A Correlational Study on Professional Autonomy and Self-Concept of Clinical Nurses / 기본간호학회지

Nurses experience role conflict between nursing theory that they learned in school and clinical nursing practice. This conflict lead to lower self-image, self-esteem, job dissatisfaction. Also, the professionalism of nurses is estimatable by the grade of autonomy. The professional autonomy requires individual and professional obligation about her decision and performance. A lack of professional autonomy results in the job dissatisfaction. Job dissatisfaction leads to absenteeism, increased proneness to mental and physical illness and higher turnover rates. The purpose of this study was o investigate professional autonomy and self-concept of clinical nurses. Data were collected from 262 clinical nurses in P city from June 1 to June 30, 1996. The instruments used for this study were made by Arthur(1990) and Schutzenhofer(1983). The data were analyzed for frequency and percentage, mean, SD, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression, using SAS PC+ Program. The findings were as it follows : 1. The mean of professional autonomy and self-concept were 152+/-18.48, 70.65+/-8.20(2.62), respectively. These showed mid level of professional autonomy and self-concept. 2. Professional autonomy of clinical nurses was found to vary significantly according to total years of clinical experience(F=4.49, p<0.01), position(F=3.49, p<0.05), and state under study for the degree(F=3.83, p<0.05). Professional self-concept was found to vary significantly according to age(F=3.52, p<0.05), marital status(F=7.39, p<0.001), total years of clinical experience(F=3.59, p<0.05), position(F=5.22, p<0.01), the expectant period being on the duty as clinical nurse(F=8.34, p<0.001), and motivation of choosing nursing(F=5.17, p<0.001). 3. The statistical relationship between clinical nurses' profession autonomy and self-concept was found as positive correlation9r=0.42246, p<0.001). 4. Professional autonomy was the highest factor predicting professional self-concept(17.85%). Professional autonomy and marital status accounted for 20.60% in professional self-concept of clinical nurses. In conclusion, Professional autonomy and self-concept of clinical nurses showed significantly positive relationship. Therefore, nursing education needs to develop programs and policies to increase professional autonomy and self-concept of clinical nurses.

Sleep Habits and Sleep Disorders among the Elderly Between 65-84 years Who are Living in a Part of Pusan / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyse sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly population ased 65-84 years. METHODS: Epidemiological survey was performed at home by means of semistructured interviews in the city of Pusan, Korea. Subjects were randomly selected. The questionnaire consisted of 128 items including demographic findings, sleep habits, sleep disorders, somatic illnesses, and psychological distresses. RESULTS: (1) The mean retiring time was 10.28 h (SD1.30 h) and the mean wake-up time was 5.24 h (SD 1.33 h). The mean duration of sleep was 5.63 h (SD 1.80 h ). The subjects reported they woke up an average of 2.05 (SD 1.59) times per night. All of the above results were not related to age or gender. However, the mean frequency of difficulty in initiating/maintaining sleep was 2.2 times for men and 3.2 times for women (p<0.05). (2) The prevalence of insomnia was 57.7% and was not related to age or gender. Difficulty in initiating sleep was the most commonly reported insomnia complaint(52.4%). Early morning awakening was reported by 50.0% of patients and difficulty in maintaining sleep was reported by 45.1% of them. Worrying in bed and physical pain were strong contributing factor to insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed several characteristics of sleep habits in the elderly. Sleep disorder in old age is not inevitable or trivial. Since sleep disturbance in older adults is common and distressing, it has implications for general health and well-being. Active concern and therapeutic intervention for the sleep habits and sleep disorders in the elderly are needed.