The Experience of Being Male Nurse: Exploring the Enhancing Factors and Barriers of Jordanian Nursing Students.

Introduction: Despite advances in health care and education, males continue to be considered a minority in nursing programs. Little is known about the decision of Jordanian male nursing students to become nurses. Objective: The purpose of this research was to explore the factors that encourage or discourage Jordanian male nursing students from pursuing a career in nursing. Methods: A qualitative narrative approach was used for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used in the research. In this study, interviews were conducted with a sample of 28 male college students. Results: The current study discovered that the following six themes exemplified the male nursing students' lives: "helping and caring," "job security and economic stability," "parents and peer influence," "level of autonomy," "social stigma," and "long working hours." Conclusion: The study's findings highlighted the importance of researching male nursing students' motivating and inhibiting factors.

Nursing students' experience of clinical supervision and contributing factors in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Although clinical supervision is a vital component of nursing education, data on students' experiences of clinical supervision and contributing factors remain limited. AIM: The study explores nursing students' experience of clinical supervision and contributing factors in Jordan. DESIGN/METHODS: An explorative design with a qualitative approach using focus group discussions (n = 6) was used. A convenient sample consisting of 48 participants was recruited from second, third and fourth year nursing students. Data were thematically analysed using N VIVO 12. RESULTS: The analysis revealed two overlapping experiences. First, the empowering supervision experience comprising: "being willing and patient" and "working hand-in-hand" with students. Second, the disempowering supervision experience, including: abuse of power and grade obsession, incompetent supervision and lack of time detected for students. While the former has positivity which enhanced students' clinical learning, the latter reduced their motivation for gaining knowledge and skills and negatively impacted their self-confidence. CONCLUSION: Students' experience of clinical supervision is multifaceted. Thus, there is a pressing need for establishing a preparation programme for newly employed supervisors focusing on annual training updates, identifying their competency level and understanding the way their supervisory role is operationalised.

The Effects of Oral Care Protocol on the Incidence of Ventilation-Associated Pneumonia in Selected Intensive Care Units in Jordan.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of oral care protocol on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) at selected intensive care units (ICUs) in Jordan using clinical pulmonary infection score. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used, and 1 large teaching hospital from the Jordanian capital, along with 2 hospitals from the southern region, was selected. A total of 218 patients participated, among which VAP risk in 2 independent groups was evaluated through the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score sheet. RESULTS: The VAP incidence rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (n = 102) as compared with control group (n = 116) (21.6 vs 35.3, respectively; P = .018); in addition, ICU stay and intubation period were significantly shorter among the intervention group. A higher risk of VAP was independently predicted by previous lung diseases (odds ratio [OR], 1.441; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.185-1.88), open suctioning system (OR, 2.536; 95% CI, 1.261-5.101), and duration of intubation (OR, 1.770; 95% CI, 0.845-2.220). The oral care protocol has effectively improved ventilated patients' oral health, which has statistically reduced the incidence of VAP. It occurred more frequently among patients who have lung disease and those who were intubated for more than 7 days and have an open suctioning system. CONCLUSION: Health care teams should ensure that effective care protocol is implemented among patients.

Nurses' perception and attitudes towards oral care practices for mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the perception and attitudes of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses towards oral care practice for mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 96 ICU nurses completed a questionnaire on their perception and  attitudes towards oral care. The study setting was 3 representative Jordanian hospitals in Al-Karak and the capital, Amman, over a 6-month period between February and September 2016. RESULTS: Ninety-six nurses participated in the study. The response rate was 76.8%. The results revealed that 65% only follow a specific oral care protocol. Nurses did not adhere to minimal standards. Although nurses' attitude towards oral care was strongly positive, 68% of them perceived it as an unpleasant task and 29% agreed that they had insufficient training; 78% agreed to learn more about the best way to perform oral care. Standard descriptive statistics were calculated for all baseline information (sociodemographic characteristics). Binary variables were expressed as proportions, and normally distributed continuous variables as means and standard deviations. CONCLUSION: The poor perception and attitudes of ICU nurses regarding oral care for MV patients require the urgent attention of clinical administrators. In-hospital training regarding oral care protocol could improve nurses' perception and attitudes.

The prevalence and predictors of emotional distress and social difficulties among surviving cancer patients in Jordan.

PURPOSE: This study examines the prevalence and degree of emotional distress, anxiety and depression, and social difficulties and their effect on cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). It describes the characteristics of patients who are at high risk of emotional distress. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A total of 226 patients with cancer completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), social difficulties inventory, comfort scale and EORTC-QoL-C30. Anxiety and depression were identified using the internationally recognized cut-off points of HAD-A ≥ 8 and HAD-D≥ 8. Adjusted odd ratio was calculated using socio-demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: Both anxiety and depression were common among Jordanian cancer patients, although depression was the main emotional problem with a higher prevalence than anxiety (67.6% vs. 43%). Patients with anxiety or depression were more likely to have lower QoL scores and higher scores for complaints about symptoms. They were more likely to have social difficulties in everyday life. The results of logistic regression indicated that a high depression score was predicted by older age, a poor QOL total score, and a high social difficulty score. A high anxiety score was predicted by advanced cancer stage, in female patients, hospital readmission and a poor QOL total score. CONCLUSION: The significant level of emotional distress among cancer patients highlighted the importance of early assessment and identification of patients at greater risk of emotional distress, those with an advanced stage of cancer, having a poor quality of life and serious social difficulties.

Pressure ulcers in Jordan: a snapshot survey of a tertiary public hospital.

BACKGROUND: Patients are at risk of developing pressure ulcers while they are hospitalised. These risks need to be managed effectively to avoid harm and to minimise costs. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers at selected acute clinical settings in central Jordan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: An inpatient snapshot survey was conducted over 4 weeks in the two medical wards in a tertiary public hospital. RESULTS: 190 participants were surveyed, 30 cases were identified, 53% were male, and 75% were aged 60 years or older. Prevalence was 24%, approximately half of the cases were grade 2 and 23% were grade 3 and 4. Pressure ulcers were mainly found on the sacrum (43%), followed by the heel (24%). Over 4 weeks, 29 new pressure ulcer cases were identified; 55% were male, and 90% were aged 60 years or older. Pressure ulcers were mainly-in 38% of cases-identified with cerebral vascular accident patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the snapshot survey confirmed that there is a problem with maintaining patients' safety in terms of patients acquiring pressure ulcers in hospital. The number of pressure ulcers indicate less-than-optimal management of patient safety, which requires a more detailed investigation.