Developing Empathy in Emergency Nurses Using Hearing Voices Simulation.

Background: Many health professionals report feeling uncomfortable talking with patients who hear voices. Patients who hear voices report feeling a lack of support and empathy from emergency nurses. A local emergency department reported a need for training for nurses in the care of behavioral health patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to implement a quality improvement project using a hearing voices simulation. Empathy was measured using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and a post-intervention survey was used to evaluate emergency nurses' perception of the professional development session. Methods: The quality improvement project included the implementation of a hearing voices simulation with emergency nurses. A paired t-test was used to determine the differences in the nurses empathy levels pre-and post-simulation. Qualitative data was collected on the nurses' experience during the simulation debriefing. A Likert-style questionnaire was used to collect data on the nurses' evaluation of the simulation. Results: The results of the hearing voices simulation were a statistically significant increase (p < .00) in empathy from baseline (M = 47.95, SD = 6.55) to post-intervention empathy scores (M = 48.93, SD = 6.89). The results of the post-simulation survey indicated that nurses felt that the hearing voices simulation was useful (n = 100; 98%) and helped them to feel more empathetic toward patients who hear voices (n = 98; 96%). Conclusions: Using a hearing voices simulation may help emergency nurses feel more empathetic toward the behavioral health patients who hear voices. Implications for Nursing: Through the implementation of a hearing voices simulation, clinical staff educators can provide support to staff nurses in the care of behavioral health patients.

Aromatherapy Blend for Postoperative Nausea in Ambulatory Surgery Patients.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea (PON) is one of the most common undesirable outcomes after surgery and increases patient dissatisfaction, hospital costs, and risk for postoperative complications. This quality-improvement project implemented and evaluated the effect of aromatherapy on nausea in adult postoperative patients. DESIGN: Quality improvement project evaluating the inhalation of a blend of essential oils through an individual stick via an aroma stick. METHODS: This quality-improvement project was implemented in a postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in the Northeastern United States that averages 300 adult patients per month. Over the course of 12 weeks in the Fall of 2019, the project sample included all PACU registered nurses and patients with PON without allergies to inhalation agents or nasal surgery. FINDINGS: One hundred percent of PACU registered nurses (n = 20) were educated and demonstrated competence in the aromatherapy intervention; 70.6% (n = 36) of patients with PON used an aroma stick for PON treatment. Of the patients receiving the aroma stick for PON, 94.4% (n = 34) had improved PON scores. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy is an effective nonpharmacological treatment in reducing PON score for patients recovering from surgery. These results offer support for nursing practice to use aromatherapy as an additional method to enhance patient experience, improve outcomes, and reduce cost in recovery rooms.

Structuring Doctor of Nursing Practice project courses to facilitate success and ensure rigor.

There is currently a lack of consensus on the best format for Doctor of Nursing Practice project deliverables. In this article the project course history, current format, and evaluation methods are described for a Doctor of Nursing Practice program during the transition from a sole post-master's option to one that also admitted post-baccalaureate students. The project course format shifted focus from one in which students independently implemented multiple types of projects under the direction of a chairperson and committee to one in which students carried out projects utilizing quality improvement methods and tools under the mentorship of a project faculty advisor and clinical site representative. The integration of quality improvement models is exemplified through course objectives and assignments. Lessons learned through this transition are provided in the hope that the work may benefit other nursing schools with similar programs.

Nursing Professional Development's Spirit of Inquiry Focus Areas.

An Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) task force was charged with redesigning the association's small research grant process. One step in this process included identifying focus areas for the specialty's spirit of inquiry. Using input from a round table discussion with ANPD annual convention attendees, the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development Editorial Board, and the convention evaluation query, 10 spirit of inquiry focus areas were identified that align with the Nursing Professional Development Practice Model.

Professional Development Strategies to Enhance Nurses' Knowledge and Maintain Safe Practice.

Maintaining competence is a professional responsibility for nurses. Individual nurses are accountable for their practice, as outlined in the American Nurses Association's Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Nurses across clinical settings face the sometimes daunting challenge of staying abreast of regulatory mandates, practice changes, equipment updates, and other workplace expectations. In the complex, evolving perioperative setting, professional development is a priority, and the need for ongoing education is critical. However, nurses' efforts to engage in their own development can be hampered by a lack of time, limited access to educational resources, or cost concerns. This article provides an overview of nursing professional development and offers some resources to help individual nurses maintain or enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.