Factors Influencing Confidence in Performing Fundamental Nursing Skills of Nursing Students: Focused on Professionalism and Self-efficacy / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors with nursing students's confidence in performing fundamental nursing skills. The focus was on professionalism and self-efficacy METHOD: For the sample 258 fourth graders of nursing students were recruited in two universities located in Gyeongnam or Ulsan. Data were analyzed using t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean score for confidence in performing fundamental nursing skills was 3.71±0.58. Nursing professionalism and self-efficacy were positively correlated with confidence in performing fundamental nursing skills. Analysis using multiple regression showed that 27% of factors predicting confidence in performance of fundamentals of nursing practice (F=16.43, p<.001) included nursing professionalism (β=.37, p<.001), self-expression (β=.15, p=.009), and self-efficacy (β=.14, p=.029). CONCLUSION: Findings show that nursing professionalism is one of the major factors influencing confidence in performing fundamental nursing skills. In order to improve the confidence in performing fundamental nursing skills, it is necessary to establish effective educational strategies that firmly enhance nursing professionalism and improve self-efficacy in nursing students.

The Effects of a Hospice Palliative Education Program on Perception of Hospice, Attitude to Death, and Meaning of Life in Adults / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a hospice palliative education program for adults on their perception of hospice, attitude towards death, and meaning of life. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group design. Among 43 participants, 22 were assigned to the non-equivalent experimental group and 21 to the control group. The hospice palliative education program comprised 10 three-hour sessions, each given once a week. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and χ2-test using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: Significant differences between the experimental and control groups were observed in their perception of hospice (t=6.63, P < 0.001), attitude towards death (t=2.36, P=0.023), and meaning of life (t=5.06, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that this education program could positively affect the perception of hospice, attitude toward death, and meaning of life in adults. More studies are warranted to explore the effects of this education program for various age groups so that it may help more people get positive understanding of hospice palliative care. The results suggest this program could help improve the negative perception of hospice, negative attitude towards death and meaning of life that are generally held by the public.

The Effects of the Hospice & Palliative Care Education Program for Caregivers / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify how an education program on palliative care affects nursing home caregivers' perception of hospice care and attitude towards terminally ill patient care. METHODS: This study was conducted using a nonequivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design. The participants were 101 certified care workers: 58 in the experimental group and 43 in the control. The experimental group completed the palliative care education program consisted of 20 hours of classroom training and 20 hours of clinical practicum. An ANCOVA was performed to compare the score changes to outcome variables. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant pretest-posttest differences in both the perception of hospice care (F=21.09, P < 0.001) and attitude towards caring for terminally ill patients (F=13.28, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the palliative care education program for caregivers is effective in preparing participants to provide hospice/palliative care service. Further study is warranted to explore the effects of this program on palliative caregivers' performance.

Hospice Palliative Nurses' Experience of Caring for Terminal Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe hospice palliative nurses' experience of caring for terminal cancer patients. METHODS: Eleven hospice palliative nurses participated in the study. Data were collected through individual in-depth unstructured interviews with participants from November, 2012 to October, 2013. Theoretical sampling was used to the point of theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss' 'Grounded Theory Method.' RESULTS: From open coding, 25 sub-categories and 12 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category was 'becoming stepping-stones between life and death enduring burdens', consisting of three phases: the phase of withdrawal, the phase of exertion, and the phase of maturity. Through this process, participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as 'maintaining a distance', 'sharing intimate daily life', 'being a mediator for a peaceful death', 'grieving and remembering'. The consequences of these strategies were a transcendental perspective towards life and ambivalent feelings toward hospice nursing. CONCLUSION: In-depth understanding of the hospice palliative nurses' experience of caring for terminal cancer patients will guide nurse managers and policy makers to promote effective nursing strategies to better support hospice palliative nurses.