ABSTRACT
This study measured the effect of an individualized stress-management program on nursing students who identified anxiety as interfering with academic performance in the nursing program. The quasi-experimental longitudinal study used a pretest, posttest, and follow-up test, control group design. Data were analyzed using t tests and analysis of variance (ANOVAS). In a 6-week counseling program students identified personal stress reactions and adapted coping strategies related to nutrition, exercise, progressive relaxation, cognitive control, time management, and testing skills to personal use. The program was effective in significantly increasing self-esteem and decreasing depression and anxiety. Grades improved sufficiently for student retention.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Counseling/methods , Crisis Intervention/methods , Educational Status , Stress, Psychological/prevention & control , Students, Nursing/psychology , Test Anxiety Scale , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Female , Humans , Life Style , Longitudinal Studies , Patient Education as Topic , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
Suicide remains one of the major causes of death among the fastest growing segment of the US population--the elderly aged 65 and over. Individuals 65 and over comprised 12.4% of the population in 1988, but accounted for 20.9% of all reported suicides (McIntosh, 1992). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of suicide to the elderly and how suicide becomes an alternative for them. Results indicate that elderly subjects gave considerable thought to the end of their lives--including planning for death. For them, suicide was frequently viewed as a way of maintaining control over the dying process. In this study, the elderly described their views on who makes the decision about when death will occur, when suicide is acceptable, and how they would like others to respond to their suicidal ideation. Risk factors and causes of suicide in the elderly emerged from the data.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Death , Internal-External Control , Suicide/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cause of Death , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Depressive Disorder/mortality , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Florida/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Personality Inventory , Quality of Life , Risk Factors , Suicide/statistics & numerical data , Suicide PreventionABSTRACT
Nurse educators are concerned about retaining students as the nursing shortage plagues the healthcare system. The authors describe the academic services and policies of a prototype retention program to provide support to all nursing students in a baccalaureate program. Central to the program is the integration of students into the life of the institution. Services include orientation, tutoring, advisement, progress monitoring, achievement awards, and stress management. Policies relate to readmissions, individual study, and course repetition.
