The effect of laughter therapy on nursing students' anxiety, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled study.

Background: Changes in routine due to the pandemic have increased nursing students' anxiety about clinical learning. The inadequacy experienced before graduation caused them to experience high levels of anxiety characterized by feelings of insecurity and unhappiness and negatively affected their life satisfaction. Methodological studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of laughter therapy, which is effective in reducing anxiety and stress, on the online platform. The current study protocol was designed to evaluate the effect of online laughter therapy on anxiety, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Methods: Forty students were selected for the intervention group and forty students for the control group by assigning 1:1 with a real random number selector among 140 senior nursing students who made up the universe. The intervention group received ten sessions of online laughter therapy two days a week for five weeks. Participants in the control group did not receive any intervention during the study. Data were obtained at the beginning of the study and after five weeks with the 'State-Trait Anxiety Inventory', 'Satisfaction with Life Scale' and 'Psychological Well-Being Scale'. Results: After laughter therapy, the intervention result showed a significant increase in life satisfaction and psychological well-being scores (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in anxiety scores (p < 0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The study reveals that online laughter therapy significantly positively affects nursing students' anxiety, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being.

Development of a Web-Based Diabetes Education Program for Health Care Professionals.

This study developed a Web-based type 2 diabetes education program (WB-DEP) for health care professionals. The methodology consisted of a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental approach. The study group consisted of 44 nurses and six midwives who volunteered for the study. The WB-DEP was developed in accordance with the effective teaching design model of Morrison, Ross, and Kemp. Data for the study were collected using the Information Form, The Section Evaluation Tests, the Web-Based Teaching Material Evaluation Scale, and the WB-DEP Opinion Form. In the statistical evaluation of the data, the averages, percentages, frequencies, and mean values were calculated, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was also used. According to the results, the study group believed that the WB-DEP was generally useful, successful, beneficial, informative, and understandable. In addition, the WB-DEP was found to significantly increase participants' knowledge about diabetes. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2016;47(10):464-471.

The Use of the Braden Scale in Assessing Pressure Ulcers in Turkey: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this systematic review was to reach scientific generalizations regarding the assessment of risk for pressure ulcers based on the results of previous studies that made use of the Braden Scale. DATA SOURCES: This research was performed by using a retrospective screening of studies relevant to the subject. In Turkey, the first validity and reliability study for the Braden Scale was performed by Oguz and Olgun in 1998. For this reason, the authors' research was conducted between March 2, 2012, and August 4, 2012, as a systematic review analysis by evaluating studies in Turkey that made use of the Braden Scale between 1998 and 2012. Screening was performed by using different combinations of 8 keywords in Turkish and English to scan a total of 10 national and international databases. A total of 2375 studies were evaluated, and 16 studies were included and considered within the context of this research. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that the studies considered within the context of the current research were conducted between 1998 and 2012; 5 of these studies were experimental and 11 were descriptive; the sample size varied between 22 and 422; the majority were performed in intensive care units; and the study samples were mostly composed of patients. The Braden Scale was used in these studies for forming samples by identifying high-risk patients. Two studies evaluated the reliability of the Braden Scale, whereas 7 other studies calculated the reliability coefficient. Only 1 study included results for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (which represent the predictive criteria of assessment tools). Four studies indicated cutoff values, which varied between 14 and 18. A general evaluation of these studies' results revealed limited evidence of effective risk assessment by the Braden Scale.

Preoperative education and use of analgesic before onset of pain routinely for post-thoracotomy pain control can reduce pain effect and total amount of analgesics administered postoperatively.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of preoperative pain management education and the role of analgesics administration before the onset of pain postoperatively. The study was a prospective, randomized, and single-blind clinical trial, which was conducted January 1, 2008 through October 1, 2008 in the Thoracic Surgery Unit of Akdeniz University Hospital. A total of 70 patients who underwent thoracotomy (35 in the control group and 35 in the study group) were included in the study. Of the patients, 70% (n = 49) were male and 30% (n = 21) were female. Mean age was 51 ± 10 years (range = 25-65). The same analgesia method was used for all patients; the same surgical team performed each operation. Methods, including preemptive analgesia and placement of pleural or thoracic catheter for using analgesics, that were likely to affect pain level, were not used. The same analgesia medication was used for both patient groups. But the study group, additionally, was educated on how to deal with pain preoperatively and on the pharmacological methods to be used after surgery. An intramuscular diclofenac Na 75 mg was administered to the study group regardless of whether or not they reported pain in the first two postoperative hours. The control group did not receive preoperative education, and analgesics were not administered to them unless they reported pain in the postoperative period. The routine analgesics protocol was as follows: diclofenac Na 75 mg (once a day) intramuscular administered upon the complaint of pain following extubation in the postoperative period and 20 mg mepederin intravenously (maximum dose, 100 mg/day), in addition, when the patient expressed pain. Pain severity was assessed during the second, fourth, eighth, 16th, 24th, and 48th hours, and marked using the Verbal Category Scale and the Behavioral Pain Assessment Scale. Additionally, the total dose of daily analgesics was calculated. The demographic characteristics showed a homogeneous distribution in both patient groups. The rate of pain, which was defined as sharp, stabbing, and exhausting, was higher in the control group than in the study group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < .05). As the doses of analgesics used for pain management in both groups were compared, it was determined that analgesic consumption was lower in the study group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05). As a result, it was determined that preoperative thoracic pain management education and analgesics administered postoperatively, before the onset of pain, reduced the amount of analgesics used in the first postoperative 48 hours.

Developing scale for colleague solidarity among nurses in Turkey.

There is a need for an appropriate instrument to measure colleague solidarity among nurses. This study was carried out to develop a Colleague Solidarity of Nurses' Scale (CSNS). This study was planned to be descriptive and methodological. The CSNS examined content validity, construct validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability. The trial form of the CSNS, which was composed of 44 items, was given to 200 nurses, followed by validity and reliability analyses. Following the analyses, 21 items were excluded from the scale, leaving an attitude scale made up of 23 items. Factor analysis of the data showed that the scale has a three sub-factor structure: emotional solidarity, academic solidarity and negative opinions about solidarity. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of the whole scale was 0.80. This study provides evidence that the CSNS possesses robust solidarity among nurses.

Image of nursing held by nursing students according to gender: a qualitative study.

This paper is a report of a study to determine the nursing images of female and male nursing students. The study used a qualitative research design to determine nursing images of male (n = 20) and female (n = 20) nursing students. To analyse the data, the method used content analysis. Statements were organized under three categories and seven themes after content analysis. The first category, nursing concept, incorporates the two themes of: (i) female or sister; (ii) job definition. The second category, choosing, incorporates the four themes of: (i) Desire of Others; (ii) Guarantee of Work; (iii) Being Helpful to Others; and (iv) Limited to Academic Achievement. The third category, Gender, incorporates the one theme of: (i) Gendered Approach. Male students have started to take part in nursing programs relatively recently; therefore, more research is needed in the fields of academic accomplishments of male students.

[Approaches taken by nurses in treating postoperative pain]. / Postoperatif agri ve hemsirelik uygulamalari.

OBJECTIVES: Surgery is recognized as an important cause of pain. Expression of pain differs according to age, developmental stage, previous pain experiences, and other modifying environmental factors. The degree of postoperative pain should be reduced using different techniques, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. This study aimed to determine the effects of various actions taken by nurses for the purpose of pain management. METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine nurses working in the surgical ward were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate demographic data and the actions taken by the nurses in the study group to alleviate pain. RESULTS: The results showed that 146 of 189 nurses (77.2%) administered analgesic medication more often than employing other techniques for pain management. CONCLUSION: The other applications in pain management included patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), massage, visual analog scale (VAS), and teaching relaxation techniques, helping with mobilization, and assessing vital signs.

The relationship among pressure ulcers, oxygenation, and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: We examined the relationships among oxygenation, tissue perfusion, and other comorbid conditions not incorporated into the Norton Scale, and pressure ulcer (PU) development in subjects receiving mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The setting was our university hospital's surgical/emergency intensive care unit in Istanbul province, Turkey. The sample comprised 30 patients who were older than 18 years, did not have a PU on admission, and had been mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours when data collection began. METHODS: Skin integrity and a PU risk, using the Norton Scale, were administered twice daily. In addition, serum blood testing, vital signs, and data regarding ventilation and oxygenation status were obtained from the patient's electronic medical records. RESULTS: Slightly less than half of subjects were women (n = 14, 46.7%). Their mean age was 54.36 years (SD = 20.68). Pressure ulcers developed in 5 patients (16.7%); all PUs were located on the heel. All ulcers were initially observed as stage I lesions; 1 progressed to a stage II ulcer and 1 progressed to a stage III ulcer. Patients who developed pressure ulcers have higher serum glucose levels (z = -2.198; P = .028), higher serum pH levels (z = -2.031; P = .028), and lower diastolic blood pressures (z = 0.055; P = .057) than those who remained ulcer free. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that mechanically ventilated patients who develop PUs were more likely to have significantly higher blood glucose levels, significantly lower diastolic blood pressure values, and significantly higher serum pH values than were patients who remained free of PUs. Nurses who care for mechanically ventilated patients should recognize these factors and initiate preventive interventions as indicated.

Nursing education in Turkey: from past to present.

Nursing education in Turkey first began in 1912 with the introduction of a 6-month course to train voluntary medical attendants, with Dr. Besim Omer Pasha's advice to the Red Crescent Association regarding the inadequacy of healthcare services, as a crucial need for nursing services resulted due to significant losses given during Tripoli (1911) and the Balkan (1912) wars. Carrying out their duties in battlefields and hospitals with great devotion, the first nurses graduated from the course played a significant role in promoting the nursing profession and its importance. Nursing education which used to continue at the secondary and high-school levels increased to bachelor's level in 1955. Master's program in nursing was opened in 1968, and Ph.D. programs was opened in 1972. Professional members of the practice, well-equipped in accordance with the requirements of the age, who conduct their studies at the national and international levels, are trained as the consequence of the recent developments in nursing education. The number of nurses at the universities who offered higher levels of academic degree, and especially the number of nurses who gained 'science expert' title at the inpatient medical establishments has increased. This situation and globalization, which ensures an easier access to nursing literature through internet, enable a more systematic and of a better quality healthcare. This article explains the nursing education in Turkey from past to present. The developments in nursing education which have taken place in Turkey are expressed in a chronological order, starting from the Ottoman Empire, until the present. Compared with other countries, nursing education is given on different levels in Turkey. Recently, however, the obstacles regarding the differences especially at the bachelor's degree level were overcome, appropriate changes were made, and education melioration efforts gained speed.

Change in the health promoting lifestyle behaviour of Turkish University nursing students from beginning to end of nurse training.

In light of developments in science and technology, content has been added to the nursing curriculum to support and improve students' healthy lifestyle behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine whether any difference was observed in the behaviour of nursing students. This longitudinal and descriptive study was conducted with 57 students during 2002-2006 academic years Marmara University, School of Nursing. The "health promotion lifestyle profile" developed in 1987 by Pender et al. was evaluated as to its validity and reliability in Turkey by the HPLP (healthy lifestyle behaviour scale) adapted by Esin. Percentage, variance analysis, Cronbach alpha coefficient and the t-test were used in the analysis of data. The findings indicated that healthy lifestyle behaviours of nursing students changed over time, from when they began and at the end of every year during their nurse training.