Nursing students perception of clinical learning environments:A qualitative study

Introduction: Nursing students’ perception of clinical learning environments is effective on decision making and selection of learning approach. Due to the importance of perception toward clinical learning environments, nursing students’ perception of this environment was examined in this qualitative study. Method: This qualitative study was performed using grounded theory. For data analysis, the glazer approach was used. Using purposeful sampling, 35 deep interviews were conducted and 1 focused group interview was conducted with 5 subjects. Continuous comparative analysis was performed simultaneously to data gathering using OneNote software. Results: It was found that a range of stimuli affect nursing students’ perception of clinical learning environments in the form of a 4-step process. These 4 steps consist of experiencing and processing primary expectations, experiencing and processing the programmed environment, experiencing and processing the clinical learning environment, and nurturing personal and professional talents and capabilities. Conclusion: The results of this study can help instructors and curriculum programmers in understanding the process of nursing students’ perception of clinical learning environments. An understanding of these perceptions can improve students’ perception of these environments and help to nurture their talents and personal capabilities. Keywords: Perception, Clinical learning environment, Nursing student

The Relation between Spiritual Well-being and Some Psychological Variables among Martyr and Veteran Children Students in the Universities of Karaj

Background: The results of the studies about spiritual well-being and psychological disorders among the student population are not enough and harmonious. This study examined the relation between spiritual well-being and some psychological disorders (stress, anxiety and depression) among martyr and veteran children students in Karaj Universities (Iran). Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted on 160 martyr and veteran children students in the universities of Karaj in 2017, using the multistage sampling method. The data gathering tool was a multi-sectional questionnaire containing demographic data, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS), as well as the spiritual well-being scale (SWBS). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Linear Regression. Results: The mean age of students was 25.1±5.5 years, and 53.5% of them were the child of veterans. The mean of total SWBS and DASS scores were 91.21±16.1 and 16.81±9.1, respectively. Regarding spiritual well-being, students were in the medium range, and the majority of them were normal regarding psychological distress. No significant difference was found in spiritual well-being and depression, anxiety and stress between the two groups of martyr and veteran children students. There was a significant negative correlation between spiritual well-being and depression, anxiety and stress in these students. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it is suggested that interventional and cultural programs be designed and implemented to increase the students' spiritual well-being based on appropriate theories

The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis

Background and aim: Social support is an important factor that can affect mental health. In recent decades, many studies have been done on the impact of social support on mental health. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect size of the relationship between social support and mental health in studies in Iran. Methods: This meta-analysis was carried out in studies that were performed from 1996 through 2015. Databases included SID and Magiran, the comprehensive portal of human sciences, Noor specialized magazine databases, IRANDOC, Proquest, PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, Iranmedex and Google Scholar. The keywords used to search these websites included “mental health or general health,” and “Iran” and “social support.” In total, 64 studies had inclusion criteria meta-analysis. In order to collect data used from a meta-analysis worksheet that was made by the researcher and for data analysis software, CMA-2 was used. Results: The mean of effect size of the 64 studies in the fixed-effect model and random-effect model was obtained respectively as 0.356 and 0.330, which indicated the moderate effect size of social support on mental health. The studies did not have publication bias, and enjoyed a heterogeneous effect size. The target population and social support questionnaire were moderator variables, but sex, sampling method, and mental health questionnaire were not moderator variables. Conclusion: Regarding relatively high effect size of the correlation between social support and mental health, it is necessary to predispose higher social support, especially for women, the elderly, patients, workers, and student

Student\'s perception of clinical learning environment

Introduction: Clinical education plays a key role in nursing. Clinical learning environment is one of the most important well-known factors for being successful in nursing educational programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of clinical learning environment among nursing students in Jiroft and Kerman Universities of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 133 students of the Faculties of Nursing in Kerman and Jiroft Universities of Medical Sciences in 2013-14 academic years. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire. It was developed by employing studies of Chiu Yuen Han, Saarikoski, Kachiwala and Skaalvik its validity and reliability were verified by validity coefficient (0.8) and test-retest method and correlation coefficient (0.74) respectively. The questionnaire’s six-point scale, rated as absolutely appropriate, appropriate, slightly appropriate, slightly inappropriate, inappropriate, and absolutely inappropriate which were scored from 0 to 5. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics test, t test, ANOVA and Pearson test. Results: The mean of total scores obtained from clinical learning environment perception was 2.79±0.63 out of 5. The lowest score was for personnel’s support (2.24±1.18) and the highest score was for supervision communication (3.01±1.08). The means of total scores obtained from perception of clinical learning environment differed significantly in male and female students (t=2.297, p=0.023) and for second, third and fourth year students (f=3.43, p=0.035). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that nursing students’ perception of clinical learning environment was average. It is accordingly suggested that successful management models of wards should be considered in order to empower students’ learning and teamwork in all clinical wards

Effective Factors on Theoretical Class Attendance according to Nursing and Midwifery Students’ Point of View, Kerman Razi School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background & Objective: Classrooms are suitable places for transferring teachers’ experiences to the students and a better understanding of educational contents. The students’ absence from theoretical classes has been one of the increasing and most important educational problems in medical universities in recent years. This study was performed to determine the effective factors on theoretical class attendance according to nursing and midwifery students’ point of view in Kerman Razi School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 2003. Methods: In this descriptive – analytic study, 320 nursing and midwifery students were asked to fill in the researcher-made questionnaires using a census method. Totally 217 questionnaires were filled. Results : Among all 217 students, 87.9% were female and 75.7% were single. Students’ mean age (± SD) was 22.4(±4) years. Native students were 56.7% and only 14.6% were employed. Among the effective factors on theoretical class attendance, the highest mean scores belong to “teachers’ scientific dominance and orientation” (4.7), “students’ interest in the related topic” (4.67), “proper teaching method” (4.66), “importance of class attendance for better comprehension of the lesson” (4.58) and the lowest mean scores belong to “classrooms physical environment” (3.85) , “not attending the class as a duty”, (3.88), using audiovisual aids (3.95). Conclusion : The findings showed that attending classes is affected by factors related to both teachers and studentsBut the teachers’ scientific dominance and orientation, teaching methodology and students’ involvement during class discussions are the main factors which determine students’ attendance in the classes. Keywords: Attendance, Theoretical lessons, Nursing students, Midwifery students, Effective factors

Teenage girls’ experience of the determinants of physical activity promotion: A theory-based qualitative content analysis

Background: The progress of technology in developed countries has changed lifestyles to sedentary and has increased non-communicable diseases. Identifying factors affecting patterns of physical activity among adolescents is valuable and it is important to change these pattern. Objective: This study aimed to explore teenage girls’ experiences regarding the determinants of physical activity promotion based on Pender's Health Promotion Model. Methods: This qualitative study is a content analysis research on the girls of three high schools in Minoodasht city for six months from September 2015 until the end of February 2016. The data were obtained by focused group discussions and semi-structured in-depth interviews from 48 girls ranging from 15 to 18 years old and six teachers. Data analysis was done using theory-driven qualitative content analysis. Results: Data analysis resulted in a total number of 53 primary codes which were classified in the six predetermined classifications of Pender's Health Promotion Model (Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy of physical activity behavior, feelings related to physical activity behavior, interpersonal and situational influencers). The results showed that two classifications (perceived barriers, and situational influencers) were considered more important than other classifications in reducing levels of physical activity in adolescent girls and also high self-efficacy for promoting physical activity in adolescents. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study specified the determinants affecting the promotion of physical activity among adolescent girls and can help the planners to choose the most appropriate methods and strategies in order to promote physical activity among adolescent girls and to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases in this age group and gender