Determination of Effective Speech Skills of Pediatric Nurses and Affecting Factors

Aim: This descriptive and cross-sectional research aims to determine effective speech skills of pediatric nurses and their affecting factors. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 124 nurses working in pediatric clinics of one university hospital, two state hospitals and two private hospitals located in the Province of Erzurum, Turkey. The research data were obtained using a “Demographic Information Form” and an “Effective Speech scale (ESS)”. In the analysis of the data, percentile distributions, averages, t-test, One-Way variance analysis, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used. Ethical principles were adhered to when conducting the study. Results: In the study, it was found that the vast majority of nurses did not receive training to improve effective speaking skills (76.6%). It was determined that the mean ESS score was 98.40±11.08, and that the average score of the nurses who received training on effective speech skills was higher (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the nurses had moderately effective speech skills, and the average ESS score of the nurses who received training on effective speech skills was found to be higher. According to the results of the study, nurses should be supported both in their formal education and working life with activities such as domestic or foreign courses, symposiums, seminars, congresses, etc. in order to improve their effective speech skills professionally

The relationship between insufficient milk perception and breastfeeding self-efficacy among Turkish mothers

WOS: 000418695800007PubMed ID: 27353118Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived insufficient milk and breastfeeding self-efficacy levels among Turkish mothers. Methods: The study was conducted on 200 mothers whose infants were hospitalized and under treatment and who could breastfeed their infants in the newborn clinic of a university hospital in eastern Turkey between June 2013 and February 2014. A sampling method was not applied in the study, so the sample consisted of the population of the study. The Personal Information Form', Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale' and Perception of Insufficient Milk Questionnaire' were used to collect the data. Data were analysed by using percentage distribution and arithmetic average; independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and Cronbach alpha reliability coefficiency in the SPSS 18.0 package program. Results: The study determined that advanced age, higher education level and higher income status, male gender of the child, planning of the pregnancy, many births, receiving breastfeeding education and the length of time that mothers planned to exclusively breastfeed affected breastfeeding self-efficacy and perception of milk sufficiency positively (p<0.05). The study showed that, as breastfeeding self-efficacy levels of mothers increased, their perception of milk sufficiency also increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that some factors related to the mother, infant, pregnancy and breastfeeding affected breastfeeding self-efficacy and the perception of milk insufficiency. As the breastfeeding self-efficacy level increased, the milk was perceived to be more sufficient

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a health literacy education program during the pandemic

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of a health literacy education program on first and emergency aid students during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a single group pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design. The study population consisted of 135 students of the First and Emergency Aid Program of a private university in Konya, Turkey No sampling was performed because we could reach the entire study population. Therefore, the sample consisted of 114 students. Participants attended a health literacy education program (intervention). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form and the Health Literacy Scale (HLS). Number, percentage, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. The study adhered to all ethical principles. Results: Participants had a significantly higher mean post-test HLS score (117 +/- 5.03) than the pre-test score (105 +/- 11.50) (p <0.05). Participants with a high income had a significantly higher mean post-test HLS score than those with a low income (p <0.05). Participants covered by insurance had a significantly higher mean post-test HLS score than those who were not (p <0.05). Participants who did regular exercise had a significantly higher mean post-test HLS score than those who did not (p <0.05). Participants who knew about health literacy before the intervention had a significantly higher mean post-test HLS score than those who did not (p <0.05). Conclusion: The education program helped participants learn more about health literacy. Therefore, universities should integrate it into their curricula

Effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing test anxiety among nursing students

52-56Test anxiety is an important factor that negatively affects nursing students’ success during the education process. The objective of this study was to identify the effectiveness of aromatherapy in decreasing test anxiety levels in nursing students. This experimental trial study’s sample consisted of 2nd year nursing students (n=154) at Faculty of Health Sciences, Ataturk University, in the 2013-2014 academic years. Personal information form and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI 1) were used to collect relevant data. Aromatherapy was applied by the inhalation method to the students in the experimental group during exam. As a result of the study, it was found that State-Trait Anxiety Inventory mean scores of the students in the experimental group was lower than the mean scores of the students in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (pIt was determined that the lavender essential oil has effects on test anxiety. The results of this study can be integrated into education strategies for students who suffer from test-taking anxiety. The results of this study may guide the students and nursing educators to try lavender and other essential oils to reduce test-taking anxiety. </span

Evaluation of the Knowledge of Triage among Nurses Working in Emergency Departments

Introduction: This study was conducted to measure the level of knowledge of triage among nurses working in pediatric emergency and general emergency departments. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between June and September 2014 with 154 nurses from five pediatric emergency and general emergency clinics of five hospitals located in the provinces of Erzurum and Ağrı, Turkey. In contrast to the study sample, this study was conducted within the universe. One hundred seventy seven nurses actively working at the clinics were contacted, however, 23 nurses did not agree to participate in the study, thus, the study was performed with 154 nurses. The study data were collected using a questionnaire created by the researchers through face-to-face interviews with nurses. In the evaluation of the data, percentage calculations, average and chi-square test were used. Official permission of the studied institution, approval of the ethics committee, and verbal consent of the participants were obtained in order to conduct the study. Results: In the study, the vast majority of nurses stated that they did not receive triage education during (51.3%) and after (72.1%) their college education. A statistically significant difference was found between the education level of the nurses and their triage practices (p<0.05). It was found that 72.7% of the nurses did not consider themselves qualified to perform triage, and 68.2% believed that triage was among the duties of emergency care nurses. It was also determined that the physical environment of the emergency department, the ability of personnel to triage and the absence of specialist physicians and nurses were factors affecting triage practice (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the majority of nurses working in emergency departments did not receive triage education, did not consider themselves competent on triage and that triage practice should be supported through in-service training