Journal of advanced nursing
-
This paper reports a review examining the concept of sleep and its antithesis of fatigue, and considers the evidence on nurses' ability to cope with the demands of continually changing hours of work, their safety, and the impact any manifestations of sleep disruption may have on the care of their patients. While many aspects of this paper may apply to nursing in general, special consideration is given to nurses in the critical care environment. ⋯ The literature reinforces concerns about the adverse relationship between fatigue and performance in the workplace. Optimal standards for patient care may be difficult to achieve for more mature nurses, who may suffer from sleep deprivation and health problems associated with rotational night work and disrupted physiological rhythms.
-
This paper reports a study evaluating baseline competence levels among Emergency Nurse Practitioners using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. The study also aimed to document change in competence over time and following an educational intervention. ⋯ The assessment process worked well, and provides a framework for competence assessment that can be compared over time, between practitioners and between departments.
-
This paper reports a literature review describing the range of published tools available for use by nurses to screen or assess nutritional status of patients/clients, and to examine whether the validity, reliability, sensitivity, specificity and acceptability of the tool have been investigated. Tools developed specifically for use with older adults are not considered in this review. A screening/assessment tool is described as a tool that uses a questionnaire-type format, contains more than one risk factor for malnutrition and gives an assessment of risk. ⋯ There are many published nutritional screening/assessment tools available for use by nurses to screen or assess the nutritional status of patients/clients. Many have not been subject to rigorous testing. Future work should consider a more standardized approach to the use of these tools.
-
This paper reports a study to evaluate caregiving demands among mothers and fathers of children with cancer, parents' well-being, and how the parents perceive the health status of their child over a period of 18 months. ⋯ These findings underline the long-term impact of children's cancer on their families. Interventions focusing on emotional support, parents' wellbeing, and how families perceive the health of their child with cancer might benefit the family as a whole.
-
This paper describes Australian paediatric nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward fever and its management and the predictors of their intentions to administer paracetamol to a febrile child. ⋯ Fever management is an integral aspect of paediatric nursing. For its consistent rational management, nurses must have appropriate knowledge and positive attitudes. This highlights the need for continuing education in fever management.