Key determinates of job satisfaction for acute care nurse practitioners in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Taiwan is a super-aged society, and the shortage of hospital doctors; nurse practitioners (NPs) became vital healthcare providers to fulfill the healthcare demands of the population. The purpose of this study was to explore the key determinates of job satisfaction for NPs in acute care practices using significant practice variables, such as empowerment and burnout. METHODS: Participants of this descriptive survey study were recruited from a national sample of NPs with membership in the Taiwan Association of Nurse Practitioners. The data were collected utilizing an online questionnaire based on demographic and practice variables, the Misener Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction Scale (MNPJSS), the Condition for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II (CWEQ II), and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). A total of 1,211 NPs completed the online survey. A multiple regression model with the stepwise selection was used to explore job satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean overall satisfaction score indicated that the level of satisfaction was between slightly dissatisfied and slightly satisfied. Regression results indicated that formal power, work-related burnout, access to information, and needed resources were critical components of job satisfaction, and accounted for 63% of the variance. Moreover, NPs who were married, had a higher annual salary, worked only during the day shift, and had lower patients-related burnout showed better job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for healthcare organizations to formulate policies to strengthen NP job satisfaction. Empowerment and burnout are vital factors in NPs' job satisfaction. Healthcare organizations have an obligation to implement policies to empower NPs in practice and provide interventions to mitigate burnout. Implementing these changes will improve job satisfaction and with it the quality of patient care.

Design, Modeling, and Fabrication of High-Speed VCSEL with Data Rate up to 50 Gb/s.

We have studied the characteristics of frequency response at 850-nm GaAs high-speed vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with different kinds of oxide aperture sizes and cavity length using the PICS3D simulation program. Using 5-µm oxide aperture sizes, the frequency response behavior can be improved from 18.4 GHz and 15.5 GHz to 21.2 GHz and 19 GHz in a maximum of 3 dB at 25 °C and 85 °C, respectively. Numerical simulation results also suggest that the frequency response performances improved from 21.2 GHz and 19 GHz to 30.5 GHz and 24.5 GHz in a maximum of 3 dB at 25 °C and 85 °C due to the reduction of cavity length from 3λ/2 to λ/2. Consequently, the high-speed VCSEL devices were fabricated on a modified structure and exhibited 50-Gb/s data rate at 85 °C.

Improvement of serum prolactin and sexual function after switching to aripiprazole from risperidone in schizophrenia: a case series.

This study examined prolactin levels, sexual function and clinical improvement after switching to aripiprazole from risperidone. Nine schizophrenic male Chinese patients who reported risperidone-induced sexual dysfunction were studied. Clinical Global Impression Scale Scores for Severity (CGI-S), Clinical Global Impression Scale Scores for Improvement (CGI-I), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale results and serum prolactin concentrations were determined over 16 weeks. After treatment with aripiprazole, all patients showed reduced serum prolactin (26.54 ± 17.03 ng/mL to 3.71 ± 1.87 ng/mL, P=0.008) and five reported improved sexual function. Mean baseline CGI-S (5.11 ± 0.93) decreased to 3.78 ± 1.39 (P=0.010) by week 16. Compared to baseline (4.0), the mean CGI-I significantly declined by the end of the study (3.44 ± 0.53, P=0.025).

Voiding dysfunction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore bladder dysfunction in a cohort of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 152 female patients with SLE during a 15-month period. The clinical status of SLE was determined according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and bladder function was evaluated by lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic studies. We adapted the American Urological Association (AUA) index questionnaire to assess lower urinary tract symptoms in patients, which were compared with those in 227 age-matched healthy women. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals reporting urinary frequency, urgency, weak urinary stream, and incomplete emptying, as well as severe lower urinary tract symptoms (AUA index score >/=20), was significantly higher in the SLE group when compared with the control group. The AUA index score showed a modest correlation with the SLEDAI score (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) but not with patient age or disease duration. There was a significant relationship between central nervous system involvement and the AUA index score. The most common urodynamic finding was a small cystometric bladder capacity (<150 ml; n = 7 patients), followed by a subnormal urinary flow rate (<12 ml/second; n = 6 patients). In 3 of 7 patients with small cystometric bladder capacities, imaging studies documented a contracted bladder with marked hydroureteronephrosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE experience an increased prevalence of voiding dysfunction compared with healthy individuals. Voiding dysfunction can be attributable to either direct bladder involvement or other disease-related factors.