Congruence between perceived and theoretical knowledge before and after an internet-based continuing education program about venous leg ulcer nursing care.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has revealed nurses' knowledge gaps in venous leg ulcer (VLU) nursing care, and continuing education is needed. The closer nurses' perceived knowledge is to their evidence-based theoretical knowledge, the better possibilities they have to conduct evidence-based VLU nursing care. OBJECTIVES: To assess the congruence between nurses' perceived and theoretical knowledge about VLU nursing care before and after an internet-based education about VLU nursing care (eVLU). DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study with intervention and comparison groups and pre- and post-measurements. SETTING: Home health care in two Finnish municipalities. PARTICIPANTS: Nurses (n = 946) working in home health care were invited to participate. In the intervention group, 239 nurses and 229 nurses in the comparison group met the inclusion criteria, and they were all recruited to the study. METHOD: Nurses were divided into intervention and comparison groups with lottery between the municipalities. Nurses in both groups took care of patients with VLU according to their organizations' instructions. In addition to this, nurses in the intervention group received a 6-week eVLU while those in the comparison group did not. Data were collected with a questionnaire about perceived and theoretical knowledge before education, at six weeks, and at 10 weeks. The percentages of congruence were calculated at every measurement point, and the McNemar test was used to detect statistical significance of changes between measurements. RESULTS: The increase of congruence was more often statistically significant in the intervention group than in the comparison group. CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that the congruence between perceived and theoretical knowledge will be higher among nurses receiving eVLU. Because of the low participation and drop-outs, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Family members' and best friend's smoking influence on adolescent smoking differs between Eastern Finland and Russian Karelia.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to find out whether family members' (mother, father, siblings) and best friend's smoking is related to 9th grade pupils' daily smoking in Eastern Finland and in the Pitkäranta district, in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and whether these relations have changed in these two culturally very different neighbourhood countries from 1995 to 2013. METHODS: Data comprised four cross-sectional studies in all schools of the Pitkäranta region and selected schools in Eastern Finland. In data analyses, structural equation modelling techniques were used. RESULTS: Our findings showed that best friend's smoking had the strongest influence on adolescents' smoking in both countries and study years (p < .01). The relations among family members were highly different between Pitkäranta and Eastern Finland, particularly in 2013. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that health promotion in schools should take into account cultural impacts and pay special attention to pupils who have family members and friends who smoke.

Final assessment of nursing students in clinical practice: Perspectives of nursing teachers, students and mentors.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the phenomenon of final assessment of the clinical practice of nursing students and to examine whether there were differences in assessments by the students and their teachers and mentors. BACKGROUND: Final assessment of students in clinical practice during their education has great importance for ensuring that enough high-quality nursing students are trained, as assessment tasks affect what the nursing student learns during the clinical practice. DESIGN: This study used descriptive, cross-sectional design. METHODS: The population of this study comprised nursing students (n = 276) and their teachers (n = 108) in five universities of applied sciences in Finland as well as mentors (n = 225) who came from five partner hospitals. A questionnaire developed for this study contained questions about background variables as well as structured questions scored on a four-point scale, which also allowed the respondents to provide additional comments. RESULTS: When comparing the results related to nursing teachers' presence in the final assessment situation, it was found that teachers and mentors evaluated this as being carried out more often than nursing students suggested. Nursing students noted that fair and consistent assessment is carried out more often than nursing teachers thought. Mentors and teachers said that honest and direct criteria-based final assessment was carried out more often than nursing students evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students and mentors need support from educational institutions and from nursing teachers in order to ensure the completion of a relevant assessment process. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings of this study highlight an awareness of final assessment process. It is desirable to have a common understanding, for example, of how the assessment should be managed and what the assessment criteria are, as this will ensure a good quality process.

Predictors of institutionalization among home-dwelling older Finnish people: a 22-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Identification of predictive factors on institutionalization provides the basis for the development and application of preadmission assessment. There is a lack of evidence for predictors of institutionalization for older people. AIMS: To examine the effect of predictive factors on institutionalization in home-dwelling 70-year-old people. METHODS: The data were collected in 1991 by the clinical examinations, a postal questionnaire, and an interview from the residents of Turku, Finland, born in 1920 (n = 1032). Institutionalization was defined as entry into a nursing home or sheltered housing at any time during a 22-year follow-up. RESULTS: A rate of institutionalization was 22.0%. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, impaired cognitive function (MMSE 18-26) (hazard ratio 1.71, confidence interval 1.24-2.36) and low BMI (<25 kg/m2) (compared to both BMI of 25-29.9 and that of ≥30, respectively, 1.88, 1.32-2.67, and 1.66, 1.05-2.60), having several falls during the previous year (2.50, 1.28-4.90). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that impaired cognitive function, low BMI, and frequent falling predicted institutionalization during the 22-year follow-up. To reduce or postpone institutionalization, interventions should target risk factors, such as frailty, physical limitations, and falling. In addition, community-based services according to the needs and functional ability of the home-dwelling older people should be developed.

Internet-based learning programme to increase nurses' knowledge level about venous leg ulcer care in home health care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To test the effectiveness of an Internet-based education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care on perceived and theoretical knowledge levels and attitudes among nurses working in home health care. BACKGROUND: Nurses have been shown to have knowledge gaps in venous leg ulcer nursing care. Internet-based learning could offer a means for flexible continuing education for home healthcare environment. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study with pre- and postmeasurements and nonequivalent intervention and comparison groups. METHOD: Nurses (n = 946) in home health care in two Finnish municipalities were invited to participate in the study and divided into intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group received education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care, while the comparison group did not. Data were collected at baseline, at six weeks and at 10 weeks to test the hypotheses: nurses using education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care will have higher level of knowledge and more positive attitudes than those not using education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care. An analysis of variance and mixed models with repeated measures were used to test differences in knowledge and attitudes between and within the groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant increases in knowledge levels in the intervention group from baseline to the first and second follow-up measurements. In the comparison group, the knowledge levels remained unchanged during the study. Attitude levels remained unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSION: Nurses' perceived and theoretical knowledge levels of venous leg ulcer nursing care can be increased with Internet-based education. However, this increase in knowledge levels is short-lived, which emphasises the need for continuous education. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Internet-based education about venous leg ulcer nursing care is recommended for home healthcare nurses. Education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care provides flexible method for nurses' learning with feasible and cost-effective access to evidence-based education. Education programme about venous leg ulcer nursing care material can be used in all nursing environments where Internet is available.

Development of Nurses' Professional Competence Early in Their Career: A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Research on newly graduated nurses' competence development and associated factors is relatively scarce. METHOD: Data for this longitudinal, descriptive, correlation study were collected during 2012-2014 from 318 Finnish nurses to explore their competence development during the first 3 years after graduation and to estimate the extent to which given work-related factors predicted change in competence. Data were analyzed using NCSS 10 statistical software. RESULTS: Nurses' initially fairly high level of competence showed an increase in the third year, as measured by the Nurse Competence Scale. Empowerment increased minimally, whereas perceptions of practice environment, ethical climate, and occupational commitment decreased. Willingness to leave the profession and dissatisfaction with current job and nursing profession increased. Empowerment, satisfaction with current job and quality of care, time from graduation, and work experience explained 25.6% of the change in competence. CONCLUSION: Competence development was modest but increasing. Willingness to leave the profession was concerning. Factors enhancing or preventing competence development need further studying and developing proactive interventions. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2017;48(1):29-39.

Adolescents' Attitudes on Smoking Are Related to Experimentation with Smoking, Daily Smoking and Best Friends' Smoking in Two Karelias in Finland and in Russia.

PURPOSE: Becoming a smoker usually starts during adolescence and is a dynamic process involving experimentation before the establishment of daily smoking. It has been suggested that adolescents who smoke differ from those who do not in their attitudes to smoking. The purpose of this study was to find out whether attitudes related to smoking legislation and restrictions, social pressures in smoking and image of smokers are associated with smoking experimentation, daily smoking and best friends' smoking. METHOD: The data were gathered with a self-administered questionnaire in North Karelia, Eastern Finland and in the Pitkyaranta district, Republic of Karelia, Russia. The respondents were 15-year-old 9th grade pupils in local schools. In Pitkyaranta, the data analyses covered pupils in all eight schools in the area (n = 179). In North Karelia, the data analyses comprised of selected eight schools (n = 601). Data were analysed with exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: The models revealed that attitudes related to restrictions and social pressure were significantly associated with experimenting with smoking [OR (95 % CI) 7.923 (5.787-10.847)], daily smoking [OR (95 % CI) 9.575 (6.727-13.628)] and the likelihood of best friends' smoking [OR (95 % CI) 3.154 (2.579-3.858)]. The stronger the young peoples' attitudes and opinions, for example, towards restrictions and with more difficulties in refusing smoking, the higher the likelihood for smoking experimentations, daily smoking as well as the likelihood for their best friends' smoking. The country and factor interactions were not associated with smoking experimentations, daily smoking or best friends' smoking. CONCLUSION: Regardless of cultural background, adolescents who smoke have more positive attitudes to smoking, and perceive more social support for smoking, than do adolescents who do not smoke. The study stresses the similarity of the results in both Karelia's despite the enormous differences in culture, economy and public policy.

Newly graduated nurses' empowerment regarding professional competence and other work-related factors.

BACKGROUND: Although both nurse empowerment and competence are fundamental concepts of describing newly graduated nurses' professional development and job satisfaction, only few studies exist on the relationship between these concepts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how newly graduated nurses assess their empowerment and to clarify professional competence compared to other work-related factors. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design was applied. The sample comprised newly graduated nurses (n = 318) in Finland. Empowerment was measured using the 19-item Qualities of an Empowered Nurse scale and the Nurse Competence Scale measured nurses' self-assessed generic competence. In addition to demographic data, the background data included employment sector (public/private), job satisfaction, intent to change/leave job, work schedule (shifts/business hours) and assessments of the quality of care in the workplace. The data were analysed statistically by using Spearman's correlation coefficient as well as the One-Way and Multivariate Analysis of Variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to estimate the internal consistency. RESULTS: Newly graduated nurses perceived their level of empowerment and competence fairly high. The association between nurse empowerment and professional competence was statistically significant. Other variables correlating positively to empowerment included employment sector, age, job satisfaction, intent to change job, work schedule, and satisfaction with the quality of care in the work unit. The study indicates competence had the strongest effect on newly graduated nurses' empowerment. CONCLUSIONS: New graduates need support and career opportunities. In the future, nurses' further education and nurse managers' resources for supporting and empowering nurses should respond to the newly graduated nurses' requisites for attractive and meaningful work.

Cardiovascular risk profile and use of statins at the age of 70 years: a comparison of two Finnish birth cohorts born 20 years apart.

OBJECTIVE: to compare cardiovascular morbidity and risk factor profiles of two 70-year-old cohorts of Finns examined in 1991 and 2011 and to describe prevalence of statin use according to cardiovascular risk in the later cohort. METHODS: 1920-born cohort of community-dwelling 70-year-old persons (n = 1032) participated in comprehensive health surveys, physical and laboratory examinations in the Turku Elderly Study (TUVA) during 1991-92. In 2011, identical examination pattern was performed, in a 1940-born cohort of 70-year-old persons (n = 956) from the same area. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and risk factors in the two cohorts was compared. Further, each cohort was divided into three cardiovascular risk groups (high, moderate and low) based on their estimated risk. Prevalence of statin use was calculated among each risk group in the 1940 cohort. RESULTS: coronary heart disease (25 versus 11%) and peripheral artery disease (9 versus 2%) were more common in the 1920 than 1940 cohort, respectively. Lipid profile was worse and blood pressure higher in the earlier cohort, whereas use of statins and antihypertensives was more common in the later cohort. Forty-two per cent of the 1920 cohort and 29% of the 1940 cohort were estimated to have high cardiovascular risk. In the 1940 cohort, a total of 36% used statins. Statin use was most common among high-risk persons. CONCLUSIONS: seventy-year olds examined in 2011 had less CVD morbidity than their counterparts 20 years earlier, and their cardiovascular risk factors were better controlled which is reflected in higher use of preventive medications, such as statins and antihypertensives.

Newly graduated nurses' occupational commitment and its associations with professional competence and work-related factors.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore newly graduated nurses' occupational commitment and its associations with their self-assessed professional competence and other work-related factors. BACKGROUND: As a factor affecting nurse turnover, newly graduated nurses' occupational commitment and its associations with work-related factors needs exploring to retain adequate workforce. Nurses' commitment has mainly been studied as organisational commitment, but newly graduated nurses' occupational commitment and its association with work-related factors needs further studying. DESIGN: This study used descriptive, cross-sectional, correlation design. METHODS: A convenience sample of 318 newly graduated nurses in Finland participated responding to an electronic questionnaire. Statistical software, NCSS version 9, was used in data analysis. Frequencies, percentages, ranges, means and standard deviations summarised the data. Multivariate Analyses of Variance estimated associations between occupational commitment and work-related variables. IBM SPSS Amos version 22 estimated the model fit of Occupational Commitment Scale and Nurse Competence Scale. RESULTS: Newly graduated nurses' occupational commitment was good, affective commitment reaching the highest mean score. There was a significant difference between the nurse groups in favour of nurses at higher competence levels in all subscales except in limited alternatives occupational commitment. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between subscales of commitment and competence, turnover intentions, job satisfaction, earlier professional education and work sector, competence counting only through affective dimension. CONCLUSION: The association between occupational commitment and low turnover intentions and satisfaction with nursing occupation was strong. Higher general competence indicated higher overall occupational commitment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Managers' recognition of the influence of all dimensions of occupational commitment in newly graduated nurses' professional development is important. Follow-up studies of newly graduated nurses' commitment, its relationship with quality care, managers' role in enhancing commitment and evaluation of the impact of interventions on improving commitment need further studying.

Practice environment and its association with professional competence and work-related factors: perception of newly graduated nurses.

AIM: To explore newly graduated nurses' (NGN) perception of their practice environment and its association with their self-assessed competence, turnover intentions and job satisfaction as work-related factors. BACKGROUND: The impact of practice environment on nurses' work is important. Positive practice environments are associated with positive organisational, nurse and patient outcomes. How this applies to NGNs needs further exploration. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive correlation design was used. Data were collected with PES-NWI and NCS instruments from 318 Finnish registered nurses, and analysed statistically. RESULTS: Newly graduated nurses' perception of their practice environment was mainly positive. Most positive perceptions related to collegial nurse-physician relations, and the least positive to staffing and resource adequacy. Positive perceptions were also associated with higher professional competence, higher perceptions of quality of care and lower intentions to leave the job or profession. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed strong and significant associations between practice environment and work-related factors. Practice environment is an important element in supporting NGNs' competence, retention and job satisfaction. Nursing management should pay attention to NGNs' perceptions of their practice environment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Management's ability to create and maintain positive practice environments can foster NGNs' professional development and job satisfaction, and consequently retain them in the workforce.

Loneliness of older people aged 70: a comparison of two Finnish cohorts born 20 years apart.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine loneliness among two birth cohorts, born 20 years apart, when they were 70 years of age, and to identify factors explaining loneliness. METHODS: The cohorts consisted of older home-dwelling residents of Turku, Finland, from the birth cohort 1920 in 1991 (N=1530) and the birth cohort 1940 in 2011 (N=1307). Suffering from loneliness was assessed with the question: 'Do you suffer from loneliness?' Cross-tabulations with chi-square test, general linear model (GLM) and multiple regression analysis were used in statistical testing and modeling. RESULTS: In the 1940 cohort, around one-fifth (18%) of the respondents suffered from loneliness at least sometimes, while the corresponding figure in the 1920 cohort was around one-fourth (26%). Our analyses indicated that the effect of cohort was not a statistically significant explanatory factor of loneliness. Living status, self-rated health and memory compared to age peers were statistically significant explanatory factors for suffering from loneliness. When we controlled the effect of depressiveness on the experience of loneliness, it was shown that the effects of living status and self-rated health remained statistically significant, whereas memory compared to age peers did not. Depressiveness itself was highly important. The combined effect of living status and self-rated health emerged as the most significant explanatory factor for loneliness. Older people with poor self-rated health who lived alone were most likely to suffer from loneliness. CONCLUSION: The findings give healthcare professionals an opportunity to plan for interventions aimed at combating loneliness among home-dwelling older people.

Changes in smoking among adolescents in the Republic of Karelia, Russia and Eastern Finland from 1995 to 2013.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of smoking, smoking experimentation and future intention to smoke in the Pitkäranta district, the Republic of Karelia, Russia and Eastern Finland in the years 1995 and 2013. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies were carried out among 15-year-old ninth grade adolescents in all schools in the Pitkäranta region (1995: n=385, response rate 95%; 2013: 182, response rate 98%) and a sample of schools in Eastern Finland (1995: n=2098, response rate 91%; 2013: 635 response rate 95%). RESULTS: The daily smoking prevalence among adolescents did not change either in Eastern Finland or in the Pitkäranta district from 1995 to 2013. However, smoking among Finnish adolescents was more common than among Russians (p<0.001) and boys, in general, smoke more commonly than girls (p<0.001). In Finland, early smoking experimentations declined by half among both genders but in Pitkäranta the girls' smoking experimentations tripled (relative risk 3.03, 95% confidence interval 1.76-5.20) from 1995 to 2013. The combined effect of country and gender was significant (p<0.001) for future intention to smoke. In Finland future intentions to smoke were very similar in boys and girls compared with obvious gender differences in Russia. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that more attention should be paid for programmes that consider better gender and culture-specific issues in preventing initiation of smoking and promoting an anti-smoking climate in societies.

Newly Graduated Nurses' Competence and Individual and Organizational Factors: A Multivariate Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationships between newly graduated nurses' (NGNs') perceptions of their professional competence, and individual and organizational work-related factors. METHODS: A multivariate, quantitative, descriptive, correlation design was applied. Data collection took place in November 2012 with a national convenience sample of 318 NGNs representing all main healthcare settings in Finland. Five instruments measured NGNs' perceptions of their professional competence, occupational commitment, empowerment, practice environment, and its ethical climate, with additional questions on turnover intentions, job satisfaction, and demographics. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic data, and inferential statistics multivariate path analysis modeling estimated the relationships between the variables. RESULTS: The strongest relationship was found between professional competence and empowerment, competence explaining 20% of the variance of empowerment. The explanatory power of competence regarding practice environment, ethical climate of the work unit, and occupational commitment, and competence's associations with turnover intentions, job satisfaction, and age, were statistically significant but considerably weaker. Higher competence and satisfaction with quality of care were associated with more positive perceptions of practice environment and its ethical climate as well as higher empowerment and occupational commitment. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from its association with empowerment, competence seems to be a rather independent factor in relation to the measured work-related factors. Further exploration would deepen the knowledge of this relationship, providing support for planning educational and developmental programs. Research on other individual and organizational factors is warranted to shed light on factors associated with professional competence in providing high-quality and safe care as well as retaining new nurses in the workforce. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study sheds light on the strength and direction of the significantly associated work-related factors. Nursing professional bodies, managers, and supervisors can use the findings in planning orientation programs and other occupational interventions for NGNs.

Effectiveness of an Internet-based learning program on venous leg ulcer nursing care in home health care--study protocol.

AIM: To describe the study protocol for a study of the effectiveness of an internet-based learning program on venous leg ulcer nursing care (eVLU) in home health care. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of venous leg ulcers is increasing as population age. The majority of these patients are treated in a municipal home healthcare setting. However, studies show nurses' lack of knowledge of ulcer nursing care. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study with pre- and postmeasurements and non-equivalent intervention and comparison groups. METHODS: During the study, nurses taking care of patients with a chronic leg ulcer in home health care in one Finnish municipality will use the eVLU. Nurses working in home health care in another Finnish municipality will not use it providing standard care. Nurses will complete three questionnaires during the study and they will also be observed three times at patients' homes. Nurses' perceived and theoretical knowledge is the primary outcome of the study. Funding for this study was received from the Finnish Foundation for Nursing Education in 2014. DISCUSSION: Data from this study will provide information about the effectiveness of an internet-based educational program. After completing the program nurses will be accustomed to using internet-based resources that can aid them in the nursing care of patients with a VLU. Nurses will also have better knowledge of VLU nursing care. This study is registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry, identifier NCT02224300.

Factors connected with positive life orientation at age 70, 80, 85 and 90 - The Turku Elderly Study.

BACKGROUND: A positive life orientation (PLO) is important for staying healthy physically, mentally and functionally. However, little is known about the factors connected with PLO in home-dwelling older people, even though it is an important topic. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify factors connected with positive life orientation among home-dwelling older people. STUDY DESIGN: An explorative, population-based cross-sectional study of the age cohort of 70-year-olds living at home at the age of 70, 80, 85 and 90. METHODS: The data were collected in 1991 among all residents of Turku, Finland, born in 1920 (N = 1530). Follow-ups were conducted in 2001 (n = 656), 2006 (n = 304) and 2011 (n = 156). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimate a model of factors that connected with PLO. RESULTS: Several factors were significantly connected with PLO at ages 70, 80, 85 and 90. For example, if 70-year-old respondents perceived themselves as being in better health than others of the same age, it improved their PLO. We also observed that PLO was improved by good self-rated health during the past 12 months at 80, good self-rated health at 85 and good self-rated health compared to others of the same age at 90. The various explanatory models explained between 24 and 36% of the variance in outcomes. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results showed that the respondents' own subjective views were significant independent factors of PLO in all four analyses (70, 80, 85 and 90 years). These subjective experiences remained significant even when objective indicators such as medication use, the presence of diseases and functional capacity were taken into account.

Ethical climate and nurse competence - newly graduated nurses' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Nursing practice takes place in a social framework, in which environmental elements and interpersonal relations interact. Ethical climate of the work unit is an important element affecting nurses' professional and ethical practice. Nevertheless, whatever the environmental circumstances, nurses are expected to be professionally competent providing high-quality care ethically and clinically. AIM: This study examined newly graduated nurses' perception of the ethical climate of their work environment and its association with their self-assessed professional competence, turnover intentions and job satisfaction. METHOD: Descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational research design was applied. Participants consisted of 318 newly graduated nurses. Data were collected electronically and analysed statistically. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Ethical approval and permissions to use instruments and conduct the study were obtained according to required procedures. Data were rendered anonymous to protect participant confidentiality. Completing the questionnaire was interpreted as consent to participate. FINDINGS: Nurses' overall perception of the ethical climate was positive. More positive perceptions related to peers, patients and physicians, and less positive to hospitals and managers. Strong associations were found between perceived ethical climate and self-assessed competence, turnover intentions in terms of changing job, and job satisfaction in terms of quality of care. Nurses at a higher competence level with positive views of job satisfaction and low turnover intentions perceived the climate significantly more positively. CONCLUSION: Nursing management responsible for and having the power to implement changes should understand their contribution in ethical leadership, as well as the multidimensional nature of nurses' work environment and the interaction between work-related factors in planning developmental measures. Future research should focus on issues in nurse managers' ethical leadership in creating ethical work environments. There is also a need for knowledge of newly graduated nurses' views of factors which act as enhancers or barriers to positive ethical climates to develop. Interventions, continuing education courses, and discussions designed to promote positive ethical climates should be developed for managers, nurses, and multi-professional teams.

Nurse competence between three generational nurse cohorts: A cross-sectional study.

Research indicates significant differences between nurse cohorts in many work-related factors. This study compared nurse competence between three generational cohorts comprising the current nursing workforce. The Nurse Competence Scale was used to collect data for this cross-sectional study from 2052 nurses in a university hospital in Finland. Data were analysed statistically. Significant differences were found between nurse cohorts in their competence. The length of work experience had a significant impact on the development of competence. The oldest cohort, with the longest work experience, had the highest competence scores (70.1 on a visual analogue scale), and the youngest had the lowest (59.0). All cohorts were most competent in patient-related nursing tasks, in maintenance of professional competence and in ethical care. Nurses were weakest in the development of nursing practice and the use of evidence-based knowledge. Targeted interventions in teaching-coaching for different nurse generations are needed to ensure the maintenance of nurse competence and high-quality patient care.