Self-efficacy in the context of nursing education and transition to practice as a registered practitioner: A systematic review.

AIM: The aim of this systematic review is to identify, describe and synthesize evidence from experimental studies conducted to measure and conceptualize self-efficacy within the context of nursing education and the transition of nursing students to practice as a registered practitioners. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Papers were screened by four independent reviewers, and data were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance and checklists were used to guide this review. RESULTS: The review included 47 studies, using a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design (n = 39) and randomized control trials (n = 8). Various teaching and learning interventions were used to enhance self-efficacy; however, there is no definitive conclusion to be drawn regarding the most effective educational interventions. Various instruments were used in the studies to measure self-efficacy. 10 of these were related to general self-efficacy, while 37 instruments measured self-efficacy in the context of specific skills.

The impact of nurse prescribing on the clinical setting.

AIM: To investigate the impact nurse prescribing has on the organisation, patient and health professional, and to identify factors associated with the growth of nurse prescribing. METHODS: Systematic search and narrative review. Data obtained through CINAHL, PubMed, Science direct, Online Computer Library Centre (OCLC), databases/websites, and hand searching. English peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method articles published from September 2009 through to August 2014 exploring nurse prescribing from the perspective of the organisation, health professional and patient were included. Following a systematic selection process, studies identified were also assessed for quality by applying Cardwell's framework. RESULTS: From the initial 443 citations 37 studies were included in the review. Most studies were descriptive in nature. Commonalities addressed were stakeholders' views, prescribing in practice, jurisdiction, education and benefits/barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Prescriptive authority for nurses continues to be a positive addition to clinical practice. However, concerns have emerged regarding appropriate support, relationships and jurisdictional issues. A more comprehensive understanding of nurse and midwife prescribing workloads is required to capture the true impact and cost-effectiveness of the initiative.

Nurse prescribers' experiences of recording prescribing data to the Minimum Data Set in Ireland.

This study aimed to investigate and enhance understanding of nurse prescribers' experiences of working with the Irish national data gathering system for nurse prescribing: the Minimum Data Set (MDS) in Irish clinical practice. A phenomenological research design was used, collecting data via semi-structured interviews using a purposive sample of practising nurse prescribers. The study identified three recurrent themes: communication, workload/time, and attitudes. The MDS produces only standard national reports (lists) on nurse/midwife prescribing that cannot be utilised efficiently to inform practice or understand health service needs. Nurses have reacted to this situation and evaluate the MDS in the context of their clinical setting, identifying conflicting demands and expectations and an increased workload as factors that correlated negatively with the process of collecting nurse prescribing data. Consultation and evaluation is required, particularly to analyse the nurse prescribers' views of collecting data and working with the MDS in the context of the major adjustments that the Irish health service has experienced over the past 6 years.

The impact of nurse prescribing on patients with osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is now considered one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries and it is estimated that worldwide, 18% of women and 9.6% of men aged over 60, suffer from OA. It is, therefore, vital to take into consideration the demographics of this disorder, including the health needs of this age group and associated problems, such as reduced mobility or immobility and the inability to perform everyday tasks associated with chronic pain. Older patients, however, are sometimes able to accept their condition and adopt a positive outlook towards their OA as a coping strategy. This association with and acceptance of pain by the patient as a normal part of the ageing process may compromise the patient's ability to undertake activities of daily living and impact their psychological wellbeing.

The impact of osteoarthritis on psychological wellbeing.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is now considered one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries, and it is estimated that worldwide 18% of women and 9.6% of men over 60 years suffer from this condition. It is therefore vital to take the demographics of this disorder and the health needs of this age group, including associated psychological and social elements, into account when identifying the extent the problems associated with OA impact on the individual. Elderly patients, however, sometimes accept their condition and adopt a positive outlook towards their OA, using this as a coping strategy. This association with and acceptance of pain by older patients as a normal part of the ageing process may compromise the patient's ability to undertake activities of daily living.

An evaluation of nurse prescribing. Part 1: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Prescriptive authority for nurses was first introduced by America in 1969, followed later by the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden. A review of research conducted internationally was performed to inform the development of prescribing policies and practice and to guide future research. AIMS: This article, the first of a 2-part literature review, aims to provide a summary of the research conducted in relation to nurse prescribing and confidence in prescribing, the impact of prescribing on relationships, and education for prescribing. METHOD: A number of electronic databases were searched in March 2009 and 155 results were retrieved. Forty-four studies satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Twenty-two of these studies are included in this part of the review. FINDINGS: Seventeen studies were UK based, with USA, Australia and Sweden represented by a minority of studies. Seven studies addressed nurse prescribers' confidence, while eight studies focused on the impact nurse prescribing has on interprofessional relationships. The final seven studies addresses the knowledge base and educational preparation of nurses for the prescribing role. CONCLUSION: This review has demonstrated the diversity of research conducted in the area of confidence in prescribing, interprofessional relationships and education. It has identified areas which require further investigation, which will inform the future development of nurse and midwife prescribing.

An evaluation of nurse prescribing. Part 2: a literature review.

AIM: This is the second of a 2-part literature review, which aims to provide a summary of the research conducted into nurse prescribing and patients' perspectives, the prescribing practice and benefits of prescribing. BACKGROUND: Prescriptive authority for nurses was first introduced by America in 1969, followed later by the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden. A review of research conducted internationally was performed to inform the development of prescribing policies and practice and to guide future research. METHOD: A number of electronic databases were searched in March 2009 and 155 results were retrieved. Forty-four studies satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Twenty-two of those studies are included in this part of the review. FINDINGS: Sixteen studies reviewed were UK based, four from the USA and just two from Australia. Twenty-one of the studies focused solely on primary/secondary care, with just one on the hospital setting alone. Twelve studies incorporated nurse prescribers' views, while nine elicited patients' views and one explored the views of the general public and nurse prescribing. Findings of studies relating to patients' perspectives on prescribing were generally positive but methodologies in these studies were very diverse. Varied and context-specific evidence of the practices of nurse prescribers was presented in studies investigating this aspect of nurse prescribing. CONCLUSION: This review has demonstrated the diversity of research conducted in the area of patients' perspectives on nurse prescribing, prescribing practices and benefits of nurse prescribing. It has identified areas that require further investigation which, in turn, will inform the future development of nurse and midwife prescribing.

Cultural considerations and surgical consent.

The Irish healthcare system is failing to meet the needs of minority ethnic groups. This is a factor that has been attributed to communication barriers and lack of cultural awareness between healthcare providers and recipients of care (O'Connor 2005a). Moreover, with increasing diversity in Ireland, encounters between the healthcare professional and patients from ethnic minorities are becoming more common. Patients bring to the medical encounter different languages, explanatory models concerning treatment and illness, religious beliefs, and ways of understanding the experience of suffering. Thus the risk of misunderstanding and inability to complete appropriate assessments surrounding care and in particular the consent process is a growing concern.