A Comparative Study between American Public Health Nurse Core Competency and Community Health Nursing Practicum in a Province

PURPOSE: This study attempts to examine the extent to which competencies were identified in a Korean community nursing practice based on the 11 core competencies required by US health nurses. METHODS: This was a descriptive research study, and the subjects of this study were 11 students who were in a four-year nursing course. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from October 19 to November 22, 2016. RESULTS: Core competencies in total were practiced in 60.0% to 98.5% of schools in Korea. Among these, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘high’ were identified as ‘communicating effectively with community nursing subjects and colleagues, and accepting various personal characteristics without criticism or prejudice’. On the other hand, competencies corresponding to the practice level of ‘low’ were identified as ‘to comply with social justice, public good, public health principles, and leadership in a community nursing practice’. CONCLUSION: This study can be used as a resource to categorize the competence of nursing students expected in the field of community nursing. Based on a careful review of core competencies with low practice, it is necessary to seek specific practical strategies to strengthen these competencies in the future.

Direction of the Community Health Nursing Practice Education Focusing on the Nursing Education Accreditation Criteria

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to seek the direction of community health nursing practice education focus on the nursing education accreditation criteria. METHODS: We collected data through e-mail survey to all of 202 Korean nursing baccalaureate education institute in April, 2016. The 93 professors teaching community health nursing was responded about their affiliated institute (response rate 46.0%). RESULTS: The Korean nursing graduates in Feb. 2016 was practiced 3.01 credits, 131.6 hours in community health nursing course. Community health nursing practice agency was public health center (98.9%), Public health center post (43.0%), Public health center branch (32.3%) in order. The possibility to achieve the course objectives up to national examination was recognised Public health center (3.4), Public health center post (3.3), Public health center branch and school (3.2) from 5 score likert scale. A lot of nursing education institute have difficulty in clinical placement in community health nursing practice agency that meet eligibility of preceptor and space gaining for only nursing students. CONCLUSION: The nursing education accreditation criteria in 3rd cycle have to be considered real community health nursing practice situation and newly emerging community health nursing fields.

Prescription Drug Use in Primary Health Care Posts and Its Improvement Scheme

PURPOSE: The prescription drug list for primary treatment by community health practitioners has been maintained for 30 years without any modification. Thus, this study will suggest an improvement scheme of prescription drug list for primary health care posts through an analysis of drug use in those posts. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was implemented with community health practitioners from April to June in 2012. A total of 1,249 copies were analyzed. As for the databases of drug use in the integrated information, a total of 154,229 diagnoses selected in the method of stratified cluster sampling from 39 primary health care posts'data were analyzed. We consulted some experts about the prescription medication list, and referred to the medication information on-line home page for up-to-date drug information. RESULTS: This study ultimately suggests 77 prescription drug items for primary health care posts by eliminating 35 items and replacing 1 item from the original list, and adding 4 items to it. CONCLUSION: This study will provide basic data for revising the prescription drug list in primary health care posts by periodically reflecting adverse effects in the existing drugs, demographic and environmental changes, and development of new drugs.

Development of a Tool for Predicting Nursing Times in Occupational Accident Patients / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to develop a tool to predict occupational health patients' nursing needs or nursing time. METHOD: A tool was composed based on the materials and opinion of experts, and to verify the reliability and validity of the tool, nursing time of total 311 inpatients in 2 occupational health hospitals were surveyed. RESULTS: The developed tool was total 151 items and composed of physical function, cognitive function, communication, emotional and disturbance behavior, nursing skill, and rehabilitation need. The reliability of the tool was high, showing Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95. But several items should be deleted for low corrected item-total correlation. According to the multiple regression analysis, physical function and rehabilitation need were shown to be the most powerful predictive variables for nursing time. CONCLUSION: The developed tool was appeared to have high reliability and validity. But further refinement of the tool is needed.

Survey on the Occupational Disabled Status using Functional Assessment Tools / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the disabled due to Occupational accidents based on the functional evaluation tool. METHOD: The data were collected from 2 Workers Accident Medical Corporation, 311 subjects between February and August, 2007. The tool comprised of six components including physical function, cognitive function, communication, emotional and disturbing behavior, nursing skills and rehabilitation needs. RESULTS: Among the disabled, the average point of physical function of 5 was found in 61.92% and to express and understand were evaluated as normal in 36.69% and 33.44%, respectively. Also, hearing and vision were evaluated as normal in 53.50% and 37.98%, respectively. 19.01% of the disabled had emotional problems and 13.78% had disturbing behavior. Most disabled were in need of nursing skills with 97.73% ROM and activities. The 78.18% and 76.90% of disabled were in need of rehabilitation because of right and left leg in full movement disorders, respectively. CONCLUSION: The evaluation score for the disabled caused by Occupational accidents was diverse showing 10 to 19 points and 140 to 150 points. The result means the care cost should be determined depending on the care needs of the disabled because there is such a diverse range of care needs for them.

Quality Dimension of Long Term Care Hospital

PURPOSE: This is a qualitative study to identify dimensions of long-term care hospital care quality that provide high-level medical services for long-term care patients in Korea. METHODS: Service consumers and providers were interviewed, and collected data were analyzed into thesis, type and dimension. The focus group method was applied to two provider groups and individual interview was applied to two persons who had experienced a long-term care hospital. RESULTS: The results of analyzing the comsumers and providers was integrated into 8 dimensions: physical environment, staff, clinical care and nursing, multiplicity of activity program, atmosphere, interaction with family, nutrition, and quality improvement system. CONCLUSION: The dimensions of long-term care hospital care quality from this study can be used as a basis of quality indicators. Quantitative studies to test these dimensions are required for establishing quality management systems.

The Paradigm Model of VIP Ward Nurses' Decision Making / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to describe the decision making of nurses in a VIP ward. METHOD: The methodology of collecting and analyzing the data was based on the grounded theory of Strauss and Corbin (1998). The data were collected through an in-depth interview, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The data were collected from 10 nurses from July to November 2007. RESULTS: The core category on VIP ward nurses' decision making was named as "adjusting with flexibility and deepened insight." The causal condition was established by 'the patients who wanted to be treated specially.' The contextual conditions included 'caring patients from various departments,' 'differences depending on the nurses' clinical experience,' and 'client-centered atmosphere in the VIP ward.' The intervening conditions included 'problem solving styles of nurses', 'attitudes of patients and family members', 'nurse-doctor relationships', and 'accessibility to information.' It was confirmed that nurses changed their action-interaction strategies depending on the intervening conditions, thus resulted in the nurses' role conflict and the need to expand their consciousness. CONCLUSION: The result of this study indicates that nurse's decision making depends on their experiences and the nature of social context in which nursing occurs.

The Experiences of Transplantation Coordinators' Practice / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences in the transplantation coordinators' practice. METHOD: Data was collected through a tape-recorded in-depth interview from nine participants who were transplantation coordinators of their hospitals. It was analyzed using the phenomenological method proposed by Colaizzi(1978). RESULTS: From significant statements, six categories of themes were integrated into the essential structure of the experiences of transplantation coordinators. Six categories of themes were 'continue to be professional during dash this way and rush that', 'burden due to persistent heavy work', 'the uniqueness in family care of the brain-dead patients', 'support of family and a professional group', 'worthiness and achievement of the patients' recovery', and 'establishment of self-confidence as a coordinator'. CONCLUSION: Although the transplantation coordinators played various roles, they had a conflict in role identity due to poor working environments. The results of this study suggested that development of an educational program, an increase in understanding for the coordinators' role, and institutional support for better working conditions are needed to get professional acknowledgement for transplantation coordinators.

A Study on Taxi Drivers' Smoking Behavior, Self-efficacy and Expectation Level of Success in Smoking Cessation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find taxi drivers' smoking behavior, self-efficacy and expectation level of success in smoking cessation. It will provide useful information for developing nursing interventions in health promotion programs. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 271 taxi drivers in Seoul and its metropolitan area. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire asking smoking history, smoking behaviors, health problem, stages of change for smoking cessation, self-efficacy and the expectation level of success in smoking cessation. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cronbach's a. RESULTS: Of the taxi drivers, 83.8% were current smokers. Stages of change were as follows: 45.8% were in the precontemplation stage, 26.2% in the contemplation stage, 13.7% in the maintenance stage, 12.2% in the preparation stage and 1.5% in the action stage. In addition. 20.3% of the subjects reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and respiratory disease. The expectation level of success in smoking cessation was positively related with self-efficacy. There were statistically significant differences in the expectation level of success in smoking cessation according to the number of cigarettes per day and nicotine dependency. In addition. there were statistically significant differences in self-efficacy according to the number of cigarettes per day, duration of smoking (years) and nicotine dependency. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that taxi drivers' health problems and smoking rate were serious. Therefore more systematic health promotion programs for smoking cessation should be developed and executed by health care specialists at individual taxi companies.

The Coping Process of Family Caregivers for Demented Elderly

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the coping process that family caregivers experience during the process of care, to grasp coping behaviors used to solve problems and, finally, to develop a substantive theory by analyzing the coping process. METHOD: The methodology of collecting and analyzing data used in this study followed the ground theory of Strauss and Corbin(1998). Data were collected through in-depth interviews with open-ended and descriptive questions about the subjects' coping experiences, which were audio-taped and transcribed. The survey was conducted between February 2000 and February 2001. The subjects of this study were 17 women. RESULT: The result of the study is as follows. The coping process of family caregivers while taking care of the demented elderly was found to have six stages: problem recognition: undertaking care: struggling: mental control: burden mediation; and acceptance. These stages proceed with reciprocal action and in cycle. CONCLUSION: The result of this study is helpful for developing effective and individual nursing strategies suitable for each coping stage. It is necessary to develop an assessment tool that can judge caregivers' coping stage based on the result of this study. Moreover, we need continuous study to practice nursing mediation and to analyze the change about nursing effect and family members' adaptation.

Women Caregivers' Experiences in Caring at Home for a Family Member with Dementia: A Feminist Approach / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore women caregivers' lived experiences in caring at home for a family member with dementia and to identify conditions that oppress women in the context of family caregiving. METHOD: This study was conducted within the feminist perspectives using qualitative secondary data. Ten secondary data conveying self reflective contents were selected from the 25 original data obtained in 1999 to 2000. RESULT: Six themes that emerged from the qualitative thematic content analysis were; androcentric view of family caregiving, undervalued family caregiving by the family members, Self rationalization in the context of family caregiving, family-centric care mechanism, exemplary caring within the family context, and inter-familial relationships among women. CONCLUSION: The main focus of feminist research is to provide empowerment for the women research participants and to bring about social change of oppressive constraint through some actions. On the basis of the research findings, therefore, action strategies from feminist perspectives were suggested in some aspects of health care delivery sectors, nursing education and research sectors, and administrative sectors.

Women Caregivers' Experiences in Caring at Home for a Family Member with Dementia: A Feminist Approach / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore women caregivers' lived experiences in caring at home for a family member with dementia and to identify conditions that oppress women in the context of family caregiving. METHOD: This study was conducted within the feminist perspectives using qualitative secondary data. Ten secondary data conveying self reflective contents were selected from the 25 original data obtained in 1999 to 2000. RESULT: Six themes that emerged from the qualitative thematic content analysis were; androcentric view of family caregiving, undervalued family caregiving by the family members, Self rationalization in the context of family caregiving, family-centric care mechanism, exemplary caring within the family context, and inter-familial relationships among women. CONCLUSION: The main focus of feminist research is to provide empowerment for the women research participants and to bring about social change of oppressive constraint through some actions. On the basis of the research findings, therefore, action strategies from feminist perspectives were suggested in some aspects of health care delivery sectors, nursing education and research sectors, and administrative sectors.

The Male Nurses' Experiences of Adaptation in Clinical Setting / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identified the male nurses' encounter in adapting themselves in the hospital settings dominated by the female nurses in number. METHOD: Data were collected through the in-depth interview of 16 male nurses and analysed through the grounded theory methodology. RESULT: The behaviors of male nurses for job-adaptation can be summarized as a series of struggles to consolidate their own ground. They have made tremendous efforts to hold their own ground in the nursing profession composed of a large numbers of female nurses, while they have experienced many difficulties and problems as minorities. They have struggled to adapt themselves professionally through efforts such as; challenging the social and professional barriers, identifying the job identity, empowering themselves through self-development and dedication, expanding their influence among colleagues. In spite of these efforts, they had the perception that nursing is not a lifelong occupation for them. Thus, they had tendency to find outlets of change to occupations. CONCLUSION: A specific strategy is needed to provide an environment that is helpful for males in integrating into and adapting to the nursing profession.

The Clinical Experiences of Adaptation as a New Nursing Staff / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed at uncovering the experience of adaptation of the new nursing staff in hospital setting. METHODS: For this study, 15 new graduate nurses participated. The data was collected through the in-dept interviews and analysed in terms of Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology. RESULTS: The core category was identified with "entering orbit". The new graduate nurses, who experienced the taeoom because of their unskilled professions, tried to enter orbit by overcoming difficult situations through reducing stress, maintaining good interpersonal relationship, grasping, compensating, persisting, and introspecting. Noticeably, in the process of adaptation, negative image of nursing, conflict of interpersonal relationship and the educational program for the new nursing staff had effect on the intervening factors. Finally, this study confirmed that the processes of new nurses' adaptation are confusing, confrontating, becoming a member and settling in hospital setting. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the educational programs reflecting new nursing staffs' experiences should be developed.