Necessary prerequisites for evidence-based practice:results of investigating nurses'informatics competency and information literacy skills

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between nursing informatics(NI)competency and information literacy skills for evidencebased practice(EBP)among intensive care nurses.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 nurses working in intensive care units(ICUs).The study data were collected through demographic information,Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool(NICAT),and information literacy skills for EBP questionnaires.The intensive care nurses received competent and low-moderate levels for the total scores of NI competency and information literacy skills,respectively.They received a moderate score for the use of different information resources but a low score for information searching skills,different search features,and knowledge about search operators,and only 31.5%of the nurses selected the most appropriate statement.NI competency and related subscales had a significant direct bidirectional correlation with information literacy skills for EBP and its subscales(P<0.05).Nurses require a high level of NI competency and information literacy for EBP to obtain up-to-date information and provide better care and decision-making.Health planners and policymakers should develop interventions to enhance NI competency and information literacy skills among nurses and motivate them to use EBP in clinical settings.

Clinical competency:perceptions of nursing interns and clinical mentors

Objective:To assess the clinical competency of nursing interns and the perception of clinical nurse mentors toward student nurses'clinical competency.Methods:A study was carried out among 104 nursing interns and 26 clinical nurse mentors using the purposive sampling technique.A self-repor ted perception scale was used to collect the data.Results:In general,most nursing interns perceived themselves as clinically competent during the internship.The clinical nurse mentors too repor ted that the current internship is helping the nursing interns in becoming competent.Conclusions:Frequent clinical evaluation,buddy system,provision of stipends,good leadership,and coordination between the academic institute and hospital are repor ted as the critical motivating factors for improving the clinical competency of student interns.

A Study on the Application of Evidence-Based Nursing in The Care of Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Objective: To explore the application research of evidence-based nursing in the care of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: This study focuses on evidence-based nursing care of severe acute pancreatitis. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis who received treatment in our hospital were selected, from which 80 cases were chosen for detailed analysis. The patients were randomly grouped into a control group (conventional nursing care) and a study group (evidence-based nursing care), with 40 patients each. Relevant research data were recorded during the nursing process, analyzed, and used as research indicators. Results: The hospitalization time and morbidity and mortality rate of the research group were shorter than those of the control group, and the recovery rate was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction with nursing care in the observation group was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients with severe acute pancreatitis, the use of evidence-based nursing methods effectively reduced the patient’s mortality rate, improved its curative effect, and also shortened the patient’s hospitalization time.

A Study on Aligning Nursing Curriculum with Hospital Clinical Competency Requirements

The purpose of this study is to coordinate the alignment between the nursing curriculum and hospital clinical competencies,identify the reasons for the gaps,evaluate the impact of these gaps on the nursing profession,and propose strategies to bridge these gaps.This study will help strengthen nursing education,improve nursing students’skills,and help students adapt to complex clinical environments.

Geriatric nursing competence of clinical nursing staff at different hospital levels in Chongqing,China:A cross-sectional study

Objectives:This study aimed to survey the geriatric nursing competencies of clinical nursing staff in Chongqing City,China,and provide suggestions to enhance these competencies.Methods:This study was conducted in 204 hospitals in Southwest China from December 24,2022 to January 7,2023.The“Geriatric Nursing Competence of Clinical Nurse Investigation Tool”was used to explore factors that influence geriatric nurses’competencies via stratified sampling.The survey was conducted by distributing and collecting questionnaires through the online platform Wenjuanxing.Results:A total of 10,692 nurses answered the questionnaires.Of these questionnaires,9,442 were valid.The total geriatric nursing competence score of the clinical nursing staff was 2.29±0.81,the secondary hospital score was 2.23±0.78,and the tertiary hospital’s overall mean score was 2.33±0.83.The factors that influenced secondary hospitals included the department of medicine,age of nurses and total length of career(P<0.05).The factors that influenced tertiary hospitals included the department of medicine,age of nurses,nurses’professional title,and geriatric practical advanced nurses’certification(P<0.05).Conclusions:Geriatric nursing competence among clinical nursing staff is imbalanced at a lower-middle level and is influenced by various factors.Thefindings highlight the need for further clinical training in geriatric nursing.The training of geriatric nurses should focus on necessary clinical skills and on preparing them to adequately manage comprehensive geriatric syndromes.

Core competencies and perceived training needs of nurses in the background of Internet plus nursing service:a qualitative descriptive study

Background:The Internet plus nursing service program is being piloted in China,which has become a new home nursing service model led by nurses.To enable safe and effective homecare service delivery,nurses working in the program need a high level of competency.However,the content of these core competencies and the training needs of nurses for Internet plus nursing services are still unknown.Aim:To describe nurses’perceptions of core competencies and training needs to work in the Internet plus nursing service program,thereby providing a reference for the development of training programs.Methods:A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews was conducted on 15 nurses with experience of working in the Internet plus nursing service program.Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim,and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Core competencies involved comprehensive assessment competence,direct care practice competence,health education and consulting competence,risk estimation and response competence,and communication competence.Training needs involved complex operational items,knowledge of chronic disease management,professional communication,risk identification and response,nursing standards,norms,and procedures,and utilization of information technology.Conclusions:The training system may be developed based on nurses’core competencies and their training needs to promote professional development of the Internet plus nursing service.

Analysis of The Impact of The Healthcare Roundtable Model on the Major Disease Perceptions and Competencies of Cardiovascular Medicine Nursing Staff

Objective: To analyze the impact of the healthcare roundtable model on the major disease perceptions and competencies of cardiovascular nursing staff. Methods: Forty female nursing staff working in the hospital from April to June 2023 were selected and were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 20 in each group. For 60 days, the control group used the conventional learning and communication model and the observation group used the medical and nursing roundtable model. The cognitive scores of cardiovascular disease-related knowledge, competency scores, and satisfaction with the learning and communication model before and after the implementation of the model in both groups were compared. Results: After the implementation, the cognitive scores related to cardiovascular disease-related knowledge, competency scores, and satisfaction with the learning and communication model in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The healthcare roundtable model improved the knowledge and competence of cardiovascular internal medicine nursing staff in major diseases, and it is worth popularizing.

Application Value of Evidence-Based Nursing in the Perioperative Care of Ankle Fracture Patients

Objective:To analyze the value of applying evidence-based nursing in the perioperative care of patients with ankle fractures and propose corresponding measures to improve the quality of patient care.Methods:The study started in May 2022 and was terminated in March 2023.During this period,50 patients with ankle fractures treated by our hospital were selected as research subjects.They were divided into a control group and a research group.The control group had 25 patients who received routine care,and the research group had 25 who received evidence-based care.The nursing effects of the two groups were observed and compared.Results:The pain scores,quality of life,incidence of adverse reactions,and nursing satisfaction of patients in the research group were all significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Evidence-based nursing can effectively improve the quality of care,reduce the risk of adverse reactions,and promote patient recovery,so it is suitable for clinical implementation.

Assessing the Levels of Clinical Reasoning Skills Using Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Descriptive Comparative Study

Background: Clinical reasoning is a critical cognitive skill that enables undergraduate nursing students to make clinically sound decisions. A lapse in clinical reasoning can result in unintended harm to patients. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the levels of clinical reasoning skills between third year and fourth year undergraduate nursing students. Methods: The study utilized a descriptive comparative research design, based on the positivism paradigm. 410 undergraduate nursing students were systematically sampled and recruited into the study. The researchers used the Self-Assessment of Clinical Reflection and Reasoning questionnaire to collect data on clinical reasoning skills from third- and fourth-year nursing students while adhering to ethical principles of human dignity. Descriptive statistics were done to analyse the level of clinical reasoning and an independent sample t-test was performed to compare the clinical reasoning skills of the student. A p value of 0.05 was accepted. Results: The results of the study revealed that the mean clinical reasoning scores of the undergraduate nursing students were knowledge/theory application (M = 3.84;SD = 1.04);decision-making based on experience and evidence (M = 4.09;SD = 1.01);dealing with uncertainty (M = 3.93;SD = 0.87);reflection and reasoning (M = 3.77;SD = 3.88). The mean difference in clinical reasoning skills between third- and fourth-year undergraduate nursing students was not significantly different from an independent sample t-test scores (t = −1.08;p = 0.28);(t = −0.29;p = 0.73);(t = 1.19;p = 0.24);(t = −0.57;p = 0.57). Since the p-value is >0.05, the null hypothesis (H0) “there is no significantno significant difference in clinical reasoning between third year and fourth year undergraduate nursing students”, was accepted. Conclusion: This study has shown that the level of clinical reasoning skills of the undergraduate nursing students was moderate to low. This meant that the teaching methods have not been effective to improve the students clinical reasoning skills. Therefore, the training institutions should revise their curriculum by incorporating new teaching methods like simulation to enhance students’ clinical reasoning skills. In conclusion, evaluating clinical reasoning skills is crucial for addressing healthcare issues, validating teaching methods, and fostering continuous improvement in nursing education.

Exploring internship nursing students’ perception of gerontological nursing competencies: A descriptive study at Cairo University Hospitals

Objective:This research study explores the perceptions of gerontological nursing competencies,attitudes toward older individuals,and the willingness to provide care for the elderly among internship nursing students.Materials and Methods:A convenience sample of 350 internship nursing students from Cairo University Faculty of Nursing participated in the study.Data were collected using a set of comprehensive tools,including personal data and work experience assessment,the Hartford geriatric nurse competency tool,Kogan’s attitudes toward old people scale,and the modified elderly patient care inventory.Results:Descriptive analysis revealed balanced gender representation,with 60%identifying as female.Seventy percent of participants reported prior experience in gerontological care.Self-assessed competency scores indicated moderate proficiency in communication,physiological changes,and functional status assessment.Areas such as pain management and restraint use demonstrated potential gaps in self-perceived skills.Attitudes toward older individuals were predominantly positive,and the willingness to provide care showed positive tendencies,with a minor degree of hesitation noted.Conclusion:The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in nursing education to address competency gaps,enhance positive attitudes,and alleviate potential hesitations in caregiving for older individuals.As the elderly population continues to grow,nursing education programs must prepare future practitioners to deliver comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of older adults.

Transversal Competences and Clinic Tutorship: Appreciation by Graduated Nursing Specialists

Background: Transversal competences are included in the United Nations Organization 2030 Agenda for the formation of staff professional in higher education, having disciplinary and transversal skills to develop individual, professional, social, and entrepreneurship at present time, creative individuals being able to solve social problems via collaboration. The aim was to evaluate the transversal competences developed by graduates, specialists in nursing with the accompaniment of clinic tutorship. Methods: Qualitative, phenomenological, and interpretative research. The informants were seven graduates from the Unique Program of Nursing Specialties (UPNS), from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one participant from each knowledge field: Nursing in the Elderly, Public Health, Neurology, Physical and Sports Culture, Oncology, and two participants from Adult in Critical Condition. Information collection was through a focal group, and data analysis according to the principles of Souza Minayo. Signed informed consent was obtained previously. Results: Five categories with 24 sub-categories emerged. Category 1, Student’s perception on clinic tutorship specialty. Category 2, Competences promoted by clinic tutorship according to student’s experience. Category 3, Experiences about clinic tutorship planning. Category 4, Challenges faced by the student in the evaluation of clinic tutorship. Category 5, Opportunity fields in clinic tutorship from students’ experiences. Conclusion: Graduate students from the specialties describe transversal competences related with decision taking, collaborative work, and increase of population welfare, as well as generic disciplinary competences. The analogy of a social hinge between the clinic tutor and the student is highlighted, which allows to identify mobile and fixed components while the bolt that binds mentor with mentee is learning, by means of the accompaniment by an expert. .

Nurses’ and midwives’ participation and utilization of health-related research in Kenya: Implications for evidence-based practice

Objective To assess the level of participation of nurses and midwives in health-related research,determine the status of utilization of research to inform nursing and midwifery practice in Kenya,and explore perspectives of nurses and midwives about strategies to empower nurses/midwives to engage in health research in Kenya.Methods Data were extracted from online survey responses of 156 nurse and midwife educators,practitioners,and managers/administrators.SPSS version 26 was used to analyze quantitative data;qualitative data were analyzed using Excel to organize data into categories.Results Over one-third of participants reported ever publishing research(37.2%,58/156).Participants reported using knowledge gained in nursing school to guide practice most frequently(n=148).Utilization of research findings to guide practice was reported by 80.3%(110/137)of participants.Strategies to enhance participation in the research included research training,research forums,policy reforms,and emphasis on research in curricula.Conclusions There is need to intensify and prioritize proposed strategies to empower nurses/midwives to engage in health research.

Comparing Basic Social Competencies among Nursing Students before and during the Pandemic

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the practical curriculum in over 80% of Japanese nursing universities is shorted. The study aimed to clarify the change in basic social competencies among nursing students by comparing their scores before and during the pandemic. Method: Retrospective data from 235 responses from 3rd-grade nursing students were analyzed. The data were separated into two groups—158 respondents before-pandemic and 77 respondents during-pandemic. Respondents were asked to complete a measurement scale two months after the beginning of the 3rd-grade module. Results: Our results showed the during-pandemic group’s averages were higher than the before-pandemic group’s. During the pandemic, nursing students using home-based online learning could not self-evaluate accurately because they could not practice in the field. Conclusion: Nursing students who were studying during the during-pandemic self-assessed themselves higher than those who were studying during the before-pandemic because they could not compare with the other students, and the results showed that misunderstandings may arise.

Necessity for disaster-related nursing competency training of emergency nurses in China

Purpose::Discuss on the disaster-related nursing competency training of Chinese emergency nurses.Methods::By retrieving concerned literatures,summarize the current situation of disaster responses of Chinese emergency nurses and the impact factors of disaster-related nursing competencies.Results::The disaster preparedness of emergency nurses in China is at a medium level and must be improved.The impact factors include the educational degree,gender,disaster relief experience,training,and mechanisms for domestic disaster relief.Conclusion::As a direct response to disaster,emergency nurses should improve the comprehensive ability of disaster nursing by systematic disaster nursing education and professional training.

Improve nursing in evidence-based practice:How Chinese nurses'read and comprehend scientific literature

Objectives:To examine Chinese nurses'practice of reading and understanding scientific literature and elucidate the motivating and deterring factors.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted between March and June 2015.A random sample of 853 full-time registered nurses from three tertiary and two secondary hospitals in China filled out a set of self-administered questionnaires,including literature habit questionnaire(41 items),the situational motivation scale and the socio-demographic and professional characteristics questionnaire(15 items).Results:Significant majority(89.2%)of the respondents reported perception of barriers to keeping up to date with literature.The language barrier was the most prominent,followed by poor presentation and readability of articles.Using simpler language when writing articles,improving ones'foreign language proficiency and getting education or training on nursing research were raised as the top facilitators.Additionally,reading and understanding literature was significantly associated with the nurses'educational background,motivation,genders and work settings.Conclusions:The survey of the current status of literature education among Chinese nurses suggests that providing protected time,training for critical thinking,and incentive mechanisms will help improve nurses'engagement in literature and create a culture of academic inquiry.

Self-directed learning readiness and nursing competency among undergraduate nursing students in Fujian province of China

Aims:We examined the relationship between self-directed learning readiness(SDLR)and nursing competency among undergraduate nursing students.Background:There is little evidence-based data related to the relationship between selfdirected learning(SDL)and nursing competency.Methods:A descriptive correlational design was used.We conducted convenience sampling of 519 undergraduate nursing students from three universities during their final period of clinical practice.We investigated SDL according to the SDLR scale for nursing education(Chinese translation version),and used the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses to evaluate nursing competency.Results:The mean SDLR score of the students was 148.55(standard deviation[SD]18.46),indicating intermediate and higher SDLR.The mean score for nursing competency was 142.31(SD30.39),indicating intermediate nursing competence.SDLR had a significant positive and strong relationship with nursing competency.Conclusion:SDLR is a predictor of nursing competency.

Application of nursing core competency standard education in the training of nursing undergraduates

Purpose:To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing core competency standard education in undergraduate nursing training.Methods:Forty-two nursing undergraduates from the class of 2007 were recruited as the control group receiving conventional teaching methods,while 31 students from the class of 2008 were recruited as the experimental group receiving nursing core competency standard education.Teaching outcomes were evaluated using comprehensive theoretical knowledge examination and objective structured clinical examination.Results:The performance in the health information collection,physical assessment,scenario simulation and communication in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group(p<0.05).Conclusions:Nursing core competency standard education is helpful for the training of nursing students'core competencies.

Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice and Critical Thinking Skills of Nursing Students: Lessons from the Review of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum of the University of Zambia

Background: Making changes in the existing curriculum aims, objectives, course contents learning outcomes and assessment strategies have become a fact of life for nurse educators. Purpose: To enhance the existing Bachelor of Science (BSc) in nursing curriculum through integration of evidence-based practice (EBP) and teaching of critical thinking skills. Materials and Methods: A needs analysis was conducted using a five-phased approach to review the BSc in nursing Curriculum. Kern’s six-step model was adapted and introduced through a series of workshop exercises that highlighted the application of each step: 1) Desk review of the BSc curriculum offered globally;2) Administration of the needs assessment questionnaire to key informants;3) Strengths, weakness, opportunities and threat analysis;4) Consultative meeting with major stakeholders;5) Curriculum review. Results: The five-phased approach established some gaps in existing curricula, and identified critical core competences and best practices in integrating EPB and critical thinking in the BSc undergraduate curriculum and some “A” level content that was not in tandem with the practice of nurses. New courses were developed to support students in academic writing and enhance professionalism and duration of training was reduced from 5 to 4 years. Conclusion: The process demonstrated that BSc curriculum review, in fact, should be thoroughly scrutinized to encourage positive changes to the curriculum, provide opportunities for team building and the development of leadership skills and a whole-of course perspective on the curriculum.

Application of evidence-based nursing intervention in patients with congenital heart diseases treated by transcatheter interventional therapy

Objective To explore the application of evidence-based nursing intervention in patients with congenital heart diseases treated by transcatheter interventional therapy.Methods A total of 64 patients with congenital heart diseases who were administered in our hospital from June 2011 to July 2013 were recruited in our research.

Thoughts on the Construction of Evidence-based Nursing Standard Plan for Dominant Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The evidence-based Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) nursing in standard plan is to be constructed by a combination of evidence-based thinking and expert consensus.(1) The symptoms of diseases with better curative effect in TCM and the nursing techniques of TCM based on scientific evidence can be preliminarily presented through bibliometric analysis.(2) Expert consultation letters can be developed based on bibliometric results, and symptoms of dominant diseases in TCM and TCM nursing techniques can be selected through those letters.(3) Based on the selected symptoms and TCM nursing techniques, the PICO can be determined, and then evidence search, evidence extraction, evidence analysis can be conducted and synthesized, and recommendations would be chosen.(4) The recommendation grade of each recommendation can be determined by applying the Delphi method and referring to GRADE.(5) The plan will be determined through discussions of experts. The construction of TCM nursing plan would make sure that TCM nursing is scientific, and internationalize TCM nursing.