The journal of nursing research : JNR
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A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted on the experiences of patients who had been successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, including essential elements of the patient support system during the weaning process. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants who had been recruited through purposive sampling from three respiratory care centers in Taiwan. The experiences of participants who had been successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation could be categorized into five themes, which were (a) dealing with the unfamiliar context presented by the weaning program, (b) experiencing various psychological responses and self-endurance ambiguity, (c) being tortured by helplessness, (d) wondering whether to continue or give up, (e) and release from self-breathing. ⋯ Participants also reported that the professionalism of nurses and concern from family members were essential sources of support for successful weaning. Nurses can apply recommendations to develop effective patient support systems that encourage family members to accompany patients at critical times during the weaning process. Therefore, the results of this study may assist healthcare personnel to develop strategies to ensure successful weaning from mechanical ventilation.
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It is well recognized that patients with diabetes encounter a host of daily self-care issues, including controlling blood sugar and preventing and managing complications, which impact significantly upon quality of life. Studies have indicated that learned resourcefulness has a potentially positive effect in dealing with psychosocial and health problems. The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between learned resourcefulness and quality of life in type II diabetic patients. ⋯ Male diabetic patients enjoyed a better quality of life than females, even though levels of learned resourcefulness between the two groups were not significantly different. Results indicate that poor metabolic control of diabetic patients has a detrimental effect on quality of life, and when diabetic patients use more self-control skills, they may achieve better quality of life. Results suggest that nurses who use cognitive behavior coping strategies (resourcefulness) may help diabetic patients achieve better metabolic control and promote better quality of life.
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This study examined from a social exchange perspective the influence of leader-member exchange (LMX) on the trust of subordinates in their supervisors as well as their perception of support received from their medical organization supervisors and the subsequent effect of such on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in subordinates. Two hundred valid supervisor-subordinate (head nurses-nurses) dyads from 3 medical centers and 3 regional hospitals took part in this study, which found that the quality of leader-member exchange affects nurse trust in their supervisors as well as their perception of supervisor support, which consequently promotes OCB on the part of nurses. Findings imply that a higher level of LMX can enhance nurses' commitment, significantly reduce turnover, and promote their OCB, resulting in greater organizational effectiveness.
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The purposes of this study were to investigate: (a) differences in demographic characteristics between a group of with dysmenorrhea and a group without this condition, (b) the predictors of dysmenorrhea, and (c) self-care behavior for dysmenorrhea among vocational nursing school female students. A convenience sampling method was used. Freshmen from three vocational nursing schools located in southern Taiwan were recruited. 805 potential participants were surveyed with structured questionnaires, and 760 valid questionnaires were obtained. ⋯ Fifty percent of participants reported their menarche occurred between the ages of 12 to 14, 61.6% of them still didn't have regular menstruation, 83.9% had menstruation periods that lasted between 4 to 6 days, 34.6% had received relevant health education, and 20.8% had visited a doctor for dysmenorrhea. There was a significant difference between the dysmenorrhea and non-dysmenorrhea groups in terms of menstrual regularity and receipt of health education. Based on research results, we suggest improving female adolescents' self-care behavior against dysmenorrhea through enhanced health education in schools.
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Immunization is recognized as a powerful public health tool in disease control and eradication. Registered nurses (RNs) are the principal health professionals responsible for administering vaccines, not only in terms of childhood immunization but also increasingly in administering travel vaccines and annual influenza vaccinations. The RN often provides leadership in developing and maintaining a high quality program. ⋯ In the future, nurses in clinics located in remote districts may conduct prophylactic inoculation work without fear of the terms of Article 28 and focus on implementing public prophylactic inoculation responsibilities. However, a public health nurse can still be liable for the malpractice in criminal law during the vaccination. Therefore, following procedure is still necessary in the conduct of vaccination duties.