Journal of Nursing & Care

The history of nursing academization worldwide spans over a century. In Germany, this process started in the early 1990’s and, relative to many other countries, has remained slow. However, some of the latest developments in the country are promising a constant increase in the number of nurses with academic education. Consequently, this process arouses new challenges and opportunities for hospital management. Through a literature review, this paper aimed to give an overview over the progress toward nursing academization in Germany, in comparison with the United States and the European Union. The other objective was to identify examples of the consequences of the process for German hospital management and to design proposals to facilitate adaptation to possible challenges.

Burnout syndrome (BOS) is a psychological condition in which inordinate exhaustion, cynical perspectives, and a self-perception of ineffectiveness develop in response to chronic work stressors. The intrinsic stress of the critical care work environment predisposes critical care healthcare professionals to burnout. The sequelae of BOS are serious. Associated morbidities range from aches, pains, and headaches to chronic, pernicious maladies such as hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, anxiety, and depression. Also, the presence of BOS affects healthcare professionals’ intention to leave practice. Subsequently, BOS contributes to high turnover rates, potentially costing hospitals millions. This study sought to examine the effect of personality traits and self-care on reported burnout levels in critical care healthcare professionals. Forty healthcare professionals were surveyed from two community, non-teaching hospitals in the northeastern United States. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, DSCPI-90, and Mini-International Personality Item Pool were used to measure burnout, self-care, and personality traits, respectively. Self-care was negatively correlated with burnout (r=-0.159, p=0.33). On average, professionals practiced self-care 61% of the time. The personality trait Extraversion was negatively correlated with burnout (r =-0.144, p=0.38). The personality traits Agreeableness and Neuroticism had large positive correlations (r =0.520, p =0.001) and (r=0.645, p=0.000) with the BOS dimension emotional exhaustion. Findings help identify protective, individual factors against BOS. Further research is necessary to validate the degree to which critical care professionals practice self-care and the correlations between personality, self-care, and BOS reported in this study.

Introduction: The standard precautions advanced by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1996, goals of Standard precautions to reducing the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens in hospitals. The prpous of this study :to assess the knowledge and compliance of standard precautions among ICU Nurses in Xi'an hospitals, and to identify the relationship between compliance, knowledge and general self-efficacy of standard among ICU Nurses in China.

Methods: This study used a descriptive study design. A convenient sample of 471 ICU nurses working in 11 hospitals from Xi'an of Shaanxi Province in China. Data were gathered over four months, from June to October 2017. Tools: The questionnaire used for data collection included four parts:(1) general information,(2) knowledge of standard precautions, (3) compliance of standard precautions and (4) General self-efficacy scale. Data analyzed by SPSS 18.

Result: 100% of respondents were female, their mean age was (28.6 ± 5.6), 90% of nurses have vaccination HBV, the mean knowledge score of participants were a good (17.3 ± 1.8 out of 20). (80.4%) of ICU nurses know Standard Precautions. The mean score of standard precautions compliance among ICU nurses were poor (66.12 ± 10.3 out of 80). Standard precautions knowledge was positively correlated with compliance (r=0.17) and general self-efficacy was also positively correlated with compliance (r=0.21).

Conclusion: Based on the conclusions of this study, it can be assumed that the standard prevention knowledge and compliance of nurses in this study are still lacking. Standard precautions education should be encouraged, and adequate practical personal protection equipment should be implemented in order to reduce hospital infections and protect the health of patients and medical staff.

Background: The transitional care model ensures the continuity of care and has significant impact on patients’ health outcomes. Transitional care services need to be developed based on patients’ needs. 

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the care needs of patients following hospital discharge.

Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 484 patients using a questionnaire to investigate patients’ transitional care needs, covering the types of the services and patient preferred services providers.

Results: The investigation revealed that only 17.98% (n = 87) of participants were aware that the tertiary hospital provided transitional care following hospital discharge, even though more than half of participants (n = 265) expressed a preference for doctors and nurses from tertiary hospitals to provide this. Regarding types of transitional care service, 46.9% participants (n = 227) considered health education to be their priority, followed by medication guidance (35.33%), and rehabilitation needs (34.71%).

Conclusion: The most preferred service model perceived by patients are transitional care services provided by health professionals from tertiary hospitals. Transitional care must encompass a broad range of health services including health education, medication management, and rehabilitation in order to meet patients’ needs. This is to promote the care continuity across various care settings.

Background: The aim of the study is to assess and collect data related to the quality of life of elderly people. 1. To assess quality of life among elderly aged 60-75 years in semi-urban regions of Islamabad. 2. Identify the factors that affect the quality of life of old people in these regions. 3.Discuss the association between the factors identified in the study. 4. Assess the quality of satisfaction about their quality of life.

Material and Method: The study is a cross-sectional design. The target population is the elderly people of age 60 years and above that are residing in Islamabad. The data is collected using pre-tested WHO tool for assessment of quality of life in four domains: 1. Physical; 2. Psychological; 3. Social; 4. Environment

Results:  Total 206 participants of age 60-75 took part.  The results are analyzed using SPSS and the level of QOL is determine by the responses. About 20.4 % and 24.3% of the participants were having a very poor and poor quality of life respectively. Whereas 41.3% of them neither rate it as good or bad.

 Conclusion: This study is a small step ahead to establish some basis and address the fact that the elderly people of our society are struggling with their everyday life. Through, study an attempt is made to educate the people about elderly life issues and identify areas which should be addressed properly.