Perceived challenges in open and distance learning among nursing students of Open University Malaysia: A descriptive analysis

Open and distance learning (ODL), a structured learning whereby the students and instructors are separated by time and place, is currently the popular trend among working adults across the nation. From higher nursing education perspective, it must be made accessible, affordable and flexible to allow the nurses to cope with the demands and pressure of busy work and family commitments that give rise to several challenges. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine perceived challenges in ODL among undergraduate nursing students of Open University Malaysia (OUM). The study employed quantitative approach by using close-ended questionnaires. A convenience samples of registered nurses (RNs) undertaking Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (BNS) programme (n = 81) completed the face-to-face questionnaires. Data analysis using descriptive statistics collected from 81 respondents from five OUM learning centres. The perceived areas of challenges were grouped into: perceptions of ODL for continuing education; perceived challenges facing ODL students; instructional related challenges; and institutional related challenges. Surprisingly, the findings indicate that BNS students are facing only some extent of challenges in their learning particularly within their own circles with perceived challenge highest on financial constraints (54.3%). However, they demonstrate positive perception of ODL for continuing education with the majority (70.4%) agreeing that it is relevant with current teaching-learning strategy. There is no obvious indication of perceived challenges instigates from instructional and institutional factors as the majority disagree (51.9%) that they are facing unhelpful course information and lack of direction; and (46.9%) disagree lack / delayed of important information, respectively. Above all, the findings address students’ concerns in improving student experiences, and enhanced instructional and institutional contributions that marked the achievement of ODL outcomes. In essence, this study has shed some light into challenges faced by ODL nursing students and the strategies to further ameliorate the implementation of ODL. (Abstract by authors

Factors Affecting Intention to Stay Among Nursing Staff at Selected Private Hospitals

Many factors in the healthcare industry affect the nurse's work, but some major factors influence them to leave the organisation. Nurse retention is one of the major challenges faced by the healthcare industry, due to which the turnover rate of nurses increases. The healthcare industry is growing daily and needs more nurses, but due to the exhausting labour and challenging work, most people leave the industry early and look for better opportunities. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting nursing retention and turnover in a selected private hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. This descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study involved 133 nursing staff through a self-administered survey questionnaire to know the respondents' viewpoints; the participants gave mixed responses about staying and leaving the organisation. However, from their statements, it is clear that they wanted the industry to improve the training and development process, work-life balance and reward and recognition policy. The high turnover rate of nurses will cause detrimental effects on patient care if nurses' lack of training and development influence nurses to leave the organisation.

Knowledge and Attitudes in Pain Relief Management Among Private Hospital Nurses

For both nurses and patients, effective pain relief management is critical. Relieving patients’ pain and suffering are considered the responsibility of nurses. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. The Nurses Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Pain Questionnaire was used to measure the nurses’ level of knowledge and attitude toward pain assessment and management. The results showed a lack of knowledge among nurses regarding pain relief management. It started with the fundamental question regarding the usage of the vital sign as reliable indicators of the intensity of a patient’s pain. 90.6% (145) of the nurses answered ‘True’, but the correct answer was ‘False’, and only 9.4% (15) of the nurses gave the correct answer. We found out that 60% (96) of nurses believed that patients should not receive opioid treatment even if they are in pain. This study discovered that the level of knowledge on pain relief management among nurses in the private hospital was inadequate. The patients should receive appropriate treatment to relieve the pain regardless of their history of substance abuse. This perception on the nurses could prevent some of the patients from their right to being pain-free

Perception of The Leadership Behaviour on Job Satisfaction Among Registered Nurses

There are many factors, and one of the factors influencing job satisfaction is leadership behavior. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between socio-demographic and the leadership behavior of nurse managers on job satisfaction based on the perception of registered nurses in a selected private hospital, Malaysia. A crosssectional descriptive study involving 161 registered nurses using convenient sampling with self-administered questionnaires and using Leadership Behaviour Description Questionnaire (LBDQ) and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). There was no significant correlation between socio-demographic data and job satisfaction with the Pearson correlation of (r < 0.3, p > 0.05). However, the result showed that there was statistically significant between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction with (p < 0.05, r = 0.572, p = 0.000 and r = 0.531, p = 0.022). Leadership behavior serves as an important aspect in nursing to determine job satisfaction and address nurse shortage issues in the future. Hence, staff development and monitor the leadership behavior among the staff to provide them a piece of measurable concept pertaining to leadership behavior at least to let them understand their progress to becoming an effective leader

Behavioral Pain Indicators in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: A consistent approach to pain assessment for patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) is a major difficulty for health practitioners due to some patients’ inability, to express their pain verbally. This study aimed to assess pain behaviors (PBs) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients at different levels of consciousness. Methods: This study used a repeated-measure, within-subject design with 35 patients admitted to an ICU. The data were collected through observations of nociceptive and non-nociceptive procedures, which were recorded through a 47-item behavior-rating checklist. The analyses were performed by SPSS ver.13 software. Results: The most frequently observed PBs during nociceptive procedures were facial expression levator contractions (65.7%), sudden eye openings (34.3%), frowning (31.4%), lip changes (31.4%), clear movement of extremities (57.1%), neck stiffness (42.9%), sighing (31.4%), and moaning (31.4%). The number of PBs exhibited by participants during nociceptive procedures was significantly higher than those observed before and 15 minutes after the procedures. Also, the number of exhibited PBs in patients during nociceptive procedures was significantly greater than that of exhibited PBs during the non-nociceptive procedure. The results showed a significant difference between different levels of consciousness and also between the numbers of exhibited PBs in participants with different levels of traumatic brain injury severity. Conclusion: The present study showed that most of the behaviors that have been observed during painful stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury included facial expressions, sudden eye opening, frowning, lip changes, clear movements of extremities, neck stiffness, and sighing or moaning

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Standard Precaution among Nurses in Middle-East Hospital

Introduction: Staff nurses are exposed to many blood and other fluids in the course of their day to day activities in Intensive Care Unit. Purpose of this survey is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of standard precaution among nurses in Intensive Care unit, in Middle East Hospital. Method: This was a cross-sectional study and undertaken among nurses by self-administered and anonymous questionnaire that randomly selected in Intensive Care Unit, Middle East Hospital. Results: Female nurses accounted for majority of the respondents which covered 66.7% (n = 44) while male nurses make up around 33.3% (n = 22) of the nursing workforce in the study. 53% (n = 35) of the respondents reported not having any basic exposure or training in infection control practices, while the other 47% (n = 31) respondents received their training or basic exposure in infection control practices. Majority of the participants had high level of knowledge. Conclusion: In accordance to the self-reported questionnaires, 77% (n = 51) of the respondents practice good practices of standard precaution. The knowledge, attitude and compliance among ICU nurses in the middle-east hospital towards standard precaution was adequate

Factors Affecting Intention To Stay Among Nursing Staff At Selected Private Hospitals

Many factors in the healthcare industry affect the nurse's work, but some major factors influence them to leave the organisation. Nurse retention is one of the major challenges faced by the healthcare industry, due to which the turnover rate of nurses increases. The healthcare industry is growing daily and needs more nurses, but due to the exhausting labour and challenging work, most people leave the industry early and look for better opportunities. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting nursing retention and turnover in a selectedprivate hospital in Selangor, Malaysia. This descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study involved 133 nursing staff through a self-administered survey questionnaire to know the respondents' viewpoints; the participants gave mixed responses about staying and leaving the organisation. However, from their statements, it is clear that they wanted the industry to improve the training and development process, work-life balance and reward and recognition policy. The high turnover rate of nurses will cause detrimental effects on patient care if nurses' lack of training and development influence nurses to leave the organisation (Abstract by author

Impact of work environment on job satisfaction and stress among hemodialysis staff in Klang Valley

To investigate the factors contributing to satisfaction with the work environment, job satisfaction (JS), and stress among hemodialysis (HD) staff in the central region of Malaysia

Simulated Patients’ Experience towards Simulated Patient-Based Simulation Session: A Qualitative Study

Background: Simulated Patient (SP) is defined as a layperson that simulates to portray the role of a patient with health-related conditions. International Medical University (IMU) has been utilizing SP for more than 10 years, however, the SP's experience toward the SP-based simulation session yet to be explored, the aim of the study was to explore the SP's experience toward the SP-based simulation session. Methods: Total of 6 participants recruited for a focused group interview, with the inclusive criteria of participated at least an SP-based simulation session. The interviewer used a list of guide question to explore both the positive and negative experience of the SP-based simulation session. A combination of manual and computer software Program was used for data management and analysis. Manual transcribing and coding technique was used for data analysis, while Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) was used for data management and additional analysis. Results: Three main themes and eleven sub-themes have emerged. The first theme was Effective learning session, with the sub-themes of Student learning attitude, Treated as real patient, Standardization among lecturer, Appropriate respond to student and Focused learning outcome; second theme was Motivation, with the sub-themes of Respect, Feedback, and Caring; the third theme was Preparation prior to class, with the sub-themes of Clear instruction, Role-play, and Script. Conclusions: SPs perceived that lecturers should pay attention to the students’ learning outcome and fully utilize SPs for teaching. Besides that, SPs wished to be treated as a real patient due to the lecturer who treated the SPs as they are real patient gave students a mind-set that the learners were actually dealing with a patient with real conditions. SPs supposed that another role of the lecturer was well-prepared the SPs prior to the actual sessions. SPs expressed that students who took the session seriously, well-preparation before the classes, active participation during the sessions and proactive attitude encouraged realistic portrayal of the character. While SP role was memorizing a series of information needed for the scenario, prepare mentally for portrayal certain emotional as well as physical symptoms. Lecturer, SP as well as student influence a successful SP-based simulation session. (Abstract by authors

Knowledge and Awareness among Registered Nurses in the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) for High-Risk Antenatal and Postnatal Mothers

Background: There is an increment in the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among the Asian population. This study is conducted to investigate the level of knowledge and awareness of the nurses regarding VTE. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 170 respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The respondents’ knowledge and awareness were assessed by using an individual VTE self-efficacy items with 5-point Likert scale. Results: The finding shows no significant relationship between age, education level, nurse grade, experience, attend CNE with the knowledge level. There is significant relationship between attend CNE and level of awareness. Conclusion: In this study, it was discovered that the level of knowledge and awareness among nurses in the government hospital were at good level. However, more studies should be conducted to compare among the hospitals. This will capture a clear picture regarding nurses’ knowledge and awareness regarding VTE management