Nurses' Lived Experiences of Faith-Based Short-Term Medical Mission Trips.

ABSTRACT: To date, little has been shared of nurses' perception of their experiences after participating in faith-based, short-term medical mission trips. This qualitative research study, guided by Leininger's transcultural nursing theory and the Sunrise Model, explored this topic. The results illuminated seven themes and pointed to the importance of pretrip planning. The value for Christian nurses in engaging in international medical missions encompasses reflection and growth of one's worldview and experience in providing spiritual care cross-culturally.

Caffeine Intake Habits and the Perception of Its Effects on Health Among College Students.

The purpose of this study was to explore caffeine intake habits and the perception of its effects on health among college students. After completing a literature review on the topic of caffeine and its effects, a problem was identified relating to increased caffeine consumption and a gap in knowledge about the effects of caffeine among college students. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study with a descriptive design. The participants were 120 college students in a campus population of about 2000 in Northern Indiana. The survey contained five demographic and 19 Likert-type statements on a 4-point scale of (1) "strongly disagree," (2) "disagree," (3) "agree," and (4) "strongly agree." Data collection occurred on the college campus at the sandwich shop, during the lunch hour. In the perception category, "Regularly consuming caffeine can have long-term negative effects on health" (mean [SD], 3.10 [0.68]) received the highest agreement. In the habit category, "I drink caffeinated beverages because I like the taste" (mean [SD], 3.11 [0.85]) received the highest agreement. In conclusion, college students are aware of the negative effects of caffeine, yet 75% consumed one or more and some exceeding five servings daily.

Factors Influencing Nurses' Perceptions of the Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimum Requirement for Professional Practice.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing nurses' perceptions of the baccalaureate degree in nursing as the minimum requirement for professional practice. BACKGROUND: The associate degree nursing program was created in response to a nursing shortage in the early 1950s. In 1965, the American Nurses Association recommended that the BSN be the minimum to practice professionally as a nurse. METHOD: A quantitative method with a descriptive design was used. An online, Likert-type survey collected data from 61 nurses in southern Michigan and northern Indiana. Two open-ended questions were included to gain perceptions in nurses' own words. RESULTS: Higher education was noted as positive for nurses, but not necessary for becoming an expert nurse. The most common factors influencing advancing education were time and money, followed by career advancement. CONCLUSION: The study supports the idea that if nurses are able, they will continue their education.

The Lived Experience of First-Year Nurses at Work.

The aim of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to gain insight on the lived experiences of newly licensed nurses. First-year nurses describe poor experiences and struggle in their first year of practice, leading to high turnover and burnout. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 newly licensed registered nurses. Major themes identified were (1) the impact of nursing school, (2) hospital orientation of a new nurse, (3) environment that promotes teamwork, (4) taking time for self-care, (5) confidence, and (6) expectations versus reality in doctor interactions. In conclusion, understanding the lived experiences of a new nurse gives insight to current nursing students, including expectations and tips for succeeding in the first year of practice. Current orientation programs in northern Indiana were found to adequately prepare new graduates for professional practice.

Self-care Habits of Nurses and the Perception of Their Body Image.

The aim of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the self-care habits of nurses in the hospital setting and how these habits influenced the perception of body image. The nursing profession often requires the nurse to place the health of patients before their own. Very little information is found in the literature regarding the self-care habits of nurses. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 participants who worked as hospital nurses in northern Indiana. The analysis revealed 6 themes in self-care among nurses and how they viewed their bodies. In conclusion, being conscious about body image was the most frequently occurring theme and was referenced more than 4 times the other themes. The findings of this study may be useful in identifying ways to improve the shortcomings of nurses' self-care habits to improve body image and promote healthier lifestyles.