Development of an empowerment model for burnout syndrome and quality of nursing work life in Indonesia

Objectives:This study aimed to develop an empowerment model for burnout syndrome and quality of nursing work life(QNWL).Methods:This study adopted a mixed-method cross-sectional approach.The variables included structural empowerment,psychological empowerment,burnout syndrome and QNWL.The population consisted of nurses who have civil servant status in one of the regional hospitals in Indonesia.The participants were recruited using multi-stage sampling measures with 134 respondents.Data were collected using questionnaires,which were then analysed using partial least squares.A focus group discussion was conducted with nurses,chief nurses and the hospital management to identify strategic issues and compile recommendations.Results:Structural empowerment influenced psychological empowerment(path coefficient=0.440;t=6.222)and QNWL(path coefficient=0.345;t=4.789).Psychological empowerment influenced burnout syndrome(path coefficient=-0.371;t=4.303),and burnout syndrome influenced QNWL(path coefficient=-0.320;t=5.102).Structural empowerment increased QNWL by 39.7%.Conclusion:The development of a structural empowerment model by using the indicators of resources,support and information directly influenced the psychological empowerment of the sample of nurses.As an indicator of meaning,psychological empowerment decreased burnout syndrome.In turn,burnout syndrome,as the indicator of personal achievement,could affect the QNWL.Structural empowerment directly influenced the QNWL,particularly within the workplace context.Further studies must be conducted to analyse the effects of empowerment,leadership styles and customer satisfaction.

Searching for the best agarose candidate from genus Gracilaria, Eucheuma,Gelidium and local brands

Objective: To explore the potential of local agar of genus Gracilaria, Eucheuma,Gelidium and local brands as an alternative for imported agarose for DNA electrophoresis, and to examine their ability related to separation and migration of DNA fragments in DNA electrophoresis.Methods: Their performance at various concentrations were compared via an experimental study with a specific brand of imported commercial agarose used in molecular biology research. The measured variables were separation and migration during electrophoresis of a DNA fragment.Results: The local agar genus Gracilaria gigas, Gelidium, brand “B” and brand “S”could separate DNA fragments at a concentration between 1% and 2%, with an optimum concentration of 2% w/v, as good as a specific brand of imported commercial agarose.Conclusions: Their performance were very close to that of commercial agarose and can still be improved by further agar purification as well as by p H and sulfur control.

Indonesian nurses' perception of disaster management preparedness

Purpose: Using a quantitative approach, this study aims to assess Indonesian nurses' perception of their knowledge, skills, and preparedness regarding disaster management. Methods: This study was a descriptive comparison in design. The research samples are Indonesian nurses working in medical services and educational institutions. The variables of nurses' preparedness to cope with disaster victims were measured using the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), which was electronically distributed to all nurses in Indonesia. Data were analyzed using a statistical descriptive one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test with a significance level of 95%. Results: In total, 1341 Indonesian nurses completed this survey. The average scores of preparedness to cope with disasters, the ability to recover from disaster, and evaluation of disaster victims were 3.13, 2.53, and 2.46, respectively. In general, nurses surveyed in this study are less prepared for disaster management, and do not understand their roles either during the phase of disaster preparedness or in coping with a postdisaster situation. Conclusion: Nurses' preparedness and understanding of their roles in coping with disasters are still low in Indonesia. Therefore, their capacity in preparedness, responses, recovery, and evaluation of disasters needs improvement through continuing education. The efforts needed are significant due to potential disasters in Indonesia.