Nursing outlook
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In the era of evidence-based practice (EBP), Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) may provide the best evidence of the efficacy of nursing interventions and yet the quality of RCT reporting in nursing literature has not been evaluated. The purposes of this study were to apply the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement to published reports of nursing science, examine how adequately the published reports adhere to the statement, and examine the effect of the adoption of CONSORT on the quality of the RCT published reports. One hundred RCTs from 2002-2005 were identified from 4 nursing journals. ⋯ The quality of reporting of RCTs improved significantly in the only journal, Nursing Research, to adopt the CONSORT statement during the study period (t =-2.70, P =.01). Adoption of CONSORT is recommended as it may lead to an overall improvement in quality of reporting of RCTs in nursing journals. The profession may also wish to explore the use or development of standards similar to CONSORT but ones more appropriate for the types of research typical of that published by nurse scientists.
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Carper's ways of knowing in nursing, empirics, esthetics, personal knowing, and ethics, provide a guide to holistic practice, education, and research. The origin and evolution of the ways of knowing are discussed and applied to current and proposed hope research with bereaved palliative caregivers, with the ultimate goal of promoting healthy, positive outcomes for this unique population. ⋯ Unknowing and sociopolitical knowing offer a critical perspective as research is developed and applied, while considering complexity and social context. Nursing research from diverse epistemological perspectives will enhance the effectiveness and appropriateness of evidence-based practice.
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This study investigated the work ability and its relationship with quality of life for the clinical nurses in Taiwan. The survey was of 1534 nursing professionals from 8 different hospitals. Work ability of nursing professionals varied by age, work experience, working departments and hospital types. ⋯ Moreover, work ability of nurses varied among hospital type and department. The work ability of nurses was strongly associated with the quality and safety of the work environment and leisure time management. For improving and maintaining the work ability of nurses, countermeasures such as enhancing the ability to cope with the job's mental demands for young nurses, and improving the job design to reduce physical workload for senior nurses are recommended.
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The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) undertook a national study to validate nurses' perceptions, values, and behaviors related to certification. A Web-based survey was developed and disseminated to certified nurses, noncertified nurses, and nurse managers. Of the 11,427 respondents, 8,615 (75%) identified themselves as certified nurses, and 2,812 (25%) were noncertified nurses. ⋯ Nurse Managers bolstered these perceptions with their correspondingly high rate of agreement on the certification value statements. Additionally, the study examined barriers and challenges to certification, incentives to certification, the impact of certification on lost workdays and nurse retention. This study took an important step in furthering understanding of nursing certification and the implications for health care organizations, nursing certification boards, and certified and noncertified nurses.