Journal of clinical nursing
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This paper aims to analyse the concept of advanced nursing practice critically and to demonstrate an appreciation of the development of the role of the advanced nurse practitioner in the Irish context. ⋯ Nurses working at an advanced level are striving to develop their expertise, initiate nurse-led services and practice, in collaboration with other professionals in an effort to provide the highest quality care to the patient. Although the idea of the advanced nurse practitioner is relatively new to nursing in Ireland, it is the result of an idea whose time has come and there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.
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The concept of spirituality is much discussed in the UK nursing literature, despite the fact that Britain is one of the most secular countries in the world, and steadily becoming more so. Here, I pose the following question: given this increasing secularization, what accounts for the current interest in spirituality among UK nurses? ⋯ The extension of spirituality into secular domains is part of a professionalization project in nursing, a claim to jurisdiction over a newly invented sphere of work. For the time being, it remains an academic project (in the UK) as it is not one with which many clinicians identify. Relevance to clinical practice. What counts as 'spiritual need' or 'spiritual care' may not be the same in both countries, and UK clinicians are unlikely to welcome the role of surrogate chaplain, which their USA colleagues are apparently willing to embrace.
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Review
A European survey of enteral nutrition practices and procedures in adult intensive care units.
The aim of this survey was to gain an overview of enteral nutrition practices and procedures of European adult intensive care units and to describe current trends. ⋯ This study is relevant to all nurses working in critical care areas. The findings suggest that when an intensive care unit is supported by a nutritional support team it is more likely that a nutritional score will be used and nutritional assessments will be made daily. Many intensive care practices do not conform to international guidelines for enteral feeding. Nutritional assessment and the use of nutritional risk scores are areas that would benefit from further application in intensive care. This study may provide an impetus for intensive care units to review their nutrition assessment practices and to advance evidence-based guidelines, developed by multi-professional teams, which ensure the safe and effective management of patients receiving enteral nutrition.
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Applying ethical principles as a framework, a review of the literature will be presented regarding the decision-making process of slow codes. ⋯ Decision-making regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation is increasingly problematic in Ireland. The literature review suggests that clinical guidelines regarding decision-making and cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be introduced to reduce the likelihood of slow codes occurring, but also that nurses and doctors endeavour to communicate more effectively with patients and family.
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This paper attempts to address the global concern of the possible pandemic of influenza and avian influenza. In doing this, some unfounded beliefs related to influenza vaccines and antiviral treatment and prophylaxis are explored. This study also describes the essential measures for getting prepared. ⋯ Although the preparedness is everyone's business, nurses play a crucial and indispensable role in this exercise. With prepared personnel, facilities and good infection control practices, nosocomial spread of the disease and pandemic can be prevented.