The relationship between nursing students' digital and smartphone addiction levels and nomophobia: A descriptive, correlational study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nursing students' digital addiction and smartphone addiction levels and nomophobia. METHODS: This is a descriptive, correlational study. It was conducted with 215 nursing students in a university located in northeastern Turkey. RESULTS: A positive and moderate correlation was found between students' nomophobia levels with smartphone addiction and digital addiction levels (p < 0.05). Analysis of the regression coefficients determined that smartphone addiction (ß = 0.765; p < 0.01) had a significant positive effect on nomophobia. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In conclusion, nursing students should seek professional psychological help in developing health and life behaviors, such as sports, healthy eating, and sleep, to reduce nomophobia.

Attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients and empathic tendencies: a study of Turkish undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that the attitudes of nurses, nursing students, and other health care professionals towards Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients are affected by cultural differences and the fear of HIV/AIDS infection, resulting in both negative attitudes and reluctance to care for these patients. Empathy is critical for all health professionals in the delivery of effective care. Research indicates that as empathic tendencies develop, so do better communication skills, better attitudes, and better quality of care. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among demographic factors, familiarity with HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, and empathic tendencies in a Turkish sample of nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a non-experimental, correlational design, data on demographics, HIV/AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS) and the Scale of Empathic Tendency (SET) were collected. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 614 undergraduate nursing students in two universities located in different geographic regions of Turkey. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that attitudes and empathic tendencies are related to knowledge and exposure to patients. As well, those students with more positive attitudes had higher empathic tendencies towards HIV/AIDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to adopt strategies to improve the empathic tendencies and attitudes of nursing students. These strategic changes would increase the quality of care provided to all patients.