Nurse staffing and life expectancy at birth and at 65 years old:Evidence from 35 OECD countries

Objective: To measure the possible magnitude of the role nurse staffing has on increasing life expectancy at birth and at 65 years old.Methods: The statistical technique of panel data analysis was applied to investigate the relationship from the number of practicing nurses' density per 1000 population to life expectancy at birth and at 65 years old.Five control variables were used as the proxies for the levels of medical staffing,health care financial and physical resources,and medical technology.The observations of 35 member countries of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were collected from OECD Health Statistics over 2000-2016 period.Results: There were meaningful relationships from nurse staffing to life expectancy at birth and at 65 years with the long-run elasticities of 0.02 and 0.08,respectively.Overall,the role of nursing characteristics in increasing life expectancy indicators varied among different health care systems of OECD countries and in average were determined at the highest level in Japan (0.25),followed by Iceland (0.24),Belgium (0.21),Czech Republic (0.21),Slovenia (0.20) and Sweden (0.18).Conclusion: A higher proportion of nursing staff is associated with higher life expectancy in OECD countries and the dependency of life expectancy to nursing staff would increase by aging.Hence,the findings of this study warn health policy makers about ignoring the effects nursing shortages create e.g.increasing the risk of actual age-specific mortality,especially in care of elderly people.

Impact of nurse staffing on reducing infant, neonatal and perinatal mortality rates: Evidence from panel data analysis in 35 OECD countries

Objectives:To investigate the magnitude of effect nurse staffing had on decreasing the newborn mortality rates in member countries of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD).Methods:The statistical technique of panel data analysis was applied to explore the possibility of association between the number of nurses'density per 1,000 population and infant,neonatal and perinatal mortality rates(IMR,NMR and PMR)per 1000 births.The observations of 35 OECD countries were collected over the period of 2000 through 2016.Results:There were significant associations between nurse staffing and IMR,NMR and PMR i.e.a 1%increase in nurse-staffing level reduced IMR,NMR and PMR by 0.98%,0.97%and 0.96%,respectively.Furthermore,the role of nursing-related services in declining the average of newborn mortality rates were investigated at the highest level in Slovenia(-5.50),Sweden(-3.34),Iceland(-2.51),Czech Republic(-1.86),Japan(-1.64)and Finland(-1.64).Moreover,if the current relationship between nursestaffing level and newborn mortality rates are disturbed with nursing shortage(e.g.in Slovak Republic and Israel),then it takes about 17 years for the mortality rates to reduce and restore back to the previous equilibrium.Conclusions:A higher proportion of nurses'density per 1,000 population is associated with lower newborn mortality rates.In addition,the nursing-related services of Slovenia,Sweden,Iceland,Czech Republic,Japan and Finland with the highest impact on improving the health level of newborns would be good patterns for other developed countries in maternity and child health care.

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.

Research Progress on Career Development of Nursing Staff

There are few studies on career development as an exclusive concept in the field of nursing in China.Currently,research related to the career development of nursing staff primarily relies on inductive evaluation tools,and there is less systematic summarization of this research.This paper reviews the concept,evaluation tools,and influencing factors of nursing career development,aiming to provide a reference for future research in this area.

Work-related quality of life and performance appraisal among nurses at a tertiary hospital in Philippines

Objective:The objective of the study is to describe the work-related quality of life(WRQOL)among nurses and explore its association with performance evaluation ratings.Methods:A cross-sectional design was utilized measuring the WRQOL scale and the previous performance appraisal rating.Multistage sampling approach was utilized with nurses stratified based on their position and then systematically random sampled based on their unit assignment.Results:One hundred and eighty-two nurses were included.About half reported a high quality of work life(101;55.5%).Low scores were noted on the subscale working conditions(100;54.9%),low to average responses for home-work interface(109;59.9%),control at work(100;54.9%),and stress at work(90;49.5%).A higher proportion of nurses reported positive responses toward the areas of general well-being(113;62.1%)and job-career satisfaction(112;61.5%),than in the other subscales.There were notable differences between WRQOL ratings:(1)Head nurses had the highest perceived quality of work life,followed by nurse supervisors and charge nurses(F=6.1,P<0.01)and(2)Nurses in the pay-patient services reported lower quality of working life,while those in office and outpatient services had more positive scores(F=4.6,P<0.01).Conclusion:Only more than half of the nurses reported a high quality of work life,some of its dimensions,particularly job and career satisfaction and working conditions,appeared to vary in the perceived degree across years in service,work hours,and position.The assessment of the quality of work life may serve as an important tool to address staff burnout,absenteeism and other issues that affect job performance among health-care professionals.

The Psychological Experience of the Nursing Staff of the Medical Oncology Department in Cameroon: Case of the YaoundéGeneral Hospital

Background: The world of cancer care is an emotional place, given the severity of the disease being treated, the heavy workload, the suffering of patients, and the high number of deaths. The nursing staff who work there may be exposed to constant stress from these factors. This study aimed to explore the psychological experience of the nursing staff of the Medical Oncology Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study, in June 2017, involving the nursing staff of the Medical Oncology Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital. Results: Sixteen out of 18 nurses were interviewed. All had worked in at least one other department prior to Oncology. The number of years of experience in Oncology ranged from less than one year to 13 years. The choice of the Oncology department was involuntary for 100% of the staff;of these, 62% had intentions of changing departments. Twenty-five percent had applied for a change of department, which was unsuccessful. Stress was expressed by 94% of the staff;93% thought that there was a solution to the stress experienced on a daily basis in the Oncology department. The main solutions proposed to manage this stress were: support for the staff, provision of work materials, and staff training. Conclusion: The nursing staff of the Medical Oncology Department of the Yaoundé General Hospital experiences a high level of stress and are in need of solutions.

Evaluation of patient safety culture as perceived by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives:A good patient safety culture(PSC)is linked to a reduced risk of patient problems and minimal undesirable occurrences.This study investigated the PSC levels from nurses'perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional design was applied.The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture(HSOPSC)questionnaire was administered to 315 nurses working at 2 major hospitals in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,a t-test,and a one-way ANOVA test.The statistical significance of the correlation was determined at the 0.05 level.Results:PSC was rated as medium overall according to the nurses,with a weighted mean of 2.88–0.76 and a relative weight of 57.57%.In addition,all PSC composites were rated from medium to high,except organizational learning,which was rated low.The correlation between sociodemographic variables as well as PSC levels was investigated using the t-test and one-way ANOVA test.The association is statistically significant when P≤0.05.The findings revealed a statistically significant correlation between nurse nationality(t=-4.399,P=0.000),age(F=7.917,P=0.000),experience in years(F=3.760,P=0.024),and hospital(t=-0.401,P=0.689).Conclusions:The nurses in this study had a medium overall PSC level,and all PSC composites ranged from a medium to a high level,except organizational learning,which had a low level.In addition,the findings showed that there is a significant relationship between PSC levels,nurses'nationalities,experience in years,and the hospital itself.

Sexuality after Childbirth: Analysis of the Experiences of Central African Women in Bangui

Introduction: In many societies, sexuality is still a taboo subject. In the Central African Republic, this topic is rarely discussed outside the context of gynecological consultations and infertility, whereas the sexual life of couples is often disrupted by the arrival of a child, particularly by the ordeal of childbirth. The aim of the study is to analyze the sexual experience of Central African women after childbirth in order to contribute to improving the health of the population, in particular that of mother and child, and to facilitate harmony within the couple. Methodology: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study covering the period from July 1 to August 30, 2023, at the maternity ward of the Center University Hospitalier Communautaire. The study concerned only women who had given birth between the second week and the sixth month postpartum. The sampling was exhaustive. Results: A total of 303 women agreed to take part in our study, aged between 15 and 44, more than half of whom had completed secondary school. The eagerness of the women to take part in the study shows that they are ready to express themselves about their sexuality despite certain biases linked to the method of patient selection. Resumption of sexual relations was initiated by the partners within six weeks in the vast majority of cases. Conclusion: Resumption of sexual intercourse was delayed, often at the partner’s initiative. Further studies are needed to understand the cultural, religious and psychological dimensions of postpartum sexuality in the Central African context.

Research-training needs of clinical nurses: A nationwide study among tertiary hospitals in China

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate Chinese tertiary hospital nurses' research output,research ability,and their related training needs regarding scientific research methodology and analyze the relations among them.Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in China on a large sample of tertiary hospital nurses (n =27,335) recruited from 22 provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities.A validated,self-designed questionnaire,consisted of a common questionnaire,the Science Research Skills Self-Rating Questionnaire (SRSQ) and the Scientific Research Training Needs Questionnaire (SRTNQ) were used to assess nurses' research output,self-rated research skills and research-training needs.Results: The nurses' scientific research participation rates (with 4.13%,7.85%,5.35%,and 2.04% in research projects,research attendance,papers published,and patent,respectively) and their self-rated research skills 25.00 (12.50,37.50) were very low.However,the research training needs were relatively high 53.12(37.50,75.00).Significant differences in research participation rates (research projects,research attendance,papers published,and patent),scientific research skills,and research-training needs were determined by age,highest education level,nursing experience,employment,technical title,administrative post,and clinical tutoring experience (P< 0.05).Female and male nurses had different research participation rates (only research projects and studies published) and scientific research skills (P < 0.05).Positive correlations were observed among research output,scientific research skills,and researchtraining needs (P < 0.01).Conclusions: Nurses' scientific research participation and self-rated research ability were below the optimal despite that they had relatively high research-training needs.Nurses should be provided further research training with tailored content to their characteristics and capacity.

Nurses’perception on competency requirement and training demand for intensive care nurses

Objectives Various authors have explored the combination of competencies necessary for ensuring safe and quality care carried out by nurses in Intensive Care Units(ICUs).Nurses’perception of training is an element that must be studied in order to adopt appropriate educational measures.This study aimed to evaluate nurses’perception of the importance of intensive care training in Spain.Methods A descriptive,cross-sectional,multicentre study was conducted on a national level in Spain.Totally 85 ICUs took part in the study.The questionnaire used was developed using the Delphi method and had 66 items to investigate nurses’perception on competency requirements and training needs.The evaluation was conducted by a 10-point Likert scale.Results The sample was 568 Spanish nurses.Significant differences were found on an academic level,in terms of gender and hospital type,and in the professional experience of the nurse when it comes to evaluating the different training items;the differences in overall questionnaire scores among these groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).The nurses analyzed believe that previous training and professional experience in other care services are necessary before starting work in an ICU.Conclusion Implementation of training programs tailored to the needs of critical nurses had benefits for nurses and the health system.Nurses benefited from training focused on the skills and knowledge of each moment of their working life.Nurses have a different evaluation of their training needs throughout their professional cycle.Therefore,their training must be adapted to the professional stage of each nurse.

Role of nurses in improving patient safety: Evidence from surgical complications in 21 countries

Objectives: To analyze the role of nurse staffing in improving patient safety due to reducing surgical complications in member countries of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Methods: The number of practicing nurses' density per 1000 population and five surgical complications indicators including foreign body left in during procedure (FBL),postoperative pulmonary embolism (PPE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after hip and knee replacement,postoperative sepsis after abdominal surgery (PSA) and postoperative wound dehiscence (PWD) were collected in crude rates per 100,000 hospital discharges for age group of 15 years old and over within 30 days after surgery based on surgical admission-related and all admission-related methods.The observations of 21 OECD countries were collected from OECD Health Statistics during 2010-2015 period.The statistical technique of panel data analysis including unit root test,co-integration test and dynamic long-run analysis were used to estimate the possible relationship between our panel series.Results: There were significant relationships from nurse-staffing level to reducing FBL,PPE,DVT,PSA and PWD with long-run magnitudes of-2.91,-1.30,-1.69,-2.81 and-1.12 based on surgical admission method as well as-6.12,-14.57,-7.29,-1.41 and-0.88 based on all admission method,respectively.Conclusions: A higher proportion of nurses is associated with higher patient safety resulting from lower surgical complications and adverse clinical outcomes in OECD countries.Hence,we alert policy makers about the risk of underestimating the impact of nurses on improving patient safety as well as the quality of health care services in OECD countries.

A study on the psychological needs of nurses caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 from the perspective of the existence,relatedness, and growth theory

Objective:This study aimed to explore the psychological needs of nurses caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and to propose corresponding interventions.Methods:In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19.Interview data were analyzed by category analysis from the perspective of the existence,relatedness,and growth theory(ERG).Results:The existence needs were mainly reflected in health and security needs,whereas the relatedness needs consisting mainly of interpersonal needs,humanistic concern needs,and family needs;further,the growth needs were mainly reflected as a strong need for knowledge.Existence needs were the main needs during the epidemic,with health and security needs influencing each other.Humanistic concern needs were the most important of the relatedness needs;interpersonal and family needs were also growing.Conclusion:It is found that the existence,relatedness,and growth needs coexist in clinical nurses.It is helpful to take effective interventions to meet their needs if the needs of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients could be perceived well.

Frequency and barriers of reporting workplace violence in nurses:An online survey in China

Objectives:This study aimed to explore the reporting of workplace violence against nurses and the reasons why they did not reported.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire regarding workplace violence and reporting was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey on nurses who submitted a manuscript to a Chinese nursing journal from 2016 to 2017.A total of 324 nurses agreed to participate in this study and 266 participants from 165 hospitals in 72 cities returned questionnaires.Results:A total of 172 nurses(64.7%)experienced violent incidents during the past year.Of these incidents,45.5%were reported;and the reporting rate of physical assaults(69.0%)was higher than those of verbal abuse(36.9%),threatening behavior(51.7%),and sexual harassment(60.0%).Formal reporting accounted for 25.4%(15.4%in written form and 10.0%through a computer-assisted reporting system).Almost half of the nurses(49.6%)stated that the hospital had no reporting system or they were uncertain about the reporting system.For reasons of not reporting,51.9%of the nurses were unware of how and what types of violence to report,and 50.6%of the nurses believed that the hospital paid greater attention to patients rather than staff.Conclusions:A clear definition of workplace violence and reporting procedures,establishment of a facile system for reporting,and supervisory support following a reporting are urgently required.

An investigation into the occupational protection status of clinical nursing staff exposed to anti-tumor drugs

Objective:To investigate the occupational protection status of clinical nursing staff vocationally exposed to anti-tumor drugs.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire was used to survey 180 clinical nursing staff vocationally exposed to anti-tumor drugs.Results:Recognition of the need for protection and dependent occupational protection behaviors were very poor in clinical nursing staff vocationally exposed to anti-tumor drugs.The management of the occupational protection of clinical nursing staff vocationally exposed to anti-tumor drugs was also seriously underdeveloped.Conclusion:There is deficiency in the understanding and related protection practices of clinical nursing staff vocationally exposed to anti-tumor drugs in our hospital.The protection measures currently employed in medical practice are inadequate in virtually every aspect considered.It is recommended that all clinical nursing staff should receive full occupational protection training in these matters.The training must raise nursing staff's awareness of the need for occupational protection and standardize their occupational protection behaviors to conform to "best practice" models.These "best practice" models should be quickly established and all staff made cognizant of them forthwith.In addition,where occupational protection systems are already in place,they should be improved to come into line with the new "best practice" models instigated.

A study of the relationship between professional values and ethical climate and nurses'professional quality of life in Iran

Objective:To explore the relationship between nursing professional values and ethical climate and nurses'professional quality of life.Methods:The present study is a descriptive,cross-sectional work in which 400 nurses from various wards of hospitals in the south-east of Iran were studied.Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of four sections:demographics,Nurses'Professional Values Scale-Revised(NPVS-R),the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey(HECS),and the Professional Quality of Life Scale(ProQOL).Results:The total mean scores for professional values were 105.29±15.60.The total mean score for the ethical climate was 100.09±17.11.The mean scores for the indexes of compassion satisfaction,burnout,and secondary traumatic stress were 45.29±8.93,34.38±6.84,and 32.15±7.02 respectively.The relationships between professional values and the indexes of compassion satisfaction(r=0.56),burnout(r=0.26),and secondary traumatic stress(r=0.18)were found to be positive and significant(P<0.001).Also,the relationships between ethical climate and the items of compassion satisfaction(r=0.60,P<0.001),burnout(r=0.15,P=0.002)were found to be positive and significant.Conclusion:An understanding of nurses'perception of professional values and improving the ethical climate at work can help nursing administrators identify more effective strategies toward increasing compassion satisfaction and lessening bumout and work-related stress.

Study on the Relationship between Nursing Staffing and Nosocomial Infection in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: At present, there is no domestic research on the relationship between nurse staffing and hospital infection in very low birth weight infants. In this paper, we will explore the relationship between nurses of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and nosocomial infections. Methods: The clinical data of 280 very low birth weight infants born in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2020 were collected, and the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to study the nursing staff of each very low birth weight infant who was admitted to the NICU The relationship between the number of infections and hospital infections. Results: On average, each nurse needs to care for 4.3 very low birth weight infants (lowest to highest: 2.50 - 8.42). In the univariate analysis, the higher the incidence of urinary tract infection (P < 0.05), the multivariate logistic regression analysis of neonatal nosocomial infection showed that nurse staffing was significantly related to the incidence of urinary tract infection (OR = 1.78;95% confidence interval, 1.17 - 2.35, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between nurse staffing and bloodstream infection (OR = 0.91;95% confidence interval, 0.74 - 1.06, P > 0.05) or Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) infection (OR = 1.17;95% confidence interval, 0.94 - 1.47, P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our research shows that in the neonatal intensive care unit, the reasonable deployment of nursing staff is an important factor in preventing urinary tract infections in very low birth weight infants. It is important for improving the survival rate of very low birth weight infants and reducing the occurrence of sequelae.

A study of the relationship between nurses'experience,structural empowerment,and attitudes toward computer use

Objective:This study examined the relationship between structural empowerment and nurses’experience and attitudes toward computer use.Methods:This study was conducted using a cross-sectional quantitative design.A total of 184 registered nurses from four hospitals in Jordan participated in the current study.Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire,the Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II(CWEQ-II),and the Pretest for Attitudes toward Computers in Healthcare(PATCH).Results:The median of experience in years among nurses was 5.0,ranging from one to 26 years.The mean score for the attitudes toward computer use was 61.90±11.38.Almost half of the participants,45.11%,were in the category of“feel comfortable using user-friendly computers.”The participants’mean average of the total structural empowerment was 12.40±2.43,and the values for its four subscales were:opportunity 3.57±0.87,resources 2.83±0.85,information 3.06±0.79,and support 2.95±0.86.The frequencies analysis revealed that most participants had a moderate level of empowerment(n¼127,69.02%).The bivariate correlation between nurses’experience and attitudes toward computer use was significant(r¼0.17,P<0.05).The relationship between the total structural empowerment score and attitudes toward computer use was positive but weak(r¼0.20,P<0.01).Conclusion:The results indicated that more experienced nurses are more reluctant toward computer use.However,creating an empowering work environment can facilitate nurses’attitudes toward computer use.

Job characteristics and staying engaged in work of nurses: Empirical evidence from Malaysia

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between job characteristics (job autonomy,job feedback,skill variety,task identity,task significance) and work engagement of nurses in Malaysia.Methods: A survey using self-administered questionnaires was used to collect data from a sample of 856 staff nurses working in eight public hospitals in Malaysia.A shortened nine-item version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale(UWES-9) was used to measure work engagement.The UWES-9 comprises three dimensions,which was measured with three items each: vigor,dedication,and absorption.Job characteristics (job autonomy,job feedback,skill variety,task identity,task significance) were measured with the corresponding subscales of the Job Diagnostic Survey.Each subscale consisted of three items.Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis.Results: Findings indicated that all the five demographic variables (age,marital status,education,organizational tenure,job tenure) were unrelated to work engagement.The results further revealed that job autonomy (β=0.19,P < 0.01),job feedback (β=0.10,P < 0.01),task identity (β=0.13,P < 0.01),and task significance (β=0.08,P< 0.05) were positively related to work engagement.Skill variety (β=0.03,P> 0.05),however,did not affect work engagement.Conclusion: Job autonomy,job feedback,task identity,and task significance are important factors in predicting work engagement.The findings of this study highlighted the need to incorporate these core dimensions in nursing management to foster work engagement.

Patient safety culture and handoff evaluation of nurses in small and medium-sized hospitals

Objectives:This study was conducted to investigate the current status of handoffs,perception of patient safety culture,and degrees of handoff evaluation in small and medium-sized hospitals and identified factors that make a difference in handoff evaluation.Methods:This is a descriptive study.425 nurses who work at small and medium-sized hospitals in South Korea were included in our study.They completed a set of self-reporting questionnaires that evaluated demographic data,handoff-related characteristics,perception of patient safety culture,and handoff evaluation.Results:Results showed that the overall score of awareness of a patient safety culture was 3.65±0.45,the level was moderate.The score of handoff evaluation was 5.24±0.85.Most nurses experienced errors in handoff and most nurses had no guidelines and checklist in the ward.Handoff evaluation differed significantly according to the level of education,work patterns,duration of hospital employment,handoff method,degree of satisfaction with the current handoff method,errors occurring at the time of handoff,handoff guidelines,and appropriateness of handoff education time(P<0.05).Conclusion:For handoff improvement,guidelines and standards should be established.It is necessary to develop a structured handoff education system.And formal handoff education should be implemented to spread knowledge uniformly.

Knowledge of Nursing Staff on Postoperative Pain: The Case of the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

Background and objective: Pain is a major concern in the surgical environment, but its management remains insufficient due to several factors related to the nursing staff, the organization of the structure or the patient himself. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of the nursing staff on postoperative pain at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala from September to December 2018. Participants were consecutively selected among members of nursing staff in charge of operated patients in the visceral surgery, trauma surgery, surgical reanimation, gynaecology and obstetrics services. Socio-professional data and data related to knowledge of postoperative pain were collected from this personnel using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: With regard to knowledge of postoperative pain, the proportion of correct answers to the knowledge questions was 61.4%. This proportion varied significantly with the specific training received on pain and the specialization of the nursing staff (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the study reveal knowledge in this population that deserves to be improved with a view to better management of patients undergoing surgery.