[Effect of the nursing staff associate model on nursing students' clinical learning]

Clinical education is one of the most important ingredients of nursing curriculum. Inadequacies in nursing skills are main concerns of nursing students. Therefore, the application of new teaching methods is essential to improve the quality of clinical education. The Clinical Education Associate Method [CEAM], using the collaboration of nursing staff is a strategy for clinical education. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the nursing staff associate model on nursing students' clinical learning. This was a quasi-experimental study. 40 nursing students were randomly and equally assigned into two groups. The students in the experiment group were trained by nursing staff during clinical education, while the students in the control group received the routine education. The clinical skills of the students were assessed using a checklist. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The students in both groups were the same in terms of demographic characteristics. The students in the experiment group received better marks in clinical skills such as medication, communication with patients, isolation methods, and dressing in comparison with the students in the control group [P<0.05]. In the nursing staff associate model, students interact with each other and will be able to communication better, and their self-esteem is improved. Moreover, the level of learning in such students is higher in comparison with students taught using the routine method. Therefore, the widespread application of this model in nursing and other healthcare disciplines are suggested

[Correlation of spiritual intelligence with some of demographic and educational factors among the students of Golestan university of medical sciences]

Spiritual intelligence offer adaptation, internal and external integrity, environmental harmony and problem solving. The medical students are potential workforce of future in medical and caring areas; hence it is essential to assess the spiritual intelligence in this group of academics to improve the quality of clinical care. The aim of the study was to investigate correlation of spiritual intelligence with some of demographic and educational factors among the students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive correlational study was conducted in 2011 on 282 medical and paramedical students of the university who entered the study through simple random sampling. The data gathered by a demographic questionnaire and "Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire" that cover four main domains "general thoughts and beliefs", "ability of dealing with problems", "spiritual traits", "self- awareness and compassion". The validity of questionnaire was confirmed with criterion- related validity and the reliability of questionnaire was obtained with alpha Cronbach coefficient of 0.85. The data was analyzed with SPSS /16 using descriptive and analytical statistical tests. [P<0.05] The mean age of the participants was 20.17 +/- 1.70 year old and 76 percent of them were female. The average spiritual intelligence score from 5 likert score in four domains was 106.65 +/- 13.93 from 222. The mean and standard deviation of each four domain respectively; in "general thoughts and beliefs" was 2.13 +/- 0.56, in "ability of dealing with problems" was 2.90 +/- 0.62, in "spiritual traits" had value of 2.20 +/- 0.45 and finally in "self-awareness and compassion" standard deviation was 2.59 +/- 0.64. Although the average spiritual intelligence score in male students [2.58 +/- 0.36] was slightly higher than the one in female students [2.51 +/- 0.28], however this was not statistically significant. There was also no significant correlation between age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, major of study and grade point average with spiritual intelligence. The mean average of spiritual intelligence in "ability of dealing with problems" domain was higher than other domains. The study draws our attention to issue of spiritual intelligence, which is a fundamental concept in delivering comprehensive care

[Workplace behaviors and its correlation with demographic characteristics: perspective of nurses in teaching hospitals in Gorgan]

Incivility behavior and violence have long-term complication on individual performance. These behaviors cause complex issues at workplace in the nursing profession and lead to embarrassment and threats of nurses and patients health and endanger the climate. The aim of this study was to determine workplace behaviors and its correlation with demographic characteristics, perspective of nurses in teaching hospitals in Gorgan. In this descriptive - correlational study, 232 nurses who employed at two hospitals in Gorgan were participated. Data collected by "Nursing Incivility Scale", "[NIS]". Validity of this scale was approved with face validity and reliability through test-retest [Cronbach's alpha=0.86]. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and linear regression models with SPSS/16. The total score of incivility from the perspective of nurses was 3.89 of 5.00 likert. The most incivility behavior score was reported with physician interacting and the lowest was observed in the interaction of nurses with a supervisor. There was a significant correlation between age and type of employment with incivility behaviors [[P=0.04] and [P=0.02] respectively. Similarly, the correlation between working in type of hospital ward and incivility behaviors was significant [P=0.02]. The highest score of incivility behavior reported in the emergency ward was 4.43 from 5 and the lowest in genecology ward was 2.71 from 5. Incivility behaviors among nurses can affect the quality of services provided by them. Therefore, considering factors that lead to incivility in nursing workplace is necessary