Preceptors impact on the outcome of an orientation training program for novice nurses in critical care

The sample consisted of 97 and 140 novice nurses graduated in the years 1996 and 1997, respectively. The first phase was the development and implementation of an orientation program for novice nurses in critical care units, regarding theoretical and clinical content. Whereas, the second phase was the hiring and training of preceptors in order to supervise, train novice nurses in the critical care units. Evaluation of the theoretical components of the orientation program was carried out on all novice nurses in the study. Evaluation of the clinical performance was done on 20 novice nurses in each year of the study. Findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in novice nurses' knowledge and performance gain after implementing the program were t value [= 9.02 and 5.83, respectively]. However, the preceptors value was markedly felt in the 1997 novice nurses' evaluation in a higher gain in critical care nursing performance

Factors Affecting student's choice of nursing as a career in Egypt and Syria

Factors that affect student's choice of nursing as a career in 2 different countries, Egypt and Syria, were the focus of the study. There was a 3-fold purpose, definition of nursing, reason for choosing nursing, and who/what influenced the image of nursing and the choice of that career. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from a random sample of the students of the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt [n = 223] and the Faculty of Nursing, Techrine University, Syria [n = 58]. In the light of findings of this study, it is evident that most students from both countries define nursing as caring. However, employment opportunities and financial reward were the main reasons in Egypt for choosing the nursing career, as compared with employment opportunities and nurturing in Syria

Description of some factors associated with the development and/or the recurrence of peptic ulcer

The aim of the study was to describe some factors in relation to the development and/or the recurrence of peptic ulcer in patients. The sample consisted of 45 patients selected from general medical and surgical wards, at the Main University Hospital, University of Alexandria, over a period of five months, through the admission registry of these various wards. A semi structured interview schedule was constructed. It comprised three main areas: biosocial, patient's medical history and factors perceived by patients as precipitating episodes. The results indicated that the majority of the sample were males and that both sexes were in the 4th and 6th decades of life. Moreover, the majority of the patients regardless to the type of work they had, mentioned that their occupations were exhausting [95.54%]. As for dietary habits, it was found that 86.67%, 91.11% and 62.22% of the total sample did not eat their meals at regular hours, did not chew properly and indulged daily in tea and coffee drinking respectively. Heavy smoking was also reported by 71.11%. Familial history of peptic ulcer was inexistant in 86.67% of the total sample. It was reported by 31.11% of the sample that they did not take medications freely or without medical prescription