Psychological first aid intervention: rescue from psychological distress and improving the pre-licensure nursing students' resilience amidst COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

Background: The public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mental and psychological ramifications on the healthcare professionals. The pre-licensure nursing students found themselves not only fighting against the baneful virus but also weak ego resilience. At this point, enriching the pre-licensure nursing students with psychological first aid (PFA) could help them to recover from the feeling of psychological distress and improve their resilience capacity to encounter any upcoming outbreaks. Methods: A quasi-experimental two groups, a pre-post-test study was used in which sixty-four pre-licensure nursing students completed a baseline survey which revealed high levels of psychological distress and low resilience capacity due to the COVID-19 crisis. The study group engaged in the Psychological First- aid Intervention (PFA) at the end of the clinical practicum course period, while the comparison group received routine psychological support. Results: A significant reduction in the psychological distress levels among students in the PFA group (FET=7.83, P = 0. 001). Likewise, significant improvements in the students' resilience capacity level immediately after the intervention (FET=3.34, P = 0.019) and during the two-month follow-up (FET=12.94, P = 0. 001). The implementation of PFA enhanced the pre-licensure nursing students' psychological health status and resilience capacity levels after their clinical training amid the ambiance of the COVID-19 crisis. Conclusion: The PFA effectively fostered the pre-licensure nursing students' recovery from the COVID-19 related- psychological distress and improve their resilience capacity. The application of RAPID model is recommended to reduce stress and prevent burnout among novice and future nurses who show signs of psychological exhaustion.

Changes in nurses' knowledge and clinical practice in managing local IV complications following an education intervention.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most common invasive route for the rapid administration of medication and fluids. The care of PVC sites after cannulation can pose challenges depending on nurses' level of knowledge and practice. AIM: To transfer nurses' knowledge into practice on preventing common local complications of intravenous (IV) therapy. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study was undertaken. METHODS: A convenience sample of nurses from surgical and medical wards of a university hospital (n=64) was used. Pre- and post-education intervention levels of nurses' knowledge, practice and maintenance of PVCs, and the use of a visual infusion phlebitis scale to identify potential complications were assessed. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the course was statistically significant for all three parameters (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the importance of ongoing education based on the latest available evidence to enable nurses to improve their knowledge and clinical practice with regard to PVC care and associated complications.

Are nurses utilizing the non-pharmacological pain management techniques in surgical wards?

The non-pharmacological pain management therapies have a valuable effect in managing moderate to mild pain intensity, especially if demonstrated in the pre-operative phase. The study aimed to explore the nurses' practice toward using non-pharmacological pain management techniques in surgical wards. In a cross-sectional research design, a convenient sample of 47 nurses in the surgical wards in Egyptian hospital (Third Level) participated in the study. Data gathered using modified Non-pharmacological Methods Questionnaire. Results of the study indicated that nurse's perception regarding applying the cognitive-behavioral methods as a distraction and Positive reinforcement techniques were more common (68.1%,53.2%), whereas most of them used emotional support (93.6%) and preferred to demonstrate physical methods. Meanwhile, nurses addressed the barriers to apply nonpharmacological pain management as lack of time, patient unwillingness, and patients' health beliefs. Nevertheless, nurses reported the non-pharmacological pain management is less expensive and has fewer side effects than medication and can demonstrated post-discharge. Nurses play a key role in applying effective and different non-pharmacological therapies in surgical wards. Thus, nurses should be encouraged to demonstrate the non-pharmacological pain management therapies with patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Mental strain and changes in psychological health hub among intern-nursing students at pediatric and medical-surgical units amid ambience of COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive survey.

COVID-19 pandemic brings with it a new reality and changes in the context of traditional nursing clinical training. Intern-nursing students face challenges in providing care for suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to explore the mental strain and changes in the psychological health hub among the intern-nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 150 intern-nursing students from 13 pediatric and medical-surgical units at Alexandria University Hospitals completed the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome COVID-19 Staff Questionnaire and rated their psychological distress on the General Health Questionnaire. Study results revealed that the most stressful factors were related to possibility of getting COVID-19 infection (2.89 ± 0.39) and transmitting it to their families (2.72 ± 0.62). Moreover, the availability of cure or vaccine for the disease was the most important motivational factor to participate in future outbreaks (2.64 ± 0.77). Regarding intern-nursing students' psychological health hub, 77.3% of them felt under strain, worthless and depressed (64.7%, 62.7%) since the influx of COVID-19 pandemic. Binary logistic regression indicated that students' age (23-24), clinical experience (8 months) and clinical placement in adults' units served as risk factor for developing psychological distress while, male gender and training in pediatric units were protective factors. Designating an emergency psychiatric unit for ongoing monitoring and providing psychological first aids to the vulnerable health care providers is recommended.