The impact of communication satisfaction on paediatric nurses’ job satisfaction and intention to stay

Effective communication is the most central process within an organisation and is essential to organisational values, norms and expectations. There is a documented connection between job satisfaction, work commitment and organisational communication. However, nurses’ and nursing middle managers’ satisfaction with organisational communication has not been extensively studied in recent years and not at all among paediatric nurses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and test a theoretical model that examined paediatric nurses’ and middle managers’ satisfaction with organisational communication and the effect this has on paediatric nurses’ job satisfaction and intention to stay in their job. Employing a quantitative research design, a series of surveys were distributed to paediatric nurses (including middle managers) in both electronic and hard copy formats. A total of 165 surveys were returned for a response rate of 42.4%. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify the difference in organisational communication perceptions between paediatric nurses and middle managers. A statistically significant difference was identified, with middle managers displaying greater dissatisfaction in seven communication satisfaction areas. Structural Equation Modelling tested and refined the hypothesised model. Final analysis showed adequate fit data (ꭓ²=2.040, p value= .728, SRMR= .0302, CFI=1.00, RMSEA=.000, pCLOSE= .827). In the final model, supervisor relationships, media quality and communication climate had a direct effect on job satisfaction and an indirect effect on intention to leave ones’ job and looking for another job. Job satisfaction had a direct effect on intention to leave and looking for another job. Study findings suggest that changes to upward and downward communication systems are needed to improve the nursing voice within healthcare organisations. In addition, more support and guidance is required for middle managers, including mentorship and intense training programs. Likewise, organisational communication education at the undergraduate level is needed for student nurses to develop the skills necessary to challenge weaknesses in communication once graduated

A study of facility management knowledge classification for the effective stewardship of existing buildings

The aim of the study was to establish the Facility Management knowledge categories within the life cycle of a building context. The significance of the study stemmed from research undertaken into the compliance to Australian Standards 1851-17:2005 Maintenance of Fire and Smoke Doors within West Australian nursing homes, which demonstrated 87 per cent non-compliance. The level of non-compliance appeared to identify a lack of knowledge, and appropriately qualified and experienced personnel involved within the management of nursing homes (Doleman, 2008). The issues identified prompted the question on how facility management knowledge categories evolves and develops throughout the life cycle of a building. The research used a three Phase, Grounded Theory interpretive analysis of the Facility Management knowledge construct. Phase One involved the examination of 21 international tertiary undergraduate Facility Managers courses. The course content was analysed and assessed through linguistic analysis to extract the knowledge categories and subordinate concepts. The findings identified 14 primary knowledge categories which were presented to 10 Facility Management experts for validation. Phase Two presented the findings of Phase One in a Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) survey instrument to Facility Management experts for dissimilarity assessments. The results from the 56 completed surveys were embedded within MDS software to present spatial knowledge proximity cluster analysis. The final phase was the validation of the research findings through semi-structured interviews of 10 industry experts, selected with consideration of heterogeneity in order to validate the findings of the previous phase. The outcome of this study was to develop an understanding of the Facility Management knowledge categories within the life cycle of a building context and the identification of 14 core knowledge base, required as a Facility Manager practitioner. Core knowledge categories included Finance as a central theme within the Facility Management domain with Building Services and Business providing an indication as to the broad nature of Facility Management knowledge construct. Also identified within the research was the lack of legislative harmonisation between different states and territories within the Facility Management domain and the disparity between Facility Management practitioners with regards to knowledge context and application. The role of Facility Management and their involvement within the lifecycle of a building was also identified within the research as being little or none during the design and construction phases of the building. The handover and management of the buildings to Facility Managers occurs within the occupancy phase of the buildings life cycle meaning that the building was inherited without due consideration of continued operational efficiencies or functionality affecting the overall cost effectiveness of the building. Such outcomes lead to a number of recommendations such as a the introduction of central knowledge standard in order to provide context of definitions and well as the continued development and drive of Facility Management practitioners and associations to establish the Facility Management profession as a respected body

Bearing Witness to my Creativity: Exploring my Artist Identity Through a Practice of A/r/tography

This master’s project follows the personal journey of a creative studies master’s student as she engages in an a/r/tographical process paired with a weekly practice of mindfulness, meditation and Lectio-Divina to explore and restore her artistic practice. The author shares creativity routines, her sketchbook, mini artworks, ideas, culminating collaborative artwork and key insights that enabled her to consolidate her seemingly disparate roles of artist-researcher-teacher. Insights made over the course of the investigation have resulted in the realization that creative expression is a dynamic construct that expands, contracts and evolves in relationship and in response to its host’s experiences

A study of compliance in aged care facilities with regards to Australian Standards 1851:2006 maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment section 17

The management of risk within a nursing home environment is widely viewed as an undertaking perfom1ed by the owners or managers of nursing homes. The residents of these homes are reliant upon the owners and managers to keep them safe, due in part to a traditional belief that they are the experts and have a greater understanding of risk. To establish risk it is first a requirement to have an understanding of levels of risk and risk management techniques. Risk appreciation is often influenced by heuristic representativeness, as well as social and cultural influences. The higher level of risk within a nursing home environment is due in part to the demographic of the residents as well as health issues experienced by elderly people. This increase in risk level places a greater importance on risk mitigation systems. Fire and smoke doors fom1 a pivotal part of the defence in depth principles central to risk minimisation and therefore need to be maintained in order to perform correctly. The study measured aspects of fire and smoke door maintenance compliance by undertaking audits on 160 doors in 22 nursing homes within Western Australia. The results of the auditing process were then evaluated to establish the non-compliance levels. The results were set\u27 against the research question to allow interpretations and assumptions to be made. The study demonstrated a non-compliance level of 87% on the fire and smoke doors audited, with 935 failure items identified. The study also demonstrates that despite the requirement for nursing homes to be accredited and audited, there are still unacceptably high levels of non-compliance. As a result of the study\u27s findings, assumptions were able to be drawn to · the increased risk exposure for residents and staff with consideration made on the reasons for such a high rate of non-compliance

Thermal Characterization Of As4/3501-6 Carbon-Epoxy Composite

Thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity are important thermophysical properties of composite materials and foams. Thermal characterization provides these material properties which play a significant role in the engineering design process of space systems, aerospace vehicles, transportation, energy storage devices, and power generation including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the parameter that is important in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. Because it determines the working temperature levels of a material, the thermal conductivity is critical when considering the performance of materials in high temperature applications as well as safety, process control, and quality assurance. As a result of the scarce thermal property data for the AS4/3501-6 carbon-epoxy composite, this research has developed the thermophysical property database. Using the xenon flash method in accordance with the ASTM E1461 standard, the thermal diffusivity was measured through the thickness. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the specific heat in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard. Both of these properties were measured from room temperature up to the service temperature range of the material. The AS4 composite is recommended for general purpose structural applications. The epoxy matrix is amine cured up to the service temperature of 175 ËšC, and the composite was made using the high pressure autoclave process. After measuring the specific heat and thermal diffusivity, the thermal conductivity was calculated using a directly proportional relationship between the density, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity, thus adding to the currently insufficient thermal properties database for composite materials and foams

Thermal Characterization Of As4/3501-6 Carbon-Epoxy Composite

Thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity are important thermophysical properties of composite materials and foams. Thermal characterization provides these material properties which play a significant role in the engineering design process of space systems, aerospace vehicles, transportation, energy storage devices, and power generation including fuel cells. Thermal conductivity is the parameter that is important in problems involving heat transfer and thermal structures. Because it determines the working temperature levels of a material, the thermal conductivity is critical when considering the performance of materials in high temperature applications as well as safety, process control, and quality assurance. As a result of the scarce thermal property data for the AS4/3501-6 carbon-epoxy composite, this research has developed the thermophysical property database. Using the xenon flash method in accordance with the ASTM E1461 standard, the thermal diffusivity was measured through the thickness. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the specific heat in accordance with the ASTM E1269 standard. Both of these properties were measured from room temperature up to the service temperature range of the material. The AS4 composite is recommended for general purpose structural applications. The epoxy matrix is amine cured up to the service temperature of 175 ËšC, and the composite was made using the high pressure autoclave process. After measuring the specific heat and thermal diffusivity, the thermal conductivity was calculated using a directly proportional relationship between the density, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity, thus adding to the currently insufficient thermal properties database for composite materials and foams

Development, implementation, and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model: A scoping review

Aim: The aim of this study is to synthesize available literature describing the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model. Background: A Professional Practice Model is an overarching theory-based framework that depicts nursing values and defines the structure and process of nursing care. No research has synthesized available literature on this topic in recent times. Evaluation: A review of English language papers was published from 2015 to 2022. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Key Issues: All studies highlighted the importance of having a Professional Practice Model that reflects nursing care activities and resonates with nurses across an organization. This is achieved through strong leadership and clinical nurse involvement during the development, implementation and evaluation phases. In addition, a model should be adapted to keep up to date with scientific changes relevant to nursing. Conclusions: This review adds to the body of knowledge on the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model. Future research exploring the benefit of a Professional Practice Model on patient outcomes would be useful. Implications for nursing management: The key elements of a Professional Practice Model including six components and theoretical foundation have been summarized in this review. Nurse leaders should consider these key elements in the creation of a Professional Practice Model. For successful enculturation, a Professional Practice Model needs to be relevant to all nurses and easy for them to articulate

A strategy to articulate the facility management knowledge categories within the built environment

Security is applied in the built environment and this requires a close relationship with facility managers. Therefore, this study puts forward an approach to establish the facility management knowledge categories within the built environment. In part, the significance of the study stemmed from research undertaken into the compliance to Australian fire door maintenance within nursing homes, which demonstrated 87 percent noncompliance. This high level of non-compliance appeared to identify a lack of facility management knowledge, among other issues (Doleman & Brooks, 2011). The article uses a method to test the supposition of facility management knowledge construct in a three-phase Grounded Theory analysis. Phase-one examines international tertiary Facility Management courses, where course content is critiqued through linguistic analysis to extract the knowledge categories. Phase-two of the study further analyses these findings through the use of multidimensional scaling to present underlying conceptual knowledge interrelationships. The final third-phase uses experts in order to validate the findings of the previous two phases. A pilot study identified 18 common knowledge concepts, for example project management, space planning, budgeting and principles of facility management. The study outcomes will improve the understanding of building knowledge requirements within the built environment, resulting in a framework of facility management knowledge categories. Such an outcome will support the consensual development of a facility management body of knowledge. The specific outcomes put forward for this research includes establishing the primary knowledge categories found within the Facility Management Industry. In addition, the outcomes will support the consensual development of a facility management body of knowledge, support policy, education and the relationship with security

Autonomous Surveillance Satellite

This paper describes the potential to enhance the performance and reliability of small satellites by using increased levels of digital processing on-board the spacecraft. It describes an architecture, developed by Control Data, that will satisfy its users\u27 needs and provide mechanisms for high reliability. The term SMARTSAT means a small satellite that has significant smarts (processing capability) on-board

The impact of pandemics on healthcare providers\u27 workloads: A scoping review

Aims: To review and synthesize available evidence exploring the impact of pandemics on direct healthcare providers\u27 workloads in the acute care setting. Design: Scoping review. Data Sources: A review of English research articles published up to August 2022 that examined the impact of pandemics on healthcare providers’ workloads was undertaken. Studies were identified by searching four electronic databases: Medline (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science and PsychInfo (EBSCO). Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Review Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Scoping Review checklist. Results: Healthcare workers experience an increase in workload pressures during a pandemic. This included patients requiring more care, undertaking non-normal work activities, increase in work content including changes to documentation, increase in demand and skills required, an increase in overtime and hours of work per week and higher patient-to-nurse ratios. The review also highlighted changes to the work environment and worsened work environments, including staffing shortages. Conclusion: Focused efforts from health organizations to prioritize supportive conditions, policies focused on improved work environments, staffing adequacy and fair and reasonable workloads will enhance retention of the current workforce and future planning for pandemics. Impact: Understanding workload challenges faced by frontline health professionals during the pandemic can improve planning, including policies and procedures, and resource allocation for future pandemic or emergency situations. In addition, extended periods of high workloads can impact staff retention. As many countries return to life after COVID-19, it is important that healthcare organizations examine staff pressures and identify ways to support staff moving forward. This will be vital for the future sustainability of the workforce. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution