during the pandemic. A significant portion reported feeling emotionally drained, burned out, and even at the end of their tether. These feelings were notably more pronounced among nurses with 10 or fewer years of experience, leading to an overall 3.3% drop in the U.S. nursing workforce within the last two years. Licensed practical/vocational nurses, who […]

Nursing education has its foundations in the classroom, and the relationship between the nurse educator and the nursing student is a cornerstone of this educational process. At the heart of this relationship is ‘presence’, a practice where the caregiver gives full, attentive care to the patient, understanding their needs, desires, and fears. This ‘presence’ is key to the nursing profession and must be woven into teaching and learning. Reflective practices provide a strategy for nurse educators to instill ‘presence’ in nursing students, even in large class settings. These practices present various challenges such as unfamiliarity with alternative teaching methods, time constraints, and discomfort with new teaching approaches. To overcome these, a model has been developed, relying on proven theory development steps, such as concept analysis, model development, description, and evaluation. The model’s evaluation has been performed by an expert panel and nursing participants. Using an explorative and qualitative design, the model went through a two-step evaluation and refinement process. The expert panel used critical reflection to refine the model initially. Subsequently, participants evaluated the model empirically using participatory evaluation. The data was collected through online focus group interviews with nurse educators and virtual sessions with nursing students. Open coding was […]

AI technologies are reshaping the world of nursing, creating opportunities for enhanced patient care and efficiency in healthcare delivery. In this ever-evolving landscape, nurses can use AI to guide decisions, take autonomous actions, and predict risks, making them critical players in this transformation. Clinical decision support tools, empowered by AI, assist nurses in making informed clinical decisions. These tools, such as alerts in the electronic health record (EHR), clinical practice guidelines, and order sets, boost the accuracy and specificity of predictions and suggestions beyond human capacity. For example, AI algorithms can accurately predict fall risks and suggest interventions, ensuring patients’ safety while reducing human error. Meanwhile, mobile health and sensor-based technologies are paving the way for remote patient care. These technologies, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, allow nurses to deliver care and monitor patients with limited resources, proving particularly beneficial for managing chronic illnesses. Through smartphones, apps, and wearable technologies, nurses can receive real-time data about patients’ health and respond accordingly. In addition to these, voice assistants and robotics are joining the nursing workforce. Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant can potentially collect patient data and remind patients about medication or checkups, easing the load on nursing staff. Similarly, […]

As nurses, we often experience unexpected detours in our career journeys, providing us with opportunities to diversify our experiences. Yet, there are times when we may feel stagnant and crave change. For such moments, here are some pivotal steps to advance your nursing career. Firstly, seize the power of networking. Attend local or international conferences—be they virtual or in-person. Connect with fellow attendees and presenters, ask insightful questions, and exchange contact information. Social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, also provide an excellent avenue for fostering professional connections, while practicing caution against potential misinformation. Furthermore, consider finding a mentor—a trusted colleague who can guide and support your professional growth. Secondly, consider joining a committee or board. Back in 2014, the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) set a goal to fill 10,000 board seats with nurses by 2020. We reached this milestone! Our unique perspective is invaluable in decision-making processes, given our roles as the largest segment of healthcare providers. So, join working groups, committees, boards, councils, or governments to ensure our voice is heard. Thirdly, achieve specialty certification. Doing so communicates commitment to your education and, consequently, to patient care and outcomes. Certification also boosts your confidence, career advancement, and potentially, your […]

In our pursuit of health equity, cultural competence has become a crucial element in nursing. Unraveling its significance and practices, this guide illuminates the importance of cultural awareness in bridging health disparities and improving patient outcomes. Health disparities often stem from social, environmental, and economic disadvantages. Groups burdened by these disparities face larger obstacles to health, underlining the importance of health equity. In an effort to combat health disparities, the nursing profession emphasizes cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusivity. The stark differences in health outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups are impossible to ignore. Dr. Jamil Norman, a nursing instructor, found that Black mothers in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to die in childbirth than white mothers. Such disparities highlight the urgent need for culturally competent care. Culturally competent care includes four essential components: awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills. Through self-awareness, nurses can identify their own cultural biases. They can then address these biases, understand different cultural practices, and develop effective cross-cultural skills. Research shows that culturally competent nursing care yields significant benefits. It promotes mutual respect, fosters inclusion, and improves patient compliance and outcomes. Examples of culturally competent practices include using understandable language, respecting conflicting cultural beliefs, […]

COVID-19, as we know, is a global health crisis that has had a significant impact on the mental health of nurses. Until now, no studies were available on factors affecting the psychological well-being of nurses in Turkey during the pandemic. These insights are crucial because any impairments to nurses’ psychological well-being can negatively affect both the quality of care they provide and their overall performance. In an effort to fill this knowledge gap, the study used a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design. By adhering to the STROBE reporting guideline checklist, the researchers meticulously compiled their findings. A sample of 295 nurses from a Health Application and Research Center in Turkey, who voluntarily participated through social media tools, formed the study group. Data collection occurred between June and August 2020 using Google forms. Instruments employed included a Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), the Work-Life Balance (WLB) Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale. The team employed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to pinpoint factors affecting psychological well-being. Unsurprisingly, the study found that both the work-life balance and psychological well-being of nurses were negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most nurses exhibited mild-to-moderate levels of COVID-19 phobia. Among the […]